Colombia now requires COVID-19 vaccinations and PCR tests for travel to Colombia starting on December 31 for those 18-years old or older.

Colombia Requires COVID-19 Vaccinations for Travel to Colombia

Colombia will begin to require COVID-19 vaccinations for travel to Colombia starting on December 14 for those 18-years old or older.

The President of Colombia, Iván Duque announced on Monday that starting on December 14, 2021, a vaccination certificate will be required to enter Colombia for people over 18 years of age.

President Duque said on Twitter:

Under the recommendation of the advisory committee of the Ministry of Health, since December 14, all international travelers 18 years of age and older who enter Colombia must present a card or certificate of vaccination against COVID-19 with a complete schedule. We protect visitors and preserve 73 percent of vaccination.

The decision was adopted, in agreement with the president, based on the recommendation of the Epidemiological Committee of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection.

The vaccinations must be done at least 14 days before entry into Colombia. For Colombian citizens and foreign residents that are vaccinated less than 14 days before their flight, they will need a PCR test with a negative result taken within 72 hours.

For tourists visiting Colombia, must have a completed vaccination record or at least one vaccination and a PCR test with a negative result taken within 72 hours.

See this graphic in Spanish from the Colombia Ministry of Health that explains the new vaccination requirement for travel to Colombia starting on December 14, 2021.

Editor note: this graphic information is out of date as of December 31, 2021. A PCR test within 72 hours is now required for any international travelers to Colombia according to the health ministry. So you need to be vaccinated and have a PCR test.

Vaccination requirement for travel to Colombia starting on December 14, source: Colombia Ministry of Health

Previously no PCR Test or Vaccination was Needed for Travel to Colombia

In January, a COVID-19 test (PCR) was required to enter Colombia for international travelers. But in June 2021, a PCR test was no longer required to travel to Colombia and no vaccinations were required.

Starting in June 2021, international travelers to Colombia no longer required a PCR test (COVID-19 test) to travel to Colombia.

But now starting on December 14, 2021, proof of vaccinations will be required to enter Colombia for international travelers 18-year old or older or a PCR test if a citizen or resident.

Impact on International Tourism to Colombia

With a new COVID-19 vaccinations for travel requirement for international travel to Colombia, this will likely have an impact on international tourism to Colombia

Previously not requiring a PCR test for tourists likely helped some tourists decide to come to Colombia.

Computer generated image of COVID-19, photo by Felipe Esquivel Reed

Medellin Guru’s Coronavirus Series

Medellin Guru has a series of articles about the coronavirus pandemic and the impacts in Colombia: Also, these articles are being kept up-to-date, as this is a fast-moving topic:

The Bottom Line: Colombia Requires COVID-19 Vaccinations for Travel to Colombia

The bottom line is that Colombia will require proof of COVID-19 vaccinations for those 18-years old or older on December 14 for travel to Colombia.

When details are provided about this requirement are available, we will update this article.

The bottom line is that Colombia had a total of 5,082,762 coronavirus cases as of December 6, 2021 but 96.87 percent of these cases have recovered.

Also, reportedly over 70 percent of Colombians have now received at least one vaccination dose.

Sign up for the Free Medellin Guru Newsletter – You can see all of the previous Medellin Guru weekly email newsletters and sign up here.

Editors note: updated on December 9 to add graphic showing new vaccination requirement for travels to Colombia with details from the Colombia Ministry of Health (in Spanish).

Editors note: updated on March 12 that this information is out of data and now a PCR test within 72 hours is required for any international travelers to Colombia that are 18 years or older.