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yellow fever vaccination needed for Tayrona National Park?

I plan to visit Tayrona National park on 14-July and 15-July.

I read they may or may not check for yellow fever vaccination at the entrance

i don't have this nor any records of my shots on me

1) should I risk trying to enter without this?
2) If so, are there any penalties or denied entrances possible?

3) if it's recommended I get the shot, can anyone suggest where it's safe and affordable to do so? I will be in Cartagena and Santa Marta for the few days leading up to my expected trip to Tayrona

Thanks,
vb

By vagabond98 on Jul 5, 2009, 21:25 in Travel tips.

Gator says on Jul 5, 2009, 21:37:

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

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vagabond98 says on Jul 5, 2009, 21:41:

hey gator - thanks for the reply. does your no, mean i won't need to worry about getting it?

i plan to enter via el zaino

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coastalad says on Jul 5, 2009, 21:54:

wen there recently, was never asked.. only 2 days??? thats a way bigger mistake than not having a shot!

always avoiding white picket fences

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vagabond98 says on Jul 5, 2009, 21:56:

thanks for your feedback, seems like i can try to enter without having to have proof of it

i hear you on the 2 days part, but i only have 8 days total this go around so trying to make the most of it.

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Gator says on Jul 5, 2009, 22:00:

Not needed-we visit frequently from Bogotá, I think they had two/three reported cases about three years ago but there was no conclusive evidence they originated in the park. Much cheaper in Colombia-we got them when we planed on visiting Leticia on the Amazon-cost, as best I can remember, was like $10USD at the clinic down the street. FYI-there is a 10/15 day delay before it becomes effective and it is NOT 100 per cent.

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

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Darloup (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 5, 2009, 22:18:

Hey Vagabond, your risk is indeed very small.

But if you're unlucky enough to cach Yellow Fever (ten of thousands of persons catch it every year in Colombia), you can always pretend on your death bead (since there is no cure against Yellow fever) that you were simply unlucky and that perhaps, just perhaps, you might have invested 30 buck (much cheaper in Colombia) to get a 10-year protection.

Hey, who am I to moralize? Yellow Fever, and Aids, only happen to OTHERS....

Better to have tried and failed than having regrets all your life about what you MIGHT have missed

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Chriscan (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 5, 2009, 22:46:

I'd get it. Yellow Fever is deadly. I think it's good for a really long time and some countries won't let you in if you have recently been to Colombia and don't have it.

I'm sure you can get one in Cartagena or Santa Marta. Ask drogoria if that fails, a doctor.

however small the risk, you have far more to loose than to gain and if you plan to travel more in the future, you know you have it and don't have to ask the same question again.

Beam me up Scotty; No intelligent life here.

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juanito_cro says on Jul 6, 2009, 00:55:

You can get yellow fever shot for free in Santa Marta (cruz roja), but in your case it doesn't make sense to do it, since it is supposed to be taken at least 10 days before possible exposure.

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kenblanquito says on Jul 6, 2009, 07:18:

They ask to see your vaccination certificate before you enter. It does not seem to be enforced though.

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Clinman says on Jul 6, 2009, 07:30:

I traveled to Tayrona Park in Feb 08 and no one asked about the YF caccination certificate. The vaccination in Boston was close to $400, charged to insurance by the hospital, because of a shortage of the vaccine at the time.

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kenblanquito says on Jul 6, 2009, 09:18:

The rules have changed then from 2005 but I would not enter that perfect mosquito environment without an up-to-date immunisation.

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el norteño (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jul 6, 2009, 13:20:

I got the shot for free in a clinic in Medellin.

$400US? Did they also use vaseline?

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vagabond98 says on Jul 9, 2009, 00:13:

Thank you all for your feedback. Since I don't have enough time to get vaccination 10 days in advance, I guess I will most likely bypass Tayrona - are there any suggestions for things to do in and around Santa Marta or around Cartagena if I have an extra 2 days to spare?

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