( Budget Travel ) -- Even the most sophisticated traveler could be forgiven for thinking that there 's little more to Panama than its iconic canal , seaside capital , and snorkeler-packed Bocas del Toro islands . The Los Santos region of Panama has spectacular rolling farmlands and blissfully empty beaches . But there 's a more secret and equally spectacular side to the country about a five-hour drive west from Panama City : the Pacific coast region of Los Santos . Here , rolling farmlands and stands of mahogany and cocobolo trees hug an azure coastline , luring surfers , nature buffs , and , increasingly , travelers and second-home owners from all over . Although roadside real-estate billboards suggest a far more developed future , Los Santos has managed to stay blessedly free of resorts . In their place are a handful of low-key -- and far more affordable -- boutique hotels . The most stylish is the seven-room Villa Camilla , just outside the fishing village of Pedasí . The red-tiled hideaway , located on an 800-acre parcel of the Azuero Peninsula , started out as a private escape for French interior designer Gilles St.-Gilles and his wife , Camilla . `` The area reminded us of Tuscany , '' says St.-Gilles , who landscaped the estate with fragrant jasmine , plumeria , and hibiscus . In 2005 , the couple opened their place as a hotel , and last fall they added 20 new seaside duplex lofts . As stylish as they are family-friendly , the setups come with full-size kitchens , extra guest beds , and mosaic-tile flooring . An in-house stable is ready for shoreline horseback rides , and you can sign up for snorkeling trips to nearby Isla Cañas , a palm-fringed refuge where thousands of leatherback turtles converge to build nests . Farther inland , the center of Pedasí has a cow-town vibe : Picture low-slung cottages painted bright green and yellow , and ranchers wearing handmade Panama hats . Yellow is also the color of choice at the new Casita Margarita . This five-room B & B comes with locally crafted cocobolo furniture and a wraparound veranda overlooking Pedasí 's main street . Perhaps best of all , it 's within walking distance of local hangout Mano Surf Community , a pro shop that does double duty as a café and juice bar , and El Gringo Dusek , a no-frills , alfresco cantina run by retired U.S. Navy officer Joseph Dusek , which serves the best barbecue ribs in Los Santos . Of course , beyond the culinary surf and turf , the region 's big draw is its blissfully empty beaches : Some of Panama 's most scenic -- Los Destiladeros , Modroño , and the black-sand Playa Venao with its eight-foot breaks -- are short drives from Pedasí . Closer to home , Pedasí 's El Arenal is a good launchpad for day trips to Iguana Island . ( Fishermen stationed by the pier rent their motorboats , captain included , for about $ 50 round trip . ) The hotel-free and nearly visitor-free isle is named for its resident black and green iguanas . Sign up for an Iguana Island Foundation snorkeling and hiking tour ; you might just get a good look at some hatchlings . While it may be hard to top that sight , 77-year-old Dalila Vera de Quintero knows how to command equal wows . Her lemon-yellow bakery in a bungalow , Dulceria Yely , is famous across Panama for its home-style sweets , like almond queques ( pound cakes ) and creamy chicheme , a shake blended from sweetened milk , fresh corn , and crushed vanilla beans . She also stashes a cake or two in the kitchen for favorite customers , such as former Panamanian president and Pedasí native Mireya Moscoso . Swoon loudly enough and Quintero may just reward you with a thick presidential slice . If you go ... LODGING . Villa Camilla Los Destiladeros , 011-507/232-0171 , , from $ 250 . Casita Margarita , Calle Central , 011-507/995-2898 , from $ 99 . FOOD . Mano Surf Community , Calle Estudiante and Calle Bolivar . El Gringo Dusek , Av . Central , 011-507/995-2869 , entrées from $ 5 . Dulceria Yely , Calle Ofelia Reluz , 011-507/995-2205 , from 3¢ . ACTIVITIES . Iguana Island Foundation , 011-507/236-8117 , full-day tour $ 90 . Get the best travel deals and tips emailed to you FREE - CLICK HERE ! Copyright © 2009 Newsweek Budget Travel , Inc. , all rights reserved . Note : This story was accurate when it was published . Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip .
The Pacific coast region of Los Santos is about five hours from Panama City . The region 's big draw is its blissfully empty beaches . A few miles south in the city, a small town called La Paz has been struggling to recover since Hurricane Matthew hit last year and destroyed much of what was left behind.