TRC TRAVEL RISK CALCULATOR

Your assessment

Your answer for Panama City

!Moderate risk

Mostly safe with specific situations to watch for. Read the briefing below.

Recommendation: Travel with caution.

36
/ 100 composite

Do this next

  1. Maintain distance from compromised buildings and follow official civil protection directives in affected areas. · disaster
  2. Use insect repellent and mosquito nets, and consult a travel medicine professional regarding appropriate prophylaxis. · health
  3. Read your foreign-ministry advisory before travel. · Advisory
Field briefing · FILE No. F-Z6WAV1 · 2026-08-28 22:29:16

Field Briefing

Mode: I plan to travel · Panama City

SECTION I·b — Today's Weather

🌙  Mostly clear

Panama City, Panama

26.2°C
feels 31.4°C
Today's high / low 32.1°C / 25.3°C Wind now / max 9.9 km/h / 17.4 km/h
Humidity 92% Precipitation today 3.8 mm · 100% chance
UV (max today) 8.5 Sunrise / Sunset 06:06 / 18:01
Weather risk flags
  • High precipitation chance
  • Very high UV

Source: Open-Meteo (free public weather API) · fetched 2026-10-16 08:33:33 UTC

SECTION I·c — Air Quality

Air Quality

Moderate

51
US AQI · EU AQI 24
PM2.5 / PM10 6.8 / 9.7 µg/m³ O₃ / NO₂ 40 / 9.2 µg/m³

Source: Open-Meteo Air Quality · fetched 2026-10-16 08:33:34 UTC

SECTION I·d — Official Travel Advisory

Level 2 · Exercise Increased Caution

Panama - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

Issued 2026-08-19

Read full advisory → · US Department of State

SECTION I·e — Disaster Alerts

Active Disaster Alerts

  • Green earthquake (Magnitude 6.1M, Depth:10km) in Panama 12/10/2026 23:20 UTC, 1 thousand (in MMI>=VII). GREEN · ~258 km away · 2026-10-12

    On 10/12/2026 11:20:36 PM, an earthquake occurred in Panama potentially affecting 1 thousand (in MMI>=VII). The earthquake had Magnitude 6.1M, Depth:10km.

    GDACS report →

“~N km away” = event centroid within ~500 km of this location; “country-wide” = a national/regional alert that may not be near this specific city. Source: GDACS · fetched 2026-10-16 08:32:18 UTC

SECTION I·f — Health Notices

Health Notices for this Destination

  • Level 1 - Global Dengue WATCH · 2026-10-02

    Dengue is a year-round risk in many parts of the world, with outbreaks commonly occurring every 2–5 years. Travelers to risk areas should prevent mosquito bites. Country List : Colombia, Vietnam, Maldives, Bolivia, Cambodia, Kenya, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Costa Rica, Mar

    CDC notice →

  • Level 2 - Global Polio ALERT · 2026-09-23

    Some international destinations have circulating poliovirus. Before any international travel, make sure you are up to date on your polio vaccines. Country List : Afghanistan, Algeria, Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger, Nig

    CDC notice →

  • Level 1 - Global Measles WATCH · 2025-05-28

    Measles cases are rising in many countries around the world. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to CDC's measles vaccination recommendations for international travel. Country List : Afghan

    CDC notice →

Source: CDC Travelers’ Health · fetched 2026-10-16 07:26:45 UTC

SECTION I·g — Recent Headlines

SECTION II — Quantitative Assessment

0 /100 — Composite Threat Index
Moderate

Travel with caution.

Origin / Destination

Originbalitmore, United States
DestinationPanama City, Panama
Travel methodplane

SECTION IV — Trip Readiness

Trip Readiness (0/100)

Poorly Prepared

Document gap — handle before you go

  • verify passport validity

Next actions

  • verify passport validity
  • passport/visa checked
  • vaccines/health advice checked
  • travel insurance purchased
  • emergency numbers saved

SECTION V — Data Confidence

Data Confidence

Confidence: HIGH

Matched scope: city · Source: city-level + country fallback

Last reviewed: 2026-09-26 18:01:08

SECTION VI — Top Risk Drivers

Top Risk Drivers

high

Magnitude 7.7 Earthquake and Aftershocks · disaster

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck central Panama with over 100 aftershocks affecting infrastructure in provinces such as Veraguas, Coclé, Los Santos, and Herrera.

→ Maintain distance from compromised buildings and follow official civil protection directives in affected areas.

Source: Panama travel advice

medium

Capital Malaria Cluster · health

Authorities have detected 34 malaria cases near a city market in the capital region.

→ Use insect repellent and mosquito nets, and consult a travel medicine professional regarding appropriate prophylaxis.

