Panama City breaks · Panama
Surfing Las Bóvedas (Casco Viejo)
A point break in Panama City breaks, Panama, for intermediate surfers.
- TypePoint Break
- LevelIntermediate
- Size2-6 ft
- Best monthsApr-Oct
- Crowd2/5
The wave
Right in the middle of the Casco Viejo (Old Quarter), Las Bóvedas is a rock-bottomed pointbreak with good lefts ending on a large rock. Such a location ensures maximum crowds and minimum safety, pollution and thievery are part of the deal, but the novelty of surfing beneath the colonial ramparts of Panama City's old town, skyscrapers glinting across the bay, is hard to beat.
It needs a big south swell to get over the sheltering Gulf of Panama, so it's an occasional wave rather than a reliable one, breaking left along the rock ledge when the size arrives.
Go on a large south swell, keep your wits about you with your gear and the pollution, and enjoy one of surfing's more surreal urban settings. Las Bóvedas is more curiosity than quality, a rock-bottom left in the heart of the historic city, but for a wave surfed against a backdrop of 16th-century walls and a modern skyline, it's a one-of-a-kind session.
8.95, -79.53 · Big S swell · Open in Google Maps
When to surf Las Bóvedas (Casco Viejo)
Las Bóvedas (Casco Viejo) is at its best from April to October. Conditions it likes: Big S swell. This is how the year looks across West Panamá Province:
| Months | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| April to June | Good | S-SW swell building; the narrow window means it's smaller than Santa Catalina |
| July to September | Prime | Peak S-SW season, best NZ lows send the optimum ~210° swell; onshore afternoons |
| October to November | Good | Onshore south winds increasingly dominate late in the season |
| December to March | Quiet | Dry season, offshore northerlies, but swells are unreliable and often flat |
Waves near Las Bóvedas (Casco Viejo)
| Wave | Area | Type | Level | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mojon Beach | Panama City breaks | Beach Break | Beginner / Intermediate | 3 km |
| La Zurda | Panama City breaks | Reef Break | Advanced | 5 km |
| Nuevo Loco | Panama City breaks | Reef Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 5 km |
| Panamá La Vieja | Panama City breaks | Beach Break | Beginner | 8 km |
| Playa Serena | Rio Mar & the coast | Point Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 68 km |
| Playa Malibú | Rio Mar & the coast | Beach Break | Intermediate | 68 km |
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there and staying around Panama City breaks
Transport, costs and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Panama City breaks surf guide →
A week here costs from about $844 with flights from Europe, or around $1,762 travelling comfortably. See other surf trips under $1,000 →
Las Bóvedas (Casco Viejo): common questions
When is the best time to surf Las Bóvedas (Casco Viejo)?
Las Bóvedas (Casco Viejo) works best from April to October. Ideal conditions: Big S swell.
Is Las Bóvedas (Casco Viejo) good for beginners?
No. Las Bóvedas (Casco Viejo) is a wave for intermediate surfers. The closest beginner-friendly spot we cover is Mojon Beach in Panama City breaks, about 3 km away.
How crowded is Las Bóvedas (Casco Viejo)?
Las Bóvedas (Casco Viejo) is usually quiet: 2 out of 5 on our crowd scale.
Where is Las Bóvedas (Casco Viejo)?
Las Bóvedas (Casco Viejo) is in Panama City breaks, in the West Panamá Province region of Panama (8.95, -79.53). The nearest wave we cover is Mojon Beach, about 3 km away.
Last updated October 2026. Seasons, costs and conditions change, so check the details before you book.
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