Colombia Safety

Is Colombia safe to travel to?

Colombia often gets unfairly labeled as unsafe to visit due to its history of drug cartel violence and a long-lasting civil war. However in recent years, the country has made remarkable strides towards achieving peace. Violent crime in Colombia has drastically decreased, transforming the country into a thriving tourist destination and hotspot for digital nomads. 

Generally speaking, Colombia is safe for travelers who are well-prepared. While violent crime still occurs, it is not prevalent in touristic areas. The main risk in Colombia for tourists is petty crime. In this post I’ll share my tips on how to stay safe in Colombia so that you can explore this incredible country with peace of mind!

Related Articles:
Colombia Travel Guide
Colombia Itineraries
Colombia Packing List
Colombia Transportation

One of the best things you can do to protect your safety in Colombia is to get travel insurance. My top picks are SafetyWing and World Nomads.

My Thoughts on Colombia Safety

As a solo female traveler, I found Colombia to be very safe and encountered no issues at all. It’s worth noting that I stayed close to the typical backpacker route. I also met fellow travelers who were far more careless than myself, yet managed to navigate their journeys unscathed. One example would be my roommate in Medellín, who accidentally left her wallet in a store. The cashier held onto it until she realized her mistake and returned hours later!

Colombia Safety Tips

Check Current Travel Advisory for Colombia Safety Conditions

Check your government’s travel advisories (US website) for a current update on whether Colombia is safe to travel to. However, do thorough research before being scared out of traveling to Colombia. The travel risks mentioned in these comprehensive reports are often specific to areas of Colombia that typical tourists would never visit.

You can enroll with your embassy (in the US: Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) to receive helpful updates on safety in Colombia and emergency assistance. 

Leave Your Colombia Itinerary With Friends or Family

Make sure somebody knows about your Colombia travel plans, and notify them of any changes. If you anticipate being without phone service for an extended period (e.g. trekking through Tayrona or Los Nevados National Parks), communicate this in advance.

Colombia Safety Tip: Learn Spanish

Learning even a few words in Spanish can go a long way in keeping you safe in Colombia. Download Spanish in Google Translate for offline use.

Research Unsafe Areas in Colombia

Smaller touristic towns in Colombia are very safe. You’ll need to keep your guard up more in bigger cities. Generally, Medellín and Cartagena are safe with the right precautions. Being extra cautious of safety is advised in Bogotá and Cali.

For a safe Colombia trip, identify areas to avoid in advance and choose accommodation in secure neighborhoods. Use Google Maps Street View to check out the area around your accommodation. Check with your accommodation’s staff for additional safety tips upon arrival.

Stay Somewhere With 24-Hour Security and Staff

When traveling in Colombia, choose accommodations with 24-hour staff and robust security systems. Most Colombian hostels are equipped with these amenities, and that’s why I love staying in them as a solo female traveler.

Get a SIM Card

Having a data plan can help you stay safe in Colombia! You can use it to order Uber, check directions, or call for help. Get an eSIM so that you’re instantly connected from the moment you arrive.

Download Maps to Stay Safe in Colombia

Download Google Maps or MAPS.ME of the areas you’re visiting in Colombia, which will be helpful in places with limited data service or WiFi.

While you’re in Google Maps, check out Google Street View to become familiar with what places like your accommodation and the bus station look like.

Back Up Photos

Safeguard your memories by regularly backing up photos from your Colombia trip to the cloud. With the right precautions your risk of phone theft in Colombia should be low, but it’s good to prepare for the worst.

Stay Safe in Colombia: Don’t Be a Target

Dress to blend in with the locals. In Colombia, sometimes that means dressing up slightly! Avoid flashy, expensive-looking jewelry. For your safety in Colombia, refrain from walking with large groups of foreigners and speaking loudly in English in less affluent areas.

Make a Plan For Safe Evenings Out in Colombia

If you’re going out in the evening, inform someone at your accommodation about your plans. Don’t be afraid to ask new friends from the hostel to join you. Avoid walking alone in quiet or unsafe areas in Colombia late at night.

Be Alert When Walking Around

Exercise caution around bus stations and other less-safe areas in Colombia. Remain aware of your surroundings and don’t wear headphones. Also watch out for dogs, which can be territorial and aggressive, especially in rural areas.

Stay Safe in Colombia by Taking Official Taxis Only

Try to avoid flagging down taxis in the street (especially in Bogotá). It’s better to call a taxi in advance or catch one from an official taxi stand. An essential Colombia safety tip is to use rideshare apps like Uber instead.

