{"license":"CC BY 4.0 — attribution: IsMyTripSafe.com","source":"https://ismytripsafe.com/colombia/santa-marta","updatedAt":"2026-07-29T18:00:16.147Z","place":{"city":"Santa Marta","country":"Colombia","countryCode":"CO","lat":11.23855,"lon":-74.19427},"safety":{"score":58,"level":"MODERATE","answer":"Mostly — take normal precautions","saferThanPctOfCountries":53,"confidence":0.87,"caps":[],"databaseScore":57,"travellerSentiment":{"score":61,"label":"Mixed","summary":"While some data suggests a majority feel safe walking alone after dark, recent news indicates significant security concerns impacting the tourism sector, leading to a mixed perception of safety.","weightInScore":0.18,"components":[{"label":"Reported feel","score":50,"weight":0.35},{"label":"Robbery risk","score":62,"weight":0.45},{"label":"Pickpocket risk","score":78,"weight":0.2}]},"categories":[{"key":"crime","label":"Crime","score":54,"tier":1},{"key":"sentiment","label":"Traveller Sentiment","score":61,"tier":1},{"key":"advisories","label":"Advisories","score":72,"tier":2},{"key":"stability","label":"Stability","score":53,"tier":2},{"key":"health","label":"Health & Air","score":66,"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":499192,"display":"499k residents","year":null,"score":78,"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":40,"display":"US AQI 40 · Good","year":null,"score":92,"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":37,"display":"July: highs ~37°C · high heat, strong winds","year":null,"score":62,"source":"Open-Meteo"},{"key":"natural_hazards","label":"Natural hazards","value":0,"display":"No active alerts · 2 quakes ≥M4.5 past yr","year":null,"score":94,"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":3,"display":"Moderate risk","year":null,"score":70,"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":[],"fieldResearch":{"verdict":"Exercise a high degree of caution when visiting Santa Marta due to elevated crime rates and recent security concerns.","summary":"Santa Marta presents a mixed safety profile for travelers. While official advisories recommend caution, and the city has a higher homicide rate than many developed nations, some indicators like crime as a business constraint and detected human trafficking victims are relatively low. However, recent reports highlight ongoing violence and security risks in the region, particularly impacting tourism.","robberyRisk":{"level":"Moderate","note":"While specific data for Santa Marta is limited, the national homicide rate is high, and reports indicate violence impacting tourism, suggesting a moderate risk of mugging and armed robbery, particularly in less touristy areas or at night."},"pickpocketRisk":{"level":"Moderate","note":"Crowded tourist areas, markets, and public transport are common hotspots for pickpocketing and bag-snatching."},"safeAreas":["Minca"],"avoidAreas":["Areas outside of main tourist zones, especially after dark: Increased risk of muggings and robberies."],"scams":["Overcharging by taxi drivers","Distraction theft, especially in crowded areas"],"zones":[{"name":"Centro Histórico","level":"caution","note":"Tourist hub with higher risk of petty crime and scams, especially at night."},{"name":"El Rodadero","level":"caution","note":"Popular beach area; be aware of pickpocketing and opportunistic theft, particularly in crowded areas."},{"name":"Taganga","level":"caution","note":"Coastal village known for diving; exercise vigilance against petty theft and be cautious after dark."},{"name":"Santa Marta Urban Center (General)","level":"caution","note":"Higher crime rates, including muggings and robberies, are more prevalent away from tourist zones."},{"name":"Minca","level":"safe","note":"Mountain town known for ecotourism; generally safer, but still exercise normal precautions."},{"name":"Tayrona National Natural Park","level":"caution","note":"Access can be restricted due to security concerns; check current status and be aware of surroundings."}]}}