Many visitors to Panama are familiar with Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, but far fewer know about another international airport located much closer to some of the country's most popular beach resorts. Just a few minutes from Playa Blanca and the Pacific beaches of Coclé Province lies Scarlett Martínez International Airport (RIH), commonly known as Río Hato Airport.
Although much smaller than Tocumen, this airport plays an important role in Panama's tourism industry. Rather than serving dozens of international destinations, Río Hato specializes in bringing vacationers directly to Panama's beautiful Pacific coastline, allowing them to avoid the two-hour drive from Panama City.
If you are planning a beach holiday in Playa Blanca, Buenaventura, Farallón, or Santa Clara, this airport can be an incredibly convenient arrival point.
A Small Airport with a Big Purpose
Scarlett Martínez International Airport was developed primarily to support tourism along Panama's Pacific coast. The region is home to luxury beach resorts, golf courses, beautiful stretches of sand, and warm Pacific waters that attract visitors throughout the year.
Instead of landing in busy Panama City and arranging additional transportation, passengers flying into Río Hato are often only minutes away from their hotels.
The airport itself is compact, making arrivals and departures quick and easy compared with many larger international airports.
Current Scheduled International Flights
At present, Scarlett Martínez International Airport has scheduled direct international flights only to Canada. There are no scheduled domestic flights from Río Hato.
The current destinations include:
Toronto (YYZ), served by Air Transat and WestJet
Montreal (YUL), served by Air Transat and WestJet
Quebec City (YQB), served seasonally by Air Transat and WestJet
Most of these services are seasonal and are timed to coincide with Canada's winter travel season, when many Canadians head south in search of sunshine and warm beaches. Flight schedules can vary throughout the year.
Why So Many Canadian Flights?
The answer is simple: Canadians love escaping winter.
Between November and April, thousands of Canadians travel to tropical destinations, and Panama's Pacific coast has become an increasingly popular choice. Warm temperatures, beautiful beaches, modern resorts, and relatively short flight times make Río Hato an attractive gateway for winter vacations.
Instead of flying into Panama City and driving inland, visitors can land almost directly beside the beach.
Airlines Serving Río Hato
Only two airlines currently operate scheduled passenger services from Scarlett Martínez International Airport:
Air Transat
WestJet
Both airlines specialize in leisure travel and operate seasonal flights connecting Canada with popular sun destinations across the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and beyond.
Destinations Near the Airport
One of the airport's greatest strengths is its location. Within a short drive, visitors can reach several of Panama's best-known Pacific beach destinations, including:
Playa Blanca
Farallón
Santa Clara
Buenaventura
Bijao
Río Hato
These areas offer long sandy beaches, luxury resorts, golf courses, water sports, fishing, and excellent restaurants.
Is This a Good Airport for Tourists?
Absolutely.
If your vacation focuses on Panama's Pacific beaches, flying directly into Río Hato can save considerable travel time.
Instead of navigating Panama City's traffic after a long international flight, you can often be relaxing beside a swimming pool or walking along the beach within an hour of landing.
For travelers whose plans include Panama City, Boquete, Bocas del Toro, or the San Blas Islands, however, Tocumen International Airport remains the better option because it offers far more domestic and international connections.
Will More Flights Be Added?
Possibly.
Scarlett Martínez International Airport was designed with tourism growth in mind, and additional seasonal or international routes may be introduced in the future as demand increases. Its success depends largely on tourism trends and airline demand.
A Convenient Gateway to Panama's Pacific Coast
While Scarlett Martínez International Airport is much smaller than Panama City's main airport, it serves an important purpose. It provides fast, convenient access to one of Panama's premier beach regions and allows Canadian visitors in particular to begin their vacation almost immediately after landing.
If your dream is to swap snow for sunshine, relax on quiet Pacific beaches, play golf overlooking the ocean, or simply enjoy a tropical resort without a long transfer, Río Hato Airport offers one of the easiest arrivals in Panama. Though its list of destinations is currently small, its convenience and proximity to the country's beautiful Pacific coastline make it a valuable gateway for travelers seeking a relaxing beach escape.