-updated February 2024-

Currently, there are no Covid-19 rules to enter Colombia. Check here for more information.

Doctor visits at the hotel
Most hotels have a regular doctor they can call if one of their guests needs medical attention.

Medic App is an App service, where you can request a doctor’s consultation “at home” 24 hours a day via App. There are mobile, English-speaking doctors in Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, Santa Marta, Cali, Barranquilla, and Bucaramanga.

Check the practical information section of the travel guide if you need a doctor or dentist in Medellín, Bogotá, Cartagena, Cali, Barranquilla, the coffee region or any of the other destinations in Colombia.

Drugstores
Drugstores in Colombia are open late, some even 24 hours a day. Well-known drugstores in Colombia are Drogueria Olimpica, Farmatodo, la Rebaja. Large supermarkets such as Jumbo and Exito also have and wide selection of medicines.

Delivery service
There are also drugstores and Apps like Rappi that deliver medications to your home.

Medicine in Colombia
Many medicines, are available in Colombia under a different name, including:

• Acetaminophen or Dolex = Paracetamol
• Amoxillin = antibiotic. Usually available without a prescription
• Ditopax F masticables = lozenges for gas and acidity
• Enterogemina = ampoules, for diarrhea and other intestinal problems
• Ketolifeno = anti-cough syrup
• Mareol = similar to Primatur or Dramamine. Helps to prevent motion sickness
• Noraver = relieves sore throat and is anti-sceptical. Available in tablets and spray
• Smectab = anti-diarrhea remedy in powdered form that you dissolve in water
• Oscillococcinum = homeopathic remedy to prevent flu from getting worse. (instead of vitamins)
• Home made medicine for the flu: Agua panela con limon. Almost every Colombian will recommend this drink to you when you have the flu or a bad cold.

Yellow fever does not occur in higher elevations and is therefore not necessary for cities such as Bogotá and Medellín. A yellow fever shot is also not required for Barranquilla, Cartagena and Cali.

Yellow fever (and proof) shot is required though if:

• You enter through Brazil, Colombia
• You travel to Caño Cristales natural park

Yellow fever shot is recommended for:
The low-lying areas and the coast; the Llanos Orientales, Leticia and Amazon, Ciudad Perdida and the National Parks “off the beaten track,” Casanare, Guajira, Putamayo, Tayrona, Santa Marta and coastal region, Rio Sucio and Chocó. Click here for a complete list.

Getting yellow fever shot in Colombia?

• You can get a free yellow fever vaccination at El Dorado Airport, at Hospital Fontibón, next to the international departure hall. This must be done on time because the shot only works after 10 days
• You can also vaccinate yourself at a doctor’s office, hospital or at the Red Cross. This can be done for free in many places in Colombia.

Other vaccinations

Below are some recommended vaccinations. This may vary from person to person and depends on itinerary, length of stay and personal situation. Therefore get personal advice from your doctor or the GGD.

For information on any increased current health risks, check the site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

DTP
Abroad, you are generally more at risk of contracting diphtheria, tetanus and polio, therefore vaccination is recommended to all travelers to Colombia

Hepatitus A
You can get hepatitus A from contaminated water or food, no matter where you eat or stay. Therefore, a vaccination is recommended to all travelers to Colombia

Typhoid
Typhoid can be contracted from contaminated water or food. The vaccination is recommended if you are visiting smaller towns or inland areas, or if you are an adventurous eater.

Hepatitus B and Rabies
Recommended if you will be in Colombia for more than 3 months, but this also depends on your personal situation

Altitude sickness
You can contract this in areas above 2,500 meters, such as Bogotá.

How do you recognize altitude sickness?
The most common, mild symptoms include nausea, headache, shortness of breath, lack of appetite, poor sleep, dizziness and feeling weak.

How do you prevent altitude sickness?

• Let your body get used to the altitude difference by getting plenty of rest. If you are just arriving in Bogotá, take it easy. Don’t start planning your first day in Bogotá full of activities, but take it easy
• If you already have one or more mild symptoms, do not ascend further and give your body time to adjust to the altitude.
• If you drive a car, open the windows a little, this makes you less likely to suffer from the altitude
• Drink little alcohol and caffeine
• Drink plenty of water
• Prevent hypothermia

Travelers’ diarrhea
Diarrhea is caused by contaminated food and water. If you are prone to this or do not trust the hygiene somewhere, drink bottled or filtered water and be careful with ice cubes, juices and uncooked vegetables.

Overheating
It can get very hot in certain places, including the coast and inland areas such as the Llanos Orientales. Plan the most strenuous activities there early in the morning or in the afternoon and take it easy between 12 and 3. Above all, keep drinking plenty of water. You can get sunburn in any climate, and in the higher elevations, you burn even faster than in the lower elevations.

Colds/flu
Especially if you are dealing with altitude and temperature differences during your trip, you may have to deal with this. The drugstores in Colombia have a wide range of medications for an incipient cold/flu.

Malaria does not occur in areas higher than about 2,000 meters. There is a (small) risk of malaria in the jungle, in the regions of Chocó and the Amazon.

To take malaria tablets or not?
Whether or not you should take malaria tablets depends on several factors. Where exactly are you going, are you sleeping indoors or outdoors? Many travelers take an emergency supply of malaria tablets with them, so they can take them the moment symptoms appear and not have to swallow them unnecessarily when there are no symptoms. Your personal situation, is best discussed with your doctor. They will also be able to advise you on this at the accommodation where you are staying.

Avoiding mosquito bites
To prevent malaria, avoiding mosquito bites is essential. The mosquitoes that transmit malaria sting between sunset and sunrise. Wear clothes with long sleeves and pant legs, sleep under a mosquito net and use an anti-mosquito spray with DEET.

Avoiding mosquito bites is also essential for avoiding other tropical diseases such as Dengue, Chikunguya and Zika. These diseases can occur in lower elevations (below about 2,000 meters).

• Proof travel insurance
• Proof yellow fever vaccination if going to a high-risk area
• Sunscreen
• Mosquito spray
• Loratadine: against allergic reactions, such as skin irritations, colds and bites from insects and sandflies
• Antidiarrhea tablets
• Paracetamol
• (Emergency supply) Malaria tablets if you are going to a high-risk area
• Your own medicine if you use a particular brand. Colombia has a wide range of medications, but often under a different brand name than you are used to