25-04-2025
How To Feel Prepared When Traveling To Earthquake Prone Destinations
A focused woman prepares for unforeseen events by packing a go-bag with food and first aid in her bedroom.
Some of the biggest tourist hotspots around the country also happen to be at risk for earthquakes—and while that can be worrying for travelers, it doesn't necessarily mean you have to rethink your dream holiday.
'Travel to a country situated on a fault line may understandably unnerve some travelers,' said Deepak Shukla, CEO of Pearl Lemon Adventures. 'No one can predict when or where an earthquake may strike, but many proactive things can calm those frazzled nerves and allow travelers to feel confident about their safety.'
The following tips from travel professionals and medical experts will help you feel more equipped to deal with a potential earthquake while traveling abroad—but the most important thing will always be to keep informed of the given country's emergency response plan and stay abreast with seismic activity before making any decisions.
Look for the safest areas in an earthquake in the cities you are visiting. 'Many countries that are active in seismic mode have developed an entire system of identifying and marketing buildings designed to withstand earthquakes,' Shukla explained. 'These are often sites with reinforced structures with evacuation routes clearly marked and trained personnel to assist.'
Another idea is to prepare your emergency kit or go-bag. 'Keeping a bag that includes items that would be useful in an emergency, like a first aid kit, portable phone charger, flashlight, whistle, copies of your travel documents and passport, and any medications you deem necessary, is another step that may prove beneficial,' Shukla added. 'Don't forget to take communication items such as a local SIM card or a portable Wi-Fi device that can connect you to local emergency services if need be.'
Alexandra Wieteska, founder and editor-in-chief of The Mexico Edit, suggests taking a look around at your hotel room and make a plan so you can avoid standing or kneeling under anything that could fall, including wall-mounted TVs, bookshelves, glass frames, ceiling lights. Wieteska suggests planning where you'd crouch down during the earthquake, ideally beside something solid like a bed or couch rather than under it.
'Before any trip, I advise travelers to learn a little about how the destination handles emergencies,' said Grace Carter, travel expert at Academized. 'For example, Japan has an incredibly robust public safety system with English-language alerts and clearly marked evacuation points. In contrast, other destinations may rely more on local knowledge or informal communication.'
Carter explained that she will often encourage clients to look up where the nearest open-air parks or designated safe zones are in their destination city—those spots often become crucial gathering points if anything happens. 'A quick look on municipal websites or a conversation with your accommodation provider can give you a sense of where to go and what local procedures look like,' she added.
'You should focus on two main things: keeping physically fit and managing stress, both of which are vital elements of preparation,' explained Dr. Anand Thakkar, Medical Director at BlissMD. 'By maintaining good physical health through regular exercise, you can improve your ability to respond during an earthquake, and stress management techniques like meditation can help keep you calm.'
