Introduction
One of the things we love most about Santa Catalina is how every evening feels different.
Some nights end with a cocktail on the beach while watching the last surfers paddle in. Others turn into long conversations over a bottle of Italian wine or a perfectly crafted Negroni shared with friends.
Although Santa Catalina is a small village, you’ll be surprised by the quality of its cocktail bars and wine selections. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for the perfect place to watch the sunset with a drink in hand, there are plenty of excellent options.
Here are our personal favorites.
🍷 Ai Mamita
If you’re looking for the best wine selection in Santa Catalina, this is where we recommend starting.
Ai Mamita has built one of the finest wine lists in the village, with a carefully curated collection of Italian labels that pair beautifully with their Mediterranean-inspired menu.
The atmosphere is elegant without being pretentious, making it equally enjoyable for a romantic dinner or simply a glass of wine after a day exploring Coiba National Park.
Perfect for:
- Wine lovers
- Date nights
- Italian wines
- Gourmet evenings
Our recommendation: Ask the team for a wine pairing with your meal. Their knowledge and selection are excellent.
🍸 Third Door
Hidden inside the charming Manifest Collective, Third Door is one of Santa Catalina’s most unique places to enjoy a drink.
This intimate cocktail bar is known for its creative mixology, relaxed atmosphere and carefully selected wines.
One of our favorite things about Third Door is that you can also purchase a bottle of wine to take back to your hotel.
If you’re staying at Nukumi Club, it’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy a quiet evening on your private terrace with a beautiful bottle of wine after dinner.
Perfect for:
- Signature cocktails
- Wine lovers
- Quiet evenings
- Couples
Our recommendation: Let the bartender surprise you. Their seasonal cocktails are always worth trying.
🌅 Oasis Beach Bar
There’s no better place in Santa Catalina to enjoy a sunset cocktail.
Located directly on Playa Estero, Oasis Beach Bar has become a favorite meeting place for surfers, travelers and locals gathering at the end of the day.
The atmosphere is relaxed, the music is just right, and the view over the Pacific Ocean is unforgettable.
Whether you’re celebrating a great surf session or simply ending another beautiful day in Santa Catalina, this is one of those places where time seems to slow down.
Perfect for:
- Sunset cocktails
- Groups of friends
- Beach atmosphere
- Happy hour
Our recommendation: Try one of their tropical cocktails with fresh local fruit and stay until the sun disappears below the horizon.
🍹 La Novela
If there’s one cocktail you absolutely have to try while visiting Santa Catalina, it’s the Calala Colada.
Created as a tropical twist on the classic Piña Colada, it replaces pineapple with fresh passion fruit (maracuyá), giving it a lighter, fresher and more vibrant flavor.
It’s become one of our favorite recommendations for guests looking to discover something truly local.
Perfect for:
- Signature cocktails
- Tropical flavors
- Relaxed evenings
Our recommendation: Order the Calala Colada. It’s one of the most refreshing cocktails you’ll find in Santa Catalina.
🌊 Beyond Waves
Beyond Waves offers a younger, livelier atmosphere while still serving excellent cocktails.
It’s especially popular on Friday evenings, when karaoke brings together locals and travelers for a fun and relaxed night.
Their bartenders are passionate, the cocktails are consistently well made, and it’s a great place to meet people after dinner.
Perfect for:
- Friday karaoke
- Cocktails
- Meeting other travelers
- Casual evenings
🌴 Clara’s Local Tip
If I had to plan the perfect evening in Santa Catalina, it would probably look like this.
Start with a sunset cocktail at Oasis Beach Bar.
Walk back into the village for dinner at Ai Mamita or Pinguino.
Finish the night with one last cocktail or a glass of wine at Third Door before slowly walking back to Nukumi Clubbeneath a sky full of stars.
Simple.
Relaxed.
Exactly how evenings should feel in Santa Catalina.
Quick Summary
| Venue | Cocktails | Wine | Atmosphere | Sunset |
| 🍷 Ai Mamita | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| 🍸 Third Door | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ |
| 🌅 Oasis Beach Bar | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 🍹 La Novela | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| 🌊 Beyond Waves | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ |
🌴 Looking for the Perfect Place to Stay?
One of the advantages of staying at Nukumi Club is that every bar and restaurant mentioned in this guide is within walking distance.
That means you can enjoy a great bottle of wine, discover Santa Catalina’s cocktail scene and stroll back peacefully to your private casita without needing a car.
Sometimes, the best nights aren’t the loudest ones.
They’re the ones that end with a final glass of wine, warm tropical air and the sound of the Pacific Ocean in the distance. 🍷🌴🌊
