Colombia visa and travel medical insurance guide

January 04, 2019

Colombia is a place rich with beauty and specialties. There's a river radiating a host of colors, and there's a town decorated with colorful frieze. You can visit the heated mud spa treatment in the caldera of an old mini volcano, a home made entirely of clay, a cathedral made of salt, a town with mummies and the world's tallest palm trees.

So, there’s a lot to get excited about when organizing your visit to Colombia. To fully enjoy your adventure, make sure you give yourself peace of mind and organize your travel insurance policy as soon as possible, so you can kick back, relax and enjoy your vacation knowing that you have got all your bases covered.
 
Aside from finding the right cover for you, here are some other important travel tips to be aware of before you set off on your adventure:


Visa Information for Colombia

Do I Need a Visa to Visit Colombia?    

No

U.S. Citizens will be allowed to enter Colombia without a visa for up to 90 days. You can also apply for an extension to your stay for up to 90 more days if done prior to your original 90-day stay.

You will also need the following:
•    A passport valid for your intended length of stay
•    One blank passport page for entry visa
•    Valid return ticket

Health and Medical Advice

Before jetting off on your travels, you should check for any health risks, required vaccinations and any epidemic breakouts occurring in Colombia. It’s also a good idea to learn the emergency numbers and find out where the nearest hospital is in case of an emergency.

Do I Need to be Vaccinated When Travelling to Colombia?

There are no obligatory vaccinations for traveling to Cambodia. However, you may need the yellow fever vaccination if you are planning on touring some of the national parks. Also, make sure to update your routine vaccinations. The standard vaccines are:

MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis
Influenza
Polio
Chickenpox

Altitude Adjustments: You may have to take time to adjust to the high altitude in places like Bogota (8,600 feet).

Travel Health Updates in Colombia

These mosquito-borne diseases are prevalent in Colombia:
•    Chikungunya
•    Dengue
•    Malaria
•    Yellow fever
•    Zika

Emergency Contact Information in Colombia

No one ever wants to have to call the emergency services whilst they’re on vacation, but unfortunately accidents happen and it’s important to be prepared for when they do.

Ambulance Emergency number is: 132

Fire Emergency number is: 119

Police Emergency number is: 112 or 123

Colombia Local Laws and Customs

Colombian law restricts having imported plants and animals (or any products made from them).
Pedestrians need to beware if walking because drivers rarely obey traffic laws.

Safety and Security

Exercise increased caution in Colombia due to crime and terrorism.

Terrorism
The National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident groups from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) are still participating in terroristic attacks in Colombia.

Petty Theft and Crime
Like any popular tourist areas, pickpocketing and petty theft are common. Be alert and keep your belongings with you at all times, especially in crowded areas like train stations and popular tourist spots.

Demonstrations
Do not participate in demonstrations. People frequently hold demonstrations and protests in Colombia, and they can become violent.

ATM Robberies
Do not use ATMs on the street due to frequent robberies there. Instead, choose ATMs inside shopping malls or banks.

Bogus Taxis
Use the local phone directory or have your hotel call for you a taxi to prevent getting a bogus taxi.

Drugged Drinks
Do not leave drinks unattended at restaurants, bars and clubs to decrease the odds of your drink getting spiked.


U.S. Embassy Bogota
Calle 24 Bis No. 48-50
Bogotá, D.C. Colombia
Mailing address: Carrera 45 No. 24B-27 Bogotá, D.C. 110111 Colombia
Telephone: +(57) (1) 275-2000
Emergency after-hours telephone: +(57) (1) 275-4021
Email: [email protected]

Useful Tips for Colombia

Official Language(s): Spanish 
The most popular languages spoken in Colombia is Spanish. English is the most common foreign spoken language.

Currency: Colombian peso
Before your trip make sure to exchange enough Colombian peso for your spending requirements and to get the best exchange rates.

Plug Sockets: Type A, Type B
Colombia uses two types of plug sockets: A and B. The standard voltage and frequency are 110V and 60 Hz. We would recommend that you buy a plug adapter if you don’t have one already.
You can determine if you need a converter or a transformer by looking at the appliance rating plate. A dual voltage rated appliance will display for example ‘INPUT: 110-240 V’ on the appliance body. In this case you wouldn’t need a converter or transformer.

© 2018 UnitedHealth Group Incorporated. For informational purposes, UHG does not guarantee the correctness or completeness of the information.