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 Cartagena safe? 🇨🇴
Colombia · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Cartagena scores 46/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: caution advised. 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). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 3 (Reconsider Travel).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Cartagena 🇨🇴
Colombia · Assessed 28 July 2026
46
/ 100
Caution advised
Safer than ~35% of countries
Score capped at 46 — Homicide rate 25/100k. No other indicator can raise the score above this.
What drives this score
Crime39/100ElevatedCrime index 52.1 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment63/100FairMostly positive
Advisories41Caution
Stability53Caution
Health66Fair
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
Elevated
Homicide rate
24.9 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3Colombia24.9South Africa43.7
21
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
Health & Air
Fair
04 · Institutions
Stability
Caution
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
63/100
Reported feel68Mostly positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
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
- Apr 2026Cartagena Reborn: Tourism Boom, Safety, and Four Seasons Luxury Arrival – eTurboNews reports a surge in tourism with no major safety incidents recorded in the core tourist zones— eTurboNews
- Dec 2025U.S. Embassy Issues New Security Alert For Popular Latin American Country – Travel Safe - Abroad notes a heightened alert for petty crime in Cartagena’s Old Town— Travel Safe - Abroad
- May 2026Coast Guard intercepts "triple threat" of boats holding 3 tons of cocaine, opens fire on one vessel – CBS News documents a maritime drug bust near Cartagena’s port— CBS News
- Aug 202510 Ways You'll Get Arrested In Colombia – Culture Trip warns travelers about local laws on drone usage and photography of military sites in Cartagena— Culture Trip
Common scams
- Rose‑seller pressure and fake‑police shakedowns
- Drink‑spiking at unvetted bars and nightclubs
- Taxi overcharging and unauthorized ride‑share 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
Safest areas and areas to avoid
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
Is Cartagena 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 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 · Trip Profiles
Score by traveller type
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Cartagena's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight44
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight44
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight46
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight44
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight46
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight45
09 · Questions
Cartagena safety FAQ
Is Cartagena safe for tourists right now?
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.)
Which areas of Cartagena should tourists avoid?
Manga (especially after dark); areas outside tourist core near the industrial port. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Cartagena?
- Rose‑seller pressure and fake‑police shakedowns
- Drink‑spiking at unvetted bars and nightclubs
- Taxi overcharging and unauthorized ride‑share scams
How does Cartagena compare with other places in Colombia?
Cartagena ranks #1 of 3 Colombia destinations we've assessed, scoring 46/100. See the Colombia safety overview for the full list.
How is this Cartagena safety score calculated?
The score blends 12+ 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.
More Colombia reports
2 reportsNearby destinations
4 reportsSimilar safety profile
4 reportsBrowse the Colombia safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: cartagena.json (CC BY 4.0).