Las Lajas Beach

Las Lajas runs for something like fourteen kilometres along the Pacific coast of Chiriquí, a broad flat beach of grey-gold sand backed by coconut palms, with a scatter of small hotels and beach restaurants at the access point and nothing at all along most of its length. The tidal range on this coast is large and the beach widens enormously at low water. Currents are strong and the surf is straightforward rather than dramatic.

What you actually see

• The length - something like fourteen kilometres of continuous sand.
• The palm backing - the coconut stands running behind the shore.
• The tidal range - the beach widening enormously at low water.
• The emptiness - almost nothing built along most of its length.

When to go

December to April is the dry season and the busiest. The wet season from May brings rain and driftwood. Weekends bring visitors from David.

Honest expectations

Currents here are strong and there are no lifeguards. The sand is grey rather than white and the water is often murky. Facilities are limited to the small cluster at the access point.

Nearby

El Nancito is northeast, and David is west.