You can feel safe there Cartagena as long as you use common sense. Tourist destinations such as the Walled City, Getsemaní and Bocagrande are teeming with police officers.
According to a report from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism, 3,700,000 people visited Cartagena last year, and visitors reported that their stay was generally safe.
Stay away from drug dealers and prostitutes, be careful of pickpockets and you won’t have many problems with safety.
LATEST NEWS from CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA
February 15 – Weather has forced the closure of beaches in Cartagena.
The mayor’s office of Cartagena has done that forbidden swimmers cannot enter the city’s beaches due to the current maritime weather conditions.
The mayor’s office asked visitors and residents of Cartagena to follow this interim order until authorities determine that the situation has improved.
The government also states that “winds with speeds of 12 to 24 knots (22 and 44 km/hour) and a significant wave height between 1.0 and 1.7 meters” occur and advises the Maritime Association and the population to pay attention to the messages and avoid activities on the beach and in the sea.
Official travel advice
US Travel advice
The U.S. Department of State advises against travel to Colombia (in general) due to the country’s high crime rate, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnappings.
They advise not to travel to:
- “The departments of Arauca, Cauca (excluding Popayán) and Norte de Santander for crime and terrorism.
- The border area between Colombia and Venezuela due to crime, kidnapping and the risk of detention when crossing into Venezuela from Colombia.”
From now, Cartagena is not the subject of travel advisories, so technically Cartagena is a safe destination in Colombia.
Canada Travel advice
Even in the safer areas of Colombian cities, robberies and attacks occur. These situations can become violent. Firearms and other weapons are frequently used in Colombia. Robberies involving the display of weapons are common and can take place in restaurants, shopping centers, buses, taxis and on the street. If victims do not cooperate, criminals will not think twice about using weapons against them.
Petty crimes such as pickpocketing, stealing wallets and cell phones are common across the country. Thieves regularly drive by and steal motorcycles. They are found in both prosperous and poor regions of the country.
Areas to avoid
The US government has issued special warnings about this south of Cartagena, Chambacu and the eastern part of Centro Commercial Caribe Plaza.
El Paraiso, La Maria and Sector La Magdalena are other neighborhoods with high crime rates.
Despite being popular tourist destinations, the area that includes Zapatos Viejos, Castillo de San Felipe and India Catalina is bordered by unsafe neighborhoods. Certain individuals may prey on inattentive or thoughtless tourists. It is preferable to visit these locations during the day rather than at night.
Although violent crime is rare in tourist destinations such as the walled town of La Candelaria and its beaches, pickpocketing is still common.
Common scams in Cartagena
Unfortunately, Cartagena, Colombia, has developed a reputation as a city plagued by scams. Here are some tips to help you avoid them:
- Be careful with dating apps: In Colombia, especially in big cities, use only reputable mobile apps and meet potential dates in public places. Scammers are known to create fake profiles to target foreign individuals and rob and drug them when they are alone.
- Beware of counterfeit goods: Suspiciously low prices for supposedly genuine items may indicate they are fake. Ask your hotel for advice on where to find legitimate goods.
- Negotiate carefully with street vendors: Avoid revealing the amount of money you have until you agree on a price. Showing a high bill can deter sellers from negotiating with you.
- Beware of currency manipulation by taxi drivers: Always agree on the fare before getting into a taxi and check whether the driver can give change for large bills. Stay vigilant during the payment exchange to avoid being shortchanged or misled.
- bnote the longer routes that taxis take: Stay alert and use GPS to ensure you are not taken advantage of by taxi drivers who may take longer routes to increase fares. Consider using Cabify or Uber to track your ride.
- Protect against card clones: Credit and debit card scams are common in Colombia. Use ATMs located in banks or shopping centers during the day and inspect the ATM for signs of tampering. Always cover the keypad when entering your PIN and do not leave your card unattended during restaurant transactions.
- Be careful in encounters involving strangers: Be careful of people selling magazines or the like, as they can use distraction to steal your belongings. Also be wary of street vendors and make sure you are not distracted while they are talking to you as this can be a trick to trap you.
- Avoid overcharging: Foreigners are often targeted with inflated charges due to assumptions about their wealth. Pay the agreed price immediately to avoid being exploited, especially if you use taxis, buy items from informal sellers in tourist areas or dine in distant regions.
Safety tips for Cartagena
- Hide Valuables: Make sure expensive items such as jewelry and cameras are not visibly displayed while navigating the city.
- Stay within populated areas: Although Cartagena is generally safe during the day, it is advisable to stay in the busy areas and avoid deserted or poorly lit streets, especially after dark.
- Be careful at night: Although Cartagena’s vibrant nightlife is a big draw, it’s important to be vigilant once night falls. Stay in groups, use reputable transportation services, and don’t accept drinks from unknown people.
- Keep emergency contact information accessible: Make sure you always have local emergency telephone numbers and the address and contact details of your accommodation to hand.
- Select renowned accommodations in safe neighborhoods: Choose accommodations with positive reviews in areas such as the Walled City, Getsemani or Bocagrande, where amenities are easily accessible on foot.
- Guard personal belongings: Given the potential for pickpocketing and theft in Cartagena, you should remain vigilant and avoid leaving belongings unattended. Consider using a money belt or hidden pouch to keep essentials like passports, credit cards and cash safe.
