Last updated: August 11, 2026, 8:00 AM Colombia time. We are updating this page as we verify information directly with clinics in our network.
Resumen en Español
Terremoto Colombia
Terremoto Colombia: el 10 de agosto de 2026, un terremoto de magnitud 7.4 sacudió el oeste del país, con epicentro cerca de San José del Palmar, Chocó. Colombia terremoto es uno de los términos más buscados en este momento, junto con temblor Colombia y terremoto en Colombia hoy. Aquí encontrará información verificada sobre el estado de aeropuertos y clínicas dentales para pacientes con viajes programados.
Bogotá, Medellín y Cartagena — donde viaja la mayoría de nuestros pacientes — no reportan daños estructurales significativos tras el temblor. Cali y la región cafetera fueron las zonas más afectadas por el terremoto.
For English speakers searching “earthquake Colombia” or “Colombia earthquake,” the full advisory continues below.
The Situation
Quick Summary
On Monday, 10 August 2026 at 7:34 a.m. local time, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia. The epicenter was near San José del Palmar in the Chocó department, at a depth of roughly 107 km. It was Colombia’s strongest earthquake of the 21st century, felt in all 32 departmental capitals.
Bogotá, Medellín and Cartagena — the cities where most of our patients travel for treatment — have reported no significant structural damage. Bogotá’s mayor confirmed no serious structural damage in the capital, only cracks in some buildings.
The worst damage is in Pereira, Cali, Manizales, Armenia and Quibdó — Colombia’s coffee region and the Pacific coast. Cali’s airport has reopened, but we are still confirming clinic-by-clinic status and do not recommend new bookings there yet.
Where It’s Safe
City-by-City Status
| City | Status | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Bogotá | Operating normally | Tremors strongly felt; buildings evacuated as a precaution. Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán confirmed no serious structural damage — some cracked buildings only. El Dorado airport reported no damage. |
| Medellín | No damage reported | Quake felt; no structural damage reported in the city. See airport note below. |
| Cartagena | Unaffected | On the Caribbean coast, far from the epicenter. No damage reported. |
| Cali | Airport open; clinic status unconfirmed | Multiple building collapses were reported, including part of a hospital. The airport has since reopened. We are contacting every Cali clinic individually and do not recommend booking until we confirm. |
Background
What Happened
The earthquake struck at 7:34 a.m. local time on Monday, 10 August 2026, with an epicenter near San José del Palmar in Chocó, about 240–250 miles west of Bogotá, at a depth of around 107 km.
That depth matters. A quake this size at 10 km would have been far more destructive at the surface; at 107 km the energy spreads more widely but is less concentrated. That is why the shaking was felt across nine departments and into Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela, while damage was concentrated in a smaller area.
Colombia’s maritime authority and the US tsunami warning system both confirmed no tsunami threat. Aftershocks are expected and are normal following a quake of this size.
Current toll: at least 132 dead and 570 injured, with 86 buildings collapsed and five capital cities under red alert. The government has declared a national disaster. The United States has committed $15.5 million in emergency aid.
Getting There
Airport & Flight Status
Important for connecting flights: a confirmed flight into Bogotá does not guarantee your onward domestic segment will operate. Aircraft and crews are out of position across the whole network.
Airline policies: LATAM Colombia is waiving rebooking fees and has capped fares on routes to Cali, Armenia and Pereira. Avianca accounted for the largest share of cancellations. Contact your airline directly — do not rely on third-party booking sites for status.
Already Booked
If You Have a Trip in the Next 30 Days
- Contact your clinic directly first. They know their own building, their own city and their own schedule. If you booked through us, contact us and we will reach them on your behalf.
- Bogotá, Medellín and Cartagena patients: unless your clinic tells you otherwise, there is currently no reason to cancel. Expect flight delays.
- Cali patients: please do not travel until we or your clinic confirm the clinic is operational and the city can support you. We are contacting you directly.
- Check your flight with the airline itself. Rebooking waivers exist but have deadlines.
