Is COLOMBIA Safe To Visit? Travel Advisory 2024

Colombia is a safe travel destination as long as you stay conscious of the areas where you are visiting and walking.

As a rule of thumb, do not travel to that remote paradise or jungle destination you saw online if a local tells you not to. Most of the unfortunate situations that have happened to tourists in Colombia are due to travelers going to places against the locals’ advice.

With a seven-color sea (San Andrés), a rainbow river (Caño Cristales) and 54,871 registered species, 3,625 of them unique in the world, Colombia is one of the most amazing places in South America, and the country with the second largest biodiversity in the planet.

LATEST UPDATES / NEWS from COLOMBIA:

Colombia and USAID sign agreement to promote sustainable nature tourism development

In an effort to promote the growth of nature tourism and the adoption of public policies that bolster the sustainability and competitiveness of the tourism industry, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Colombian Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism (MinCIT) recently inked a memorandum of understanding.

MinCIT states that this agreement “formalizes and promotes a cooperation framework” between the two organizations and includes special emphasis on so-called “Development Programs with Territorial Focus” in municipalities focused on biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration.

Consequently, USAID is anticipated to “complement infrastructure or promotion projects executed by MinCIT  through Fontur, in order to maximize the expected impact in terms of community development, demand generation, strengthening of destinations, and offering sustainable and meaningful travel experiences for travelers.”

Colombia Travel Advisory by the U.S. State Department

Reconsider travel due to crime and terrorism. Be extra cautious because there has been civil unrest and kidnapping. There is more risk in some places. 

Do Not Travel to:

• Arauca, Cauca (excluding Popayán), and Norte de Santander departments are advised against due to concerns regarding crime and terrorism.
• The Colombia-Venezuela border region is cautioned against due to the risks of crime, kidnapping, and potential detention when crossing from Colombia into Venezuela. 

Country Summary: 

Homicide, assault, and armed robbery are common violent crimes. In certain places, organized crime is prevalent and includes acts like kidnapping, robbery, and extortion.

Attacks are still being carried out in Colombia by criminal and terrorist organizations targeting transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government buildings, police stations, military facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, airports, other public areas, and U.S. government buildings.

Important tips to keep in mind when traveling to Colombia

• Avoid crowds and protest areas.
• Keep an eye on local media for breaking news and change your plans accordingly.
• Maintain a modest profile.
• Keep an eye on your surroundings.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and make it simpler for emergency personnel to locate you.
• Follow the State Department on Facebook and Twitter.
• Examine Colombia’s Country Security Report.
• Prepare a backup plan in case of an emergency. Check out the Traveler’s Checklist.

Is it safe to travel to Bogotá?

Bogotá is the largest and most cosmopolitan city in Colombia. Criminal acts such as terrorism are rare, but visitors should be wary of pickpockets.

Is it safe to travel to Medellin?

Medellin is the capital of Antioquia and the second-largest city in the country. Again, beware of pickpockets, especially in crowded areas.

Is it safe to travel to Cartagena?

Internationally acclaimed, Cartagena is a very safe city. Street vendors may try to rip you off for beer and other items. But just mention the police, and prices will be lowered.