Panama’s 7.7 Earthquake: What We Experienced and What You Need to Know
Last Updated on October 17, 2026 by Retire in Panama
Update: Our Campaign to raise much-needed funds was a resounding success, and we thank you all for donating. Thousands of dollars in food, baby items, and personal care items have been sent directly to some of the most adversely affected areas.
In this article, we will share our story: we were starting a tour in Panama City when the quake hit. We will share factual damage reports, photos, and historical records of Panama’s earthquake activity. We will update as needed.
It was a beautiful Friday morning in Panama City. The sun shone, the city buzzed, and Oscar and Rod were in Panama City, excited to begin another 7-Day Cross-Country Relocation Tour with 15 wonderful guests looking at Panama as their new home.
For many, this wasn’t just a vacation. They were exploring a new chapter in their lives—one that might include calling Panama home.
Our morning took us through Panama City’s neighborhoods, a local grocery store, a popular downtown park, and a condo development. We wanted our guests to experience everyday life in Panama, beyond the typical tourist attractions.
By lunchtime, everyone was sharing stories, asking questions, and imagining their future in Panama. It was shaping up to be a fantastic first day.
But at exactly 12:56 PM, everything changed.
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Panama, with its epicenter on the Azuero Peninsula near Tonosí, Playa Venao, Pedasí, and Las Tablas—an area we’ll visit later in the week.
For the next 60 to 90 seconds, we experienced something none of us expected.
Sitting inside the restaurant, we felt the ground moving beneath our feet. Surprisingly, it wasn’t violent shaking but a strange, rolling sensation, almost as though the floor was moving in waves. It was unsettling, to say the least.
Thankfully, our 15 guests stayed remarkably calm as we waited for it to stop. Nothing fell from the ceiling, nothing crashed to the floor, and nothing broke in the kitchen.
But those 60 to 90 seconds felt much longer when you’re sitting inside a building wondering what might happen next.
Then, as suddenly as it began, everything stopped. Oscar’s checked on Megan back in Boquete. Thankfully, everyone there was fine.
We were in downtown Panama City, surrounded by towering skyscrapers, hotels, and office buildings. As a precaution, buildings throughout downtown began evacuating. People poured into the streets while emergency personnel and building management checked for structural damage and possible gas leaks.
What began as a beautiful morning exploring Panama City suddenly became the first day of our relocation tour, one none of us would ever forget. Our afternoon appointment at a Panama hospital was canceled because they were evacuated, so we spent the next hour in traffic getting back to the hotel, with thousands of people on the streets, many trying to get home after their bosses told them to take the day.
For an earthquake that big, larger in magnitude than both the recent Colombia and Venezuela earthquakes, we are grateful that no deaths or missing persons have been reported, and that reported injuries currently total two to three dozen. Some structural damage has occurred, mostly near the epicenter. Below is the latest damage assessment from SINAPROC (Panama’s official civil protection and humanitarian agency)
NEWLY CONFIRMED DAMAGE as of 6 AM October 17
People
* One death in Macaracas in the Azuero region.
* 30 people injured, reportedly with minor injuries.
* Approximately 300 people were evacuated from a coastal community following rising sea levels; they have been returned.
* Five communities were isolated because of damaged roads, bridges, and landslides; temporary roads have been made.
* More than 250 aftershocks were recorded.
Infrastructure and Buildings
• Homes & Residential Buildings: More than 400 to nearly 900 homes were damaged or destroyed across central provinces like Herrera and Los Santos. In places like La Villa de Los Santos and Las Minas, homes and historic structures collapsed.
• Schools & Public Facilities: Authorities reported damage to 419 schools, 21 health facilities/hospitals, 7 hotels, and at least 13 churches.
• Bridges & Roads: At least 9 to 14 bridges were compromised or damaged in provinces such as Veraguas and Los Santos. Cracks and collapses affected multiple local roads near the epicenter.
• Utilities & Transportation: Water treatment plants and power lines experienced disruptions. Tocumen International Airport briefly suspended operations as a precaution, while the Panama Canal continued operating normally with no significant structural impact.
• Panama City: While the capital experienced strong shaking that sent residents into the streets and caused minor debris to fall from roofs, major buildings in Panama City avoided widespread structural damage
Many of you are seeing a lot of FAKE or modified images of total devastation throughout the county as you scroll social media for more information, but that is not the truth. Panama City, the Coronado beach area, and the Boquete area were largely unaffected, aside from things falling off shelves, external building damage, and people’s nerves being tested.
FAKE IMAGES
Now, in rural Panama, it will take more time to inspect infrastructure and buildings and get them repaired. There are Panamanian folks who have lost their homes or have serious damage and will need help in repairs. Organizations have already started collecting money to help these people get back on their feet after this devastation. As we learn more, we are sure more Panamanians will need assistance. We will let you know about legitimate places to donate as soon as we have that information.
Below are REAL pictures in of Panama and some of the damage caused.
REAL IMAGES
How common are earthquakes in Panama?
The only stronger earthquake recorded in Panama was 144 years ago.
- September 7, 1882 San Blas Islands ~8.3
In the last 150 years, there have been only 4 other earthquakes above 7.0
- July 18, 1934 Chiriquí Province ~7.7
- March 4, 1941 Costa Rica / Panama Border ~7.6
- April 3, 1983 Costa Rica / Panama Border 7.3
- April 22, 1991 Limón / Bocas del Toro 7.7
And 7 earthquakes in the same time period over 6.0
Panama may have a 4.0 or 5.0 quake as often as once a month. These seldom cause damage, and depending on where you are in the country or whether you are sleeping, you may not even feel it.
Despite the unexpected excitement of experiencing a major earthquake on Day 1 of our 7-Day Cross Country Relocation Tour, our adventure continues! Saturday, our group headed west from Panama City, exploring the beautiful beach communities of Nuevo Gorgona, Coronado, and several other popular coastal destinations before arriving in Chitré for the night. On Sunday, they are off to Pedasí to continue discovering what makes Panama such a wonderful place to call home. The roads along our route are open, our guests are in great spirits, and our tour continues as planned.
If this experience has reinforsed one thing that we already knew, Panama is a resilient country, and life goes on. For those of you considering making Panama their new home, our message remains the same: Panama will continue to welcome expats with open arms, and we at Retire in Panama Tours, are here to help people discover the opportunities, communities, and lifestyle that make this country so special. After all, it’s more than a tour… It’s an experience!
Oscar, Megan, & Rod
Retire in Panama Tours
Helping You Call Panama Home!
