North and Central America and Caribbean

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Natural disasters

There is a possibility of earthquakes in Panama.  The last major one struck the north of Panama on 4 July 2009, measuring 6.3 on the Richter Scale.  There was no major damage caused.  Prior to this, there was an earthquake near to the border between Panama and Costa Rica on 19 November 2008, which also measured 6.3 on the Richter scale.  In December 2003, there was a tremor in the same area measuring 6.5.  Neither of these caused any major damage.

During the rainy season (April to December) occasional flooding and land slides occur in rural areas and some city streets become temporarily impassable due to flooding.  October and November normally have the heaviest months of rainfall.  You should monitor regional weather forecasts and take local advice, and plan accordingly.