For decades Colombia was in the international press for all the wrong reasons – drugs, kidnappings and civil war. Now with a peace agreement in place between the FARC and the Colombian government and a significant decrease in drug related violence, Colombia is much safer and tourism has skyrocketed in the last ten years. From the coffee to awe-inspiring beaches to the infectious care-free spirit of its people, Colombia will leave its mark (in all the right ways) on curious travellers.
Travelling in Colombia still requires caution but with planning and smart precautions you can have a safe and positive experience in this remarkable country. We spent three months travelling throughout Colombia and its probably our favourite place in South America. These are our top tips for staying safe in Colombia, updated in October 2026. Still planning your route? Start with our guide to backpacking Colombia and the best places to visit in Colombia, or browse all our Colombia travel guides.
Is Colombia safe to visit in 2026?
For most backpackers, yes. The main tourist route (Bogotá, Medellín, the coffee region, Cartagena and the Caribbean coast) is visited safely by huge numbers of travellers every year. Street crime is the main risk: the UK Foreign Office says pickpocketing, mugging and armed robbery are a problem in major cities including Bogotá, Medellín, Cali and the Caribbean coast. Some rural and border regions are still affected by armed groups, so check the latest FCDO travel advice for Colombia (or your own government’s) before you go, and follow the tips below.
Traveller theft and crime
Colombian people are proud and happy that you have chosen to visit their country and keen to look toward the future. While crime rates are lower than they’ve ever been in Colombia, there is still a risk of pickpocketing and robbery.
There’s a great phrase in Colombia: ‘no dar papaya’ – literally ‘don’t give papaya’ – meaning don’t make yourself an easy target. Using common sense and following some simple safety tips vastly decreases the likelihood of falling victim to crime or theft:
- Don’t do drugs. Seriously. Sure, it’s the cocaine capital of the world, but it’s also still completely illegal, and the UK Foreign Office warns that Colombia has severe penalties for possession and use, with harsh prison conditions. Stories abound of undercover cops posing as drug dealers to get a bribe, of backpackers getting mugged by the guys they go to buy from and, terrifyingly, foreign tourists winding up in prison for breaking local laws. Never carry anything for anyone else.
- Never leave bags unattended on buses. Always keep your daybag on your lap.
- Avoid walking alone after dusk, especially if you’re a girl. Book a ride home through an app instead, so anybody with data can get home safe.
- Avoid hailing taxis on the street. Robbery of taxi passengers does occur, so book a licensed taxi through an app (the FCDO notes that well-known taxi companies can be booked through Uber and Cabify) or ask your hostel to call one. Authorised taxis are yellow with white licence plates.
- Use ATMs during the day and inside a bank, supermarket or shopping centre. Short ‘express kidnappings’, where victims are forced to withdraw cash, often target people at street ATMs at night.
- Take advice from hostel staff about no-go areas. After all, this is their home and they’re in the know.
- Take the minimum out in terms of cash and cards. When exploring, keep the rest safely locked up in your hostel locker; our guide to hostel safety explains what to look for, and here’s how to keep your money safe while travelling.
- Buses are safe, but avoid travelling on rickety old ones overnight.
- Leave the expensive jewellery at home.
- Pay attention to where you’re going, not what’s on your phone. These smartphone hacks for safer travel help too.
That said, even the most prepared traveller can find themselves in a dangerous situation. Should this happen to you, do as the assailant asks and hand over the goods. The chances of armed robbery here can be significantly higher than elsewhere in the world, and no expensive bit of tech is worth your life.
Scams in Colombia
Scams, although not rife, do happen occasionally in Colombia, particularly in large cities.
Only use official taxis, and confirm the expected fare prior to setting off. This will prevent the driver turning a ten minute journey into a money-making 30 minutes. Secondly, check your change correctly. Swapping out big notes for small ones, or giving you counterfeit money as part of your change is not uncommon, so try to pay the exact amount if you can and keep an eye on the driver when settling up.
Be aware of distraction techniques. Always keep an eye on your belongings, don’t leave phones or expensive cameras on tables in restaurants and if someone engages you in conversation be aware of your surroundings – and specifically of anything that may be in their (or their mate’s) reach.
Don’t always trust a police officer. Technically, it is illegal to walk the streets of Colombia without official ID (although a passport photocopy is usually adequate). Criminals posing as police operate in Bogotá and elsewhere, and may ask to check your money for counterfeit notes. If you’re stopped and asked to show ID or have your pockets checked, ask to be taken to the nearest CAI (Centro de Atención Inmediata, a local police post), as the UK Foreign Office advises.
Areas to avoid
In general you’ll have a safe experience in the popular, major tourist hubs of Colombia. Be careful venturing off to other regions. As of October 2026, the UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to:
- The Venezuela border: all of Norte de Santander (including Cúcuta), all of Arauca, the municipality of Puerto Carreño in Vichada, and anywhere within 5km of the rest of the border. Don’t use the land crossings into Venezuela.
- The Pacific coast and Panama border: most of Chocó (except Quibdó, Nuquí, Bahía Solano and Capurganá), western Valle del Cauca (including Buenaventura and Jamundí), parts of Nariño, southern Córdoba, the Urabá and Bajo Cauca regions of Antioquia, and southern Bolívar.
