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Colombia · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Cartagena scores 55/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Yes. Cartagena remains a popular and generally safe destination for tourists who stay in well-patrolled areas and follow basic precautions. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (moderate risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Colombia · Assessed 13 October 2026
55
/ 100
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
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 2026-10-07T10:45:33Z
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 2026-10-09T15:13:11.0763047-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Urban scale factor
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging risk exists but is uncommon in tourist zones; most incidents occur in poorly lit or isolated areas outside the historic center.
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing and bag-snatching are frequent in crowded spots like the walled city, markets, and public transport hubs.
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
61/100
Recent traveler reports indicate visitors feel safe exploring Cartagena’s main attractions during the day, with concerns rising after dark or when venturing beyond familiar tourist corridors.
Yes. Cartagena remains a popular and generally safe destination for tourists who stay in well-patrolled areas and follow basic precautions.
While Colombia's national homicide rate is high at 24.9 per 100k, Cartagena's historic center and beach zones see lower violent crime against visitors, with most incidents involving opportunistic theft. Visitors report feeling reasonably safe during daylight hours, though nighttime caution is advised in less touristy neighborhoods.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Cartagena’s historic walled city and nearby beach areas remain the safest zones for tourists, with visible police presence and routine patrols deterring serious crime. While the national homicide rate is elevated at 24.9 per 100k, most visitor-related incidents involve non-violent theft rather than assault. Travelers should remain alert in crowded places like Plaza Santo Domingo and the Clock Tower area, where pickpocketing is common, especially during festivals or market hours.
Recent reporting highlights ongoing concerns: Fox News in August 2026 cited U.S. warnings about violent crime and earthquake impacts affecting travel safety in Colombia, while Colombia Reports in June 2024 documented rising mafia-related violence in Caribbean port cities, including Cartagena. These underscore the importance of staying informed and avoiding unfamiliar neighborhoods after dark. The city has eliminated horse-drawn carriages in favor of regulated transport, reducing some street-level hazards.
Practical safety hinges on vigilance and smart choices. Use ride-hailing apps or official taxis, avoid displaying phones or jewelry, and return to accommodations by taxi after dark rather than walking. Stick to well-traveled routes in Bocagrande, Castillo Grande, and the walled city during evening hours. While the overall environment is welcoming and tourism infrastructure is strong, opportunistic crime persists — awareness, not fear, is the best defense.
Was this Cartagena, Colombia report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 8 Cartagena districts for visitors: 3 safer, 4 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Cartagena safety map.
La BoquillaavoidFishing village with higher crime rates, including robberies and drug trafficking; not recommended for tourists, especially after dark.
Walled City (Ciudad Amurallada)cautionPetty theft and scams common in crowded tourist areas; exercise vigilance, especially at night.
GetsemanícautionPopular with tourists but sees occasional muggings and drug-related activity; avoid isolated streets after dark.
Centro (outside Walled City)cautionCommercial zone with pickpocketing risks in markets and buses; avoid flashing valuables and stay alert.
MangacautionResidential area with moderate crime; safe during day but exercise caution at night, particularly near transit hubs.
BocagrandesaferModern hotel zone with strong police presence; generally safe for tourists, though watch for bag snatching on beaches.
CastillograndesaferUpscale residential area with low crime; safe for walking day and night, but remain aware of surroundings.
El LaguitosaferQuiet peninsula area near Bocagrande; well-patrolled and popular with expats and tourists for its safety.
07 · After Dark
53% of people in Colombia say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2024).
Mugging risk exists but is uncommon in tourist zones; most incidents occur in poorly lit or isolated areas outside the historic center.
After dark, be most careful around La Boquilla, Walled City (Ciudad Amurallada), Getsemaní, Centro (outside Walled City). Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Yes. Cartagena remains a popular and generally safe destination for tourists who stay in well-patrolled areas and follow basic precautions. While Colombia's national homicide rate is high at 24.9 per 100k, Cartagena's historic center and beach zones see lower violent crime against visitors, with most incidents involving opportunistic theft. Visitors report feeling reasonably safe during daylight hours, though nighttime caution is advised in less touristy neighborhoods. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Safety is not one number, and this Cartagena 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.
Field research flags La Boquilla as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
Cartagena ranks #6 of 9 Colombia destinations we've assessed, scoring 55/100. See the Colombia safety overview for the full list.
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: cartagena.json (CC BY 4.0).
