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Colombia Earthquake 2026: What Travelers Need to Know Now

  • 8 minutes ago
  • 7 min read

What Happened and What Matters Most to Us

Updated:: 12. August 2026


On the morning of August 10, 2026, Colombia was struck by a powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake. The epicenter was located near San José del Palmar in the department of Chocó, at a depth of approximately 103 kilometers. The Colombian Geological Service has classified it as the strongest earthquake recorded in Colombia in the 21st century. Aftershocks remain possible. Chocó and parts of Risaralda, Quindío, Caldas, and Valle del Cauca have been particularly affected.


For us at Chaska Tours, there is one personal update we want to share first: thankfully, our team, our travelers, our families, and our loved ones are all safe.


At the same time, our thoughts are with everyone who has lost loved ones, suffered injuries, or had their homes damaged or destroyed by the earthquake. Rescue operations and structural inspections are still underway in several affected areas. In Cali in particular, emergency services continue to work at several critical locations, and authorities are asking people to stay well clear of these areas.


For many travelers planning to visit Colombia in the coming days or weeks, there is understandably another important question: "Can I still travel to Colombia?"


Our current assessment is: Yes, generally you can.


Based on the situation as it stands today, we do not believe there is a need to cancel a trip to Colombia altogether. The effects of the earthquake vary considerably from one region to another. While some areas in western Colombia have suffered significant damage, much of the country's established travel routes have not been affected to the same extent.


The important question is therefore not whether Colombia as a whole can still be visited, but rather which regions are included in your particular itinerary and what the current situation is in those places.



Is It Still Possible to Travel in Colombia After the Earthquake?

Yes. Travel to and within Colombia remains possible. However, in the areas directly affected by the earthquake, we would currently avoid traveling according to a rigid itinerary.


This applies particularly to Cali and Valle del Cauca, as well as parts of the Coffee Region in Risaralda, Caldas, and Quindío. Chocó, where the epicenter was located, has also been significantly affected. Regional airports and roads in these departments may be temporarily closed or operating with restrictions.


There is an important distinction that can easily get lost in the headlines: an affected department is not automatically completely closed to travelers. At the same time, an open airport does not necessarily mean that everyday tourism at the destination has already returned to normal.


Air travel, for example, has already stabilized considerably. Colombia's national airspace is operational, and most airports affected by the earthquake have resumed commercial operations, in some cases under special operating conditions.



For Travelers, These Differences Are Particularly Important:

  • Cali: Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport has fully resumed regular commercial operations as of today. Rescue operations, however, are still underway at several locations in Cali itself. We therefore would not assume from the airport's status alone that every hotel, activity, or route within the city is operating without disruption.

  • Armenia and Quindío: El Edén International Airport has resumed commercial operations. At the same time, conditions vary considerably within Quindío. In the popular tourist destination of Salento, for example, damage to traditional buildings and parts of the historic center has been reported. A planned trip to the region does not necessarily need to be canceled, but accommodations, activities, and road access should be individually confirmed beforehand.

  • Manizales and Caldas: Commercial flights have resumed at La Nubia Airport, although special operating conditions are currently in place while damage to the control tower is being repaired. Here too, we recommend confirming individual travel services before arrival.

  • Pereira and Risaralda: This is currently where travelers following traditional Coffee Region itineraries should expect the most significant disruption. Regular commercial operations at Matecaña International Airport remain suspended for the time being due to damage. At present, operations are mainly limited to government, medical, rescue, and humanitarian flights.


For anyone traveling through Colombia's Coffee Region, this does not mean that "the Coffee Region is closed." Instead, it means that an itinerary originally planned through Pereira, Salento, Armenia, and Manizales should currently be reviewed carefully and adjusted where necessary.



This Is Exactly Where Flexibility Matters More Than Canceling an Entire Trip

Other classic Colombia travel routes are outside the areas currently identified as the main focus of earthquake damage. These include itineraries through Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena and the Caribbean coast, Santa Marta, the Amazon, and Huila with San Agustín.


Based on the current situation, these regions are not experiencing a comparable concentration of earthquake-related disruptions. Of course, the usual regional considerations, such as road conditions, weather, and the local security situation, should always be assessed individually regardless of the earthquake. Our current assessment is based on the areas where the most significant impacts have been reported, as well as the stable operation of Colombia's national airspace.


For us, this is an important point: Colombia is an enormous and geographically diverse country.

A major event affecting several regions in western Colombia does not automatically mean that travel along the Caribbean coast, in Bogotá, Antioquia, Huila, or the Amazon is affected in the same way.



