{"id":376,"date":"2019-06-22T12:59:28","date_gmt":"2019-06-22T12:59:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/?p=173962"},"modified":"2019-06-22T12:59:28","modified_gmt":"2019-06-22T12:59:28","slug":"is-colombia-safe-to-visit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ourfunjourney.com\/index.php\/2019\/06\/22\/is-colombia-safe-to-visit\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Colombia Safe to Visit?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"A
\nPosted:<\/strong> 6\/22\/2019 | June 22nd, 2019<\/p>\n

Colombia<\/a> is one of the most popular countries in South America for backpackers and travelers. In 2017 (the last year there were figures), it saw over three million visitors \u2014 three times as many as there were 10 years ago!<\/p>\n

Over the past few decades, Colombia has been working hard to dispel the violent image it earned thanks to the drug cartels that once ravaged the country.<\/p>\n

While Colombia still isn\u2019t perfect, it\u2019s come a long way since our parents\u2019 generation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Violent crimes that were once common here, such as murder and kidnapping, are no longer everyday concerns for travelers. Kidnapping has declined 92% and homicides are down by 50% over the past two decades.<\/p>\n

Slowly but surely, conditions in Colombia are improving for locals and tourists alike.<\/p>\n

But a lot of people still ask me: is Colombia is safe?<\/p>\n

\n

Table of Contents<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. My Experience in Colombia<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. 10 Safety Tips for Colombia<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. Is Colombia Safe for Solo Travelers?<\/a><\/li>\n
  4. Is Colombia Safe for Solo Female Travelers?<\/a><\/li>\n
  5. Is it Safe to Take a Taxi in Colombia?<\/a><\/li>\n
  6. Is the Food Safe in Colombia?<\/a><\/li>\n
  7. Can You Drink the Tap Water in Colombia?<\/a><\/li>\n
  8. Should You Visit Colombia?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n

     <\/p>\n

    My Experience in Colombia<\/h3>\n

    Before I went to Colombia, I\u2019d heard countless stories of petty theft. While there, I heard even more. A friend of mine had been robbed three times, the last time at gunpoint while on his way to meet me for dinner.<\/p>\n

    Locals and expats alike told me the same thing: the rumors of petty theft are true, but if you keep your wits about you, follow the rules, and don\u2019t flash your valuables, you\u2019ll be OK.<\/p>\n

    There\u2019s even a local expression about it: \u201cNo dar papaya\u201d (Don\u2019t give papaya). Essentially, it means that you shouldn\u2019t have something \u201csweet\u201d out in the open (a phone, computer, watch, etc.) that would make you a target. Keep your valuables hidden, don\u2019t wander around places you shouldn\u2019t at night, don\u2019t flash money around, avoid coming out of nightlife spots alone at night, etc. Simply put: don\u2019t put yourself in a position where people can take advantage of you.<\/p>\n

    I heeded such advice. I didn\u2019t wear headphones in public. I didn\u2019t take my phone out unless I was in a group or a restaurant, or completely sure no one else was around. I took just enough money with me for the day when I left my hostel. I warned friends about wearing flashy jewelry or watches when they visited.<\/p>\n

    But the longer you are somewhere, the more complacent you get.<\/p>\n

    When you see locals on their phones in crowded areas, tourists toting thousand-dollar cameras, and kids wearing Airpods and Apple Watches, you begin to think, \u201cOK, during the day, maybe it\u2019s not so bad.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Suddenly, you step out of a caf\u00e9 with your phone out without even thinking about it.<\/p>\n

    You\u2019re giving papaya.<\/p>\n

    And someone wants to take it.<\/p>\n

    Which is how I ended up getting mugged and knifed. (I\u2019m OK.)<\/p>\n

    This was also just a matter of being unlucky and not specific to Colombia. A wrong-time-wrong-place situation. It could have happened to me anywhere where I didn\u2019t follow the safety rules that help you minimize risk.<\/p>\n

    The experience reminded me of why you can\u2019t get complacent. I gave papaya. I shouldn\u2019t have had my phone out. It didn\u2019t matter the time of day. That\u2019s the rule in Colombia. Keep your valuables hidden. (Especially in Bogot\u00e1, which does have a higher rate of petty crime than elsewhere in the country.) I didn\u2019t follow the advice.<\/p>\n

    And I got unlucky because of it. I\u2019d been having my phone out too often and, with each non-incident, I grew more and more relaxed. I kept dropping my guard.<\/p>\n

    What happened was unlucky, but it didn\u2019t need to happen if I had followed the rules.<\/p>\n

    This is why people warned me to be careful.<\/p>\n

    So, if you follow the rules, you\u2019re unlikely to have a problem. All those incidents I talked about earlier? All involved people breaking the ironclad \u201cno dar papaya\u201d rule and either having something valuable out or walking alone late at night in areas where they shouldn\u2019t have.<\/p>\n

