The Travel Advice and Advisories portal was refreshed at 16:02 ET on 11 October 2026 to reflect earthquake damage in Panama’s Veraguas Province. Canadians are now told to "avoid non-essential travel" to the townships of Arena, El Cacao and Quebro following the 9 October 7.6-magnitude quake that destroyed bridges on the Pan-American Highway and disrupted power to coastal communities. Although Tocumen International Airport and the Panama Canal are operating normally, road access to parts of Veraguas remains limited, and authorities have declared several rural districts disaster zones. Canadian mining and forestry companies with concessions in the region report evacuation of non-critical staff and suspension of exploration activity pending structural assessments. The update also reminds travellers that Darién Province south of Metetí and the Mosquito Gulf remain “avoid all travel” areas because of violent crime and illicit trafficking corridors. Business-traveller implications include longer surface-transport times between David, Santiago and Gulf of Montijo sites, supply-chain delays for agricultural exports moving through Veraguas, and higher accommodation demand in unaffected regional centres. Employers should verify that local contractors meet revised occupational-safety rules introduced after the quake and ensure staff carry satellite communications outside cellular range. Insurance specialists note that standard corporate travel policies often exclude seismic events unless riders are in place; organisations should review force-majeure clauses in vendor contracts and advise travellers to maintain flexible itineraries. The Canadian Embassy in Panama City has set up a consular hotline and urges Canadians to register their presence, particularly if travelling outside major urban areas.
