Authentic Panamanian Beach Experience - They say, “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.” I would say it was close to that in my experience going to Playa Santa Clara. My guide Mike was very proud and knowledgeable, sharing information and history about the landmarks and towns we passed on the way to the beach. Once we arrived in Santa Clara, he facilitated things with the restaurant staff who owned the amenities and I received my wristband for my stay. I was looking for an experience that was more authentic than what I thought I’d receive in Coronado and I got it. The ranchitos (thatched roof huts) with a picnic table and hammock - included with the tour - were a nice change from the beach umbrella and chair setup I was used to. The crowd was relatively small on this Wednesday, mostly families enjoying the school vacation break. The water was warm and the tides were surprisingly high for swimming but I still felt safe. The restaurant served great food. I didn’t know what corvina was at the time - it’s sea bass - so I chose salmon as my main entree but I wish I had tried the corvina as it’s native to Panama. Mike arrived early and we got a head start on the afternoon traffic. Overall, it was a wonderful experience. Although I absorbed the fee to go on my own, I encourage couples/friends/family to experience this more authentic Panamanian beach excursion.