Reconsider Travel
“Reconsider travelto Colombia due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and natural disasters. Some areas have an increased risk.”
Updated Tue, 31 Mar 2026
Full advisory →Is Bogotá safe? 🇨🇴
Colombia · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Bogotá scores 51/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Bogotá is visitable with strong precautions — its tourist zones are relatively safe by day, but street crime, taxi kidnappings, and gang activity make nighttime and southern districts high-risk. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (high risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 3 (Reconsider Travel).
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Caution
Advises against all-but-essential travel to parts
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel Colombia-Venezuela border and northern Colombia FCDO advises against all but essential travel to: all of Norte de Santander Department, including Cúcuta.”
Updated 2026-06-22T15:51:45Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for Colombia: exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-07-09T15:12:18.8513366-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Caution
Homicide rate
24.9 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3Colombia24.9South Africa43.7
26
Robbery / mugging
HighArmed muggings and express kidnappings (paseo millonario) occur, especially after dark in La Candelaria, Santa Fé, and southern Chapinero; victims are often targeted leaving bars or using street-hailed taxis
Pickpocketing
HighPhone snatching and bag-slashing are rampant in TransMilenio stations, Usaquén flea market, La Candelaria plazas, and Calle 62 bar strip; thieves work in distraction teams
▸ 4 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Caution
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Bogotá is visitable with strong precautions — its tourist zones are relatively safe by day, but street crime, taxi kidnappings, and gang activity make nighttime and southern districts high-risk.
Bogotá's homicide rate (24.9/100k) and crowdsourced crime index (66.7) are high, yet violent crime is concentrated in southern districts and contract killings; tourist areas like Usaquén, Zona Rosa, and eastern Chapinero see heavy policing and far lower incident rates. The U.S. (Level 3) and UK (regional avoid) advisories reflect real risks — armed robbery, express kidnappings via taxi, and scopolamine drugging — that disproportionately affect visitors who stray after dark or use unvetted transport. Daytime exploration of the historic center and northern neighborhoods is generally trouble-free with basic vigilance.
Recent developments
- Apr 2026Mayor Galán requested 8,000 additional police after a deadly attack on a film set highlighted gang brazenness in the city— The City Paper Bogotá
- Apr 2026EL PAÍS reported that half of Bogotá's homicides are contract killings linked to criminal gangs like Tren de Aragua— EL PAÍS English
- Apr 2026Police captured an 'invisible narco' accused of facilitating Tren de Aragua's expansion into Bogotá— The City Paper Bogotá
- Feb 2026Student protests blocked major roads (Carrera 7) for days; clashes with police reported— The Times of India
Common scams
- Scopolamine (burundanga) drink spiking in bars and clubs, leading to robbery or express kidnapping
- Fake police officers demanding document/currency checks to steal valuables or extort cash
- Taxi meter tampering and 'Million Dollar Ride' express kidnappings when hailing cabs off the street
- Distraction pickpocketing teams in crowded markets, TransMilenio buses, and La Candelaria tourist sites
Full briefing
Safety Briefing: Bogotá, Colombia (July 2026)
Bottom line: Bogotá is a city of two realities. The northern neighborhoods where tourists stay — Usaquén, Zona Rosa, eastern Chapinero — are policed, well-lit, and feel safer than many Latin American capitals. Step outside that bubble after dark, or into the historic center on a quiet weeknight, and the risks jump sharply: armed muggings, express kidnappings via taxi, and scopolamine drugging are real, documented threats to visitors.
What the data means on the ground: The national homicide rate (24.9/100k) and Numbeo crime index (66.7) look alarming, but they're driven by gang warfare in southern districts like Ciudad Bolívar and contract killings that rarely touch tourists. Bogotá's own victimization surveys improved in 2025 (Cámara de Comercio de Bogotá, Feb 2026), and the city's violent crime rate (14.8/100k) sits below the national average. However, the U.S. State Department's Level 3 "Reconsider Travel" advisory and the UK's regional "avoid" warnings reflect specific, recurring dangers to foreigners: the "Million Dollar Ride" taxi kidnapping (still reported in 2026), fake police scams, and drink-spiking in Chapinero Alto clubs. The April 2026 capture of a Tren de Aragua facilitator and the mayor's call for 8,000 more police (The City Paper Bogotá, Apr 2026) confirm authorities are fighting a live gang problem.
Current situation (from the dossier): April 2026 brought a cluster of concerning developments: EL PAÍS revealed half of Bogotá's homicides are gang hits; a film-set shooting prompted the mayor's police surge request; and Tren de Aragua's local network was disrupted but not dismantled. In February, student protests paralyzed Carrera 7 for days (The Times of India, Feb 2026) — a reminder that demonstrations can turn disruptive without warning. On the positive side, the Chamber of Commerce's2025 security perception survey showed measurable improvement, and tourism grew 4.7% last year (isitsafetovisit.com, 2026). Traveler sentiment is split: expats in Usaquén/Chicó report high day-to-day comfort, while backpackers frequently cite phone theft or taxi scares after nights out.
