Colombia is visited safely by many tourists, but safety varies by region. Check the current US State Department advisory and avoid areas it warns about.
Overview
Millions of tourists visit Colombia each year. The US State Department lists Colombia at Level 3, Reconsider Travel, due to crime, terrorism and kidnapping, with higher risk in some areas. Check for the latest level.
Safer areas
Major tourist cities such as Cartagena, Medellín, Bogotá and the coffee region are widely visited.
Safety tips
- Don’t flash valuables.
- Use licensed taxis or ride apps.
- Avoid border regions flagged in the advisory.
- Watch drinks, and avoid scopolamine (burundanga) risks.
- Buy travel insurance.
Current advisories
The US Department of State sets travel advisory levels from 1 to 4. Colombia has had a Level 3 “Reconsider travel” listing in recent years, with certain regions at Level 4 “Do not travel.” Check the latest advisory before booking, as levels are updated regularly.
Main risks
- Petty crime such as phone theft and bag snatching in big cities.
- Express kidnapping and drink spiking, in which a victim is drugged to be robbed.
- Armed groups and guerrilla activity in some rural areas, especially near the borders with Venezuela and Ecuador, and in Cauca, Norte de Santander and Arauca.
- Scams, including fake taxis and overcharging.
Typical tourist areas
Cartagena, Medellin, Bogota (most areas), the coffee region (Eje Cafetero), Santa Marta and Tayrona National Park, San Andres and Providencia islands are common destinations.
Safety habits
- Use ride hailing apps or official taxis instead of hailing on the street.
- Keep phones out of sight on the street.
- Do not accept drinks from strangers, and watch your drink.
- Use hotel safes and carry copies of documents.
- Avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar neighborhoods.
- Avoid dating app meetups in secluded places, where drink spiking has led to robberies.
Health
Check vaccinations. The CDC recommends yellow fever vaccine for travel to many areas of Colombia, as well as routine vaccines. Dengue and Zika are present in lowland areas, so use insect repellent.
Travel insurance
Buy medical and evacuation coverage. Register with your embassy’s traveler program.
Official advisories and main risks
The US State Department has issued a Level 3 “Reconsider Travel” advisory for Colombia in recent years because of crime, terrorism, civil unrest and kidnapping, with some border and rural departments at Level 4 “Do Not Travel.” Check travel.state.gov for the current level. Colombia received more than 5 million international visitors in 2023, and big cities such as Bogota, Medellin and Cartagena have large tourist areas. The most common problems for visitors are petty theft, robbery and drink spiking, and scams aimed at foreigners, particularly through dating apps.
Practical safety and health tips
Use licensed taxis or ride hailing apps, avoid displaying phones and jewelry, do not accept drinks from strangers, and stick to well lit areas at night. Stay in busy neighborhoods and register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. Health advice from the CDC includes routine vaccines, hepatitis A and typhoid, and yellow fever vaccination for many areas outside major cities, plus mosquito bite prevention for dengue and Zika. Buy travel insurance that covers medical evacuation. Altitude in Bogota is about 2,640 meters (8,660 ft), which can cause mild altitude symptoms.
Based on data from the US Department of State and the CDC
