The start of construction of the new international airport in Rio Hato has triggered significant  investor interest in the area.  We will see a surge of new hotel development as direct flights from the US, Canada and Europe bring in hundreds of tourists daily.  Rio Hato is approximately two hours by car from Panama City, and the district is home to many resorts and beach communities. Located in the province of Cocle, Rio Hato is known for it beaches and its car races…it is even known as a good place to skydive. White sand beaches in the district, from Punta Chame to Farallon, are often referred to as the “pearls of the Pacific.” Here you’ll find popular resorts like the Royal Decameron, Playa Blanca, Breezes, and Buenaventura.

Panama is known as the Hub of the Americas, but the only major airport is Tocumen International. Airports in cities like Colon and David offer primarily domestic flights.

An international airport on Panama’s Pacific coast would make it easier for travelers to head straight to the beach without having to go through Panama City. Now, most beach-goers fly into Tocumen International. Late arrivals tend to spend a night in Panama City before getting ground transportation up the Pacific coast. Thus, visitors often “lose” a day they’d rather spend at the beach.

The announcement of the start of the construction of international airport in Rio Hato central provinces has served as foreign investors show greater interest in building hotels and beach resort in the area of ??Farallon, in the province of Cocle.

At the moment, as confirmed by the municipal authorities of Anton, have received at least five proposals to build new hotels.  Parallel to these investments, other beach hotels like Bristol and Mar Azul, located in the area of ??Buenaventura, and presented the plans for further enlargement.

Bernabel Mendoza, city engineer, argues that this type of investment would involve a great economic boost to the municipal treasury in taxes for construction.   During the past two years the construction of facilities dedicated to tourism have increased, said Mendoza.

Business taxes, said Isaiah Reyes, municipal treasurer, would increase considerably following the construction of new hotels. Usually the funds raised in this segment are aimed at social work in community boards in this district