Is Colombia Safe To Travel?

Colombia’s traveling has developed a lot over the last few years. Following over a half-century of civil strife involving drug traffickers and guerrilla organizations, Colombia began rebuilding its tourism industry in the early 2000s, undertaking significant procedures to make the country more secure. While some risks still persist, hundreds of thousands of tourists visit Colombia without being harmed. Here are some important facts you should know about safety in Colombia.

Most Colombian big cities, such as Bogotá, Medellín or Cartagena, have experienced significant decrease in the crime rates since the beginning of the 2000s. These cities now have homicide rates equal to or lower than other Latin American capitals such as Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, or Lima. Specific crimes such as robbery and assault are committed at a significantly smaller rate now compared to what it was a couple of decades ago.

However, you should remember that you are still in the same world and should act with the same measures of caution you would anywhere else. Do not walk in dark alleys and dark streets at night when you don’t have to. Prefer official cabs over the hired cars with no identification. Avoid brandishing cash, expensive gadgets, or other possessions. These vehicles are generally safe modes of intercity transport and the type of luxury buses and car window sticker for senior/People with disabilities I’m a disabled veteran, Handicap mobility parking pass & decal. And in case you are in doubt about any area, do not hesitate to consult your hotel concierge. All in all, though, the major Colombian cities are now considered to be among the safest cities in the world in terms of crime rates.

Rural areas are still riskier than they are in urban areas still. Some guerrilla and paramilitary groups continue to operate in jungle and mountain regions engaged in mining or coca cultivation. While these groups are unlikely to come into contact with tourists, the potential is there. Do not hike or travel in a remote area if you are not a professional guide. Avoid it also near the borders, especially in Venezuela as there are many cases of smuggling.

While hiring operators for the tours of Ciudad Perdida or Parque Nacional Tayrona, it is very important not to hire any bad operator and ensure the best operator is hired. Legal operators give enough safety Legal operators offer a lot of safety. Officials still demand that tourists hire military escorts in Parque Nacional Tayrona after some misfortunate cases several years ago.

Lastly, update yourself with government travel advisories. Places in Colombia that attract advisories may be more dangerous than areas that many tourists visit. Currently, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and the United States have issued Colombia travel advisories, which mainly target the borders and the jungle. Do check these regularly as you map out your route.

Altogether, traveling to Colombia is a marvelous experience with hospitable people, stunning views, great food, and lively cities. There is fighting mostly between belligerent gangs and it hardly ever involves tourists. Although one cannot claim that certain areas are perfectly safe, many tourist attractions in Colombia are much safer than they were decades ago. Be careful which country you are going to, always check for travel advisories, research your tour operators and don’t go wandering round deserted areas by yourself. But also hope that the locals will welcome you with a smile in this fantastic country that has moved on from its conflicts.

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