VaccineChecking
Back to all destinations

Colombia

Standard Coverage

South America • COL

Last updated: October 12, 2026

Travel Information
AI-Generated

Colombia is a vibrant and diverse South American destination known for its dramatic Andean mountains, lush Amazon rainforest, and stunning Caribbean coast. Visitors are drawn to its rich history, colorful colonial architecture, and the famously warm hospitality of the Colombian people.

Visa Requirements

Visa-Free for Many Nationalities

Citizens from many countries, including the US, UK, Canada, and most EU nations, can enter Colombia visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days, which can often be extended for another 90 days.

Typically Required Documents

  • Passport with at least six months of validity remaining
  • Proof of onward or return travel
  • Completed Check-Mig form submitted online within 72 hours of arrival
  • Proof of sufficient funds for the duration of the stay

Popular Attractions

1

Cartagena's Walled City is a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring beautifully preserved colonial buildings, charming plazas, and lively nightlife.

2

Tayrona National Park offers a unique blend of dense jungle trails that open up to pristine Caribbean beaches with crystal clear waters.

3

Medellin, known as the 'City of Eternal Spring,' showcases remarkable urban transformation with its innovative cable car system and vibrant cultural spaces like Plaza Botero.

4

The Coffee Axis (Eje Cafetero) allows visitors to explore breathtaking landscapes of rolling hills and lush coffee plantations while learning about world-class coffee production.

5

Salento and the Cocora Valley are home to the tallest palm trees in the world, providing iconic hiking trails through cloud forests and verdant valleys.

Local Customs & Etiquette

Tipping is customary in restaurants; while service charges are often included, it is standard practice to leave an additional 10 percent if the service was excellent.

Colombians are generally friendly and demonstrative, often greeting others with a single kiss on the right cheek regardless of gender.

Being punctual is not strictly enforced in social settings, so showing up slightly late for a casual meeting or party is culturally acceptable.

Dress is generally more formal in cities like Bogota compared to the coastal areas, where lightweight, casual clothing is preferred.

Respect for elders is deeply ingrained in the culture, so using formal address terms like 'usted' is a polite way to interact with strangers or older individuals.

Safety Tips

Follow the local mantra 'no dar papaya,' which literally means 'don't give papaya' and figuratively means don't make yourself an easy target for theft.

Avoid using your smartphone in public spaces or walking alone at night in poorly lit areas, especially in major cities.

Use official taxi apps like Cabify or Uber rather than hailing street taxis to ensure safer, tracked transportation.

Stick to well-traveled tourist routes and avoid hiking in remote areas without a certified local guide or official permission.

Keep your valuables, such as passports and large amounts of cash, locked in a hotel safe rather than carrying them around with you.

AI-generated content. Visa requirements vary by nationality — verify with the official embassy before travel.

Entry Requirements

Yellow Fever

Source: CDC

Not Required

Not required when traveling directly from non-risk countries.

View source

Yellow Fever

Source: CDC

Required

Certificate required for travelers arriving from specific countries with risk of YF transmission.

View source
Recommended Vaccines & Precautions

Core Vaccines

Routine Vaccines (MMR, Tdap, Polio, Varicella, Influenza)

Source: CDC

All ages

Ensure all routine vaccinations are up to date before travel.

View source

Routine vaccines (MMR, DTaP, Polio, Varicella, Influenza)

Source: CDC

All ages

Ensure all routine vaccinations are up to date before travel to prevent common preventable diseases.

View source

Routine Vaccines (MMR, DTaP, Polio, Varicella, Influenza)

Source: CDC

All ages

Ensure all routine vaccinations are up to date before travel to prevent common preventable diseases.

View source

Routine Vaccines (MMR, Tdap, Varicella, Polio, Influenza)

Source: CDC

All ages

Ensure all routine vaccinations are up to date before travel.

View source

COVID-19 vaccine

Source: CDC

All ages

To reduce risk of severe disease and complications during travel.

View source

Tdap Vaccine

Source: CDC

All ages

Recommended for protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough).

View source

MMR Vaccine

Source: CDC

All ages

Recommended to protect against measles, mumps, and rubella.

View source

Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis)

Source: CDC

All ages

Make sure your Tdap vaccine is up to date, especially if you will be in close contact with others.

View source

MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)

Source: CDC

All ages

Ensure you are vaccinated against measles, mumps, and rubella before traveling to Colombia to protect yourself and the local population.

View source

COVID-19 vaccination

Source: CDC

All ages

Follow local requirements and recommendations related to COVID-19 vaccination.

View source

Routine vaccinations (MMR, DTaP, etc.)

Source: CDC

All ages

Ensure routine vaccinations are up to date before travel.

View source

Routine vaccines (MMR, Tdap, etc.)

Source: CDC

All ages

Ensure that routine vaccinations are up to date before traveling.

View source

Routine vaccines

Source: CDC

All ages

Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before every trip.

These vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus (Tdap).

View source

For Most Travelers

Insect bite prevention

Source: CDC

All ages

Crucial to prevent vector-borne diseases like malaria, dengue, and Zika.

Use EPA-registered insect repellent, wear long sleeves/pants, and use permethrin-treated clothing.

View source

Food and water safety

Source: CDC

All ages

Preventive measure to avoid gastrointestinal infections.

Drink only bottled or boiled water and avoid raw or undercooked foods.

