Pixvae is a small fishing village on Panama’s Pacific coast, renowned for its incredible marine life and pristine waters, making it a sought-after destination for divers. Founded in the early 20th century, Pixvae has evolved into a popular hub for scuba diving and snorkeling due to its proximity to the protected Coiba National Park. Divers flock to Pixvae to explore its diverse underwater ecosystem, including sharks, rays, dolphins, sea turtles, and vibrant coral reefs.
In recent years, Pixvae has become a beacon of sustainable tourism, promoting the preservation of its natural beauty and biodiversity. The local community plays an active role in the conservation efforts, ensuring that the area remains pristine for future generations to enjoy. As a result, Pixvae has transformed into a haven for divers seeking unparalleled experiences. Its crystal-clear waters and thriving marine life make it a true paradise for underwater enthusiasts, offering a variety of dive sites suitable for divers of all skill levels.
Pixvae is an ideal base for exploring the underwater wonders of Coiba and Contreras. The village provides convenient access to numerous dive sites showcasing a variety of marine species, from colorful tropical fish to majestic sharks and rays. Additionally, visitors can enjoy activities like beach exploration, snorkeling, kayaking, and mangrove forest tours. Wildlife enthusiasts can spot monkeys, birds, and sea turtles in the area.
Beyond its diving opportunities, Pixvae charms visitors with its tranquil atmosphere, authentic village setting, and delectable local cuisine served in its restaurants. Immersion in the local culture and way of life adds to the overall experience.
In summary, Pixvae offers the perfect blend of natural beauty, adventure, and relaxation for divers seeking an unforgettable experience. With its stunning surroundings, diverse activities, and welcoming community, Pixvae is a gateway to the underwater wonders of Coiba and the Archipelago of Contreras.
Starting from Panama, you can embark on an enjoyable journey along the Interamericana highway towards Santiago de Veraguas. In case you don’t have access to a GPS device, it would be advisable to seek directions for joining Route 4, which heads towards Soná. Upon reaching Soná, you continue straight on the main street until you can turn left heading to a football stadium, then continue straight to Pixvae. The overall duration of this excursion typically amounts to approximately six hours.
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For an efficient journey, it is recommended to catch an early morning bus from Albrook Bus Station in Panama (preferably before 6 AM) heading to Soná. The bus ride typically takes around five and a half hours and costs $9.65.
Upon reaching Soná, you have the option of continuing your travel to Pixvae by either taking a Taxi or by taking the Chiva (a 4×4 Landcruiser). The duration of this leg of the journey is approximately one hour, with a fare of $6.95.
It’s important to note that there is only one bus (Chiva) departing from Soná to Pixvae, and it typically leaves around 12:30 PM. In the event of missing this bus, your alternatives would be either hiring a taxi or staying in Soná until the following day.
We offer private transportation from Sona and Santiago to Pixvae with our private transfer service. We provide convenient pick-up from the terminal and offer secure parking in Sona for your vehicle. Please contact us to know more about this option.
Located in a calm village, this centrally situated hostel offers a tranquil escape. With two floors and nine rooms, it provides a cozy retreat just steps from the beach. Embracing the serenity of its surroundings, guests can unwind and relax. Whether exploring the sandy shores or savoring local delicacies, this hostel is an ideal coastal getaway.
Discover one of the two centrally located hostel in this calm village. Nestled in the heart of this peaceful retreat, the two-story accommodation offers a serene escape. Experience the perfect balance between convenience and tranquility, with local attractions just a stone’s throw away. Rent the entire house for a private and exclusive stay, ideal for larger groups or families. Immerse yourself in the charm of this village.
Unique Find: The Only Private House Rental in Pixvae
Sonia’s Place is the only private rental in the peaceful fishing village of Pixvae, barely on the tourist map. Expect white sand beaches, horseback traffic and a very authentic experience.
At Sonia’s Place the beach is your front yard. The building is brand new, and the living space is second story to capture a perfect coastal view and collect the ocean breezes. With two little bed rooms, 1 bathroom, and a kitchen expect a simple beach house. There is plenty of covered outdoor space to protect you from the mid-day sun, kayaks to use free of charge and a motor boat and captain on call.
Amazing diving in Panama - We were lucky enough to get a ride to Pixvae with Kevan’s charming son Will who met us in Sona, I wont lie the journey was hot and... read more bumpy but the scenery was stunning. It was a long nearly 2 hour trip on a bumpy dusty track (only to be done by a 4x4).
The journey was so worth it, the village of Pixvae is charming with a fantastic beech. When you are this far off the beaten track don’t expect 5 star luxury. There is no mains electricity and your mobile won’t work.
We were shown to our accommodation which was a basic hostel where we had a twin room with shared bathroom, lighting was provided by solar powered lights. The only other guests were also there for the diving and we quickly discovered the nearby bar for a well earned cool beer.
We met Kevan a few hours after arriving, as he had been working away for five days on a scientific trip. He was tired from a days technical diving and probably just wanted to get his head down for a sleep, but he made us feel so welcome and gave us an introduction brief and made arrangements for the following days diving.
The first day diving was on a quiet site, there were five divers including the pair of us and the abilities were mixed from newly qualified to very experienced. So Kevan did the right thing and took the newbies for a check out dive first, then a slow gentle dive. He is extremely safety conscious and his attention to detail is to the highest standard I have seen in a dive company.
For the next two days diving it was just the pair for us, we had some wonderful dives seeing all the beauty the ocean had to offer. Big and little together. My highlight was to witness loads and loads of Diamond Rays so close up, I have never seen so many Rays together. The diving was great, Cobia is fantastic and our dive guide was brilliant. Kevan is one of the nicest passionate and professional people we have had the pleasure to meet. He is so knowledgeable, funny and has great stories to be told. The food was lovely and plenty of it, Luc is a great cook.
We happened to be there in very peculiar times, at the start of the coronavirus spreading world wide, with us in Pixvae oblivious to the quickly changing outside world, after news did drip through, Kevan looked after us so well, Kevan even shared his rum!!! On a serious note he made sure we were able to get out and was always in contact with us after leaving Pixvae until we made it home safely to the UK.
When the world returns to normal, we will be back to Panama and we look forward to diving again with Kevan, if he will put up with us again.
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