Colombia is generally a very safe country. Traveling by road, strolling through cities and towns are activities of very low risk.

The large cities of Colombia, such as Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, Santa Marta, Cali, and Barranquilla, have lower insecurity levels than other places in the Americas, even lower than in other major capitals. Rural areas are also very safe and allow visitors to explore and discover them without fear.

As in other parts of the world, it is necessary to take certain precautions in Colombia to make your trip the best experience possible. Please take into account the following recommendations:

GENERAL SAFETY:

• As in any other large city in the world, take care of your personal belongings and do not neglect them.

• Allow guides, locals, and tourism professionals to recommend the best places to visit.

• Be especially cautious in places with large crowds such as public transport, mass events, and commercial centers or districts. Do not be careless, and keep your documents, money, jewelry, cell phones, and any other valuables in a safe place.

• When engaging in rural tourism, always go with tourist guides and qualified personnel for these excursions. Do not deviate from the routes. Colombia’s complicated geography makes it easy to get lost.

TRANSPORT:

• When using public transport, always do so at terminals and places specifically designed for this purpose.

• If you wish to take a taxi, try calling one of the local companies that provide this service or use the designated taxi areas.

MONEY MANAGEMENT:

• In Colombia, you can use credit cards, debit cards, or   cash.

• Try not to carry all your cash or bank cards with you, only bring the necessary money for your daily activities, and when possible, store your money and personal items in the hotel safe.

• If you need to exchange money, always do so at authorized exchange houses and banks, never on the street or in unauthorized places. You can find exchange houses and banks at airports, shopping centers, and some hotels. Information points and hotels can provide the location of these agencies.

HEALTH:

• If you have allergies or health problems due to certain foods, always ask about the ingredients of what you are about to eat. Colombian cuisine is very diverse and uses many different components.

• Always carry your identification documents such as your passport, ID card, health insurance card, or health certificates.

• In all large cities, there is complete healthcare and water supply coverage, and you can even drink tap water without any issues. In rural areas, coverage is not complete, so it is necessary to consume water from special places or buy bottled beverages.

• Always check if the region you want to travel to requires any special vaccines or health precautions. For travel to certain areas of the country, a yellow fever vaccine is required, which should be received 15 days before traveling; in specific areas, respiratory and viral diseases such as the flu are common during certain seasons. You can consult more information about vaccines   in the Health in Colombia section, at tourist information points, and at medical care facilities in airports and bus terminals.