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For years, most international visitors heading to Panama’s Pacific beaches have landed in Panama City before making the two-hour drive west. Beginning October 5, 2026, that will start to change.

Low-cost airline Wingo will launch a new nonstop route between Bogotá and Scarlett Martínez International Airport in Río Hato, offering Colombian travelers direct access to Panama’s Pacific Riviera. The service is being introduced in partnership with the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP), PROMTUR and Colombian tour operator On Vacation, which will market vacation packages combining flights and hotels.

The new connection places travelers just minutes from destinations such as Buenaventura, Playa Blanca, Farallón, Santa Clara, Bijao and several of the country’s largest beach resorts, eliminating the transfer from Panama City that many visitors currently face.

Although Río Hato has welcomed seasonal international charter flights for years, primarily from Toronto and Montreal during Canada’s winter season, the Bogotá service marks another step in Panama’s effort to position Scarlett Martínez International Airport as the country’s second international leisure gateway.

The choice of Bogotá is no coincidence. Colombia is consistently one of Panama’s largest tourism markets, and Bogotá is already among the busiest international air routes into the country. A direct connection makes Panama’s Pacific coast more competitive for short beach vacations while reducing travel time by nearly two hours.

Whether more routes follow will depend on demand, but the launch reflects a broader strategy: bringing international visitors directly to Panama’s resort destinations instead of routing nearly all leisure travelers through Panama City.

Common Questions

Is this the first international route to Río Hato? No. Río Hato has received seasonal charter flights from Canada for years. The Bogotá route is one of the airport’s first regular links to Latin America.

How much time does this save? Driving from Tocumen to Río Hato typically takes about two hours. From Scarlett Martínez Airport, most major resorts are just 10 to 20 minutes away.

What destinations does Río Hato serve? The airport provides easy access to Buenaventura, Playa Blanca, Farallón, Santa Clara, Bijao and Decameron. El Valle de Antón is also less than an hour away.

Why was Bogotá chosen? Colombia is one of Panama’s largest tourism markets, and Bogotá is already one of the country’s busiest international air routes. The new flight takes travelers directly to the beach instead of through Panama City.

Could more international flights follow? That is the objective. If the route performs well, Río Hato could attract additional services from other cities, further strengthening Panama’s Pacific Riviera as an international tourism destination.