Fly with your dog to Colombia (2026 Edition)

What the travel process looks like

Bringing your dog to Colombia is straightforward when you follow the correct order and timing. Most issues happen when documents are completed too early or incomplete. At a high level, the process looks like this:

1. Visit Your Vet

Start by confirming your dog’s rabies vaccination is valid and up to date. This is where you should also review the overall timeline with your vet. Make sure to understand when the parasite treatments and health certificate need to be completed.

Make sure you tell your vet you are travelling internationally, as Colombia has specific documentation requirements that differ from domestic travel.

2. Parasite Treatment

Colombia requires both internal and external parasite treatments before travel. These must all be done within a specific timeframe prior to departure and recorded correctly. Your vet will administer the treatment and document the product used, dosage and date. Missing details here is a common reason for delays during inspection.

3. Issue Health Certificate

Once all the treatments are completed, your veterinarian will issue the health certificate. This document confirms that your dog is healthy, free from infectious diseases, and cleared for travel.

All information must be accurate and complete, including vaccination details, parasite treatments, and your travel information. Even small errors can cause problems later in the process.

4. Government Endorsement

After the certificate is issued, it must be submitted to the appropriate government authority for official endorsement. This step is mandatory for Colombia and one of the biggest differences compared to more relaxed destinations. Without endorsement, your documents may not be accepted on arrival.

Timing is critical here, you need to allow enough time for endorsement, but still stay within the validity window before your flight.

5. Confirm With Your Airline

Before departure, confirm your dog is added to your booking and meets all airline requirements. Airlines have their own rules for pet travel, including crate specifications, weight limits, and documentation. These can differ slightly, so it’s important not to assume they are the same as Colombia’s.

6. Arrival and Inspection

On arrival in Colombia, your dog will be inspected by the agricultural authorities (ICA). They will review your documents and check that your dog appears healthy. Compared to some countries, the process is more detail-focused, especially around paperwork. If everything is correct, clearance is quick and there is no quarantine.

Leaving Colombia With Your Dog

Leaving Colombia with your dog is generally straightforward, but requirements depend on your destination. Most countries will require a health certificate issued before departure. Some may have stricter rules such as requiring a microchip or rabies titer test.

Planning ahead is especially important, especially if you are returning to a country with stricter entry requirements such as Canada, the United States, or parts of Europe.

Driving to Colombia With a Dog

Driving to Colombia with a dog is technically possible, but in most cases is not a practical option.

From the north, there is no road into Colombia. The Darien Gap completely blocks overland travel. It is a remote jungle with no infrastructure, and there is no legal or safe way to drive through it. Travelers coming from North or Central America must ship their vehicle or fly instead.

From the east, crossing through Venezuela is not recommended. Border regions can be unstable, have safety concerns, limited services, and unpredictable conditions. For most travelers this route simply isn’t worth the risk.

That leaves the southern border with Ecuador as the only realistic overland option. Crossing at the main border near Rumichaca Bridge is the standard route. Some travelers chose to drive across, while others will take a bus to the bridge, and then walk across with their dog. This route requires planning still, you will need to meet the requirements for both Ecuador and Colombia. This includes having the health certificate and treatments properly timed and recorded.

For most travelers, flying with their dog is still the better option. It is faster, more predictable, and avoids the complexities of regional risks and additional paperwork.