View source

Food and Water Safety

Source: CDC

All ages

Prevent foodborne and waterborne illnesses by eating safe food and drinking treated/bottled water.

View source

Insect Bite Prevention

Source: CDC

All ages

Use insect repellent, wear protective clothing, and stay in climate-controlled lodging to prevent diseases like Dengue, Zika, and Malaria.

View source

Food and water safety precautions

Source: CDC

All ages

Prevent food and waterborne diseases by consuming only safe food and beverages.

Eat food that is cooked and served hot; drink bottled or boiled water.

View source

Typhoid Vaccine

Source: CDC

All ages

Recommended for travelers to areas with food and water safety concerns.

View source

Hepatitis A Vaccine

Source: CDC

All ages

Recommended due to the risk of food and waterborne illness.

View source

Hepatitis B

Source: CDC

adults

Recommended for adults, especially those engaging in sexual activity or needing medical care.

View source

Food and water safety precautions (drinking bottled or boiled water)

Source: CDC

All ages

To reduce the risk of traveler's diarrhea and other foodborne illnesses.

View source

Insect bite prevention measures (using DEET, staying in well-screened areas)

Source: CDC

All ages

To prevent insect-borne diseases such as dengue and Zika virus.

View source

Older adult vaccines (like pneumococcal and shingles)

Source: CDC

older_adult

Recommended for older adults to prevent disease during travel.

View source

Insect bite prevention measures (e.g., insect repellent, bed nets)

Source: CDC

All ages

To prevent diseases such as Zika, dengue, and chikungunya transmitted by mosquitoes.

View source

COVID-19 vaccine

Source: CDC

All ages

Fully vaccinated travelers are less likely to be severely ill and may be less likely to spread COVID-19.

Check the latest travel health notices.

View source

Malaria prevention measures

Source: CDC

All ages

In areas of risk, such as rural areas, prevent malaria through effective strategies.

Consult local guidelines for specific areas.

View source

Typhoid

Source: CDC

All ages

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends/relatives or visiting smaller cities.

View source

Hepatitis A

Source: CDC

All ages

Recommended for most travelers due to risk of food or water contamination.

View source

Itinerary-Specific

Yellow Fever (for travel)

Source: CDC

All ages

Recommended for travelers visiting areas with risk of yellow fever.

Check specific regional recommendations based on your itinerary.

View source

Yellow Fever

Source: CDC

All ages

Recommended for travelers aged 9 months or older who are visiting areas with risk of yellow fever transmission in Colombia.

View source

Hepatitis B

Source: CDC

All ages

Considered for travelers who may have sexual contact or medical procedures during their stay.

View source

Insect bite prevention

Source: CDC

All ages

Important in preventing mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and Zika.

Use repellents and wear protective clothing.

View source

Rabies Vaccine

Source: CDC

All ages

Consider if engaging with wildlife or at risk of animal bites, especially in remote areas.

View source

Hepatitis B Vaccine

Source: CDC

All ages

Can be considered depending on travel plans involving medical procedures or sexual contact.

View source

Routine vaccines (chickenpox, polio)

Source: CDC

All ages

Ensure routine vaccinations are up to date to safeguard against common infections.

View source

Traveler's diarrhea precautions

Source: CDC

All ages

To minimize the risk of gastrointestinal issues while traveling.

Consider carrying medication for diarrhea.

View source

Insect protection measures

Source: CDC

All ages

Use insect repellent and wear long sleeves to prevent mosquito bites that could lead to diseases such as dengue.

View source

Rabies pre-exposure vaccination

Source: CDC

All ages

Consider for travelers engaging in activities that may expose them to bats or other animals.

View source

COVID-19 vaccination

Source: CDC

All ages

To protect against COVID-19 while traveling.

View source

Rabies

Source: CDC

All ages

Considered for travelers involved in outdoor activities or working with animals.

View source

Hepatitis B

Source: CDC

adult

Especially for travelers who may have sexual encounters or get a tattoo or piercing.

View source

Rabies

Source: CDC

infant

Recommended for travelers involved in outdoor activities that may bring them into contact with bats, dogs, or other wildlife.

Particularly important if you will be in rural areas.

View source
Malaria Information

Risk Area: Major cities (Bogota, Medellin, Cali) and areas above 2000m

Seasonality: No malaria risk

View source

Risk Area: Major cities and high altitude areas (Bogota, Medellin, etc.)

Seasonality: No malaria risk

View source

Risk Area: Rural areas below 2000m

Chemoprophylaxis: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine

Seasonality: Year-round

View source

Risk Area: Major cities (Bogotá, Medellín, Cali) and high-altitude areas above 1,600 meters

Chemoprophylaxis: No chemoprophylaxis needed

View source

Risk Area: Rural areas below 1,600 meters (5,249 feet) in departments such as Amazonas, Chocó, Guainía, and others.

Chemoprophylaxis: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine

Seasonality: Year-round

View source

Risk Area: Urban areas (Bogota, Medellin, Cartagena, etc.)

Chemoprophylaxis: No chemoprophylaxis required

View source

Risk Area: Rural areas below 1,700 meters

Chemoprophylaxis: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine

Seasonality: Year-round

View source

Risk Area: No malaria risk

View source

Risk Area: Certain rural areas in Colombia

Chemoprophylaxis: Atovaquone-proguanil or doxycycline

Seasonality: Risk in some rural areas, recommended for certain travelers.

View source
Official Sources

Authoritative Resources:

View our data sources and disclaimer →