Panama’s Environment Ministry has imposed an indefinite waterfall closure at La Cascada in the Chagres River, effective Tuesday, October 27. The order follows a landslide on Monday that injured a National Police officer inside Chagres National Park. Authorities confirmed the officer received immediate medical attention and remains in stable condition.
The closure applies to all visitors, both Panamanian citizens and foreign tourists, with no exceptions until further notice. Ministry officials stated the restriction is mandatory and will remain in place until geological assessments confirm the area is safe for public access.
Comunicamos que, a partir de hoy, queda cerrado de forma indefinida el sector de La Cascada, en el río Chagres, dentro del Parque Nacional Chagres, debido a los riesgos detectados en la zona. https://t.co/CawXGCKMzr https://t.co/DfgPVoS1Rp
— Ministerio de Ambiente de Panamá (@MiAmbientePma) October 27, 2026
Indefinite Waterfall Closure Triggers Safety Assessment
The National System of Protected Areas is leading the investigation into what caused the slope failure. Officials are specifically examining whether the magnitude 7.5 earthquake that struck Panama on October 9, along with its aftershocks, may have destabilized the terrain. Teams from the National Civil Protection System, known as Sinaproc, are conducting on-site inspections to determine what safety measures are needed before any reopening can be considered.
The ministry emphasized that the restriction is limited to the La Cascada sector only. Other areas and attractions within Chagres National Park continue operating normally, according to the official statement.
Tourism Operators Face Restricted Access
Ministry officials have directed tour operators and the general public to comply with the closure order and avoid the restricted zone entirely. In a statement, the agency stressed that visitor safety takes priority over all other considerations.
“The safety of visitors and their lives comes first” [Translated from Spanish]
The landslide incident underscores ongoing concerns about geological stability in Panama’s protected areas following the October earthquake. Seismic events of that magnitude can weaken soil cohesion and increase landslide risk for weeks or months afterward, particularly in areas with steep slopes and river erosion.
Chagres National Park serves as a critical watershed for the Panama Canal and hosts numerous ecotourism destinations. La Cascada has been a popular attraction for both domestic visitors and international travelers seeking freshwater swimming and waterfall experiences. The closure represents a significant disruption for local tour operators who depend on access to the site.
Authorities have not provided a timeline for when the assessment will conclude or when the indefinite waterfall closure might be lifted. Ministry officials said the decision to reopen will depend entirely on technical findings from the ongoing geological and structural evaluations.