Colombia has beautiful natural landscapes, lush forests, greenery, remarkable people, rich history, and amazing food.
This means it is one of the best countries to visit. Yet, it has had a troubled past of political upheaval, and endemic corruption in government and drug trades.
Thus, many people still wonder, is Colombia safe?
This blog post aims to assure readers that Colombia is safe to visit in 2024. The country still has a high rate of unemployment and inequality.
This is because it is a developing country. However, tourists who use common sense and stick to relatively safe situations and neighborhoods can avoid danger.
Thus, when traveling to the cities and sounds of Colombia, ensure that:
Tips to Stay Safe While Traveling in Colombia in 2024
Colombia can be a complicated country. Some places can be extremely safe in one hour, and then no-go zones in the next as dusk sets.
Some rural areas can be idyllic regions for birdwatching one week, then another week be a haven of insecurity.
It is thus important to never let your guard down when traveling around or visiting without company. In Colombia, the most important advice is never to let your guard down.
If you feel unsafe in a certain area, walk back, or hail a taxi, and exit the neighborhood. It is crucial to trust your judgment and your instinct.
Further, pickpockets in Colombian towns and cities are probably the highest risk for any traveler or tourist in the country.
Ensure that your valuables are all in a fanny pack, or zipped pockets, at all times. When partying or clubbing, do not leave the phone on the table unattended.
Always mind your drinks in clubs, don’t go to the washrooms and leave them there, you could get spiked!
While traveling on foot to the beautiful tourist sites of Medellin, it is important to try to walk with friends, or tourist guides, especially at night.
There are some instances where criminals on bikes or motorcycles “snatch and grab.” This is where they snatch your phone, purse, or other valuables, and then speed off.
Avoid being unaware of your surroundings, or swinging purses and phones loosely, during the evening hours!
In addition, in areas, such as Guatape and Jardin, safety has improved since peace was attained.
The agreement led to the end of the longest-running guerilla war in the Americas. It has addressed long-standing historical issues such as land, war crimes, drug trafficking, and historical injustices.
Furthermore, talk to people before making decisions. Speaking some basic Spanish is quite important.
If you are thinking of going to a certain mall, event, or part of town, talk to the Uber driver beforehand. Also, ask the valet at the hotel you are staying at while giving as much information as you can.
Most people in Colombia are helpful and truthful. They will advise on where to travel and who to go with. Ensure you pay heed to this advice before stepping into town.
Get this English-to-Spanish dictionary from Amazon beforehand and practice common phrases. It will be very useful.
In addition, in 2024, the Colombian government began talking with the splinter FARC groups that refused peace in 2016.
These include the Second Marqutalia rebel faction. Thus, rural regions are now safer than ever before.
Enjoy the wonderful hikes and the bird watcher’s paradise in the Colombian countryside. Breathe the fresh air of the countryside, but always keep your wits around you!
Moreover, while traveling around the country, do not have substantial amounts of cash on you.
Colombia has most of the social amenities accepting cards, and other modes of cashless payments.
Use this to sort your financial issues and purchases, to avoid a situation where the aforementioned pickpockets snatch, and grabbers take a lot of money from you.
In addition, an important tip while traveling in Colombia in 2024, is to learn basic Spanish.
This is a country where most people only speak Spanish, with English not being as widely spoken as countries in Africa, Europe, and the USA.
Thus, you must learn the most important phrases in the country. Check this amazing English-to-Spanish dictionary and keep such an item on you at all times while traveling to this beautiful country.
Always do proper research before choosing a hostel, a hotel, an Airbnb, or going to a certain party at night.
Stick to Ubers if you must use taxis. In addition, when in Colombia, get a local SIM card.
This will help you call for assistance if you are in areas of the countryside where maybe you cannot access Wi-Fi of a 5g network.
Moreover, monitor the local media stations, as well as embassy broadcasts, while traveling in Colombia.
This will avoid a nasty situation where you are the last person aware of some social upheaval, weather problems, or protests taking place, and you end up in an unsafe situation that could have been avoided.