How to stay safe: Treat Bogotá like a city where your safety depends on transport discipline and time-of-day awareness. Never hail a yellow taxi — use Uber, DiDi, or Cabify for every trip, including airport transfers. After 7 pm, do not walk in La Candelaria, Centro, or the Calle 62 bar strip; book door-to-door rides. Carry a decoy wallet, keep your real phone and cards in a concealed pouch, and never leave a drink unattended in nightlife zones. If stopped by "police" asking to check documents or cash, insist on walking to the nearest CAI (police station) — real officers will comply, fakes will vanish. Monitor local alerts for protests (especially near universities)
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Bogotá districts for visitors: 3 safer, 3 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Bogotá safety map.
Southern Chapinero (near Avenida Caracas)avoidTransition zone to high-crime south; frequent muggings, phone snatches, and taxi crimes — no tourist draw, avoid entirely
Ciudad BolívaravoidLarge southern district with extreme poverty, gang control, and the city's highest violent crime rates; flooding risk in rainy season; no reason for visitors to enter
La CandelariacautionHistoric center with major museums; safe and busy by day, but after dark (especially Mon–Thu) drug dealers and muggers operate on empty streets
Santa Fé (downtown)cautionGovernment/commercial core; daytime safe, but peripheral blocks near Carrera 10–13 see pickpocketing and occasional armed robbery after offices close
Chapinero Alto (Calle 62 bar strip)cautionPopular nightlife corridor; high pickpocket and drink-spiking risk after 10 pm — use app cars, watch drinks, avoid side streets
UsaquénsaferWealthy northern district with 24/7 building security, well-lit streets, Sunday market, and dense pedestrian traffic; very low visitor incident rate
Zona Rosa / Zona T (Chapinero)saferMain tourist nightlife and dining zone with heavy police presence, CCTV, and venue security; safe by day, stay alert late night for drink-spiking
Eastern Chapinero (Rosales, Chicó, Santa Bárbara)saferUpscale residential embassy zone; tree-lined streets, doorman buildings, and minimal street crime — standard urban precautions suffice
07 · After Dark
Is Bogotá safe at night?
53% of people in Colombia say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2024).
Armed muggings and express kidnappings (paseo millonario) occur, especially after dark in La Candelaria, Santa Fé, and southern Chapinero; victims are often targeted leaving bars or using street-hailed taxis
After dark, be most careful around Southern Chapinero (near Avenida Caracas), Ciudad Bolívar, La Candelaria, Santa Fé (downtown). Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Score by traveller type
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Bogotá's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight49
Solo, nightlife-focusedCrime +32% weight48
Family with kidsCrime +15% weight · Health & Air +12% weight53
Travellers 65+Crime +9% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight55
09 · Questions
Bogotá safety FAQ
Is Bogotá safe for tourists right now?
Bogotá is visitable with strong precautions — its tourist zones are relatively safe by day, but street crime, taxi kidnappings, and gang activity make nighttime and southern districts high-risk. Bogotá's homicide rate (24.9/100k) and crowdsourced crime index (66.7) are high, yet violent crime is concentrated in southern districts and contract killings; tourist areas like Usaquén, Zona Rosa, and eastern Chapinero see heavy policing and far lower incident rates. The U.S. (Level 3) and UK (regional avoid) advisories reflect real risks — armed robbery, express kidnappings via taxi, and scopolamine drugging — that disproportionately affect visitors who stray after dark or use unvetted transport. Daytime exploration of the historic center and northern neighborhoods is generally trouble-free with basic vigilance. (Assessed 24 July 2026.)
Which areas of Bogotá should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Southern Chapinero (near Avenida Caracas), Ciudad Bolívar as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Bogotá?
- Scopolamine (burundanga) drink spiking in bars and clubs, leading to robbery or express kidnapping
- Fake police officers demanding document/currency checks to steal valuables or extort cash
- Taxi meter tampering and 'Million Dollar Ride' express kidnappings when hailing cabs off the street
- Distraction pickpocketing teams in crowded markets, TransMilenio buses, and La Candelaria tourist sites
How does Bogotá compare with other places in Colombia?
Bogotá ranks #2 of 2 Colombia destinations we've assessed, scoring 51/100. See the Colombia safety overview for the full list.
How is this Bogotá safety score calculated?
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 75% of the weight, field research 25%. Full methodology.
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4 reportsBrowse the Colombia safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: bogota.json (CC BY 4.0).