What Travelers Should Keep in Mind Right Now

If you have already booked a trip to Colombia or are arriving soon, there is no need to panic. However, taking a few additional precautions over the coming days makes sense.


  • Check your flights again shortly before departure. This is particularly important for flights to or within Cali and the Coffee Region. Travelers should confirm their flight status directly with the airline. Colombia's aviation authorities have specifically recommended that passengers with potentially affected connections verify their latest flight information through official channels.

  • Reconfirm accommodations and activities in affected destinations. A hotel may be open while a nearby road remains closed. A coffee finca may be operating normally even though buildings are being inspected elsewhere in the same department. Particularly in Cali, Salento, Pereira, and Manizales, we would currently look at each individual stage of a trip rather than making general assumptions about an entire region.

  • Stay away from rescue operations and damaged areas. Damaged buildings and restricted areas are not tourist attractions. In Cali, authorities have explicitly asked people to stay away from active rescue zones so emergency services can work without obstruction. For us, showing this respect toward local communities is just as much a part of responsible travel as looking after your own safety.

  • Allow additional flexibility for overland travel. Roads in the most affected departments may be subject to local restrictions. A route that remains technically accessible may therefore take longer than usual or need to be changed at short notice. Particularly for a journey through the Coffee Region, we would currently avoid unnecessarily tight connections.

  • Be prepared for aftershocks without letting them cause unnecessary anxiety. The Servicio Geológico Colombiano considers further aftershocks likely following an earthquake of this magnitude. Travelers should take local guidance seriously, avoid entering damaged buildings, and follow instructions from their accommodation, tour guides, and local authorities if another earthquake occurs.


For our own trips, the current situation means one thing above all: safety comes before the itinerary.


If a particular stage of a journey cannot be operated safely or responsibly, we adjust it. Fortunately, Colombia offers an extraordinary number of alternatives. Instead of using a connection through Pereira that may currently be difficult, for example, an itinerary can be redesigned through other parts of the Coffee Region or place greater emphasis on Antioquia, Bogotá, Huila, the Caribbean, or another suitable region.


And just as importantly, we do not want to downplay an event of this magnitude, nor do we want to create the impression that all of Colombia has suddenly become a crisis zone. Neither would reflect the reality on the ground.


The earthquake in Colombia was severe, and its consequences have been tragic for many families. For travelers, however, the appropriate response is not automatically to avoid the entire country.


It means traveling informed, treating directly affected communities and destinations with respect, and remaining flexible wherever the situation requires it.


Based on the current situation, this remains entirely possible for a large proportion of trips throughout Colombia.



FAQ

Can I still travel to Colombia after the earthquake?

Yes. Based on the current situation, there is no need to cancel a trip to Colombia altogether. The most significant impacts are concentrated in Chocó, Risaralda, Quindío, Caldas, and Valle del Cauca. Travel in other parts of the country has not been disrupted to a comparable extent by the earthquake. For itineraries passing through affected regions, however, the latest local conditions should be checked before each stage of the journey.

For travelers, the areas currently most relevant are Cali and Valle del Cauca, as well as parts of the Coffee Region in Risaralda, Quindío, and Caldas. Chocó is also among the departments most affected by the earthquake. Conditions within these regions can vary significantly from one destination to another.

As of August 12, 2026, Cali Airport is operating normally again. Armenia has also resumed commercial operations, while commercial flights are possible in Manizales under special operating conditions. Regular commercial flights at Pereira Airport remain suspended for the time being. Colombia's national airspace is operating normally. Nevertheless, air travelers should confirm their specific flight with the airline shortly before departure.

Not automatically. Conditions differ significantly between Pereira, Armenia, Salento, Manizales, and the surrounding rural areas. For travel in the coming days, we would review the itinerary individually and, where necessary, postpone, replace, or reroute particular stages. From our perspective, making flexible adjustments is much more sensible than canceling an entire trip to Colombia.


Planning to travel to Colombia in the coming days or weeks and unsure what the earthquake means for your itinerary? Feel free to contact us at any time.


We don't simply look at a headline or make assumptions about an entire department. We look at your actual journey: your flights, transfers, road connections, accommodations, and planned activities. Thanks to our local network, we can adjust individual stages flexibly whenever the situation requires it.


The safety of our travelers will always be our highest priority. At the same time, we do not want to discourage you from traveling to Colombia when your journey can be carried out responsibly with only minor adjustments, or no changes at all.


For those who would like to help people affected by the earthquake, one option we recommend is supporting the Cruz Roja Colombiana (Colombian Red Cross), an established humanitarian organization providing assistance to affected communities on the ground and a trusted point of contact for donations.



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