← Back
South America

🇨🇴 Vaccines for Colombia

Entry requirements & recommendations for travel to Colombia

Yellow Fever is required for some regions and recommended if visiting jungle or forested areas — not needed for Bogotá or main cities. Hepatitis A and Typhoid are recommended. Malaria risk in rural low-lying areas. Rabies present. Check current travel advisories for specific regions.

Medical disclaimer: This is general information only — not personal medical advice. Requirements and risks change. Always consult a qualified travel health clinic before departure.
⚠️ Active alert — 2026: Yellow Fever cases have been reported in Colombia. Yellow Fever vaccination is strongly recommended for jungle and rural travel. Colombia is also on the CDC global dengue advisory for 2026.
Required for entry
Yellow Fever
Recommended for jungle/rural areas. Some areas require certificate.
💉 1 dose (lifetime)
📅 Book at least 3 weeks before travel
⚡ Effective: 10 days after vaccination. Certificate valid for life.
🛡 Protects for: Lifetime (single dose).
Required for entry
Recommended by WHO & CDC
Hepatitis A
Food and water contamination risk.
💉 2 doses
📅 Book at least 4 weeks before travel
⚡ Effective: 2 weeks after 1st dose. Full protection after 2nd dose (6–12 months later).
🛡 Protects for: 1st dose ~1 yr. 2nd dose: lifetime.
Recommended
Typhoid
Contaminated food and water.
💉 1 dose
📅 Book at least 3 weeks before travel
⚡ Effective: 2 weeks after vaccination.
🛡 Protects for: 3–5 years. Booster recommended if re-exposure.
Recommended
Rabies
Animal bites risk in rural areas.
💉 3 doses
📅 Book at least 5 weeks before travel
⚡ Effective: After 3rd dose. 2nd dose 7 days after 1st, 3rd dose 21 days after 1st.
🛡 Protects for: Pre-exposure reduces post-bite treatment needed. Boosters based on blood tests.
Recommended
Disease risks
  • ⚠Malaria (low-altitude areas including Pacific coast, Amazon, Llanos — not Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena city centre)
  • ⚠Dengue (widespread)
  • ⚠Yellow Fever (jungle areas)
  • ⚠Zika
  • ⚠Leishmaniasis (rural)
Notes: Yellow Fever recommended for jungle/Amazon areas. No malaria in Bogotá or Medellín (high altitude). Malaria prophylaxis for Pacific coast, Amazon and low-altitude rural areas.
Approximate cost per person
Required vaccines
~€74
(~$81)
per person · full courses
Yellow Fever (1 dose)€74 ($81)
Recommended vaccines
~€522
(~$568)
per person · full courses
Hepatitis A (2 doses)€140 ($152)
Typhoid (1 dose)€45 ($49)
Rabies (3 doses)€273 ($297)
Malaria tablets (4 weeks) (1 dose)€64 ($70)

💡 Approximate figures based on private European travel clinic rates (April 2026). Actual costs vary by clinic and country. Not all recommended vaccines will apply to every trip — discuss your specific itinerary with a travel health clinic.

Often combined with
PeruEcuadorVenezuelaPanama
When to book

Book 4–6 weeks before travel. Yellow Fever must be done at least 10 days before entering risk areas. Hepatitis A and Typhoid can be done 2–3 weeks before departure. Malaria tablets need to start before entering risk areas if applicable.

Common questions
Do I need Yellow Fever vaccine for Colombia?
Yellow Fever is required for certain regions and strongly recommended for jungle and forested areas. It is not required for Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, or the Coffee Region at altitude. If your trip includes the Amazon, Pacific jungle regions, or parts of the Orinoco basin, vaccination is essential.
Is there malaria in Colombia?
Malaria risk in Colombia exists in low-lying rural and jungle areas — the Pacific coast, Amazon region, and Orinoco plains. Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, and highland coffee region destinations are low risk. Discuss your specific itinerary with a travel clinic.
Is Colombia safe to visit?
This is a travel safety question rather than a vaccine question — check your government's travel advisory. From a health perspective, the main risks are Yellow Fever and malaria in jungle regions, Hepatitis A and Typhoid from food and water, and Dengue in urban areas.
What vaccines are recommended for Colombia?
Hepatitis A and Typhoid are recommended for all visitors. Yellow Fever is essential if visiting jungle regions. Rabies is worth discussing for rural or extended travel. Dengue is endemic in Colombia including Medellín and Cartagena — mosquito protection is important.

Data based on WHO International Travel and Health and CDC Yellow Book 2026. Last verified: May 2026. Always verify current requirements with a travel health clinic before departure.