Safety

UK guidance warns that pickpocketing, mugging and armed robbery are a problem in major Colombian cities including Medellín; that criminals posing as taxi drivers carry out express kidnappings; and that scopolamine is used to drug victims, with criminal teams targeting lone foreign travellers via dating apps. It advises against hailing taxis in the street (use pre-booked services via hotels, restaurants, Uber or Cabify) and against accepting food or drinks from strangers.

Rough Guides describes the downtown city centre, where most sights are, as quite a seedy area with prostitution and drug dealing, and advises watching your step, especially at night.

The UK FCDO says short-term opportunistic abductions known as 'express kidnappings' are common in Colombia, that criminals, often posing as taxi drivers, may select victims around ATMs and often at night, and that pickpocketing, mugging and armed robbery are a problem especially in major cities including Bogota, Medellin, Cali and the Caribbean coast.

Both the UK FCDO and Government of Canada advisories warn about scopolamine, a drug that temporarily incapacitates victims; the UK page says criminals can administer it through food, drinks, cigarettes, aerosols and even paper flyers, and Canada says victims can be left disoriented for 24 hours or more.

Canada reports an increase in deaths related to online dating applications used by criminals to identify and lure foreigners looking to meet people in Colombia; Medellin is named among the larger cities where such incidents occur most often. The UK FCDO also warns that criminals use dating apps and websites to lure foreign nationals travelling alone.

UK FCDO states: "Pickpocketing, mugging and armed robbery are a problem, especially in major cities, including Bogotá, Medellín, Cali and the Caribbean coast."

Government of Canada states: "Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse and cell phone snatching, is common in all parts of the country."

UK FCDO states the British Embassy has received reports of criminals in Colombia using drugs to subdue victims, including scopolamine.

Lonely Planet advises visiting El Centro by day, staying vigilant, and not wandering around it at night.

FCDO reports criminals in Colombia use drugs including scopolamine to subdue victims, and use dating applications and websites to lure foreign nationals travelling alone; incidents have been reported in nightclubs, bars, restaurants, public transportation including taxis, and on city streets. Advice: "Do not accept invitations from strangers to their accommodation", do not leave food or drinks unattended, and only use pre-booked taxis.

FCDO warns that Yagé/Ayahuasca is marketed to tourists as spiritual cleansing, that consumption is not regulated, that intoxicated travellers have been assaulted and robbed, that sexual assaults have been reported during ceremonies, and that some people have suffered serious illness and in some cases death after taking it.

Canada: gang-related violence and organized crime are prevalent in vulnerable neighbourhoods (commonly known as "comunas") and police assistance is very limited; it advises to "Avoid renting accommodations in vulnerable neighbourhoods, and travelling to these areas, even on a guided tour."

Canada reports "an increase in deaths related to online dating applications used by criminals to identify and lure foreigners"; incidents occur most frequently in larger cities, including but not limited to Bogota, Cartagena and Medellin. Victims are drugged with scopolamine or another incapacitating drug and robbed and/or kidnapped.

Smartraveller warns that methanol can be added to or accidentally created in poor-quality alcohol and advises: "Only drink branded, sealed drinks."

FCDO states criminals use "dating applications and websites to identify and lure foreign nationals who are travelling alone and looking to meet local people", work in teams, and drug victims with scopolamine given through food, drinks, cigarettes, aerosols and paper flyers; incidents are reported in nightclubs, bars, restaurants, public transportation including taxis, and on city streets. Page last updated 2026-09-23.

FCDO says short-term 'express kidnappings' are common in Colombia, that victims are often selected around ATMs and often at night, and that victims are forced to transfer or withdraw money; it advises "Use ATMs during business hours so you can go inside a bank, supermarket or shopping centre."

FCDO reports "several recent incidents of armed robbery on buses" and advises avoiding displaying laptops, cameras and mobile phones, not wearing jewellery, carrying only minimal cash, and avoiding travelling alone or at night.