Limit Alcohol and Avoid Drugs

Excessive alcohol consumption generally puts you at risk for crime and theft, in Colombia and elsewhere in the world. Keep an eye on your drink and watch out for spiking. Substances such as marijuana are illegal in Colombia. Also, please avoid discussing topics like Escobar and glamorizing cocaine out of respect for the local people.

Withdraw Money Safely in Colombia

For your safety, in Colombia use ATMs during the day, preferably in secure locations like banks or shopping malls. Inspect ATMs for tampering.

If you need to organize your documents or cash, do so in the privacy of a bathroom stall or once you get back to your accommodation. Having money out in the open puts your safety at risk in Colombia.

Keep Your Valuables Safe in Colombia

For your Colombia trip, book accommodation with lockers or safes to secure your valuables. Take only an ID card, one or two credit/debit cards, and some cash with you when you go out. Although it’s not as common these days, you may need to notify your bank before being able to use your cards abroad.

Make digital copies of your important documents. A photo of your passport on your phone is usually sufficient for places like Tayrona National Park or bus stations that request your passport to book tickets.

Keep Your Bag Safe in Colombia

When traveling in Colombia, wear a secure cross-body bag on the front of your body. Don’t put anything in your back pockets, which are too easy for thieves to access. If you’re carrying a backpack, it’s best to wear it on the front and you’ll see locals doing the same.

While at a restaurant or other establishment in Colombia, never leave your bag on an empty seat or on the table, especially if your table faces a high-traffic area such as a street or sidewalk. Don’t hang it on the back of your chair either. Bags can be easily snatched and should be kept on your lap or slung over your body.

Keep Your Phone Safe in Colombia

To keep your phone safe in Colombia, keep it concealed. Try to memorize maps and directions beforehand. If you need to consult a map on your phone, step into a more secure and private location, such as a cafe or store. 

Avoid using your phone in taxis with open windows or unlocked doors. In Colombia, thieves on motorcycles can easily rob you this way.

Keep Your Belongings Safe on Public Transportation

When taking the bus in Colombia, keep your valuables in a cross-body bag that stays on your body at all times. It’s helpful to wear a jacket over the bag. 

Long distance buses and night buses in Colombia are safe and commonly used by both locals and tourists. However there are a few things to be mindful of to stay safe in Colombia when taking these buses.

First of all, never put anything into the overhead compartments of the bus, because items are frequently stolen from there. Be cautious of anyone on the bus who poses as an official and offers to help you with your bag. These are often scams in which they insist that you put your valuables overhead, only to run off with them. 

Keep your backpack on the floor of the bus or on your lap. Cover your backpack with a rain cover so that it’s harder to open. Consider putting your leg through a shoulder strap to further secure your backpack, especially if you’ll be sleeping.

Keep an eye on your main bag while waiting for it to be loaded and unloaded in the luggage compartment below the bus. While these bags are less likely to be stolen due to their bulkiness, incidents can still occur.

Stay Safe in Colombia by Not Sharing Personal Information

When traveling in Colombia, avoid telling strangers where you are staying or what your detailed plans are. While locals are generally very friendly and trustworthy, it only takes one bad incident to compromise your safety in Colombia. 

As you probably already know, Colombia is full of instagram-worthy photo opportunities! However if you’re including location tags with your social media posts, consider sharing only after you’ve left. This Colombia safety tip is especially important for solo female travelers.

Colombia Safety: Be Aware of Common Scams and Crimes

Fortunately, most Colombia safety issues you may encounter are minor inconveniences that can be easily avoided with some research. Here’s a list of common scams and crimes in Colombia:

Vendors in the street or on buses will give you something for “free”, then return later expecting payment. 

Unmetered taxis in Colombia may try to overcharge you. Confirm prices in advance with your accommodation or stick to a rideshare app like Uber. Be vigilant about potential overcharges for tours and bus tickets. Shop around and ask a local what the standard rate is.

Restaurants with no pricing information on their menu may try to overcharge you; always ask before ordering.

When paying with cash, verify you’ve received the correct change and were not given any fake Colombian bills or coins.

At free attractions in Colombia, scammers may insist on collecting an entrance fee. Scammers may also falsely claim that an attraction is closed and try to direct you somewhere else instead. Research entrance fees and opening hours beforehand. 

