Stay healthy during your solo trip in Colombia with our in-depth travel health guide, including important information on common health issues, vaccines, remedies, travel insurances and more.
Most common health issues while traveling in Colombia are diarrhea (“diarrea” in Spanish) and altitude sickness (“mal de las alturas” in Spanish).
Colombia is a foodie haven and it’s a great travel experience to taste all the different variations of delicious regional dishes!
If you have a sensitive stomach, like me, it’s better to observe some basic food safety guidelines, though. Personally I still get food poisoning even after 5 years of living in Colombia every now and then when I get too imprudent.
Here are my food safety tips:
If you already have diarrhea or are vomiting, it’s important to compensate for your electrolyte loss. Go to a local pharmacy and ask for an electrolyte drink (“suero” or “Pedialyte”). The taste is something to get used to, but “Flor de Jamaica”, “Manzana” and “Maracuya” from the brand Electrolit are not too bad. Actually mixing Electrolit Maracuya, water and a grain of salt is quite tasty and some Colombians use it to prevent hangover when drinking…
Photo by Travelhapp, Electrolyte drink – Colombia travel heath
In high altitude cities like Bogotá (2,640 meteArs) and Villa de Leyva (2,149 meters), or during mountain expeditions, you may experience altitude sickness, especially if you just arrived to Colombia.
Altitude sickness (mal de las alturas) typically occurs at elevations above 2,500 meters (8,200 feet). If you experience symptoms like dizziness, nausea, or headaches, it’s crucial to rest and, if needed and possible, descend to a lower altitude.
Here are some tips to minimize altitude sickness:
Coca tea is very effective for alleviating symptoms of altitude sickness. While in Colombia it is not sold in normal supermarkets like in Bolivia, you can find it in tourist-oriented shops or in shops specializing in natural remedies.
Photo by Logga Wiggler, Coca leaves (mod.)
Due to the big temperature difference between day and night in cities like Bogotá, or between air-conditioned rooms and buses and the outside air, it’s not unlikely to catch a cold.
As a remedy for almost anything Colombians recommend “aguapanela con limón” (or “agua de panela con limón”), hot sugar water with lemon. Panela is a traditional raw organic brown sugar that has been used in Colombia long before refined white sugar. You should try it no matter if you feel sick or not, because it is delicious. We love agua de panela with ginger and cinnamon (agua de panela con jengibre y canela)!
Photo by Travelhapp, Aguapanela with ginger, cinnamon and lemon
In lower-altitude tropical regions, such as the Amazon and jungle or coastal areas, mosquito bites can be a concern since they can cause illnesses such as malaria, dengue, yellow fever, zika, and chikungunya.
Initial stage symptoms may include fever, chills, headache, muscle and back pain, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. While most infections are typically not life-threatening, they can cause strong discomfort and require medical attention.
To protect yourself, it’s important to take preventive measures:
Regarding necessary travel vaccines and the potential need for Malaria prophylaxis, please consult your local institute for tropical medicine before traveling to Colombia. The need for vaccinations depends, among other things, on the length of your stay and your exact travel destinations in Colombia (jungle, rural areas, etc.).
Here are some potentially useful Colombia travel vaccines:
With Colombia’s varied climates and altitudes, sun protection and hydration are essential, especially at the coast and in high altitude regions and cities, like Bogotá.
Here’s are some tips to stay safe:
Photo by Dimitris Vetsikas, Sun cream
In many parts of Colombia it is not advisable to drink tap water. Tap water is considered safe in Bogotá, Manizales and a few other major cities. Please ask your local hosts for details. Be aware that your organism might react differently than the one of locals, so in case you notice gastrointestinal problems, better don’t continue drinking tap water, even if you are in a “safe city”.
There are a lot of pharmacies allover Colombia, offering over-the-counter medications for common ailments like colds, headaches, or gastrointestinal issues.
You can often even get medicines that require a prescription in other countries without any problems – for example, Levothyroxine, in case you forgot it at home. If it doesn’t work, try another pharmacy (or go to the doctor to get a prescription).
In my experience, the people working in pharmacies are not always health experts and if you have serious health concerns, I recommend to directly ask a doctor instead of the pharmacist.
In case you need to see a doctor or go to a hospital, medical service in Colombia is usually good, especially in the bigger cities.
Major cities like Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali have well-equipped, modern public and private hospitals and clinics, where you may even find English-speaking staff. It’s also a good idea to have a translation app on your phone to help with communication if you need to explain symptoms.
Colombia’s general emergency number is 123 for medical, police, and fire services. The one for health emergencies specifically (24h) is 125 and the one for the ambulance (24h) is 132.
Traveling alone can be one of the most rewarding experiences, but it’s also completely normal to feel down at times. Jet lag, culture shock, homesickness, and moments of loneliness can affect your mood.
Finding your own strategies to cope in these situations is key. For some, it’s taking a walk; for others, it’s talking to a friend or family member, practicing mindfulness or yoga, or engaging in sports or creative activities. Prioritizing self-care while traveling is essential.
If you’re facing more significant challenges, don’t hesitate to seek support from local mental health professionals. In Colombia, private therapy may be much more affordable than in your home country. You can use platforms like Doctoralia to find psychotherapists.
I’m a trained psychologist and art therapist, as well as a member of the Colombian Art Therapy Association. If you’d like to explore how your innate creativity can support your well-being, feel free to drop me a line at arteterapia@nicoleneuberger.com.
Photo by Eliana Reyes, Art Therapy Colombia
Colombia has become a popular destination for health tourism, particularly for dental care and plastic surgery, due to its high-quality services at a fraction of the cost found in many other countries.
Whether you need a routine check-up, dental cleaning, fillings, or more complex procedures like implants, you’ll find very skilled dentists in cities like Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali. (In my personal experience they are much gentler than in Europe, and standard procedures hurt far less…)
If you plan to go engage in extreme sports or outdoor and adventure activities like mountain/jungle trekking or diving, inform yourself about the specific health risks and safety guidelines related to these activities. For example, it’s not recommended to drink alcohol the day before diving or take a plane within 24 hours after the dive. When going trekking, make sure you wear appropriate footwear that you have tried and tested before.
Official tour providers in Colombia are very committed and there are strong legal regulations regarding the protection of traveler safety. Make sure your tour provider or guide is registered in the National Tourism Registry (RNT) and also read traveler reviews carefully checking for any comments on safety standards.
Photo by Travelhapp, Adventure activities in Colombia
Travel insurance is always a good idea when you travel – no matter where. In this way you take precautions for any unexpected events and travel with peace of mind.
Insurance providers offer policies suited to travelers, with prices varying depending on your age, trip duration, the level of coverage you choose, deductibles, etc. Comprehensive travel insurances typically include medical expenses, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and emergency evacuations. There are also partial insurances, for example a travel health insurance only that does not cover trip cancellation. Costs typically range from about 25 EUR/USD to over 100 EUR/USD per month or trip.
Double-check the exact coverage and included activities, as well as limitations and exclusions, before signing anything, no matter if online or in-person. Once an insurance guy tried to sell me a travel insurance for Indonesia. Only after I explicitly asked for exceptions, he mentioned that it does not apply if I’m anywhere close to a volcano. Well, that makes sense for a country like Indonesia… Not! In general, I prefer using online insurance comparison portals to find the right package for me.
Good to know: Many tour providers in Colombia include insurance related to the activities they offer in their tour packages.
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Last Update: January 30, 2025
Image Credit: Title image on top by Ernesto Rodriguez, Mosquito (mod.)
© 2025 Travelhapp S.A.S., Bogotá – Colombia Travel Guide
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