Everyone preparing to travel to a new country needs to know what's required to cross border controls without any issues. Here you'll learn everything about Colombia's entry requirements: from visas to vaccines, everything you need to know is in this guide.
Entry requirements for Colombia
Passport
One of the mandatory entry requirements for Colombia is having a valid passport.
However, not all nationalities need to meet this requirement: some can travel with their national ID card. This is the case for Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Check Mig
Colombia's entry requirements establish that everyone leaving and/or entering the country must apply for the Check Mig. This isn't a visa, but a mandatory travel authorization for all travelers, including Colombian citizens themselves.
One particularity to keep in mind: you'll need to apply for a Check Mig for each flight, one for entry and another for departure, since it's not possible to apply for both at once. This requirement applies only to those traveling by plane, not to those entering by land or sea.
If your nationality also requires a traditional visa, you must have it approved before starting your Check Mig application, since you'll be asked for its details. You can check the full process, required documents, and available visa types in our guide to the Check Mig and visa for Colombia.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance isn't one of the mandatory entry requirements for Colombia, but it's highly recommended for foreign travelers.
Colombia is a country with abundant vegetation and wildlife, and it's common for travelers to experience some stomach illness during their stay. Having travel insurance lets you enjoy all the country's natural beauty without worrying about the cost of potential medical treatment.
Vaccines
The yellow fever vaccine is one of the mandatory entry requirements for Colombia for all tourists.
In addition, it's recommended that anyone traveling to Colombia get these vaccines:
- Chickenpox
- Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis
- Flu
- Polio
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Rabies
- Typhoid
- Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR)
- Shingles
Currency
Colombia's currency is the Colombian peso (COP). These are the available denominations in bills and coins:
- Coins: COP$50, COP$100, COP$200, COP$500, and COP$1,000
- Bills: COP$2,000, COP$5,000, COP$10,000, COP$20,000, COP$50,000, and COP$100,000
It's advisable to exchange currency as soon as you arrive in Colombia, since most everyday transactions are done in cash. In the most touristy destinations, however, you'll be able to pay by card without any issues.
Keep in mind that all travelers are required to declare amounts equal to or greater than USD$10,000, according to Colombia's current entry requirements.
