Is Cartagena safe? What four governments say, and what you control

Each government rates Colombia on its own scale and keeps its own list of regions to avoid. The board gives the level, the date of the advisory and what it says about Cartagena and Bolívar, the department the city belongs to; then what each body warns about, and where to call or report.

Each government’s wording in this section is shortened from its advisory; the links on the board open the full text.

Violent crime, kidnapping and terrorism, Colombia-wide

All four governments warn about these for the country as a whole. None of them names Cartagena in these passages.

Violent crime and armed robbery. The US: Violent crime is common in many areas of Colombia, including murder, assault and robbery; kidnapping and armed break-ins, including at hotels and other places tourists stay, also occur frequently in some regions. The UK: Pickpocketing, mugging and armed robbery are a problem, especially in major cities and on the Caribbean coast; take care after dark or on your own, and British nationals have been robbed at gunpoint in the Candelaria area of Bogotá and across many cities in Colombia. Canada: Crime rates are high throughout the country, particularly in the main cities; armed robberies are frequent; muggings and assaults occur even in the safer areas of Colombia's cities. Australia: Violent crime and gang activity are common and increasing; tourists have been robbed at gunpoint. If you are robbed: Do not resist (US); Hand over cash, electronic devices and valuables without resistance (Canada).

Kidnapping, including express kidnapping. The US lists kidnapping among the reasons for its level. The UK: Kidnapping rates remain high and widespread; foreign nationals are not the primary targets, but foreigners have been kidnapped in recent years; express kidnappings are common. Canada: There is a risk of kidnapping for ransom; express kidnappings are frequent and often occur in affluent areas as well as in tourist areas. Australia: Most kidnappings are for ransom; express kidnapping is also a problem in major urban areas. The UK’s advice: Always let someone you trust know your whereabouts; if you are kidnapped, follow the kidnapper's instructions. The taxi and cash-machine advice in getting around is the advice the four give against express kidnapping.

Terrorism. The US: Terrorists may attack with little or no warning; the targets it lists include tourist areas and attractions, hotels, clubs, restaurants, shopping malls and markets, transportation centers and airports. The UK: Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Colombia; attacks have historically targeted some tourist locations, including hotels, clubs and restaurants, transport hubs including airports, and markets and shopping malls. Canada: There is a threat of domestic terrorism; further attacks are likely; targets could include airports and transportation hubs, places of worship and public areas frequented by foreigners. Australia: Terrorist attacks remain a significant threat throughout Colombia; possible targets include airports, public transport, nightclubs, hotels and restaurants, and shopping malls. What they advise: Stay alert and follow the advice of the local security authorities (UK); Avoid possible targets where possible, monitor the media, take official warnings seriously and follow the advice of local authorities (Australia); Be aware of your surroundings in public places, particularly during civic holidays, public celebrations and major political events such as elections (Canada).

Dating apps and drugging

Canada: An increase in deaths linked to dating apps used by criminals to lure foreigners; most frequent in larger cities, including Cartagena. Australia: Criminals target foreigners through dating apps, particularly in larger cities including Cartagena. Canada on where drugging happens most: Nightclubs, bars and restaurants, public transport including taxis, and the street; most frequent in larger cities, including Cartagena. Their advice comes down to three habits:

• Keep your drink with you. Canada: Never leave food or drinks unattended or with strangers; be wary of snacks, drinks, gum or cigarettes offered by new acquaintances or people in the street.
• Take nothing from strangers. Australia: Robberies and assaults occur after victims accept spiked food, drinks, cigarettes or chewing gum; do not accept food or drink from strangers.
• Meet dates in public. Canada: Be cautious with dating apps, avoid meeting in isolated places, do not bring new acquaintances to your accommodation, and tell someone who you are meeting and where.

If you think you or a friend has been drugged, call 123 and get medical help at once.

Pickpocketing and phone snatching

Australia: Pickpocketing and bag snatching are common, particularly in larger cities including Cartagena. Canada: Pickpocketing and purse and phone snatching are common in all parts of the country, including drive-by snatching from motorcycles. What to do, from Australia: Avoid using your phone, camera and other electronics in the street; do not carry large amounts of money. The UK and Australia advise extra care in poorer districts of Colombian cities; none of the four advisories names a neighborhood of Cartagena.

Tour boats

Both governments name the city for boat safety; see boats and the sea below.

Taxis. The UK, Canada and Australia advise against hailing taxis on the street. The UK: Do not hail taxis on the street; use licensed phone or app taxi services or book through your hotel. The US rule is for its own staff: US government employees in Colombia may not hail taxis on the street or use any public transport. The UK links street taxis and cash machines to express kidnapping: Criminals, often posing as taxi drivers, pick victims around ATMs, often at night, and force them to withdraw cash.

From the airport. The airport operator: Two stations, at the domestic and the international exits; the airport recommends always using them. Fares from the airport are fixed by city decree and printed in the operator’s 2026 fare table. The table has two rows for the historic centre: 20,200 COP for “Centro - San Diego - La Matuna - Getsemaní” and 24,300 COP for “Centro - Zona hotelera Centro Histórico”. To Bocagrande it is 34,400 COP, plus 1,100 COP from 19:00 to 5:00. If you would rather have a named driver waiting, a private arrival transfer is booked in advance. The full table: airport page.

