Is Colombia Safe? What I Learned After 6 Months Living in Best Places

I discovered that the best places to travel in Colombia, particularly Cartagena's tourist zones like Getsemani, offer surprisingly safe experiences with active police presence. In fact, after living in Bogota, Medellin, and Cartagena, I learned that following basic safety practices - like avoiding flashy jewelry and staying alert - can lead to an incident-free stay.

Through this detailed guide, I'll share my firsthand experience navigating Colombia's safety landscape, from initial concerns to practical insights that kept me safe across different cities. Whether you're wondering if Colombia is safe to visit or searching for the safest cities in Colombia, my six-month journey will help you make informed travel decisions.

My First Month in Colombia: Initial Safety Concerns

Before packing my bags for Colombia, I heard countless warnings from concerned friends and family. "Be careful!" they'd say with genuine worry, as if I was headed to a war zone rather than one of the best places to travel in Colombia.

Common fears before arriving

The most persistent fear I faced was becoming a victim of street crime. Beyond warnings from loved ones, travel advisories painted a concerning picture: "violent crime such as homicide, assault, and armed robbery is widespread". I obsessively read about express kidnappings, where victims are forced to withdraw money from ATMs, and stories of tourists being robbed at gunpoint.

Despite these warnings, I noticed a common thread in my research—most safety issues seemed avoidable with proper precautions. I kept encountering a strange Colombian expression: "No dar papaya" (Don't give papaya). This colorful phrase essentially means don't make yourself an easy target by displaying valuables in public.

First impressions of Bogotá

Arriving in Bogotá felt initially overwhelming. The capital's reputation for pickpocketing and muggings, especially in tourist areas like La Candelaria, had me constantly looking over my shoulder. Nevertheless, I was surprised by the visible police presence throughout the city, with officers stationed at nearly every block in popular districts.

Although some travelers reported feeling unsafe around the old town, my experience differed. During daytime hours in tourist zones, I felt reasonably secure, albeit vigilant. The stark contrast between neighborhoods became immediately apparent—safety could change dramatically within just a few blocks.

Early safety mistakes I made

Despite my pre-trip research, I made several rookie mistakes during my first month:

• Becoming gradually complacent about phone usage in public
• Walking alone down quieter streets without checking their safety reputation first
• Getting too comfortable after seeing locals using expensive devices openly

The biggest lesson came from understanding that "the longer you are somewhere, the more complacent you get". When I saw locals freely using their phones and tourists carrying expensive cameras, I slowly relaxed my guard. This is precisely what experienced travelers warned against.

One expat told me how it took him four months to get on public transport and how he "dressed like a homeless hippie" to avoid attention. Initially, I thought this was excessive, but I soon understood the wisdom behind such caution.

Consequently, I developed a heightened awareness that served me well throughout my six-month stay. The initial concerns, although sometimes exaggerated, contained valuable kernels of truth about staying safe in what would become one of my favorite destinations.

How Safe Is Colombia? Breaking Down the Statistics

Looking at cold numbers tells only part of Colombia's story. After spending six months exploring the country, I discovered that understanding Colombia's safety requires examining both statistics and on-the-ground realities.

Colombia vs. other Latin American countries

In 2024, Colombia recorded approximately 25.4 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, placing it seventh among Latin American countries. This rate is significantly lower than Haiti's alarming 62 homicides per 100,000, yet still higher than Brazil's 21.1 and Mexico's 19.3.

The Global Peace Index ranked Colombia 146th out of 163 countries, primarily due to high levels of access to weapons, homicides, and internal conflict. Furthermore, the U.S. State Department maintains a Level 3 "Reconsider Travel" advisory for Colombia, which certainly influenced my initial caution.

Crime trends over the last decade

Interestingly, Colombia has experienced remarkable safety improvements over the past decade. The homicide rate has fallen dramatically from 84 per 100,000 in 1991 to current levels around 25 - a 73% decrease. Cities once considered among the world's most dangerous have transformed notably.

Medellín, for instance, dropped from 110 deaths per 100,000 in 2009 to about 25 by 2019. Equally impressive, Bogotá went from 81 homicides per 100,000 in 1993 to just 19 by 2007. Throughout my journey, these improvements were evident in many of the best places to travel in Colombia.

Tourist-targeted crimes to be aware of

Alongside these improvements, certain crimes specifically target tourists. "Express kidnappings," where victims are forced to withdraw money from ATMs, remain a concern in some areas. Additionally, the use of scopolamine (or "devil's breath") - an odorless, tasteless substance that incapacitates victims - has increased in tourist destinations, particularly Medellín.

During my travels, I noticed tourist police units (Policía de Turismo) in major cities like Bogotá and Cartagena, specifically focused on visitor safety. This added protection makes certain areas considerably safer for foreigners, creating pockets where Colombia is safe to visit despite overall statistics.

