Colombia Travel Safety Guide

Pickpocketing, mugging, and armed robbery are a problem in Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, and parts of the Caribbean coast.

Do not assume all tourist areas are low risk. Foreign nationals have been robbed at gunpoint in the Candelaria area of Bogotá.

Risk is much higher near some borders, coca-growing zones, and isolated rural areas where armed groups are active. Countrywide risk is not uniform.

Do not take photos of military or strategic government sites.

Drug penalties are severe. Pack your own luggage, keep it with you, and never carry cash or items for strangers.

Photography of military or strategic sites is illegal.

For city rides, booked transport is the safer default than informal street pickups, especially after dark.

Road closures and roadblocks from protests can disrupt intercity travel and airport access with little notice.

Use bank ATMs in secure places and avoid lingering outside them. Express kidnappings and robberies can start around ATMs, especially at night.

Use booked rides rather than hailing random taxis on the street late at night. Cabify is one of the mainstream app options in Bogotá and other big cities.