FCDO warns that criminals posing as police operate in Bogotá and elsewhere and may ask to inspect money to see if it is counterfeit; if approached, ask them to escort you to the nearest local police station (CAI, Centro de Atención Inmediata).

Canada says scopolamine leaves victims disoriented and unable to make clear decisions "for 24 hours or more"; it may be put in food, drinks, hand sanitizer or women's make-up, and incidents are most likely in nightclubs, bars and restaurants, on public transportation including taxis, and on the street.

Canada states petty crime such as pickpocketing and purse and cell phone snatching is common in all parts of the country and "Drive-by snatching by thieves on motorcycles occurs regularly" in both impoverished and wealthier areas; it advises keeping cell phones and cameras out of sight and handing over valuables without resistance if robbed.

Lonely Planet (25 Mar 2026) says wandering around at night, particularly after aguardiente, is not a great idea, and advises against dark empty streets, unfamiliar neighbourhoods without checking their safety first, and displaying an expensive camera or phone; it explains the idiom "no dar papaya" as keeping your wits about you.

Lonely Planet (25 Mar 2026) says do not resist if someone tries to rob you, be mindful of distraction techniques such as people approaching you in the street or individuals dressed as police officers asking to see your money, and go to the nearest police station for a report copy needed for an insurance claim.

Rough Guides says petty theft is the main issue in Bogotá, Medellín and Cartagena, with pickpockets targeting buses, markets and crowded plazas, and advises not walking around with the phone out, using ride apps like InDriver or Uber instead of hailing cabs off the street, and avoiding walking alone at night, especially in unfamiliar areas.

The Alcaldía de Medellín (4 Jun 2025) reported the arrest of three women calling themselves 'las Mamacitas', who mainly contacted foreigners through dating apps and social media, then took them to lodgings where they were drugged (scopolamine cited) and robbed.

The Alcaldía de Medellín (19 Aug 2026) said nine people were arrested in the 'Las Pirañas' ring, which surrounded and distracted victims to steal phones, concentrated at the San Antonio, Poblado, Parque Berrío and Prado metro stations and affecting people moving through the Centro.

FCDO says pickpocketing, mugging and armed robbery are a problem, especially in major cities including Bogota, Medellin, Cali and the Caribbean coast. It advises taking care on city streets, especially in deprived areas, after dark or if on your own, and not carrying large amounts of money or wearing expensive-looking jewellery or watches.

Medellin's tourism site says travel to the city is safe and that its history of violence is behind it, citing October 2022 data with a homicide rate 9 to 10 points below the national average; it advises visitors to take care of high-value items such as jewellery, cameras and phones and to avoid carrying large sums of cash. The data point is dated (2022).

Rough Guides tips: keep your bag across your chest and zipped in crowded places, do not use your phone on the street unless somewhere secure, avoid walking alone at night especially in unfamiliar areas, and check with hotel staff which neighbourhoods to steer clear of.

Canada describes scopolamine as a drug that temporarily incapacitates victims, leaving them disoriented for 24 hours or more; it may be put into food and drinks, hand sanitizer or women's make-up. Incidents are most likely in nightclubs, bars and restaurants, on public transportation including taxis, and on the street.

Canada reports an increase in deaths linked to online dating apps used by criminals to lure foreigners; incidents occur most frequently in larger cities including Bogota, Cartagena and Medellin. Victims often attend multiple dates in public places, then are drugged with scopolamine or another incapacitating drug and robbed and/or kidnapped; drugging has led to overdose and death.

FCDO says criminals use dating applications and websites to identify and lure foreign nationals who are travelling alone and looking to meet local people, and that criminals work in teams, with women easing the victim into a false sense of security; victims are incapacitated and robbed.

Canada states express kidnappings are frequent and often occur in affluent areas as well as tourist areas; victims are taken from the street or a taxi and forced to withdraw funds at an ATM, sometimes being held overnight for a second withdrawal.

