Safety in Colombia
We would like to talk about a sensitive but important topic: do you feel safe in Colombia?
How would you define the level of safety in the country?
Can you walk safely during the day and at night without any fear?
Do you think there is a high rate of criminality, social problems or tensions?
Share with us your insight on safety in Colombia and in the city you live in.
Thank you in advance,
Christine
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I feel safe in Bogota. My wife, who is Colombiana, and I walk daily for shopping, banking etc.聽 We seldom are out late.
In some areas of the city I believe criminality is high.聽 I can't speak about other areas of the country.聽
Monty
people are very nice, very cooperative聽 but there are others who are willing to attack you, rob you at gun point.
I live in Medellin and every day I see, me too have faced gun point robbery .
worst is Locals dont help you they just keep on watching, rather close their eyes
The only danger is traffic (maybe pickpockets on public transportation), because I sometimes forget that pedestrians do not have the right-of-way
I walk or take a bus to any place I need to go and don't spend a minute worrying about whether or not I am safe.
The caution about pedestrians not having the right of way is a good one.

I've been to Buenaventura, Bogot谩, Zipaquir谩, Palmira, Pavas, Lago Calima, Dapa and various places in and around Cali where my wife's family mostly lives.
I almost always travel with family members - they know the dangers much better than I do.聽 But I am always alert and have "situational awareness" not just in Colombia but most anywhere.聽 My perception and I believe the reality is there are places just as dangerous and more so, in many big US cities where I've lived and visited.聽 Areas in Colombia where you might encounter Farc/ELN, or minefields, are usually pretty well known and people just don't go there.聽 In other areas I feel safer when I see armed police or the military patrolling.聽 I admit in the 90s it was sobering to see assault-rifle armed police on street corners in Bogot谩, and you couldn't get into many commercial buildings unless someone came and unlocked the door for you - and it's still like that in many residential buildings in cities everywhere in Colombia.聽 But I was already used to seeing bars on windows of houses in many US cities so it didn't come as a big surprise to see them everywhere in Colombia LOL...by far the most widespread crime is burglary, if something valuable isn't chained down (and even if it is) it is subject to theft.
I've never been robbed or assaulted or anything in Colombia - but most of my wife's family's adults have been at one time or another in their life.聽 I've experienced crime in the US and most of us have, I think - I have had stuff stolen here in the US and have had "close encounters" on the streets...
Nevertheless my wife's family is not afraid to go out and about in Colombia and neither am I.聽 Use common sense and prudence and you'll probably be OK.聽 By far most Colombians are honest, hard workers and good people - but there are many crimes of opportunity that can happen in seconds, if there are any bad guys around.
Life in Colombia can be wonderful especially if you bring money, and that's pretty much true anywhere.聽 But the average Colombian is welcoming and friendly and the way of life is more relaxed, and it's a nice change even though there are some thorns along with the roses...
They have a great restaurant there, too, here's their website in English:
You can do a circuit hike which is very interesting, with really nice views from the top, plus the main center where the restaurant is has a living butterfly exhibit you can walk around in.聽 Well worth the trip for the food (rainbow trout! and other dishes) and the nature hike.
Map showing location, just southeast of Palmira:
hikingwithu wrote:I saw 4 young guys, maybe late teens/early 20's, hanging out at the far end of the bridge. I just walked across, picked out the guy who appeared to be the leader, and looked him in the eyes as I approached them....I'm no 90-pound weakling, and people recognize that, so that might help, too.
This strategy worked for this athletic hiker, but I learned from experience it won't work for everyone.
When I tried to stare down an obvious maldito in South Quito, Ecuador, a few years ago, he didn't give an inch.聽 Momentarily, he and three other pandilleros had me on the ground and were holding me down and ripping cash from my pockets.
My biggest mistake that day was not exiting faster from the Loja Street-Avenida 24 de Mayo area when I realized I had stumbled into it, as I had read it was a dangerous neighborhood for Gringos.
cccmedia in Quito, Ecuador
It is not a "moronic" question at all.聽 Above is a link to the list of highest murder rates among major cities.聽 Sure there are dangerous places in the USA.聽 They are on the list.聽 Different cities are more or less dangerous.聽 Different areas of the same cities are more or less dangerous.聽 I lived in Cali for 6 months 2009-2010.聽 Cali is the most dangerous city in Colombia based on murder rates.聽 I was never robbed or attacked in Cali, but in general it is much more dangerous than most cities in the US and visitors should be aware of that and they should exercise caution.聽 Talk to others who know the city and the country and find out what areas are not safe.聽 It would be moronic to not do so.
Everyone thus far seems friendly.聽 With each visit i loved Colombia more.聽 To the point that i decided to retire and become a resident.聽
I guess every place has its bad places and unfriendlies.聽 There are parts of Houston that i don't go into even during daylight hours.
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