Thieves may use creative tactics to steal your belongings on the bus in Colombia (see above section).

Exercise caution if someone seems overly helpful or offers a perfect solution to a problem you’ve just encountered; it may be a set-up. Be aware of potential distractions, such as spills, which could be used to rob you while someone pretends to assist you.

Sinister crimes in Colombia are rare but do occur. One of the most common is drink spiking with scopolamine, a mind-control drug that criminals use to manipulate you into doing things like emptying your bank account. Foreign men visiting bars and nightclubs in big cities are the typical targets.

Prevent Illness and Have a Plan if You Get Sick in Colombia

Before traveling to Colombia, it’s critical to have travel insurance (my preference is for SafetyWing and World Nomads) to ensure coverage in the event of accidents or illness. Pack vitamins and always have some medicine on you, both in your main luggage and in your small day bag, for emergencies.

For a safe visit to Colombia, make sure all your vaccinations are up to date. The yellow fever vaccine is recommended if you’re traveling to Tayrona National Park. You can get it for free at the Bogotá airport. 

If you do get sick in Colombia, pharmacies can be very helpful. Pharmacists are usually happy to discuss your symptoms and recommend over-the-counter treatments. If you find yourself in a rural area grappling with persistent stomach pain, you may have an infection or parasites. Local pharmacies can assist with antibiotics or anti-parasite medication.

Some good news is that tap water is safe to drink in many Colombian cities. However in areas where water is unsafe, prevent water-borne illness by drinking filtered water or bringing a LifeStraw. Consider brushing your teeth with filtered water, and don’t get water in your mouth while showering. 

Another safety tip for showers: some primitive electric shower heads may have only a simple switch to control water temperature. Adjust the switch only when the water is off! Doing so while the water is running will result in a mild electric shock.

Mosquitos are prevalent in many areas of Colombia, including along the Caribbean coast. Prevent mosquito-borne disease in Colombia by wearing loose, long layers (I pack these pants and this shirt) and by using mosquito spray.

Remember that prolonged sun exposure, especially with Colombia’s strong equatorial sun, can lead to severe sunburn. Protect your skin with sunscreen. Use reef-safe sunscreen to preserve the fragile ocean ecosystem if you’ll be swimming.

Keeping Fit While Traveling in Colombia

Walking is a great way to keep fit while also enjoying sightseeing. With all of the opportunities for walking tours and hiking, you might be surprised to find yourself more physically active on vacation in Colombia than when back home! 

For a more intense workout, book an accommodation with fitness facilities or visit a local gym. While traveling through Colombia, I found that it was very cheap and easy to buy a day pass at local gyms. If you’ll be in Colombia for a while, consider getting a monthly membership at Smart Fit, a chain of modern gyms with many locations throughout the country.

I personally travel with a lightweight sleeping pad that doubles as a yoga mat. Many hostels provide yoga classes and mats free of charge. Colombia is a budget-friendly destination, so treat yourself to an occasional massage to alleviate the toll traveling can take on your body.

Eat Healthy and Safely in Colombia

Maintaining a healthy diet while traveling in Colombia is essential for feeling good and reducing your chances of getting sick.

Local markets are excellent places to find fresh and nutritious foods, whether you prefer ready-to-eat options or ingredients to cook yourself. Try the local fruits, which are delicious and unique to Colombia. 

Regarding food safety in Colombia, dine at restaurants or street food vendors that are popular with locals. The higher turnover of food in these establishments ensures freshness. Stick to hot dishes and exercise caution with dairy products that appear to have melted and refrozen.

In areas of Colombia where tap water is unsafe, be cautious of ice. Avoid raw garnishes and salads that have been washed in tap water. Check the seals on water bottles carefully. 

While larger cities in Colombia often offer good vegetarian dining choices, consider booking accommodations with kitchens if you have dietary restrictions and prefer preparing your own meals. I’m a vegetarian myself, and most restaurants had no problem substituting beans or eggs in place of meat for me.

Thanks for reading! I hope these tips help you stay safe in Colombia so that you can enjoy everything this incredible country has to offer. Which Colombia safety tip did you find most helpful? Let me know in the comments!

Looking for more Colombia travel tips and destination guides? Head to my Colombia page.

Remember that safety conditions can change rapidly; always confirm the most recent information before your trip. Also If you buy through links on this site, I may earn an affiliate commission. Thanks for supporting me in creating free content for you to enjoy!

Save this post for later and share on Pinterest!

Comments