This is increasingly important, because, due to the growing democratic space in the country, protests, sit-ins, and other organized forms of political activities have become increasingly common.
Ensure to monitor social, local, and traditional media before embarking on long trips, or traveling to areas far from your friends and the large cities. This is increasingly important during the electoral periods.
In addition, if you must, use drugs and alcohol responsibly. Many tourists go to Colombia looking for fun with drugs, alcohol, and the fast-growing sex trade.
If you must indulge in this, always do it in moderation, and do not be stupid. If you can partake in large groups of people, the better.
In a developing country, tourists stand out like sore thumbs, and a night of fun could quickly become a nightmare If you get mugged, drugged, or worse.
While on the subject of drugs, ensure to avoid the following departments: Narino, Cauca, Putumayo, Meta, Guaviare, And The Northern Antioquia Department.
These areas have higher than-average land under cultivation of coca, marijuana, and opium. There are also higher rates of organized gangs and armed groups in these regions.
Concisely, the rural places near Panama, Venezuela, and Ecuador are at considerable risk, and issues such as money laundering and prostitution are especially endemic.
Furthermore, always strive to avoid scammers. Colombia has some of the most beautiful people in the world, thanks to a diverse and attractive populace that has intermarried across ethnicities, cultures, and religions.
Thus, a lonely tourist should be very wary of extremely attractive offers from people on apps such as Tinder and Grindr.
In addition, when dating, tell people where you are at all times, and share location if possible, and stick to public places first.
Ensure that you are properly vaccinated before traveling to Colombia. Catching a nasty vector-borne disease can be a dampener to any tourist and holiday.
Firstly, ensure you are properly vaccinated against yellow fever before traveling to the country.
Malaria is a problem in some towns and cities below five hundred meters above sea level, so when in such areas sleep under a mosquito net and always use mosquito repellent.
According to NHS (Britain’s National Health Service), when in Colombia, you need vaccinations for flu, updated MMR, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, tetanus, diphtheria, rabies, typhoid, and yellow fever, while covid 19 is now in the past, an updated flu vaccine is still a great prevention against the worst.
In case of anything happening to you, the Colombian emergency contact is 123. Easy to remember. Always ensure to be safe and notify your local consulate or embassy while visiting this amazing country.
When in Colombia, avoid shouting too much in public. This is the quickest way to inform nefarious characters that you are a foreigner.
Avoid consuming alcohol in public, this is illegal. Avoid involvement in illegal drugs no matter how sweet the deal sounds. In addition, avoid driving at night.
Best Tourist Sites to Visit in Colombia in 2024
1. The Lost City
This is the incredible 800 CE site that has amazing ruins, terraces, plazas, and tiled roads. This site offers a superb sneak peek into the past of a long-gone civilization.
2. Medellin
What was once the cocaine capital of the world, is now a worldwide renowned tourist hub. It hosts thousands of tourists every year to sample its wonderful cuisine.
Also Read, 25 Best Things to Do in Medellin Colombia, in 2024
3. Cartagena.
This old port city is a stunning cultural area with a rich history. It has nuggets from the past. It is great for the tourist who enjoys history.
4. Cali
Enjoy the Festival Mundial de Salsa
5. Monserrate
This mountain located in Bogota hosts some of the most breathtaking hikes and cable car rides in South America.
6. Tayrona National Park
It has everything, from dense and lush rainforests. There is plentiful beautiful sandy beaches and coconut palms. It also contains some of the richest bird species variety in the world.
Conclusion
Briefly, Colombia is not your average tourist destination.
It is a hauntingly beautiful and flawed culture and country, and thus there are more dangers for the naïve tourist than other traditional destinations.
Keep your head on at all times, be careful, and vigilant, and always err on the side of caution. There is much to see in Colombia, but always remember that safety comes first.
Also Read:
- 25 Best Things To Do In Bogota, Colombia, in 2024
- 25 Best Things To Do In Salta Argentina in 2024
- Is Costa Rica Safe to Visit in 2024?
