Traveling to Colombia from US during Covid: All You Need to Know

Traveling from to Colombia from US during Covid

Colombia has long been a favorite travel destination for many Americans thanks in part to its quality nightlife, dinning, culture, beaches and historical attractions.

Fortunately, Americans looking to enjoy all that Colombia has to offer will get to experience a relatively stress-free travel experience as no COVID-19-related restrictions are in place, not even the taking of a PCR or antigen test.

Passengers can fly direct from the United States into these airports: Armenia, Barranquilla, Bogota, Bucaramanga, Cali, Cartagena, Medellin and Pereira.

As of Aug. 22, Colombia is a safe place to travel and has a low rate of confirmed daily cases per 100,000 people: six. The corresponding number in the U.S. is 46. However, fewer Colombians are vaccinated: 28% fully and 42% at least partially. Those respective percentages in the U.S. are 51% and 60%.

Medellin, Colombia

Crossing the border – documents needed

Currently, the only thing that you will need to do prior to flying to Colombia is register with Check-Mig. Note that some recent travelers have experienced issues with this process but found success with completing the Contingencia Check-Mig. Regardless, you should do this step between 24 hours and one hour prior to departing for the South American country.

Incoming passengers used to need to provide evidence of a recent negative COVID-19 test result, but that is no longer the case. A previous quarantine requirement no longer exists either. However, you are still not allowed to enter Colombia if you have recently tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, have related symptoms or, in the past two weeks, have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.

Your vaccination status is irrelevant as it relates to your ability to enter Colombia. However, you should take into account that the country may impose restrictions on those who are not vaccinated as it relates to entering public places, such as public transportation, shopping malls and hospitals. With that said, nothing related to this has been passed; it has just been discussed by government officials.

Santa Catalina Island, Colombia
Santa Catalina Island, Colombia

You completed the border crossing process; are there any further steps?

Generally, no. You are all set once you step outside of the airport to start to experience Colombia. There are also no prohibitions on moving around the country; these had been in place previously.

But do follow local regulations, which include masks needing to be worn on local public transportation. Also consider that regulations could change at any time.

Additionally, complete the Check-Mig registration one more time just before you leave for home, once again between 24 hours and one hour prior to your flight departing the country. You may enter your departure airport in Colombia up to three hours prior to the time that you flight will leave for the U.S.

Also take into account that the U.S. has re-entry requirements that must be followed. In most cases, you must provide a negative COVID-19 test result related to a test that had been taken within the three days prior to your trip home. This applies even to those fully vaccinated against the virus.