The Safest Cities in Colombia Based on My Experience

Image Source: South America Backpacker

After spending six months living in various Colombian cities, I discovered considerable differences in safety levels from one location to another. My personal experiences often contrasted with Colombia's reputation, revealing some surprising best places to travel in Colombia where I felt genuinely secure.

Medellín: The surprising safety leader

Medellín's transformation from Pablo Escobar's violent stronghold to innovation hub represents one of Colombia's most remarkable turnarounds. According to the 'Informe de Calidad de Vida de Medellín' report, the city recorded a homicide rate of 15.5 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2022, a dramatic improvement from its notorious past.

Throughout my two-month stay, I found El Poblado to be exceptionally safe with high police presence, making it ideal for first-time visitors wondering is Colombia safe to visit. Likewise, Laureles offered a more authentic Colombian experience while maintaining good security. Numbeo even ranks Medellín safer than Las Vegas when walking during daylight hours.

However, I still maintained awareness—locals consistently advised keeping "my head on a swivel" even in safer areas.

Cartagena: Safe tourist zones vs. local areas

In Cartagena, safety varies dramatically between neighborhoods. The walled historic center and Bocagrande proved to be the safest cities in Colombia during my experience. Bocagrande, home to many wealthy Colombians, features high-rise hotels and gated communities with minimal crime risk.

Interestingly, Cartagena has a victimization rate of just 3.4% according to Statista—the best of any Colombian city. I found Getsemaní particularly impressive; once considered dodgy in 2011, it now feels very safe.

Outside these tourist zones, however, caution becomes necessary. Areas like El Paraiso and El Pozon show higher crime rates, reinforcing the importance of neighborhood selection.

Smaller cities with excellent safety records

Beyond major tourist destinations, I discovered several smaller Colombian cities with outstanding safety records. Salento, nestled in Colombia's coffee region, maintains remarkably low crime rates largely because its economy depends on tourism.

Similarly, Guatapé charmed me with its communal atmosphere and strong safety record. According to locals, the town's small size and tourism-dependent economy create a protective community environment where serious crime remains rare.

Barichara, often called Colombia's prettiest town, also impressed me with its tranquility. Here, as one resident explained, the chances of high-profile crime are slim simply because everyone knows everyone.

Daily Safety Habits That Kept Me Safe for 6 Months

Staying safe in Colombia comes down to daily habits, not luck. My six-month adventure taught me that consistent safety practices made the difference between trouble and smooth travels.

Transportation choices that minimize risk

Taxis presented my biggest transportation challenge. Unlike at home, hailing street taxis in Colombia significantly increases robbery risk. Instead, I relied on three safer alternatives:

• Hotel-arranged taxis (staff recorded driver information)
• App-based services like Easy Taxi and Cabify
• Airport-authorized taxis with visible identification

For traveling between cities, I discovered that flying was generally safer than long-distance busses. When bus travel was necessary, I chose premium companies like Expreso Bolivariano, which don't pick up passengers mid-journey—reducing hijacking risks.

Whenever possible in Bogotá, I used the Transmilenio system during daylight hours, remaining vigilant with belongings. At night, regardless of which safest city in Colombia I was visiting, I always took authorized taxis rather than walking.

Digital safety practices

"No dar papaya" (don't make yourself an easy target) became my digital mantra. I developed several habits:

First, I treated ATMs strategically—only using machines inside shopping malls or banks during business hours. I withdrew smaller amounts more frequently rather than large sums at once.

Second, I minimized phone use on streets. When needing directions, I stepped into shops or restaurants. For important calls, I found hotel lobbies or cafés.

Third, I established a digital safety routine when connecting to public WiFi, avoiding sensitive transactions and using VPN protection.

Building a local safety network

Perhaps the most valuable safety system I created was my local network. I regularly:

1. Informed hotel staff about my daily plans
2. Asked locals which areas to avoid (they knew best)
3. Connected with trusted drivers and tour guides who provided security insights
4. Sent my day's itinerary to family back home

Throughout my journey across the best places to travel in Colombia, I discovered that locals became my greatest safety resource. They provided real-time advice about neighborhood conditions, transportation options, and emerging situations that no guidebook could match.

Conclusion

My six-month journey through Colombia taught me that safety depends largely on smart choices rather than luck. While statistics might paint one picture, the reality often differs significantly based on location and personal habits.

Cities like Medellín and Cartagena's tourist zones proved remarkably safe, especially when compared to their reputations from decades past. Though certain areas still require caution, following basic safety practices - particularly "no dar papaya" - helped me explore Colombia confidently and incident-free.

Most importantly, building relationships with locals and maintaining consistent safety habits made all the difference. Rather than letting fear dictate my experience, understanding the real risks and taking appropriate precautions allowed me to discover Colombia's incredible beauty, culture, and hospitality.

Last but certainly not least, Colombia challenged my preconceptions about safety in Latin America. Despite its complex history and ongoing challenges, many Colombian cities now offer experiences just as secure as other major tourist destinations worldwide - provided travelers stay alert and follow local advice.