Travel vaccines for Colombia
Advice depends on altitude. Yellow fever vaccination is advised for lowland areas, but not for a trip limited to Bogota.
Vaccines for Colombia
Book this week to give your vaccines time to work.
Some courses can be speeded up. A yellow fever certificate becomes valid 10 days after your vaccine.
Current health alerts
- Oropouche virus disease outbreak ongoing. It is spread by midges and mosquitoes and there is no vaccine, so bite avoidance matters, especially in pregnancy.
- Yellow fever: 56 confirmed cases and 28 deaths were reported in 2026 as of 28 July, most in Tolima.
Advised for most travellers
Advised for some travellers, depending on your trip
These are suggestions only and may differ from what our expert clinician advises at your consultation.
Entry rules
- A yellow fever certificate is required for travellers aged 1 year or over arriving from Angola, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Uganda, including those who have spent more than 12 hours in transit through an airport there.
- Vaccination records may be checked inside Colombia, including at transport hubs, so carry your certificate if you have one.
Malaria
Low risk. Tablets are not usually advised.
- Low risk in rural areas below 1,600 metres: awareness and bite avoidance.
- Very low risk above 1,600 metres and in Cartagena.
- For travellers at higher risk, atovaquone with proguanil, doxycycline or mefloquine are suitable options.
Other health risks
Altitude
Bogota is at 2,644 metres.
Zika
There is a risk. Pregnant travellers and couples planning a pregnancy should seek advice before booking.
Methanol poisoning
Cases linked to contaminated alcoholic drinks were reported in 2025, with an outbreak in Barranquilla.
More than one country?
Add each country when you book and we’ll plan for the whole route.
Common questions about Colombia
What vaccines do I need for Colombia?+
For most travellers, Hepatitis A, Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio and Typhoid are advised. Others may be advised depending on your route, how long you stay and what you will be doing. Your pharmacist will only recommend what suits your trip.
Do I need malaria tablets for Colombia?+
Low risk. Tablets are not usually advised. Low risk in rural areas below 1,600 metres: awareness and bite avoidance. Very low risk above 1,600 metres and in Cartagena. For travellers at higher risk, atovaquone with proguanil, doxycycline or mefloquine are suitable options.
Do I need a yellow fever certificate for Colombia?+
A yellow fever certificate is required for travellers aged 1 year or over arriving from Angola, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Uganda, including those who have spent more than 12 hours in transit through an airport there. Vaccination records may be checked inside Colombia, including at transport hubs, so carry your certificate if you have one.
How far in advance should I get vaccines for Colombia?+
Ideally six to eight weeks before you fly, so any courses can be finished. If you leave sooner, still book: many vaccines help close to departure.
Summarised from NaTHNaC TravelHealthPro, checked 10 November 2026. Advice can change, so we check it again at your appointment. Clinical content by Lyneham Pharmacy and Travel Clinic (GPhC registered pharmacy 9010716).
Can’t see your destination? We still cover it.
We show some of our most popular destinations here, but we give travel vaccine advice for wherever you’re going. Tell us your route when you book, or give us a call.