FCDO says express kidnappings are common in Colombia; criminals, often posing as taxi drivers, may select victims around ATMs, often at night, and also attack at random. FCDO advises using ATMs during business hours so you can go inside a bank, supermarket or shopping centre.

FCDO: "Colombia has severe penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs."

Canada states that penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs in Colombia are severe, with lengthy jail sentences and heavy fines, and advises never transporting other people's packages, bags or suitcases and packing your own luggage and monitoring it closely. The UK FCDO likewise states Colombia has severe penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs, warns that trafficking attempts lead to arrest, and advises never carrying items for other people.

Ley 30 de 1986, art. 2(j): personal dose is up to 20 g of marijuana, 5 g of hashish, 1 g of cocaine or cocaine-based substance, and 2 g of methaqualone; "No es dosis para uso personal" if carried for distribution or sale, whatever the quantity. The Función Pública text annotates this provision "Declarado Exequible por la Corte Constitucional, Sentencia C-221 de 1994".

Decreto 1844 de 2018 (art. 2.2.8.9.3) provides that a person found responsible, via the immediate verbal police process, for a coexistence breach involving carrying narcotics receives the corrective measure of destruction of the substance; carrying quantities above the personal dose is prosecuted under criminal law (art. 2.2.8.9.1 parágrafo).

Constitutional Court Sentencia C-127 de 2023 upheld the ban on consuming psychoactive substances, including personal dose, in parks and in public-space zones defined by the mayor (Ley 1801 de 2016 art. 140.13-14), but ruled that the carrying restriction does not apply to carrying for own consumption or medical dose.

Government of Canada states: "Women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment or verbal abuse. Incidents of attacks and sexual assault, including rape, have been reported throughout the country, particularly in tourist areas."

Government of Canada reports an increase in deaths related to online dating applications used by criminals to identify and lure foreigners, with incidents most frequent in larger cities including Medellín; victims are drugged with scopolamine or another incapacitating drug and robbed and/or kidnapped.

Lonely Planet advises using rideshare apps such as Cabify or Uber or calling ahead for a cab rather than hailing one, confirming the price or a working meter, and says wandering around at night, particularly after drinking aguardiente, is not a great idea.

Medellín's Secretaría de las Mujeres runs a free phone line, open 24 hours every day of the year, staffed by psychologists, social workers and lawyers, for women over 18 in Medellín who are at risk or victims of violence; callers dial 123 and ask to be routed to the Agencia Mujer.

Canada: women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment or verbal abuse, and attacks and sexual assault, including rape, have been reported throughout the country, particularly in tourist areas; advice includes avoiding walking alone at night and not accepting offers of transportation from strangers.

Canada says women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment or verbal abuse, that attacks and sexual assault have been reported throughout the country, particularly in tourist areas, and advises avoiding walking alone at night and not accepting offers of transportation from strangers.

UK FCDO states: "Criminals use dating applications and websites to identify and lure foreign nationals who are travelling alone and looking to meet local people."

The Alcaldía de Medellín (30 Apr 2026) reported that authorities dismantled 'Las Tinderianas', which contacted victims through dating apps and drugged them to access phones and bank accounts in sectors including El Poblado, Laureles and Envigado; 24 cases were documented, with victims of several nationalities.

Medellin's 'Alerta Fiesta Segura' (line 123, Agencia Mujer) is for gender-violence emergencies and is available 24 hours. Under the 'Pregunta por Angela' protocol, a woman who asks venue staff for 'Angela' is offered a call to 123 to activate the alert; venue staff leave a contact number and the venue address, and Agencia Mujer Medellin calls back. The leaflet names ONU Mujeres as a supporter and the Alcaldia de Medellin as lead.

Medellín's Secretaría de Movilidad says only taxis with a calibrated meter and a visible legality sticker may charge the new fares, and urges users to demand the meter and report irregularities to line 123 or the Centro de Control de Movilidad on 314 780 9574.

