The Azuero Earthquake: What It Really Means for Expat Homeowners and Buyers
On 9 October 2026, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Panama. Its epicentre was on the Azuero Peninsula, the part of the country we know best and the place many of our clients call home. Since then our phones and inboxes have been busy. Homeowners abroad want to know whether their houses are standing, and buyers want to know whether they should still come.
The short answer is that the expat homes we know of across Pedasí and the surrounding coast came through largely fine. Most had no damage or only cosmetic cracks. This was a serious event, though, and the communities around us were hurt. Here is an honest picture from people who live here.
What Happened
The quake hit just before 1:00 p.m. and was felt across the whole country, including Panama City. Hundreds of aftershocks followed. Damage was concentrated in the central provinces of Los Santos, Herrera, Veraguas and Coclé. Thankfully, Panama's civil protection agency, SINAPROC, reported no deaths.
SINAPROC and the housing ministry, MIVIOT, have since inspected thousands of homes. The pattern is consistent. The worst damage fell on older houses and homes built without engineering oversight: adobe, unreinforced block and improvised additions. Many of these belong to working Panamanian families in the inland towns and rural communities, and they are the people who need help most right now.
Why Most Expat Homes Were Unaffected
Most homes owned by expats and foreign buyers in our area are newer builds. They were designed with reinforced concrete columns, tied beams and proper foundations, under permits and plans approved by an engineer. That kind of construction is exactly what holds up in an earthquake.
Our team has been out visiting clients' properties and talking with owners and property managers since the quake. What we have seen is reassuring. In many homes, the biggest job was sweeping up broken glassware and checking for hairline cracks in plaster or tile. Roads into Pedasí are open, power and water are running, and restaurants, shops and beaches are back to their usual rhythm.
If you own a home here and haven't been able to check on it yourself, contact us. We are happy to help arrange a visit or an inspection.
Is It Still Safe to Visit?
Yes. The Panama Canal kept operating, Tocumen International Airport reopened within hours, and the national tourism chamber reports that the large majority of hotels across the country are open.
Some visitors have cancelled trips because of the news footage, and that is understandable. But those cancellations hurt the very people the earthquake already hit hardest: the guides, drivers, cooks, cleaners and small business owners who depend on visitors. If you were planning a trip to the Azuero, the best thing you can do for the region is come.
Should Buyers Be Worried?
We would encourage buyers to be careful but not frightened. Panama sits in an active seismic zone, as Costa Rica, Mexico and much of the west coast of North America do. Shaking is a normal part of life here, and good construction is what matters.
The earthquake has actually given buyers something useful. A well-built home that came through a 7.7 without structural problems has shown what it is made of. That doesn't guarantee anything for the future, but it tells you more about a building than any brochure can.
Our standard advice is stronger now than ever. Before you buy, have a qualified engineer inspect the property, even if it looks perfect. Ask them to look at:
Foundations, columns, beams and the joints between them
Retaining walls and anything built on a slope
Electrical, plumbing and drainage systems
Building permits, approved plans and the age of the construction
At Panama Properties we represent buyers, and you pay no agent fee. We can arrange inspections and help you read the results before you commit.
Looking Ahead
The government has announced a reconstruction plan that includes earthquake-resistant housing for families who lost their homes. Repairs to roads, bridges and schools will bring work and investment to the affected provinces. The finance ministry has kept its 2026 growth forecast unchanged.
The things that brought people to Pedasí have not changed: the beaches, the pace of life, the community and the value. What has changed is that everyone, from builders to buyers, is paying closer attention to how homes are built. That is a good thing.
Talk to Us
If you have questions about a property you own, one you are considering, or conditions in a particular area, reach out to our team on WhatsApp at +507 6169-2453 or start the buying process here.
