Colombia · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Cartagena scores 56/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Yes — Cartagena is one of Colombia's safest major tourist cities when you stay in well‑patrolled neighborhoods and follow basic precautions. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (moderate risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Colombia · Assessed 28 July 2026
56
/ 100
Safer than ~50% 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
ModerateMugging and armed robbery are uncommon in the Old Town, Getsemaní and Bocagrande during daylight; risk rises after dark in poorly lit side streets and peripheral districts
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing and bag‑snatching are frequent in crowded tourist spots, markets and public transport hubs, especially during peak evenings
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
63/100
Recent traveler reports and forum posts indicate visitors generally feel safe in the main tourist districts, though they note occasional petty theft and scams that can mar the experience
Yes — Cartagena is one of Colombia's safest major tourist cities when you stay in well‑patrolled neighborhoods and follow basic precautions.
The composite safety index of 42 reflects moderate caution due to a relatively high homicide rate, but violent incidents against tourists are rare. Recent advisories flag crime and natural‑hazard concerns, yet the city’s core tourist zones remain heavily policed and generally safe for visitors who use vetted transport and stay alert.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Safety Briefing
Cartagena is one of Colombia’s safest major tourist destinations when you stay within its well‑patrolled core neighborhoods. The city’s homicide rate (24.9 per 100 k) pulls the national safety score down, but violent crime against visitors is rare; most risks you’ll encounter are petty theft, pickpocketing and scams that target tourists in crowded areas.
Recent news from April 2026 (eTurboNews) highlights a tourism boom with no major safety incidents reported in the Old Town, Getsemaní and Bocagrande, confirming that the heavily policed tourist core remains stable. A December 2025 alert from the U.S. Embassy (cited by Travel Safe‑Abroad) warned of heightened petty‑crime activity in the Old Town, and a May 2026 Coast Guard operation off the Cartagena port intercepted a large cocaine shipment — an isolated maritime event that does not affect visitor safety on land. A August 2025 article on Culture Trip reminded travelers to respect local laws on drone use and photography of military sites, underscoring the importance of staying informed about regional regulations.
Visitors consistently report feeling safe during daylight hours in the Walled City, Bocagrande, and Getsemaní, but they note a high pickpocketing risk in dense crowds and after dark in poorly lit side streets. Scams such as aggressive rose‑seller pressure, fake‑police shakedowns, drink‑spiking at unvetted bars, and taxi overcharging are documented across multiple 2026 guides (mycartagenatrip.com, colombialuxuryservices.com, frugalvoyage.com). To stay safe, use only registered taxis or reputable ride‑share apps (verify plate numbers), keep valuables out of sight, avoid isolated streets after dark, and never leave drinks unattended.
In short, Cartagena can be visited safely by adhering to these practical precautions, staying within the well‑policed tourist districts, and remaining vigilant against the most common petty scams.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 5 Cartagena districts for visitors: 3 safer, 2 needing caution. See them plotted on the Cartagena safety map.
Getsemanícautionvibrant nightlife but pickpocketing and occasional street crime after dark
Mangacautionmixed residential/commercial use, higher petty theft risk after sunset
Ciudad Amuralladasaferheavy tourist police presence, crowded day and night, low violent crime against visitors
Bocagrandesaferhigh‑rise hotels, well‑patrolled promenade, minimal violent incidents
El Laguitosaferquiet residential area, low crime, popular with families and business travelers
07 · After Dark
53% of people in Colombia say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2024).
Mugging and armed robbery are uncommon in the Old Town, Getsemaní and Bocagrande during daylight; risk rises after dark in poorly lit side streets and peripheral districts
After dark, be most careful around Getsemaní, Manga. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Yes — Cartagena is one of Colombia's safest major tourist cities when you stay in well‑patrolled neighborhoods and follow basic precautions. The composite safety index of 42 reflects moderate caution due to a relatively high homicide rate, but violent incidents against tourists are rare. Recent advisories flag crime and natural‑hazard concerns, yet the city’s core tourist zones remain heavily policed and generally safe for visitors who use vetted transport and stay alert. (Assessed 28 July 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.
Manga (especially after dark); areas outside tourist core near the industrial port. See the district-by-district safety map.
Cartagena ranks #4 of 9 Colombia destinations we've assessed, scoring 56/100. See the Colombia safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 12+ 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.
Browse the Colombia safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: cartagena.json (CC BY 4.0).