- Central Colombia: Guaviare (except San José del Guaviare), several towns in Caquetá, and the Ariari region of southern Meta. If you’re visiting Caño Cristales, fly into La Macarena and go with a reputable tour company.
- The Ecuador border: anywhere within 5km of it, except the Rumichaca crossing and Ipiales, plus parts of Putumayo, including Puerto Asís and Puerto Leguízamo.
Medellín, Cartagena, Bogotá and Meta’s capital, Villavicencio, aren’t on that list. The advice changes often, so check the FCDO page before you travel. Going against it can invalidate your travel insurance.
Drink spiking, scopolamine and dating apps
As in any cosmopolitan city, take care whilst clubbing. Criminals in Colombia use scopolamine (also called burundanga or ‘devil’s breath’), a drug that temporarily incapacitates people, to rob and assault them. The UK Foreign Office says it can be given in food, drinks, cigarettes, aerosols and even paper flyers, so never leave food or drinks unattended and don’t accept anything from strangers.
Be careful with dating apps too. Criminals use them to target foreign travellers on their own, often working in teams, so meet in busy public places and don’t invite new matches back to your accommodation or go to theirs. For more, read our solo travel safety tips, and solo female travellers can find well-reviewed places to stay in our best hostels for solo female travellers in South America.
Safety in Bogotá
Colombia’s capital is where most trips start, and it’s full of street art, museums and nightlife. The historic centre, La Candelaria, is where many hostels are, but the UK Foreign Office reports armed robberies of travellers there, so take a taxi after dark rather than walking, and carry only what you need. Bogotá is also where fake police scams are most often reported. Plan your days with our Bogotá city guide and these things to do in Bogotá that feel local, and compare our picks of the best hostels in Bogotá.
Safety in Medellín
Medellín’s turnaround is one of the great travel stories, and most backpackers base themselves in El Poblado or Laureles. Street crime is still a risk, though, and the dating app and drugging warnings above apply here as much as anywhere, so keep your nights out in groups. Heading between the two big cities? Read Bogotá to Medellín: what to know before you travel, then see our things to do in Medellín beyond the tourist trail and the best hostels in Medellín.
Safety in Cartagena
There are few places in Colombia that are experiencing such a tourism resurgence as beautiful Cartagena on the Caribbean coast – and with that comes the familiar question, ‘is it safe?’.
The overwhelming answer is yes, absolutely. But, in addition to the general safety tips mentioned above, there are a number of important things to remember specifically in Cartagena:
- Avoid the city walls late at night. They may be beautiful, but romantic late-night strolls have ended badly in this part of town.
- Be aware of pushy street vendors flashing items in front of you – it’s often part of a distraction technique. While you’re trying to say no, another person is relieving you of your valuables.
- Taking photos of the fruit ladies without paying them isn’t a good idea. If you really want one, buy a piece of fruit from them and they’ll be more than happy to get in a picture with you. Manners only cost a piece of fruit…
- If you’re staying in the Getsemaní area (where the majority of the hostels are), be sure to stick with a friend when heading back at night. The chances are you wouldn’t go home on your own after night out in the UK, so just keep your wits about you and do the same here. Our guide to Cartagena nightlife shows where locals and travellers go out.
- Touts have found a great deal of business offering private tours around the city. Whilst the tours themselves don’t pose a real risk, many tourists are paying over the odds. If you’d like a tour, book instead through your hostel or an established tour company.
Planning a beach day? Our Cartagena beaches ranked guide tells you which are worth the trip, and there are plenty more things to do in Cartagena. See our best hostels in Cartagena for more places to stay.
What to do in an emergency in Colombia
Dial 123 for police, ambulance or fire anywhere in Colombia, as the Government of Canada’s travel advice confirms. Operators may not speak English, so save the number before you arrive and keep a translation app handy. If you’re robbed, report it to the police for your insurance, and contact your embassy if you lose your passport.
Safety in numbers: meeting other travellers
One of the easiest ways to stay safe in Colombia is to explore with other people. In the Hostelworld app, City Chats connect you with travellers staying at any hostel in the city, so you can find someone to share a taxi or head out with. Your hostel’s Linkups, such as walking tours and group dinners, open up 14 days before check-in. Not booked yet? A Social Pass opens up the chats without a booking, and the Hostelworld Events pages show what’s on in each city. When you’re ready to book, compare all hostels in Colombia or our pick of the best hostels in Colombia.
The good, the bad, the beautiful and the ugly can be found in everywhere from Coventry (okay, maybe not so beautiful) to Cartagena, from Marrakesh to Medellin and beyond. Colombia is one of the up-and-coming backpacker destinations in the world for good reason and, when approached with common sense and an awareness of its general safety issues, most backpackers will discover exactly why everyone loves it so much. Stay safe and enjoy this beautiful country.
About the author
Blogging at Along Dusty Roads, Andrew and Emily inspire everyone to travel more, travel better and travel more beautifully. Whether it’s discovering the hipster area of an old European city, trekking through the rainforest in South America or road tripping around the Scottish Highlands, they think there’s an adventure, a story and a new discovery to be had wherever you go – and they’ll show you exactly how to find it! You can also follow Along Dusty Roads on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
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