Colombia
About Colombia
| Currency | Colombian peso (COP) |
| Language | Spanish |
| Capital | Bogota |
The Republic of Colombia is located in northwestern South America with coastlines on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Neighbouring countries include Venezuela, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, and Panama. The population is about 47 million people.
Colombia’s government is a republic with a president as chief of state and head of government. Colombia has the fourth-largest economy in Latin America, but inequality and poverty are still widespread with about half of the population living under the poverty line.
Since the 1960s, government forces, left-wing insurgents and right-wing paramilitaries have created the longest sporadic armed conflict in South America. The cocaine trade aggravated the situation in the 1980s. In the last decade, violence has decreased significantly with the demobilization of many paramilitary groups. As a result, Colombia’s homicide rate decreased by almost 50 percent between 2002 and 2006. However, due to narcotics-related violence, the urban homicide rate, particularly in the city of Medellín, has increased in the past couple of years. Although kidnapping and homicide rates in urban areas have dropped in recent years, travellers should exercise caution at all times in certain urban areas and zones.
Tourist attractions include seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the cities of Cartagena and Santa Marta, and various colonial towns.
Recommended Vaccinations For Colombia
For Most Travellers
Hepatitis B Vaccine
The risk of hepatitis B is low, however, the vaccination is recommended.
Hepatitis A Vaccine
There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.
For Some Travellers
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine
A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.
Rabies Vaccine
Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.
Yellow Fever Vaccine
There is a risk of transmission of yellow fever in some areas. A yellow fever vaccination is recommended for all persons 9 months of age or older, except those travellers who are travelling only to the cities of Barranquilla, Cali, Cartagena and Medellin. The vaccination is not recommended for travellers whose itineraries are limited to all areas at altitudes greater than 2,300 meters, the department of San Andrés y Providencia, and the capital city of Bogota. This country requires a certificate of yellow fever vaccination for travellers over 1 year of age travelling from Angola, Brazil, Democratic Republic of the Congo, or Uganda and travellers having transited for more than 12 hours through an airport from the same countries.
Typhoid Fever Vaccine
Unvaccinated travellers are at risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities, rural areas, or staying with friends and family.
Recommended Medications For Colombia
For Some Travellers
Anti-malarial Drugs
For travellers whose itineraries include areas at altitudes less than, 1,700 meters (except Medellin, Bogota and Cartagena), the recommended anti-malarial medication is atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine. Chloraquine resistance is present.
Diseases To Be Aware of for Colombia
For Most Travellers
Hepatitis B
The risk of acquiring hepatitis B in Colombia is low.
Dengue Fever
Dengue fever outbreaks may occur in Colombia.
Chikungunya Fever
Chikungunya fever has occurred in this country.
Hepatitis A
There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Colombia through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.
For Some Travellers
West Nile Fever
There is a risk of acquiring West Nile virus in this country.
Tuberculosis
Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the healthcare field, or having close prolonged contact with a sick person.
Hanta Virus
There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.
Measles
There is a risk of acquiring Measles in this country.
Leishmaniasis
There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in this country through sand fly bites.
Rabies
Rabies occurs in Colombia. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.
Malaria
There is a low risk of malaria transmission in rural areas below 1,600m. The risk of malaria transmission is very low in areas above 1,600m and in Cartagena. Awareness of risk and bite avoidance is recommended. Prescription anti-malaria medicine is recommended to prevent malaria.
Typhoid Fever
Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Colombia, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas and staying with friends or relatives.
Chagas Disease
American trypanosomiasis (“Chagas disease”) may occur in rural areas of Colombia. The risk of travellers acquiring this disease is low unless staying in very poor quality housing or camping.
Yellow Fever
There is a risk of transmission of yellow fever in some areas. A yellow fever vaccination is recommended for all persons 9 months of age or older, except those travellers who are travelling only to the cities of Barranquilla, Cali, Cartagena and Medellin. The vaccination is not recommended for travellers whose itineraries are limited to all areas at altitudes greater than 2,300 meters, the department of San Andrés y Providencia, and the capital city of Bogota. This country requires a certificate of yellow fever vaccination for travellers over 1 year of age travelling from Angola, Brazil, Democratic Republic of the Congo, or Uganda and travellers having transited for more than 12 hours through an airport from the same countries.
