# Colombia

> Citation bundle for Colombia on The Treatment Registry.
> URL: https://thetreatmentregistry.com/countries/colombia
> Bundle URL: https://thetreatmentregistry.com/api/citations/countries/colombia

- ISO code: CO
- Currency: Colombian Peso
- Language: Spanish
- Timezone: COT (UTC-5)

## Overview

Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia, is a country located in South America, with insular regions in North America. Colombia's mainland is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the north, Venezuela to the east, Brazil to the southeast, Peru and Ecuador to the south and southwest, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and Panama to the northwest. Colombia is divided into 32 departments. The Capital District of Bogotá is the country's largest city hosting the main financial and cultural hub. Other urban areas include Medellín, Cali, Barranquilla, Cartagena, Bucaramanga, Pereira, Santa Marta, Cúcuta, Ibagué, Villavicencio and Manizales. It covers an area of 1,141,748 square kilometers and has a population of around 52 million. Its rich cultural heritage—including language, religion, cuisine, and art—reflects its history as a colony, fusing cultural elements brought by immigration from Europe and the Middle East, with those brought by the African diaspora, as well as with those of Indigenous civilizations that predate colonization. Spanish is the official language, although Creole, English and 64 other languages are recognized regionally.

*Reference text adapted from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.*

## Practical info

Colombia is subject to travel advisories that a visiting patient should review before booking treatment. The US State Department advises reconsidering travel to Colombia due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping and natural disasters, and advises against all travel to Arauca, Cauca (excluding Popayan), Valle del Cauca (excluding Cali) and Norte de Santander departments, and to within about 10 km of the Colombia-Venezuela border. The UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country and warns that insurance could be invalidated by travelling against its advice. Violent crime, including at hotels, occurs in some regions, and US government staff are prohibited from hailing taxis on the street or using public transport. Earthquakes are common and volcanoes can become active. Care is delivered in Spanish, with English used in some medical settings; the currency is the Colombian peso and the unified emergency number is 123.

## Emergency numbers

- **Police / Ambulance / Fire (unified):** 123

## Medical malpractice framework

Reference page scaffold; editorial sourcing pending.

- Patient rights reference: https://www.minsalud.gov.co/proteccionsocial/Paginas/DerechosyDeberesPaciente.aspx

## FAQs

### Is Colombia under any travel advisories?

Yes. The US State Department advisory for Colombia is Level 3, Reconsider Travel, citing crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping and natural disasters, with some areas at Level 4, Do Not Travel. The UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country and warns that travel insurance could be invalidated by travelling against its advice. Both advisories should be read in full before booking treatment.

### Which areas does the US advise not to travel to at all?

The State Department advises against all travel to Arauca, Cauca (excluding Popayan), Valle del Cauca (excluding Cali) and Norte de Santander departments due to crime and terrorism, and to within about 10 km (6 miles) of the Colombia-Venezuela border due to crime, kidnapping, conflict between armed groups and the risk of detention. The border is not clearly marked, and travellers are warned to avoid the area due to the risk of accidentally crossing into Venezuela.

### Who regulates healthcare in Colombia?

The national regulator is the Ministerio de Salud y Proteccion Social, Colombia's health ministry. It publishes a statement of patients' rights and duties on its website, setting out what patients are entitled to expect from providers. Complaints or concerns about care can be directed to the ministry as the named national health authority for Colombia.

### How do I call for help in an emergency?

Colombia uses a single unified emergency number, 123, for police, ambulance and fire. For natural hazards, the US State Department points travellers to the Servicio Geologico Colombiano for current alerts; earthquakes are common throughout the country, volcanoes can become active, and tsunami warnings may be issued for coastal areas after seismic events. Landslides are also a risk in mountain cities such as Bogota and Medellin.

### What safety precautions are recommended for visitors?

The US State Department advises keeping a low profile, not displaying signs of wealth such as phones, expensive watches or jewellery, staying aware of your surroundings, staying alert in tourist spots, travelling only during daylight hours, and avoiding demonstrations and crowds. Street crime occurs throughout Colombia and can quickly become violent; if targeted by criminals, do not resist. US government employees are prohibited from hailing street taxis or using any form of public transport.

## Sources

- [CIA World Factbook — Colombia](https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/colombia/) — US Central Intelligence Agency (accessed 2026-07-05)