Government of Canada states: "For emergency assistance, dial 123."

US Embassy Bogotá: Calle 24 Bis No. 48-50, Bogotá, D.C.; main telephone +57-601-508-8165; emergency after-hours +57-601-275-2000, press "0".

FCDO lists emergency services in Colombia as Ambulance: 123, Fire: 119, Police: 123.

Canada: "For emergency assistance, dial 123." For non-urgent matters the National Police can be reached by email at lineadirecta@policia.gov.co. For road closure advice, dial 767 from a cell phone (Colombian Highway Police information line, Spanish only).

Smartraveller lists: fire and rescue services - call 123; medical emergencies - call 123 or go to the hospital; police - "Call 112 or go to the local police station."

Policía Nacional de Colombia lists: 123 emergencies; 165 anti-kidnapping and anti-extortion; 155 orientation for women; #767 road safety; 167 anti-narcotics; 159 anti-contraband; 157 anti-corruption.

Medellín CVB lists Police 123 and Ambulance and Fire Department 123, and says: "Water in Medellín is safe to drink and can easily be taken from the tap." (Promotional body.)

ProColombia states there is a single emergency number in Colombia, 123, which connects to ambulance, police or fire services, and lists Clínica Las Américas and Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe among recommended Medellín clinics and health entities for tourist emergency care.

The Medellín CVB lists 123 as the emergency number for police, ambulance and fire, advises asking your lodging for the nearest hospital and calling 123 to coordinate, and notes tourist information points (PITS) plus a Smart Tourism Center at Parques del Río.

Medellin.Travel lists 123 as the number for police, and for ambulance and fire services; for hospital emergencies it advises asking your accommodation for the nearest hospital and calling 123 to coordinate.

FCDO lists Colombia emergency services as Ambulance 123, Police 123, Fire 119, and its health page says 'Call 123 and ask for an ambulance'. Canada's advice says 'For emergency assistance, dial 123.' Note: FCDO lists fire as 119 while Medellin.Travel lists fire under 123; 123 is the safe single number to give visitors.

Medellin.Travel states the city has PITS (Puntos de Informacion Turistica) distributed across the city and Colombia's first Centro de Turismo Inteligente, located in Parques del Rio; it also states 24 consulates are based in the city.

Medellin.Travel states the city has a Plan Distrital de Seguridad Turistica 2026-2030 that coordinates the Policia de Turismo, the 123 emergency system, the Secretaria de Turismo y Entretenimiento and the Secretaria de Seguridad y Convivencia, with campaigns against scams, informality, commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking.

Canada lists 123 for emergency assistance and lineadirecta@policia.gov.co for non-urgent matters with the National Police; Medellin.Travel pages also link the Policia Nacional CAI Virtual (caivirtual.policia.gov.co) for online reports.

Canada warns that individuals posing as police officers have approached foreigners to verify their documents or foreign currency with the intent to rob them.

Colombia's National Police Code (Ley 1801 de 2016, art. 33 as currently worded, modified by Ley 2450 de 2025) lists consuming prohibited substances in public space or places open to the public as a behaviour against coexistence, sanctioned with a 'Multa General tipo 2' plus dissolution of the gathering or activity where applicable.

The UK FCDO says: "There have been reports of express kidnappings, assaults and robberies in unlicensed taxis." and "Use licensed telephone or internet-based taxi services whenever possible or book through your hotel." It adds: "Do not hail taxis on the street." and notes that "Well-known taxi companies can be booked via Uber and Cabify."

The Government of Canada states: "Express kidnappings and assaults often occur in unlicensed taxis," advises "Avoid hailing taxis on the street" and "Only use reputable taxi companies through establishments such as hotels or a ride-sharing app." Its overall risk level for Colombia is "Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)."

Medellin's official tourism site states that commercial sexual exploitation of children and adolescents is 'not a tourist product, it is a crime punished with prison', and asks visitors to alert authorities, calling 123 in an emergency.