Source: Panama Detects 34 Malaria Cases Near a City Market | The Rio ...

medium

Government advisory · Advisory

Official advisories indicate caution.

→ Read your foreign-ministry advisory before travel.

medium

Money safety · Money

Card skimming, ATM fraud, or counterfeit-cash patterns.

→ Use bank-lobby ATMs in daytime; carry a backup card.

medium

No airport transfer planned · Transport

Unsolicited taxis are a recurring scam vector at major airports.

→ Pre-book an official transfer or use a verified rideshare app.

medium

No travel insurance · Money/Health

Out-of-pocket costs after illness or theft can be significant.

→ Purchase coverage that includes medical, evacuation, and theft.

SECTION VII — Threat Vector Decomposition

Threat Vector Decomposition

Crime
45
Disease & Health
25
Government Advisory
60
Political & Civil Unrest
20
Natural Disaster & Weather
40
Transport & Route
29
Environmental
30
Accommodation
22
Arrival Time
30
Digital Security
35
Money Safety
50
Personal Modifier
34

SECTION VIII — Executive Summary

Executive Summary

Panama City and central regions are managing recovery following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake and ongoing aftershocks. Health authorities have also identified local malaria cases near a capital city market, while official advisories remain at Level 2.

Live Intelligence / AI-Assisted Briefing

Last AI sweep: 2026-10-16 00:00:12 · Refresh count: 5 · Status: fresh · Search: used · AI: used

AI summary: Panama City and central regions are managing recovery following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake and ongoing aftershocks. Health authorities have also identified local malaria cases near a capital city market, while official advisories remain at Level 2.

Recent intelligence items

  • [2026-10-09 · disaster · high] On October 9, 2026, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck the province of Herrera, near Pitaloza Arriba in central Panama [source]
  • [2026-10-15 · disease · high] Panama Detects 34 Malaria Cases Near a City Market [source]

Field recommendations

  • Stay clear of structurally compromised buildings following recent seismic activity.
  • Monitor local emergency broadcasts for updates on aftershocks and structural safety.
  • Apply insect repellent consistently when visiting markets and urban areas in the capital.
  • Review official government travel advisories prior to departure.
  • Confirm airport and regional transport schedule stability before transit.

Sources the AI drew from

These are the public-web snippets fed into the AI for this briefing. Verify any specific claim by reading the source.

  1. Panama Was Hit by 2 Major Earthquakes and More Than 100 Aftershocks—Here’s What It Means for Travelers - AOL
    Panama Was Hit by 2 Major Earthquakes and More Than 100 Aftershocks—Here’s What It Means for Travelers
  2. Panama travel advice
    13 hours ago · On October 9, 2026, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck the province of Herrera, near Pitaloza Arriba in central Panama, causing damage to infrastructure. The worst-affected provinces are Veraguas, Coclé, Los Santos and Herrera.
  3. One dead, 11 injured in fresh attack on Riyadh airport - Brigada News
    One person was killed and 11 others were injured after Riyadh International Airport in Saudi Arabia came under another attack on Sunday, a day after an earlier strike on the same airport killed 13 people and injured more than 300 others. According to Saudi authorities, an unidentified projectile struck Terminal 4 of the airport, sparking a fire. Meanwhile, four Filipinos were also injured in the earlier attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Read More: Powerful 7.7 magnitude eart....
  4. Natural Disaster Alert: Panama Earthquake Update 1 – October ...
    6 days ago · Event: A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck in La Pitaloza, Panama, at 12:56 p.m. local time on October 9, 2026. Aftershocks capable of causing damage may continue to occur. U.S. citizens in Panama should stay away from damaged structures and monitor local emergency broadcasts and official guidance for ...
  5. Panama 7.7 Earthquake: Travel Impacts & Data Analysis
    6 days ago · Analysis of the 7.7 magnitude Panama earthquake's impact on Tocumen Airport, regional flight stability, and tsunami warnings for 2026 travelers.
  6. Is Panama City Safe in 2026? Safety Score 67/100 | IsMyTripSafe
    3 days ago · Panama City safety score: 67/100 (Moderate). Crime data, safe and unsafe areas, scams and live advisories for Panama City, Panama — updated October 2026.
  7. Panama Detects 34 Malaria Cases Near a City Market | The Rio ...
    1 day ago · Flights from the United States land at Tocumen airport in Panama City, which the CDC lists as free of malaria transmission. The State Department’s Panama advisory is Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution, updated 19 August 2026, and cites crime, not health. Panama Detects 34 Malaria Cases in Capital
  8. Panama Travel Advice & Safety | Smartraveller
    Sep 17, 2026 · Australian Government travel advice for Panama. Learn more about local safety, laws and health risks.