    I\u2019m not going to let this freak incident change my view of such an amazing country. I\u2019d go back to Colombia the same way I\u2019d get in a car after a car accident. In fact, I was terribly upset to leave. I was having an amazing time. I still love Bogot\u00e1. I still have plans to go back to Colombia.<\/p>\n

    Colombia is amazing.<\/p>\n

    Learn from my mistake. Not only for when you visit Colombia but when you travel in general.
    \n <\/p>\n

    10 Safety Tips for Colombia<\/h3>\n

    You can\u2019t get complacent in Colombia. Once you do, bad things happen. You have to stay vigilant. To help you stay safe during your trip, here are a few tips you\u2019ll want to keep in mind as you travel around the country:<\/p>\n

    1. Stay somewhere with 24-hour security<\/strong> – You always want someone around in case you need assistance. Most hostels and hotels have security cameras or guards. If you don\u2019t feel safe somewhere, don\u2019t hesitate to move on. This way you always have someone to talk to in case something goes wrong. <\/p>\n

    2. Don\u2019t flash your belongings while you\u2019re out and about<\/strong> – Keep your phone out of sight, and don\u2019t wear any jewelry or watches. If you need to use your phone, do it inside and not out on the street. This is where people get in the most trouble. This is how I got into trouble. Put everything away so you don’t stand out. <\/p>\n

    3. Don\u2019t travel alone at night<\/strong> – Try to go out with other travelers if you’re going out at night. If you do plan to go out alone or party late, be sure to take an Uber home or have someone call you a cab. Don’t walk alone really late at night. <\/p>\n

    4. Learn some Spanish<\/strong> – Even just a few phrases can help you in an emergency. Download Spanish on Google Translator so you have it offline as well, just in case.<\/p>\n

    5. Download an offline map of the city<\/strong> – Having a map will be helpful in case you get lost and need to guide yourself (or a taxi driver) back to your accommodation. If you use your phone at night, be sure to not use it out in the streets. <\/p>\n

    6. Don\u2019t do drugs<\/strong> – The drugs cartels have crippled this country. Don\u2019t support them by buying drugs. Locals don’t like it because drugs have so devasted the country and doing it just further cripples the country. It’s really disrespectful. Additionally, getting involved with drugs here increases your chances of getting into trouble. Also, doing drugs here is illegal, and you don\u2019t want to end up in a Colombian prison. <\/p>\n

    7. Keep your valuables separate<\/strong> – Never carry all of them together. When you\u2019re going out for the day, leave some credit cards and cash in locked in your accommodation. That way, if you lose your wallet, you\u2019ll still have cash and cards back at your hostel. Also keep some emergency funds in your main backpack too, just in case.<\/p>\n

    8. If the worst happens, just give the attacker your stuff<\/strong> – Handing over your things is much better than risking the alternative (trust me). If you have travel insurance, you\u2019ll be able to get reimbursed (just be sure to save all of your receipts).<\/p>\n

    9 . Download the Prey app to your phone and laptop<\/strong> – If either device gets stolen, for a small fee you\u2019ll be able to track it and remotely turn on your camera to photograph the thief (you can also wipe the data and message the thief too). The app is free to download and only costs $5 USD for additional support should you get robbed.<\/p>\n

    10. Buy travel insurance<\/a><\/strong> – If something does go wrong, you want to be sure you’re covered and someone has your back. Travel insurance can help you find medical treatment and give you money to buy replacements for what was stolen. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, especially in a country where petty crime is still a problem.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    So, is Colombia Safe for Solo Travelers?<\/h3>\n

    Colombia is safe for solo travelers. While petty crime is still a problem, as long as you don\u2019t flaunt your valuables, you\u2019ll likely not run into any problems. When you go out, only take what you need for the day and leave your other valuables in your hostel or hotel room.<\/p>\n

    If you\u2019re not feeling comfortable, try to meet other travelers so you can explore together. That way you\u2019ll never be alone and will avoid being a target for pickpockets and petty criminals.<\/p>\n

    At night, make sure you\u2019re never traveling alone and that you have your ride home planned in advance. Don\u2019t get into sketchy cabs. Avoid wandering around non-touristy areas at night and alone.<\/p>\n

    I never felt really unsafe in the country during the day or in public places. You\u2019ll see locals with phones out and, generally, going about their life. It\u2019s really at night that you have to be careful.
    \n <\/p>\n

    Is Colombia Safe for Solo Female Travelers?<\/h3>\n

    While solo female travelers<\/a> will want to take some extra precautions in Colombia, the country should definitely still be under consideration.<\/p>\n

    Whenever possible, avoid traveling alone \u2014 especially at night or in areas where there are not many people. Don\u2019t flaunt any valuables, and avoid taking taxis alone at night. Always have a downloaded map and translator so you can find your way home or ask for help if you need it.<\/p>\n

    By taking some precautions and planning accordingly, solo female travelers will be able to have a rewarding time traveling Colombia. Just make sure to follow the advice and tips above!<\/p>\n

    Here are a couple of helpful posts on safety written by our solo female travel experts:<\/p>\n