Colombia

Latest update: 5 July 2021 - Authors: Ula Maniewski-Kelner, Mieke Croughs

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Travelling to red countries outside the EU or Schengen area is not recommended.

Take a look at the general preventive measures related to COVID-19.

Carefully read the entry conditions and local measures of this country.
Carefully read the information on measures to be taken upon return to Belgium.

Check the current security situation on the federal government website and register your itinerary on Travellers Online.

The information on Wanda is updated daily, but not over the weekend.

This page contains the main health risks for travellers and general recommendations. Travel conditions are different for everyone and each patient's health condition varies. Discuss your trip during a travel consultation with your doctor or in a travel clinic, preferably six to eight weeks before departure.

Important health risks

In the areas at the Pacific Ocean and in the departments bordering Venezuela, Brazil and Peruhere there is a significant malaria risk (60% P. falciparum). We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning, in combination with the use of malaria tablets.

In the departments Antioquia and Cordoba at the Caribbean Coast, there is a moderate malaria risk. We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning. For people with an increased risk, we sometimes recommend preventive malaria tablets, or taking an emergency treatment with you.

In the northern coastal areas: Sucre, Bolivar, Atlantico, La Guaijra there is a low malaria risk. We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning.

In the areas situated above 1700m and in the cities of Bogota and Cartagena there is no risk of malaria.

In case of fever during or after your journey, get tested for malaria as soon as possible.

There is a risk of yellow fever in the entire country. The risk is very low to non-existant in the cities of Bogota, Barranquilla, Cali, Cartagena and Medellin, the San Andrès Y Providencia department and in the areas above 2300m.

Insects can transmit diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, zika, leishmaniasis and Chagas disease.

Ticks can transmit diseases.

Dogs and other mammals can be infected with rabies.

You may experience altitude sickness in areas above 2500 metres.

Read these tips before you leave.

Vaccinations

Yellow fever

Recommended, sometimes mandatory

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Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for all travellers and is compulsory from the age of one year:

If you are departing from one of the following countries, or
If you have spent more than twelve hours in transit: Angola, Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda.

This vaccination must be administered at least ten days prior to arrival by an official yellow fever vaccination centre and must be registered in an International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis.