It is safe to travel alone in Colombia, even as a woman, but it is important to be aware of where you can and cannot go. In big cities, do not walk alone in the streets at night, avoid -also during the day- streets where you do not see anyone and do not hail cabs on the streets. Above all, use your common sense and follow your gut feeling.

These tips apply especially to in big cities.

• Do not walk around with phones, cameras, watches or jewelry and take as few valuables as possible. “No dar papaya as they say in Colombia!”
• Preferably keep your money and any credit cards under your clothes, such as in a thin fanny pack under your pants. Do not store your belongings in a visible bag.
• Also watch your belongings when you are in a restaurant or bar. Hanging your bag or photo camera over the seat, or putting it anywhere, quickly catches the eye of thieves
• Don’t stop cabs on the street but order them through cab apps or through your hotel
• Always ask the hotel staff, if it is safe to walk in the area you are in. Always take locals’ tips seriously!
• Learn a word of Spanish. If you can make clear what you want and stand firm in your shoes, you will also radiate this
• Pinning is safest done indoors, such as in malls and drugstores. A safe way to withdraw your first pesos is right after arriving at the airport
• Don’t go into the poor suburbs of big cities, but stay in the center.
• Don’t walk in quiet streets where you don’t see anyone else
• Because of the many tourists, the historic Candelaria district in Bogotá, is of interest to thieves, so be extra vigilant here and do not walk the streets there at night. This also applies to the la Candelaria neighborhood in Medellín.
• Be alert when people approach you on the street. This is a common way of thieves to distract people, after which they steal valuables. For example, we heard from a traveler who was in Bogotá in March 2024 that she had been robbed, after the thieves first pretended to be police and identified themselves with a police badge
• When going out, do not accept drinks, food or cigarettes from strangers. Drugs may have been put in these.
• Do not use dating apps to meet people. Gangs are active in Medellín that use dating apps to lure men, then rob them, in some cases even fatally. In recent months (time of writing: February 2024), there have been several victims. Some of the murders took place in the El Poblado neighborhood, which is precisely known as very safe. In many nightlife robberies, Scopolamine, an intoxicant that is virtually odorless and odorless and can easily be added to drinks, is used.
• Check the travel guides on this website for more info on the specific regions
• Last but not least: Try to stand out as little as possible and use common sense. You will be recognized as a tourist anyway, but if you “blend” with the locals as much as possible, you will stand out less.

Locals
Most Colombians grew up in the times of (drug) conflict and crime and are always aware of their surroundings. They know exactly where to go and where not to go and how to behave, so always take tips from locals seriously. Funny detail: If you go out to dinner with a Colombian, he will make sure he never sits with his back to the door. He always wants to see who comes in!

Seek advice from your hotel
Always ask the hotel staff, if it is safe to walk in the area you are in. If you see hesitation in people, assume it is not safe and do not take a risk.

Check recent traveler experiences
Ask your question about the safety in Colombia to facebook groups, such as Medellín Expats or Backpackers Colombia EN, where there is a lot of interaction between travelers. Because of this, this can be a very useful platform before and during your trip.

Taxis
Use taxi apps,

like Uber, which allows you to call and track a registered cab. Do not stop cabs on the street.

In the places below, you can safely catch a taxi:

Airport
At airports, you can safely catch a taxi, either at a kiosk, or at another central spot at the airport. There is often a “controller” who assigns cabs to passengers.

Shopping Centers
At the official cab stands at shopping centers, you can also safely catch a taxi. Again, there is usually a “controller” who assigns taxis.

Taxi through your hotel
Hotels usually work with regular taxi drivers with whom they have good experience. (taxi de confianza)

Bus transportation
Beware of pickpockets when traveling by bus in major cities. Outside major cities, it is generally safe to travel by bus (during the day) on main roads. Puerta a Puerta bus transportation can be a convenient and safe option, where a minibus picks you up and drops you off at your hotel or near your hotel. Bus travel is not recommended on some routes, particularly in southern Colombia. Check the homepage for our travel guides for specific information about the regions.

Car
In general, you can travel safely on main roads outside the city during the day.

If you are on the road around election time, there may be road blocks as a result of unrest. Follow the local news via e.g. Blu Radio and ask locals and other travelers for updates on any roadblocks.

During elections, there can be unrest throughout the country, before and after elections. This may be accompanied by violence. Stay away from demonstrations and gatherings and stay alert. During unrest, roads may be blocked, making it less prudent to travel by bus or car. Keep an eye on the news and consult locals for advice and safety in Colombia.