Santa Catalina, a small, laid-back town known for having one of the best surf breaks in Central America, is located 300 km northwest of Panama City, about one hour from Santiago. The scenery and natural environment are breathtaking. World-class fishing, snorkeling and diving opportunities are found all along the coastline and around the surrounding islands. Coiba National Park can be seen from Catalina. From 1912 to 2002, Coiba Island was used as a penal colony, and Panama’s worst criminals were sent here. Nowadays the prisoners have gone, but the prison remains, and makes for an interesting visit. Moreover, the recent declaration of Coiba as a UNESCO World Heritage site prohibits any development on the island, so the wildlife here is simply spectacular. The enormous island is home to a plethora of birds, mammals and reptiles. The surrounding marine park comprises 38 other smaller islands including Cebaco and Gobernadora and is the site of the second largest coral reef in the Eastern Pacific. Coiba’s amazing variety of underwater life makes fishing and diving here incredible. Santa Catalina is a great base for exploring the islands and coastline. The town itself is small, with few attractions, but a surprising number of foreigners have moved to Catalina to start tourist-related businesses, creating an eclectic mix of people. Restaurants offer a good variety of food including authentic Tuscan Pizza and Argentinian style meats. Needless to say, the seafood in this area is to die for.

Although Petco Park is home to the San Diego Padres, you don’t have to be a baseball fan to appreciate this venue. Opened in 2004, the architecturally striking ballpark is equally renowned for its stunning views of San Diego’s skyline and waterfront.

Art. Music. Film. All three reside under the roof of the historic Kessler Theater. Born in 1942 and owned temporarily by Gene Autry, the Kessler is proof that good things CAN happen after dark. The Kessler fosters an ambiance of hip and ageless fun with live music, a cinema, and art shows. Its quirky location in the Historical Arts District dubbed “X+” only adds to its mystique.

This museum preserves the cultural identity of Sabah by collecting, conserving, educating, and documenting ethnographic, archaeological, historical, numismatic, art-historical, botanical, zoological, and mineralogical collections from across the state. Additionally, they conduct research on Sabah’s cultural, social, and natural history, viewing it as an investment for the future and an essential part of the state's heritage.