Colombia · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Cali scores 42/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: caution advised. Exercise a high degree of caution in Cali due to significant risks of violent crime and social unrest. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (high risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Colombia · Assessed 29 July 2026
42
/ 100
Safer than ~29% of countries
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
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 2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Mugging & robbery risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
HighHigh concern about mugging and robbery, with a significant portion of residents feeling unsafe walking alone at night.
Pickpocketing
ModerateWhile not explicitly highlighted as severe, pickpocketing is a risk in crowded areas and tourist spots.
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Very Negative
40/100
Crowdsourced data indicates a strong sense of insecurity, with low scores for feeling safe walking alone day or night and high worry about being mugged or robbed.
Exercise a high degree of caution in Cali due to significant risks of violent crime and social unrest.
Cali presents a complex safety landscape, with high rates of violent crime and a general feeling of insecurity, particularly at night. While official advisories highlight caution, recent news indicates ongoing social tensions and political volatility that could impact public safety.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Cali, Colombia, requires travelers to exercise a high degree of caution due to persistent safety concerns, particularly regarding violent crime and social instability. The city's composite safety index and numerous crowdsourced indicators point to a challenging environment for visitors.
On the ground, the data suggests a significant risk of robbery and mugging. Residents report a high level of worry about being mugged or robbed, and feelings of safety when walking alone, especially at night, are very low. While pickpocketing is not as prominently highlighted as violent crime, it remains a risk in busy areas. The presence of drug dealing is also noted as a local problem, which can contribute to an unsafe atmosphere.
Recent news from July 2026 reports a disturbing homicide case involving a pregnant woman and her missing unborn baby, underscoring the severity of violent crime. Furthermore, the political climate has been volatile, with protests and the killing of campaign staffers reported in mid-2026, indicating potential for social unrest that could impact public safety. Official advisories from Canada and the UK also reflect these concerns, recommending a high degree of caution and, in some cases, advising against all but essential travel to certain regions of Colombia.
To mitigate risks, travelers should remain highly vigilant, avoid displaying wealth, and refrain from walking alone, particularly after dark. Utilizing reputable transportation services is crucial. Staying informed about local news and any ongoing demonstrations or social unrest is also advised. Given the health alerts for Yellow Fever, Dengue, and Measles, ensure all necessary vaccinations and precautions are taken.
06 · After Dark
53% of people in Colombia say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2024).
High concern about mugging and robbery, with a significant portion of residents feeling unsafe walking alone at night.
No specific districts were flagged as no-go areas after dark, but the usual night-time rules apply: stay in lit, populated areas and keep your phone out of sight.
07 · Trip Profiles
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Cali's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
08 · Questions
Exercise a high degree of caution in Cali due to significant risks of violent crime and social unrest. Cali presents a complex safety landscape, with high rates of violent crime and a general feeling of insecurity, particularly at night. While official advisories highlight caution, recent news indicates ongoing social tensions and political volatility that could impact public safety. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
Cali ranks #9 of 9 Colombia destinations we've assessed, scoring 42/100. See the Colombia safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 14+ 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 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
Browse the Colombia safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: cali.json (CC BY 4.0).
