Panama, with its breadth of wildlife, diverse climates, and paradisical beaches, is a popular travel destination that culturally – and literally – bridges Central and South America.
However, a strong earthquake and hundreds of aftershocks struck the region over the weekend. While no fatalities or missing persons have been reported, it’s worrying news if you have a trip booked soon. Here’s all the latest information, including government advice, the status of the country’s main airport, and everything else you need to know if you have a trip booked to Panama.
Is it safe to travel to Panama right now?
Yes, although the quake has caused widespread damage and temporary closures.
On Friday October 9, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck off Panama’s southern coast. The epicentre was near La Pitaloza, a rural community in Herrera, and the US Geological Survey has said it originated from a depth of 12.6km.
Shaking was felt as far as San Jose in Costa Rica and even parts of Colombia, but the Guardian explains that the worst affected areas were the central provinces of Veraguas, Herrera, Cocle and Los Santos in Panama.
These three countries, as well as Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador and Mexico, were temporarily flagged by the US Tsunami Warning System for the three hours after the initial quake, but those advisories have since been lifted, according to the Independent.
A state of emergency was declared on Saturday in Panama, and though no fatalities have been reported, 27 people have been injured and there has been substantial damage.
In Panama City, two lines of the metro were temporarily suspended, and schools across the nation were closed. An estimated 420 homes have been damaged, as well as 13 churches, seven hotels, and nine bridges.
More than 100 aftershocks were recorded following the 7.7 magnitude quake, and at the time of writing, some of the more remote communities in the affected area remain cut off by damage to the roads and landslides.
Have flights to Panama been cancelled?
According to FTN news, Tocumen International Airport, which is the country’s largest, suspected flights on Friday to allow safety teams to assess the condition of its buildings and runways, but operations have now resumed.
What is the latest government travel advice?
The UK government’s travel advice page for Panama has a section on the earthquake, which reads: ‘On 9 October 2026, a strong earthquake of preliminary magnitude 7.6 struck Panama. According to the Instituto de Geociencias de la Universidad de Panamá, the earthquake was recorded at a depth of 10 kilometres, approximately 39 kilometres west of Tonosí. The tremor was felt across much of the country and authorities are assessing damage.’
‘If you are affected and need assistance from the UK government, call: +507 297 6550 (from Panama) or +44 (0) 20 7008 5000 (from the UK).
‘Initial tsunami warnings have been lifted. Individuals in coastal areas should remain vigilant, follow instructions from local authorities, and move away from the shoreline if advised to do so.’
‘Be aware of the possibility of aftershocks and continue to follow local safety advice. We are monitoring the situation closely and will update this message as more information becomes available.’
Can I get a refund if I cancel my trip?
Travelling to Panama has not been officially advised against – travellers have just been encouraged to exercise caution. If you are keen to reschedule or cancel your trip, it will depend on the conditions of your travel insurance, though you won’t be entitled to do so without a penalty.
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Travel newsletter for all the latest travel news and best stuff happening across the world.