Colombia

The malaria risk is:

• high in the areas below 1700 m:
  • along the Pacific coast, in particular departments Chocó, Cauca and Nariño.
  • in parts of Bolívar and Córdoba in the northwest. 
  • in departments bordering Venezuela, Brazil and Peru, including the Amazon rainforest and in the department Guaviare.
    We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning, in combination with the use of malaria tablets.
• moderate in the areas below 1700 m in the regions around the high risk areas on the Pacific Coast and in the east of the country. 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.
• low in malaria risk in the remaining areas below 1700 m. We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning.

There is no malaria risk in the areas above 1700 m and in Bogota, Cartagena and Medellin.

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.

Protect yourself against insects. 

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.

Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for all travellers.
In addition, vaccination is compulsory if you have recently been in a country where yellow fever may be present. 
This vaccination must be administered at least ten days prior to arrival by an official yellow fever vaccination centre.

Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for all travellers.

• COVID-19
• Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis
• Polio
• Measles-mumps-rubella

Discuss with your doctor whether one of the following vaccinations is recommended for you:

• Rabies
• Dengue
• Hepatitis B
• Influenza
• Pneumococci