Canada's travel advice for Colombia states rainy seasons usually run March-June and September-November, and says El Nino is expected to generate heavy rainfall during the September-November 2026 rainy season.

Canada's advisory (updated 29 September 2026; level: exercise a high degree of caution, with regional advisories) says to use only reputable taxi companies arranged through establishments such as hotels or a ride-sharing app and not to hail taxis on the street, because express kidnappings and assaults often occur in unlicensed taxis.

Canada's overall risk level for Colombia is 'exercise a high degree of caution'. It advises avoiding non-essential travel to the part of Antioquia along the Choco border north of highway 60 and west of highway 62 and all areas north of Buritica.

Canada's travel advice lists 123 as the number to dial for emergency assistance in Colombia; the UK FCDO health page says to call 123 and ask for an ambulance.

Government of Canada advises avoiding non-essential travel to parts of Antioquia: the area along the border with Chocó department that is north of highway 60 and west of highway 62, and all areas north of the city of Buriticá.

Within the US advisory text, Medellín is named only in the natural-disaster paragraph: "Landslides are also a risk due to Colombia's mountainous terrain and informal settlements in mountain cities such as Bogota and Medellin." (The country page also mentions Medellín in its LGBTQI+ travel section.)

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to "the Urabá and Bajo Cauca regions of Antioquia Department". Medellín and the rest of Antioquia are not on the FCDO list of areas it advises against.

FCDO: "Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Colombia." Armed-group attacks have historically targeted some tourist locations, including transportation hubs (including airports), markets and shopping malls, hotels, clubs and restaurants.

FCDO states: "Pickpocketing, mugging and armed robbery are a problem, especially in major cities, including Bogotá, Medellín, Cali and the Caribbean coast", and advises care on city streets, especially in deprived areas of cities, after dark or if you are on your own.

FCDO states "Colombia has severe penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs" and "It is illegal to consume alcohol in public spaces."

The U.S. Department of State advisory feed lists Colombia at "Level 3: Reconsider Travel" (published 31 March 2026) due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping and natural disasters. It says street crime occurs throughout Colombia and can quickly become violent, and that drugging also occurs frequently in some regions. Do Not Travel areas listed are Arauca, Cauca (excluding Popayán), Valle del Cauca (excluding Cali), Norte de Santander and within 10 km of the Venezuela border.

The only Antioquia areas on the FCDO all-but-essential-travel list are the Urabá and Bajo Cauca regions; Medellín and the Valle de Aburrá are not on the list.

FCDO's safety and security page lists northern Antioquia Department among areas with evidence of high levels of coca cultivation, names the port town of Turbo (Antioquia) as an area of particularly significant risk from armed groups and criminal gangs, and lists Medellín among major cities where pickpocketing, mugging and armed robbery are a problem.

FCDO states: 'Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).' Travellers should therefore avoid the all-but-essential-travel areas.

Canada's risk level for Colombia is 'Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)', justified as 'due to high levels of crime'. Last updated 29 September 2026 11:17 ET.

Under 'Regional advisory - Avoid non-essential travel', Canada lists Antioquia: the area along the border with Chocó department north of highway 60 and west of highway 62, and all areas north of the city of Buriticá.

Canada's latest update listed on the page (29 Sep 2026) reads 'Safety and security section - removed information on the armed transportation blockade, shutdown of civilian activities and curfew'. Travellers should re-check the page before trips.

New Zealand's SafeTravel level for Colombia reads 'Exercise increased caution with higher advice levels in some areas'; page shows 'Page updated 12 August 2026'.

France Diplomatie's Colombia alerts page (last updated 21 September 2026) carries a vigilance alert about numerous scopolamine attacks reported to the French Embassy, advises moving by secure transport day or night, advises against using dating apps in Colombia, and advises never leaving drinks unattended in bars, clubs or other social venues.