{"license":"CC BY 4.0 — attribution: IsMyTripSafe.com","source":"https://ismytripsafe.com/colombia/popayan","updatedAt":"2026-07-29T18:01:28.120Z","place":{"city":"Popayán","country":"Colombia","countryCode":"CO","lat":2.43823,"lon":-76.61316},"safety":{"score":53,"level":"MODERATE","answer":"Mostly — take normal precautions","saferThanPctOfCountries":45,"confidence":0.87,"caps":[],"databaseScore":54,"travellerSentiment":{"score":48,"label":"Mixed","summary":"While official advisories highlight significant risks, some traveler reports suggest that with caution, visits can be managed. However, the overall sentiment is tempered by the persistent security concerns.","weightInScore":0.18,"components":[{"label":"Reported feel","score":50,"weight":0.35},{"label":"Robbery risk","score":34,"weight":0.45},{"label":"Pickpocket risk","score":78,"weight":0.2}]},"categories":[{"key":"crime","label":"Crime","score":50,"tier":1},{"key":"sentiment","label":"Traveller Sentiment","score":48,"tier":1},{"key":"advisories","label":"Advisories","score":72,"tier":2},{"key":"stability","label":"Stability","score":53,"tier":2},{"key":"health","label":"Health & Air","score":69,"tier":2}]},"advisories":[{"source":"UK Foreign Office (FCDO)","level":3,"label":"Advises against all-but-essential travel to parts","updated":"2026-06-22T15:51:45Z","url":"https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/colombia"},{"source":"Government of Canada","level":2,"label":"Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)","updated":"2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00","url":"https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/colombia"}],"indicators":[{"key":"homicide","label":"Homicide rate","value":24.9134420347488,"display":"24.9 / 100k","year":"2023","score":21,"source":"World Bank Open Data"},{"key":"crime_major_constraint","label":"Crime seen as a major business constraint","value":3,"display":"3.0%","year":"2017","score":91,"source":"World Bank Enterprise Surveys"},{"key":"terrorism_deaths_pm","label":"Terrorism deaths (latest year)","value":1.3289500442998947,"display":"1.3 / million","year":"2021","score":70,"source":"Global Terrorism Database"},{"key":"road_deaths","label":"Road traffic deaths","value":16.2,"display":"16.2 / 100k","year":"2021","score":50,"source":"WHO Global Health Observatory"},{"key":"stability","label":"Political stability & no terrorism","value":49.3103253,"display":"49/100","year":"2024","score":49,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"rule_of_law","label":"Rule of law","value":47.3311328,"display":"47/100","year":"2024","score":47,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"corruption","label":"Control of corruption","value":41.90949,"display":"42/100","year":"2024","score":42,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"gov_effectiveness","label":"Government effectiveness","value":49.1802654,"display":"49/100","year":"2024","score":49,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"regulatory","label":"Regulatory quality","value":55.0740059,"display":"55/100","year":"2024","score":55,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"voice","label":"Voice & accountability","value":57.4541954,"display":"57/100","year":"2024","score":57,"source":"World Bank Governance Indicators"},{"key":"city_population_scale","label":"Urban scale factor","value":318059,"display":"318k residents","year":null,"score":82,"source":"City Geocoding"},{"key":"safe_walking_dark","label":"Feel safe walking alone after dark","value":52.7,"display":"52.7%","year":"2024","score":51,"source":"UN SDG Global Database"},{"key":"human_trafficking_victims","label":"Detected human-trafficking victims","value":0.09,"display":"0.09 / 100k","year":"2024","score":91,"source":"UN SDG Global Database"},{"key":"bribery_contact_rate","label":"Bribery during public-official contact","value":22,"display":"22.0%","year":"2023","score":55,"source":"UN SDG Global Database"},{"key":"air_quality","label":"Air quality","value":25,"display":"US AQI 25 · Good","year":null,"score":94,"source":"Open-Meteo Air Quality"},{"key":"health","label":"Travel health notices","value":2,"display":"1 notice · max Alert","year":null,"score":60,"source":"CDC Travelers' Health"},{"key":"hospitals","label":"Hospitals nearby","value":16.991310507,"display":"17 beds / 10k · country avg","year":"2020","score":65,"source":"WHO Global Health Observatory"},{"key":"weather","label":"Extreme weather","value":29,"display":"July: highs ~29°C · no weather extremes","year":null,"score":100,"source":"Open-Meteo"},{"key":"natural_hazards","label":"Natural hazards","value":1,"display":"1 active alert · Drought (green)","year":null,"score":90,"source":"GDACS / USGS"},{"key":"advisory","label":"Government travel advisory","value":2,"display":"Level 2 — Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)","year":null,"score":72,"source":"Government of Canada"},{"key":"research_robbery_risk","label":"Mugging & robbery risk","value":2,"display":"High risk","year":null,"score":45,"source":"City Web Research"},{"key":"research_pickpocket_risk","label":"Pickpocketing & theft risk","value":3,"display":"Moderate risk","year":null,"score":70,"source":"City Web Research"},{"key":"research_sentiment_score","label":"Visitor safety sentiment","value":50,"display":"50 / 100 (Mixed)","year":null,"score":50,"source":"City Web Research"}],"healthNotices":[{"level":"Alert","title":"Yellow Fever in Colombia","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level2/yellow-fever-colombia"},{"level":"Alert","title":"Global Polio","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level2/global-polio"},{"level":"Watch","title":"Global Dengue","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/dengue-global"},{"level":"Watch","title":"Global Measles","url":"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/measles-globe"}],"hazardAlerts":[{"kind":"Drought","severity":"green","title":"Drought is on going in Colombia, , Ecuador, Panama, Venezuela","distanceKm":477}],"fieldResearch":{"verdict":"Popayán is not considered safe for travelers, with official advisories recommending reconsideration of travel due to significant crime and security concerns.","summary":"Colombia, including Popayán, faces elevated risks from crime, terrorism, and civil unrest, as indicated by multiple government advisories. While the city itself may not be the direct focus of all national-level warnings, the overall security situation in the country necessitates a high degree of caution.","robberyRisk":{"level":"High","note":"Colombia has a high homicide rate, and while specific data for Popayán is limited, the national context suggests a significant risk of mugging and armed robbery, particularly in less-trafficked areas or at night."},"pickpocketRisk":{"level":"Moderate","note":"Pickpocketing and bag-snatching are common in crowded tourist areas, markets, and on public transport throughout Colombia, and vigilance is advised in Popayán."},"safeAreas":["Poblado","Las Palmas"],"avoidAreas":["San Camilo"],"scams":["Bogotá's El Dorado airport is a known hotspot for pickpocketing and bag-snatching, with thieves often posing as helpful guides or porters.","Be wary of unsolicited 'help' from strangers, especially around ATMs or when looking at maps, as this can be a precursor to distraction-based theft."],"zones":[{"name":"Centro Histórico","level":"caution","note":"Historic center is generally safe but can have pickpocketing and petty theft, especially in crowded areas."},{"name":"Poblado","level":"safe","note":"Residential area generally considered safe for visitors."},{"name":"Las Palmas","level":"safe","note":"Upscale residential and commercial area, typically safe."},{"name":"San Camilo","level":"avoid","note":"Known for higher crime rates, including muggings and robberies."},{"name":"La Esmeralda","level":"caution","note":"Can experience petty crime; exercise caution, especially after dark."}]}}