Travel vaccinations for Colombia: yellow fever, malaria and dengue

No vaccinations are required for direct travel from Germany to Colombia. The German Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt) recommends hepatitis A vaccination for all travellers, along with up-to-date routine vaccinations under the STIKO schedule, Germany’s national immunisation guidance, particularly measles. Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for most areas below 2,300 metres, and some national parks require proof. Malaria occurs regionally in the lowlands, while Bogotá, Cartagena and Medellín are considered malaria-free. For longer stays, hepatitis B and rabies are added.

Entry rules and yellow fever

According to the WHO, Colombia is one of the countries where yellow fever is transmitted in parts of the country. It does not require proof of vaccination for direct arrival from Germany. The Federal Foreign Office notes a different rule if you arrive from Angola, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Uganda, or have been in transit there: travellers aged one year or over must then show a vaccination given at least ten days earlier.

Regardless of entry rules, the Federal Foreign Office recommends the vaccination for most parts of the country below 2,300 metres. It is not needed for trips limited to Bogotá or the islands of San Andrés and Providencia, and not routinely for Barranquilla, Cali, Cartagena and Medellín. Some national parks require proof of vaccination, although the Foreign Office does not name them, so it is worth checking before you book tours. If you travel on from Colombia to Costa Rica, you will need proof there in any case. More on the vaccine and approved centres in our guide to yellow fever vaccination.

Recommended vaccinations by type of trip

Many travellers explore Colombia on a touring holiday: from Bogotá through the coffee region and Medellín to the Caribbean coast, often adding national parks or a trip into the Amazon. Because altitudes vary so much, the risk of yellow fever and malaria depends directly on your route. The overview table on this page shows how the Federal Foreign Office classifies each vaccination.

For all travellers

Hepatitis A is spread through contaminated food and water, and the Federal Foreign Office considers vaccination worthwhile for any trip to Colombia. Check your routine vaccinations against the STIKO schedule as well. The Foreign Office specifically highlights protection against measles.

For long stays or particular exposure

The Federal Foreign Office recommends hepatitis B and rabies vaccination for longer stays or particular exposure. In Colombia, rabies is increasingly transmitted by cats as well, and according to the Foreign Office vaccines are only available in large cities. A chikungunya vaccine exists, which STIKO recommends, among other groups, for people aged 12 and over travelling to an area with a current outbreak. Your consultation will clarify whether this applies to your trip. For a first orientation, try the travel vaccine check.

Malaria in Colombia

According to the 2026 DTG country table and the Federal Foreign Office, there is a year-round malaria risk below 2,000 metres that varies considerably by region. It is high, among other places, on the Pacific coast in the departments of Chocó, Cauca and Nariño and in the departments bordering Venezuela, Brazil and Peru, including the Amazon. Bogotá, Cartagena, Medellín and the island of San Andrés are considered malaria-free.

Protect yourself especially at dusk and at night with repellent, long clothing and mosquito nets. Discuss with a doctor whether preventive medication or emergency standby treatment makes sense for your route. If you develop a fever after returning, always have it checked and mention your trip. Our guide to malaria prevention has more detail.

Dengue, chikungunya, Zika and Oropouche

Dengue occurs in Colombia and is spread by day-biting mosquitoes, including in cities. On dengue vaccination, STIKO currently recommends it only for people aged four and over who have had a laboratory-confirmed dengue infection in the past. Chikungunya, Zika and Oropouche are also transmitted. Zika and Oropouche matter particularly during pregnancy, so pregnant women should discuss the trip with a doctor beforehand. Tips on protection by day and by night are in our guide to dengue and mosquito protection.

Hygiene, altitude and air quality

Pay attention to food and drinking water hygiene. The Federal Foreign Office advises:

• Drink only water from a safe source, such as bottled water.
• Avoid fruit and sugar cane juices that are not industrially produced.
• Eat food that is cooked or that you have peeled yourself, and wash your hands often.

Bogotá sits high in the Andes. If you have a pre-existing condition, raise the altitude during your consultation. Air pollution can cause discomfort in large cities.

Rabies and contact with animals

Avoid contact with dogs, cats and wild animals, including seemingly tame animals at your accommodation. After a bite, a scratch or an animal licking broken skin, wash the area immediately with soap and water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical help straight away, even if you are vaccinated. More in our guide to rabies and travel.

Medical care in Colombia

According to the Federal Foreign Office, medical care in larger cities, especially Bogotá, is satisfactory. It declines sharply in rural areas, as do emergency rescue services. Travel health insurance with repatriation cover is therefore sensible, as is a well stocked travel health kit for trips away from the cities.

When to book your consultation

According to STIKO and the DTG, travel vaccinations should be completed at least two weeks before departure. Yellow fever protection only applies from the tenth day after vaccination, and the vaccine is only given at approved yellow fever vaccination centres. Plan early, see our travel vaccination timeline. If you are combining Colombia with Peru or Brazil, it is best to discuss the entire route in one appointment. Find a practice in our travel clinics directory.