Foreign travel advice

Colombia

Warning FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of Colombia.

Warnings and insurance

Still current at:
18 December 2024
Updated:
9 September 2024
Latest update:
Information on the COP16 Biodiversity Conference in Cali from 21 October to 1 November (‘Safety and security’ page).
Download a more detailed map (PDF)

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). 

Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel  

Colombia-Venezuela border and northern Colombia 

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to: 

  • the Catatumbo region of Norte de Santander Department 
  • all of Arauca Department, except for the department capital, Arauca  
  • the municipality of Puerto Carreño in Vichada Department, except for the department capital, Puerto Carreño 
  • within 5km of the rest of the border with Venezuela, except for the city of Cúcuta 

FCDO currently advises against all travel to Venezuela’s border regions with Colombia. You should not use any of the Colombia-Venezuela land crossings. 

Pacific coast and Colombia-Panama border

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to: 

  • Chocó Department, except for the department capital Quibdó, the whale-watching towns of Nuquí and Bahía Solano and the tourist site of Capurganá 
  • the western part of Valle del Cauca Department, including Buenaventura  
  • the western part of Cauca Department
  • the South Pacific, Sanquianga and Telembi regions of Nariño Department
  • the southern part of Córdoba Department
  • the Urabá and Bajo Cauca regions of Antioquia Department
  • the southern part of Bolívar Department

Colombia-Ecuador border and southern Colombia 

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to within 5km of the border with Ecuador except for: 

  • the border crossing on the Pan-American highway at the Puente Internacional de Rumichaca  
  • the city of Ipiales in Nariño Department 

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Orito, San Miguel, Valle del Guamuez, Puerto Caicedo, Puerto Guzmán, Puerto Asis and Puerto Leguizamo in Putumayo Department. 

Central Colombia 

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to: 

  • all of Guaviare Department, except for the department capital San José del Guaviare 
  • Cartagena del Chairá, San Vicente del Caguan, Puerto Rico, El Doncello, Paujil and La Montañita in Caquetá Department 
  • the Ariari region of southern Meta, except for Caño Cristales 

If travelling to the tourist site of Caño Cristales, travel by air from the town of La Macarena with a reputable tour company. 

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.

Before you travel 

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

Travel insurance 

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. 

About FCDO travel advice 

FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.  

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View a printable version of the whole guide

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