Planning a family trip to Colombia? What a wonderful idea! But before you leave and take in all the sights, here are some helpful tips for organizing your journey well. Climate, equipment to bring, health precautions and safety… Here's everything you need to know to prepare a trip to Colombia with children.

What is the best time to travel to Colombia as a family?

With its multiple landscapes, Colombia presents highly varied weather and different temperatures from one region to another. People even speak of microclimates. In the north of the country, there is a tropical climate with heavy rains between May and June and between October and November. In the center of the country (towards Bogotá, Leyva or Medellín), temperatures are much cooler than in the north with a maximum of around 20°C. As for the east of the country, you'll discover an intertropical savanna climate with frequent rains on the plains (especially between April and November) and temperatures sometimes approaching 35°C.

To conclude, the best time to travel to Colombia with children is the dry season, which occurs during our winter: from November through March. During this period, showers are quite rare and temperatures are more pleasant. In any case, if you're traveling to Colombia with a baby and/or children, you'll need to be mindful of intense heat both on the coast and in the mountains. You'll need to take it slowly if you're in a high-altitude region (particularly in the Andes range).

What should you pack for a trip to Colombia?

As mentioned earlier, the weather varies from one region to another in Colombia. That's why you should adapt your equipment based on your travel itinerary. If you're heading to the north, pack light clothing for the whole family: cotton t-shirts, shorts, sandals and beach gear (swimsuits, sunscreen, cap or hat, sunglasses, beach towels, snorkel and mask…). If you're heading to central and eastern Colombia, pack light clothing and warmer items: long-sleeved t-shirts, sweaters (for cool nights) and a raincoat.

As you can see, a trip to Colombia means packing clothes for all seasons. Whatever the season and your travel itinerary, don't forget the essentials:

• Hiking gear for the whole family (outfits and closed hiking shoes…);

• Day backpacks and water bottles;

• Sun protection including high SPF sunscreen (whether for the beach or the mountains);

• Tropical insect repellent;

• A first aid kit with all the basics (bandages and tape, cotton, disinfectant, regular medications with prescriptions, anti-diarrhea and anti-nausea medications, headache medications especially for high-altitude stays…);

• Toys for the children…

You might also consider bringing a Spanish conversation guide for children that will help them get involved in the trip and learn vocabulary more easily.

What health precautions should you take?

Do you need to be vaccinated to travel to Colombia?

First of all, know that no vaccination is required to travel to Colombia. Only the yellow fever vaccine may be required if you're coming from another South American country. However, the Pasteur Institute recommends being up to date on universal vaccinations (DTAP, hepatitis B). Vaccinations against hepatitis A and typhoid fever may also be recommended due to food hygiene concerns. The best thing to do is to book an appointment at an international vaccination center several months before departure to seek advice from health professionals.

Can you drink tap water in Colombia?

In Colombia, tap water is not drinkable. You should therefore avoid ice cubes, raw vegetables and all raw foods that may have been washed with tap water. You can buy bottled mineral water, fill your water bottles for free using the Refil My Bottle app, or use a LifeStraw filter straw or bottle.

What precautions against mountain sickness?

Mountain sickness (called el soroche in Colombia) is not to be taken lightly, especially if you're traveling with children. And you can suffer from it both in the mountains and in the city since some cities are perched at significant altitudes (like Bogotá which sits at 2,640 m elevation). Symptoms to watch for are: headaches, nausea and a feeling of breathlessness. If one of your family members suffers from mountain sickness, you'll need to descend to a lower altitude to acclimatize before you can go back up.

Do you need insurance to travel to Colombia as a family?

First of all, know that Colombia has one of the best healthcare systems in South America. However, most health facilities only treat patients who have already paid fees or can provide a credit card guarantee (except in life-threatening emergencies). That's why, although care is not very expensive, it is highly recommended to purchase travel insurance that covers consultation fees and medical evacuation.

And what about safety?

In general, Colombians are very welcoming to travelers and kind to children. And contrary to popular belief, it's a country that's easy to visit with young ones. However, as in many countries, a few safety rules should be followed to travel safely:

• Stay in tourist areas and avoid places advised against by authorities day and night;

• Don't display signs of wealth: avoid valuable jewelry so as not to draw attention;

• Carry only the minimum with you when you leave your accommodation;

• Prefer to withdraw money during the day rather than in the evening and use official currency exchange offices;

• Think about keeping a digital copy of all your identity documents before you leave.

Tour:

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