Zika Fever
There is transmission of the Zika virus in this country.
Safety & Security in Colombia
Personal Safety
There is a high level of crime in Colombia. With respect to your personal safety, be cautious, and be aware of your surroundings at all times. The safety and security situation could change rapidly. Monitor the warnings issued by local authorities.
Petty crime and violent crime occur frequently in both rural and urban areas in Colombia. Avoid showing signs of affluence, and keep valuables and electronics hidden. Do not carry large sums of money and keep travel documents locked in a hotel safe rather than on your person. There have been reports of criminals posing as police officers and requesting money or personal documents. Do not hand over money or documents unless you are threatened. Request to provide the documents or money at your hotel or another public place.
The rate of kidnapping in Colombia is high.
Main roads are generally safe during the day. Avoid road travel after dark. If possible, travel by air between Colombian cities, and try to arrange arrival times during daylight hours. Note that pedestrians are not often given the right of way. Do not take public transportation in Colombia due to safety concerns.
Never leave drinks or food unattended, as there have been reports of tourists being drugged and robbed. These drugs can also be administered through cigarettes, gum, aerosols sprayed in your face, powders, and other substances. Therefore, be wary of people approaching you, no matter how friendly.
Robbing passengers in taxis is common. If possible, use a reputable taxi service recommended by your hotel, and avoid hailing a taxi on the street. Do not share a taxi.
In the Parque Nacional Tayrona, only visit beach areas and resorts that authorities recommend as safe. Stay at your resort since armed groups operate in the area.
Some organized tours include the “Lost City” in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Check with the tour organizers regarding the activity of armed groups in parts of the Sierra Nevada. There is some risk of kidnapping.
Some organized tours include the archaeological park at San Agustin. This destination is located in the department of Huila. Some countries advise against all but essential travel to this department. If your tour includes this site, make sure your tour operator plans to enter and leave the park on the main road through Neiva and not other routes.
There are eco-tourist destinations on the Pacific coast of Chocó. If you travel to these destinations, do not leave town to go inland or along the coast. The area is dangerous due to the illegal activities of armed groups. Arrange travel to and from this area by air.
There are mined areas in Colombia. Stay on main roads and exercise caution if visiting remote areas.
If entering or exiting the border with Ecuador on the Pan-American Highway, do so at Ipiales.
Avoid crossing borders between Panama and Colombia by land.
Carry a copy of your passport and Columbian visa with you at all times as local police may conduct ID checks. Note that police scams (thieves posing as police officers asking to check ID or foreign currency) have been reported.
Do not take photos of military or government sites.
Natural hazards in Columbia include earthquakes, volcanos, hurricanes, and flooding during the rainy season (April-November). Monitor local news closely.
Homosexuality is legal. However, due to the conservative nature of the country it is not widely accepted, especially in rural areas.
Extreme Violence
Domestic terrorism is a threat in Colombia. Past targets of terrorist activity include military and police installations and public areas. Exercise extreme caution and monitor media for up to date information.
Political Unrest
Protests and demonstrations in Colombia have turned violent. Minimize safety risk by avoiding public and political gatherings and demonstrations since even peaceful protests can quickly and unexpectedly escalate and become violent.
It is illegal in some countries for foreigners to participate in protests or demonstrations.
Areas To Avoid
Travellers to Colombia should avoid all travel to the following areas, except their capital cities, due to unpredictable conflict or violent crime, drug trafficking, and terrorist activity: Antioquia, Arauca, Caquetá, Cauca, Chocó, Cesar, Guaviare, Guainía, La Guajira, Huila, Córdoba Meta, Nariño, Norte de Santander, Santander, Tolima, Putumayo, Valle de Cauca, and Vichada. Although the safety of cities has improved, travellers should continue to take extreme caution in rural areas. Avoid all areas that do not have established tourist industries. The risks of kidnapping, attacks, extortion, and other threats are high.
Avoid the port of Buenaventura (Valle de Cauca) and the port of Tumaco (Nariño).
Avoid the areas bordering Venezuela, Panama, and Ecuador.
Illegal drug trafficking occurs in all departments where coca is grown and processed. The rate of criminal activity is high in these areas.