SECTION X — Predict / Protect / Rescue / Restore

Predict / Protect / Rescue / Restore

Predict

  • Check the official foreign-ministry travel advisory for your destination.
  • Check official health notices (WHO/CDC equivalent) for outbreaks.
  • Check the local weather forecast for the next 72 hours.
  • Check transport disruption notices (rail/strikes/airport delays).
  • Check airport status, immigration queues, and any transit-visa requirements.
  • Re-check road and route conditions in the 24 hours before movement.

Protect

  • Pre-book verified transport and avoid unsolicited drivers at hubs.
  • Avoid late-night movement in unfamiliar areas.
  • Keep digital and paper copies of your documents in two places.
  • Use front-facing bags in crowded areas; do not place valuables in back pockets.
  • Use ATMs inside banks during daylight hours; cover the keypad.

Rescue

  • Save local emergency numbers (police, ambulance, fire, general 112/911).
  • Identify the nearest hospital or clinic and how to reach it.
  • Carry a backup payment card stored separately from your main wallet.
  • Know the address of your country’s embassy or consulate.

Restore

  • After return, monitor symptoms (especially fever, GI, respiratory) for 14 days.
  • Replace any lost or expiring documents promptly.
  • Report any theft or fraud to your bank and local authorities.
  • Review your insurance claim needs while details are fresh.
  • Update your travel checklist for next time.
  • Build in a rest day after long or stressful travel.

Route Risk

Transport / route score: 29/100

Route analysis uses baseline route rules. Live route mapping is not connected.

Medical Access

Hospital accesslow
Pharmacy accesslow
Emergency response qualitylow
English-speaking careunknown
Evacuation complexitylow

The provided sources do not contain specific details on hospital locations, emergency response times, pharmacy availability, or evacuation procedures for travelers in Panama City.

Emergency Numbers

Police911
Ambulance911
Fire911
General emergency911

Verify before relying on these numbers in an emergency. Source: Editorial spot-check 2026-06-11 vs ITU/Wikipedia international registry — verified.

SECTION XIX — Embassy / Consular Guidance

Before travel, check your country's official foreign ministry or embassy website for emergency assistance information.

Scam Patterns

  • taxi overcharging. Tourists near Casco Viejo often encounter taxi drivers who overcharge or refuse to use the meter, especially after dark. These unlicensed or dishonest drivers may demand cash payments at inflated rates. Tip: Insist on using the official meter or arrange a reputable ride‑hailing service.
  • unlicensed money changers. Unregistered currency exchangers in popular tourist areas offer poor exchange rates and may give counterfeit bills. Travelers can lose money quickly if they accept these deals. Tip: Use banks or authorized exchange offices and verify bills before accepting them.
  • overpriced boat tours. Some operators sell inflated prices for boat trips to the San Blas Islands or other attractions, often providing sub‑standard services. The tours may not match advertised itineraries or safety standards. Tip: Book tours through reputable agencies or your hotel and compare prices in advance.

SECTION XXI — Digital Security

  • Use a VPN on public Wi-Fi.
  • Enable 2FA on email, banking, and travel accounts.
  • Back up document scans to a private cloud and a paper copy stored separately.
  • Avoid unknown USB ports and charging stations.
  • Keep automatic OS updates on; enable remote-wipe on your phone.

SECTION XXII — Money Safety

  • Carry a backup payment card stored separately from your wallet.
  • Use bank-lobby ATMs in daylight; cover the keypad.
  • Keep a small amount of local cash for emergencies.
  • Watch for skimmers and shoulder-surfers around ATMs and payment terminals.
  • Use card-tap for transit and payments where possible to limit card-present exposure.

Personalized Safety Checklist

Calendar reminders

  • -30 days (2026-08-15): Check vaccines/documents (consider visas).
  • -14 days (2026-08-31): Confirm insurance and accommodation.
  • -7 days (2026-09-07): Save emergency numbers and embassy info.
  • -1 day (2026-09-13): Download offline maps; back up documents.

Verify Before Departure / Before Movement

  • Foreign-ministry / national travel advisory
  • Official travel-health authority (e.g. CDC, WHO, national equivalent)
  • WHO/CDC-style health notices
  • Local weather agency
  • Emergency services in the area you are in
  • Your embassy / consulate
  • Official immigration / visa source

SECTION XXV — Trust and Transparency

Data usedcity-level + country fallback
Estimated dataYes
Fallback logiccity -> country -> world
Confidencehigh
AI usedYes
Search usedYes
Last AI refresh2026-10-16 00:00:12
AI refresh statusfresh

Recalculate Printable / PDF-ready Offline emergency card

Disclaimer

Travel Risk Calculator provides estimated travel-threat information for preparation purposes only. It does not replace official government advisories, medical advice, emergency alerts, immigration rules, insurance advice, police guidance, embassy information, or professional security consultation.