- Travel insurance. Check whether your policy covers trip interruption for natural disasters — and check before you cancel, as most policies require the disruption to be formally declared and will not pay out on a voluntary cancellation.
Planning Ahead
If You’re Considering Booking
We are neither encouraging nor discouraging bookings. What we’d suggest:
- Bogotá, Medellín and Cartagena are operating normally and their medical infrastructure is unaffected.
- Do not book anything in Chocó, Risaralda, Caldas, Quindío or Valle del Cauca until the situation stabilizes.
- Book flexible. Ask your clinic for a written rescheduling policy before paying any deposit.
- Aftershocks are likely for weeks. They are typically far weaker, but if that concerns you, waiting a month is a reasonable choice.
If You Need Help
Emergency Contacts for Travelers
US citizens
US Embassy Bogotá, Carrera 45 No. 24B-27:
- From the US or Canada: +1-888-407-4747
- From abroad: +1-202-501-4444
- Embassy switchboard: +57 (601) 275-2000
The US State Department has said it is actively assisting American citizens affected by the earthquake.
Canadian citizens
Embassy of Canada in Bogotá, or Global Affairs Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre:
- Call collect from abroad: +1 613 996 8885
- From within Canada: 1-800-267-6788
- Email: sos@international.gc.ca
Both governments recommend registering your travel so you can be reached in an emergency.
Our Network
Cali Clinic Status
We are contacting every clinic in our Cali network directly. “Unconfirmed” does not mean closed — it means we have not yet heard back.
Support the Recovery
How to Help
Relief organizations currently responding on the ground:
- GlobalGiving Colombia Earthquake Relief Fund — globalgiving.org — channels flexible funding to local Colombian organizations
- All Hands & Hearts — allhandsandhearts.org — team deployed to Pereira since the day of the quake
- American Red Cross — redcross.org, or 1-800-435-7669 (1-800-257-7575 Spanish)
- Mercy Corps — mercycorps.org
Bogotá has also opened six donation collection points for the affected cities, requesting drinking water, blankets, mattresses and non-perishable food. Cash donations are generally more useful than goods for international donors.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to travel to Colombia for dental or medical treatment right now?
For Bogotá, Medellín and Cartagena, yes — no damage to infrastructure or medical facilities has been reported and travel continues, though flights may be delayed. For Cali and the coffee region, we recommend waiting until clinic status is confirmed.
Was Medellín affected by the earthquake?
The quake was felt in Medellín but no structural damage has been reported in the city. Flights through José María Córdova airport have seen significant delays, so confirm your flight with your airline.
Was Cartagena affected by the earthquake?
Cartagena is on the Caribbean coast, far from the epicenter in Chocó, and was not affected. Flights have seen delays from wider network disruption.
Should I cancel my dental trip to Colombia?
If your treatment is in Bogotá, Medellín or Cartagena and your clinic has confirmed it is operating, there is no current reason to cancel. If your treatment is in Cali or the coffee region, wait for confirmation from your clinic.
Are Colombian hospitals and dental clinics affected?
Facilities in the affected western cities are prioritizing emergency care, and some sustained structural damage. Clinics in Bogotá, Medellín and Cartagena are operating on normal schedules.
Will there be more earthquakes in Colombia?
Aftershocks are expected and normal following a quake of this magnitude, and are typically much weaker. Colombia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, so seismic activity is a permanent feature of the region.
What should I do if I’m in Colombia right now?
Follow instructions from local authorities and your accommodation. US citizens can reach the US Embassy in Bogotá 24/7 on +1-888-407-4747 from the US or Canada, or +1-202-501-4444 from abroad. Canadian citizens should contact the Embassy of Canada in Bogotá.
For Clinics
Update Your Clinic’s Status
Are you a clinic in our network? Let us know your current status below.
Talk to Us
Questions About Your Trip?
We respond to anyone with a booked trip as a priority. Contact us directly and we’ll help you sort out next steps.
Request a Quote
Need a Price? Request a Quote now