Colombia
Summary
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advise against all but essential travel to:
- the departments of Arauca and Guaviare (except their capital cities)
- the department of Chocó (except its capital Quibdó, the whale-watching towns of Nuquí and Bahía Solano, and the tourist site of Capurganá)
- the Ariari region of southern Meta (except the tourist site of Caño Cristales - if travelling to Caño Cristales, travel by air to and from the town of La Macarena with a reputable tour company)
- the South Pacific, Sanquianga and Telembi regions of Nariño
- the Western region of Cauca
- Buenaventura in the department of Valle del Cauca
- the Urabá and Bajo Cauca regions of Antioquia
- the region of Southern-Bolívar
- the region of Southern-Córdoba
- the Catatumbo region of Norte de Santander
- Orito, San Migue, Valle del Guamuez, Puerto Caicedo, Puerto Guzmán, Puerto Asis and Puerto Leguizamo in Putumayo
- Cartagena del Chairá, San Vicente del Caguan, Puerto Rico, El Doncello, Paujil and La Montañita in Caquetá
- the municipality of Puerto Carreño in Vichada, except the departmental capital
- within 5km of the Venezuelan border and within 5km of the Ecuadorian border, except for the border crossing on the Pan-American highway, at Ipiales.
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Colombia’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check your cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.
Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Colombia. The security situation can change very quickly in many areas of the country. You should pay close attention to warnings issued by the Colombian authorities. See Terrorism
Protests can occur at short notice, impacting roads and transport. These demonstrations can be confrontational and may turn violent. A number of people have been killed and injured in previous protests. You should remain vigilant, avoid all demonstrations, and monitor local media for the latest information.
Despite high levels of crime, most visits to Colombia are trouble-free. See Crime
If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission. Consular support is limited in parts of Colombia where we advise against all but essential travel and areas where there is a limited state presence. When consular support is unavailable, the British Embassy will liaise with local authorities to request assistance.
If you need to contact the emergency services, call 123 (in Spanish).
UK health authorities have classified Colombia as having a risk of Zika virus transmission. For more information and advice, visit the website of the National Travel Health Network and Centre website.
The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
Update history
2025-02-26 20:20
“FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Norte de Santander Department following declaration of a state of emergency on 24 January and attacks by illegal armed groups in Cúcuta on 19 February (see ‘Warnings and insurance’ page).”
2025-02-12 14:53
Removal of information on land border closures with Ecuador from 8 to 10 February 2025 (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2025-02-07 14:57
Addition of information on land border closures with Ecuador from 8 to 10 February 2025 due to presidential elections (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
2025-02-04 15:32
This travel advice was reviewed for accuracy and reissued without any significant updates.
2024-09-09 12:33
Information on the COP16 Biodiversity Conference in Cali from 21 October to 1 November (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-04-18 14:51
Information on water rationing in Bogota (‘Regional risks’ page).
2024-03-11 15:14
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2024-02-28 13:59
Information about a restriction of movement for those aged 17 and under in some areas of Medellin (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-01-26 20:21
Update on wildfires in Colombia (Summary Page)
2024-01-26 17:58
Update on wildfires in Colombia (Safety and Security page).
2024-01-12 08:28
Update on crossing land border to Ecuador (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-10-23 16:14
Information on upcoming local elections (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-07-06 09:16
Removal of information on the evacuation of people away from Volcan Nevado del Ruiz (‘Natural disasters’ page).
2023-06-22 11:13
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-05-09 11:28
Updated information on COVID-19 vaccination requirements (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-04-27 13:58
Updated information that altitude sickness is a risk in some parts of Colombia (‘Health’ page).
2023-04-18 15:13
Updated information that face masks continue to be mandatory in medical facilities and further information on the continued monitoring of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano by Colombian authorities (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Natural disasters’ pages).
2023-04-11 09:29
Clarification: the FCDO continues to advise against all but essential travel to the departments of Arauca and Guaviare (except their capital cities Arauca and San José de Guaviare); within 5km of the Venezuelan border, except the cities of Cúcuta, Arauca and Puerto Carreño; and within 5km of the Ecuadorian border, except for the border crossing on the Pan-American highway at the Puente Internacional de Rumichaca and the city of Ipiales. Read our advice for full list of areas where the FCDO continues to advise against all but essential travel.
2023-04-01 04:04
Updated information on the raised alert level for Nevado del Ruiz volcano activity (‘Natural Disasters’ pages).
2022-12-20 13:25
Updated information on penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs. Addition of information on taking medication into Colombia (‘Local laws and customs’ and ‘Health’ pages).
2022-11-18 14:14
Removal of information on the election that took place in June 2022 (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-06-22 17:54
General security situation updated. Health emergency ending on 30 June 2022.
2022-06-18 16:11
Updated information on the increased security threat around Presidential elections including temporary land and sea borders closure.
2022-04-29 23:15
Updated information on Coronavirus rules (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-03-02 16:24
Removal of information on a strike between 23 and 26 February (‘Terrorism’ page)
2022-02-23 11:01
Update to ‘Terrorism’. The National Liberation Army (ELN) has announced a ‘national armed strike’ throughout Colombia from 6am on Wednesday 23 February to 6am on Saturday 26 February 2022.