The beaches of western Panama and part of Cocle province are the most popular, beautiful, and accessible of Panama.  They are in danger of extinction.  Unlike the threat of the past from the unrestricted plundering of sand for construction there are plans to cut the sand off at its source. That is to impede sand to flow from the hills to the beach via the rivers.  These beaches are actually a river in itself. A river of sand deposited by fresh water rivers.  The beach from Punta Chame to beyond Rio Hato comes from the dormant volcano known as El Valle.  While some of the sand is deposited by coastal erosion from the sea, the vast majority comes from the rivers and creeks that drain from the hills surrounding the El Valle volcano.  This sand in turn is distributed along the coast and toward Punta Chame by long shore currents.  That is why one sees Punta Chame jutting out to sea pointing towards Panama City.  Near the river mouths there are sand bars that are popular with surfers, fishermen, and other beach goers.  This sediment is deposited during the flash flood “crecidas” of the rainy season.