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“Reconsider travelto Colombia due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and natural disasters. Some areas have an increased risk.”
Updated Tue, 31 Mar 2026
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Is Cali safe? 🇨🇴
Colombia · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Cali scores 39/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: caution advised. Yes, Cali is safe for tourists who exercise caution and avoid high-risk comunas. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (high risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 3 (Reconsider Travel).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Cali 🇨🇴
Colombia · Assessed 16 October 2026
39
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime34/100ElevatedCrime index 71.1 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment48/100CautionMostly positive
Advisories50Caution
Stability54Caution
Health63Fair
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Caution
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
“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 2026-10-15T10:21:54Z
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 2026-10-14T09:25:42.8169885-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Elevated
Urban scale factor
2.4M residents
57
City SignalCity Geocoding
Robbery / mugging
HighMugging and armed robbery pose a high risk to visitors, particularly in less-touristed areas and at night.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching are moderate risks in crowded tourist zones and on public transport.
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Fair
04 · Institutions
Stability
Caution
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Caution
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
48/100
Reported feel49Mostly positive
Robbery risk34High risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Visitor reports indicate most feel safe in tourist areas during the day with precautions, but many express discomfort walking alone after dark.
Yes, Cali is safe for tourists who exercise caution and avoid high-risk comunas.
Cali's homicide rate remains high at 24.9 per 100k, but violent crime is concentrated in specific low-income comunas that tourists rarely enter. Visitor safety in tourist zones is primarily threatened by petty theft and robbery, especially after dark.
Recent developments
- Aug 2026Magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Cali on August 10, killing 154 people and damaging infrastructure— cielo.travel
- Oct 2026Ongoing protests reported in Colombia, with demonstrations observed in Cali affecting urban mobility— WV News
- Jun 2026Two presidential campaign staffers killed in Colombia amid election-related violence, raising concerns about political instability— Al Jazeera
Common scams
- Bill switching at souvenir shops
- Fake taxi drivers overcharging or taking tourists to unsafe areas
Full briefing
Cali remains a city where safety depends heavily on location and timing. While the homicide rate is among the highest in Colombia at 24.9 per 100,000, the vast majority of violent crime occurs in specific low-income comunas that tourists do not typically visit, such as those in the east and southwestern hillside. Tourist areas like San Antonio, Granada, and San Fernando are generally considered safe during daylight hours with moderate police presence, though visitors are advised to avoid walking alone at night even in these neighborhoods.
Recent events continue to shape the safety landscape. A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Cali on August 10, 2026, resulting in 154 fatalities and significant infrastructure damage, with ongoing concerns about aftershocks and building safety. Additionally, protests have been reported across Colombia in October 2026, including in Cali, which may disrupt transportation and increase the risk of being caught in unrest. These developments underscore the importance of staying informed and avoiding large gatherings.
To stay safe, travelers should use registered taxis or ride-share apps like Uber or Didi, as unmarked cabs pose risks of overcharging or being taken to unsafe areas. Petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag-snatching is moderate in crowded zones, so valuables should be kept out of sight and phones or jewelry not displayed openly. Common scams include bill switching at souvenir shops and fake taxi drivers, so vigilance during transactions and transport is essential. By sticking to well-traveled areas, avoiding nighttime walks alone, and maintaining situational awareness, visitors can enjoy Cali’s vibrant culture while minimizing risk.
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06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 9 Cali districts for visitors: 3 safer, 3 needing caution and 3 best avoided. See them plotted on the Cali safety map.
Aguablanca District (Comuna 15)avoidEast zone; high homicide rates in neighborhoods like Mojica and Ciudad Córdoba; tourists should not enter.
Siloé (Comuna 18)avoidWest zone; area of concentrated gang violence and armed robbery; avoid entirely, especially at night.
Terron ColoradoavoidPart of Aguablanca; frequent violent crime and robbery; not patrolled regularly; avoid for any reason.
El Centro (downtown)cautionAvoid backstreets; higher risk of robbery and pickpocketing, especially at night; stick to main roads and daylight hours.
SucrecautionAdjacent to El Centro; known for street crime and muggings; avoid after dark and keep valuables concealed.
Avenida SextacautionMajor thoroughfare; walking alone at night is unsafe due to robbery risk; use taxis or ride-share after dark.
San AntoniosaferHistoric colonial area with street art and cafes; generally safe during day, avoid walking alone at night.
GranadasaferUpscale area with boutiques and restaurants; well-patrolled and considered one of the safest zones for tourists.
San FernandosaferPopular area around Parque del Perro with bars and student venues; reasonably safe with standard precautions, lively but watch for petty crime.
07 · After Dark
Is Cali safe at night?
53% of people in Colombia say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2024).
Mugging and armed robbery pose a high risk to visitors, particularly in less-touristed areas and at night.
After dark, be most careful around Aguablanca District (Comuna 15), Siloé (Comuna 18), Terron Colorado, El Centro (downtown). Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Cali safety FAQ (2026)
Is Cali safe right now (2026)?
Yes, Cali is safe for tourists who exercise caution and avoid high-risk comunas. Cali's homicide rate remains high at 24.9 per 100k, but violent crime is concentrated in specific low-income comunas that tourists rarely enter. Visitor safety in tourist zones is primarily threatened by petty theft and robbery, especially after dark. (Assessed 16 October 2026.)
Is Cali safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Cali report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Cali should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Aguablanca District (Comuna 15), Siloé (Comuna 18), Terron Colorado as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Cali (2026)?
- Bill switching at souvenir shops
- Fake taxi drivers overcharging or taking tourists to unsafe areas
How does Cali compare with other places in Colombia (2026)?
Cali ranks #9 of 9 Colombia destinations we've assessed, scoring 39/100. See the Colombia safety overview for the full list.
How is this cali safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 14+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: cali.json (CC BY 4.0).