Rio Hato: off the beaten track, but not for long
Rio Hato is tucked away along the south of Panama in Anton District and is best known for Playa Blanco, a long stretch of white beach that looks out over the Pacific Ocean. It's only been on travelers' radars since 2013, when the newly-opened Scarlett Martinez International Airport started offering flight routes directly to its sunny shores. If you're lucky enough to score a Rio Hato vacation rental, not only will you have the beach and all the possibilities for oceangoing fun, you'll be a stone's throw away from the crisp mountain air in El Valle de Anton.
Sightseeing in and around Rio Hato
Are you searching for attractions to visit in the area? Venture out of your vacation home and check out everything that makes Rio Hato a one-of-a-kind vacation spot. These are some of the major attractions to see, all within 30 miles (48.2 km) of the city center:
- Sleeping Indian Girl (13.9 mi / 22.3 km)
- Los Cajones de Chame (18.5 mi / 29.8 km)
- La Casa de Lourdes Outdoor Spa (4.3 mi / 6.8 km)
- Chorro El Macho (12.2 mi / 19.6 km)
- Chorro de las Mozas (12.6 mi / 20.3 km)
- Serpentarium (13.4 mi / 21.5 km)
Family fun on the beach at Rio Hato
Other than a beach towel and a good book, there's not much more you need to have a good time along Rio Hato's Playa Blanca. When the midday tropical sun gets a little hot, just tiptoe down to the calm Pacific Ocean to cool off, or wander home to kick back at your beachfront Rio Hato vacation rental. If that sounds a little sedate for your liking, fear not. There's no shortage of water sports rental outfits, offering everything from kayaks to sailing trips. When the sun begins to dip in the afternoon, you can draw lines in the sand for a family volleyball match.
Top up your tan in Rio Hato
Though you can stay in a Rio Hato vacation rental any time of year, if you want to avoid the tropical downpours, try to visit between mid-December and mid-April, during which you'll find endlessly blue sunny skies. Don't bother packing an umbrella, with little chance of precipitation, you'll never need to use one. Instead, be sure to bring you swimming gear and goggles and prepare yourself for long days stretched out on the sandy beaches, basking in near perfect mid-80s with a little ocean breeze. Yes, it really is as good as it sounds.
Rio Hato: it's all in the name
In the indigenous language, Panama means "abundance of fish", so you don't need to take our word that the waters around this Central American country teem with marine life. There's no doubt that when you stay in a Rio Hato vacation rental, you'll spend at least 1 day out exploring the colorful underwater world. There's simply too many species to list but highlights including sightings of bottlenose dolphins, reef sharks and more than 5 species of sea turtle. Back on dry land, you've got plenty of critters which swing from the forest canopies, like cheeky monkeys and lazy sloths.
Transportation to and around Rio Hato
The nearest airport is in Rio Hato (RIH-Scarlett Martinez Intl.), located 3.2 mi (5.1 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that's convenient for your trip, you could also fly into Chitre (CTD-Alonso Valderrama), which is 36.2 mi (58.3 km) away.