Cash machines. Australia: Use ATMs inside banks, shopping centres or other public places during business hours; avoid street ATMs. Take out only what the day needs.

People in uniform. Canada: People posing as police officers ask foreigners to check documents or currency in order to rob them. Its advice is not to hand over money or documents unless you feel threatened.

After dark. The UK asks for extra care on city streets after dark or when you are alone. In Cartagena night comes early all year: the sun sets between 17:37 and 18:28. Plan the ride back before you go out. Buses, taxis and walking: getting around Cartagena.

Canada on card overcharging: Happens especially in popular tourist areas; ask for a printed price list before ordering. Australia: Credit card fraud and robbery at ATMs is common. What Colombian law says about prices:

• The shown price is the price. Under the consumer law (Ley 1480 de 2011, art. 26): The seller must state the retail price in Colombian pesos, including all taxes and extra costs, visibly; the consumer pays only the displayed price; if two or more prices appear, the lowest applies.
• A tip is voluntary. Under the tipping law (Ley 1935 de 2018): Voluntary money given by the consumer; the venue may suggest it; acceptance always depends on the consumer. A suggested tip may not exceed 10%. Staff must ask whether the customer wants the voluntary tip included on the bill, or what amount.
• Some prices are set by decree or published by the operator. The main ones are in the table.

On the beach and in the street, most things have no official price: chairs and tents, drinks, massages, boat rides offered on the sand. Agree the price before the service starts, in pesos, for how many people and for how long; Canada’s advice is to ask for a printed price list before ordering.

If it goes wrong, call 123 if you feel threatened. A written complaint goes to the national consumer authority, the SIC, through its complaint portal or its free line, 01 8000 910165. Official prices for taxis, buses, sites and docks, with a day-budget builder: what things cost in Cartagena.

Two governments name Cartagena for boat safety. Canada: Accidents with unlicensed tour boats noted in Cartagena, San Andrés and Santa Marta. Its advice: Choose a reputable boat company that follows current safety rules; do not board a vessel that looks overloaded or unseaworthy. Australia: Be cautious with tourist boats from the northern Caribbean coast, particularly Cartagena; travel only in licensed boats and check for life jackets and safety equipment. DIMAR, Colombia’s maritime authority, tells visitors in Cartagena: Book tours and sea transport only with legally established companies that leave from authorised docks; wear the life jacket aboard; do not jump in or swim around boats under way or at anchor (DIMAR, June 2024).

In practice that means boarding with a licensed operator at an authorized dock such as Muelle de la Bodeguita, and keeping the life jacket on for the whole crossing. How the dock works, and the four ways to the islands: Rosario Islands; renting a whole boat: boat rental.

Rough days. When the sea is adverse, Cartagena’s port captain (DIMAR) can close navigation to all small boats for the day (notice of March 2018); in February 2023 it kept a yellow flag for boat departures and asked bathers to adjust their hours (DIMAR, February 2023). The sea is typically roughest from December to March; the sea by month, and what it means for a boat day: Rosario Islands.

Swimming. Canada: Some beaches are unsupervised, many have no warning flags, and riptides are common. Its advice: Respect the areas reserved for swimming; avoid beaches and coastal areas if the weather forecast is poor; follow the instructions of local authorities. DIMAR asks boat passengers not to jump in or swim around the boats. The city beaches: Cartagena beaches.

What the health agencies say about a stay in and around the city. For your own case, see a travel doctor.

• Malaria. CDC counts all areas of Colombia below 1,700 m as malaria transmission areas, and adds: No malaria transmission in the cities of Bogotá, Cartagena or Medellín.
• Dengue and other mosquito-borne disease. CDC’s global dengue notice: Level 1, Practice Usual Precautions; travelers to risk areas should prevent mosquito bites. Its advice for Colombia: Cover exposed skin, use an appropriate insect repellent, and stay in air-conditioned or screened rooms (CDC Colombia page).
• Tap water. The UK advice on tap water in Colombia: Safe to drink only in Bogotá; drink bottled water and avoid ice. The US, Canadian and Australian advisories make no statement on it.
• Insurance. The UK: Insurance should cover local treatment and unexpected medical evacuation. Australia: Check that your travel insurance covers medical evacuation.

Heat by the hour: Cartagena weather and the best time to visit. Entry rules: Check-Mig.

Children. Sexual exploitation of minors is a crime in Colombia, under Ley 1336 de 2009, which adds to Ley 679 de 2001. Every tourism business must sign a code of conduct: Providers must inform guests of the legal consequences of sexual exploitation and abuse of minors and post the code where staff can see it; a breach is penalized under art. 20 of Ley 679 de 2001 (Resolución 3840 de 2009). Canada: A serious criminal offence; conviction may bring a lengthy prison sentence. Australia: Colombia has strong laws; foreigners have been arrested and prosecuted; offenders may also face prosecution in Australia. To report a suspected case, call 123 or use the national online report.

Drugs. The UK: Severe penalties for possession, use or trafficking; never carry items for other people.

Alcohol in the street. The UK on drinking alcohol in public spaces in Colombia: Illegal.

Protests. The US: Political demonstrations are common throughout Colombia; they can shut roads without notice and can turn violent. It does not name Cartagena. Canada: Illegal for foreigners to take part in political activities, rallies or demonstrations; may lead to deportation.