World Safety Map

Safest cities in Colombia

48 cities with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04

US 3/4 Reconsider travelUK FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of this country

Areas the UK FCDO advises against visiting

  • Colombia-Venezuela border and northern Colombia
  • Pacific coast and Colombia-Panama border
  • Central Colombia
  • Colombia-Ecuador border and southern Colombia
  • all of Norte de Santander Department, including Cúcuta.
  • all of Arauca Department
  • the municipality of Puerto Carreño in Vichada Department
  • within 5km of the rest of the border with Venezuela.
  • Chocó Department, except for the department capital Quibdó, the towns of Nuquí and Bahía Solano and Capurganá
  • the western part of Valle del Cauca Department, including Buenaventura
  • the municipality of Jamundí, Valle del Cauca
  • the South Pacific, Sanquianga and Telembi regions of Nariño Department
  • the southern part of Córdoba Department
  • the Urabá and Bajo Cauca regions of Antioquia Department
  • the southern part of Bolívar Department
  • all of Guaviare Department, except for the department capital San José del Guaviare
  • Cartagena del Chairá, San Vicente del Caguan, Puerto Rico, El Doncello, Paujil and La Montañita in Caquetá Department
  • the Ariari region of southern Meta, except for Caño Cristales
  • all of Cauca Department, except for the department capital Popayán
  • the border crossing on the Pan-American highway at the Puente Internacional de Rumichaca
  • the city of Ipiales in Nariño Department

In full or in part — the official advisory lists exact boundaries and exceptions.

What official travel advice warns about

Terrorism

  • Terrorism in ColombiaTerrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Colombia.
  • Armed groupsDespite the landmark peace agreement between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in 2016, many armed groups remain active throughout the country.

Political situation

  • Colombia has suffered from internal armed conflict for over 50 years. In 2016, Colombia’s then-President Juan Manuel Santos signed a peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) movement to end the civil war.

Protests

  • Protests and demonstrations happen regularly throughout the country and often start at short notice. They can turn violent and may lead to an increase in the police and military presence. Road closures and roadblocks can cause travel disruptions for visitors.

Crime

  • Street crimePickpocketing, mugging and armed robbery are a problem, especially in major cities, including Bogotá, Medellín, Cali and the Caribbean coast. British nationals have been robbed at gunpoint in the Candelaria area of Bogotá and across many cities in Colombia.
  • Criminal kidnappingShort-term opportunistic abductions known as ‘express kidnappings’ are common in Colombia. Criminals – often posing as taxi drivers may track and select a target victim, often from around ATMs and often at night. They also attack at random. The kidnappers force the victim to empty their bank account by making multiple transfers, or drive them to…
  • Drug assisted robberies and sexual assaultsThe British Embassy has received reports of criminals in Colombia using drugs to subdue their victims. This includes the use of scopolamine, which temporarily incapacitates victims. Criminals can administer drugs through food, drinks, cigarettes, aerosols and even paper flyers. Victims become disoriented quickly and are vulnerable to robbery,…
  • Public offencesThe law against the sexual abuse of children (aged 13 and under) is strictly enforced, especially when it involves tourists. If convicted, you could face a long prison sentence.
  • Police scamsCriminals posing as police are known to operate in Bogotá and elsewhere. They may ask to inspect money to see if it is counterfeit. If you are approached, ask them to escort you to the nearest local police station (CAI or ‘Centro de Atención Inmediata’).
  • Crime in rural areasIn many rural areas, the authority of the Colombian state is limited, and the British Embassy’s ability to help British nationals in trouble in these areas will also be limited. Mobile and internet connection in rural areas is often limited.

Laws and cultural differences

  • Personal IDAlways carry a colour printout of the photo page and Colombian visa from your passport for identification. Keep the passport somewhere safe.
  • AlcoholIt is illegal to consume alcohol in public spaces.
  • Illegal drugs and prison sentencesColombia has severe penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs.
  • Spiritual cleansingTraditional hallucinogenic tea, known as Yagé or Ayahuasca, is brewed and marketed to tourists as spiritual cleansing. The various preparations typically contain dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a strong hallucinogen that’s illegal in the UK and many other countries.
  • Taking photos in secure areasPhotographing military or strategic government sites is illegal.
  • LGBT+ travellersSame-sex sexual activity is legal in Colombia, but same-sex relationships are not widely accepted, especially in rural areas.
  • MoneyYou can exchange US dollars and euros at banks and authorised money exchanges. Do not change money on the street.

Transport risks

  • Road travelIf you are planning to drive a hire car or a UK vehicle, see information on driving abroad.
  • Driving standardsDriving standards are poor and traffic accidents are common. Avoid driving at night, which can be particularly hazardous. Do not hitch-hike. The risk of violence and kidnapping is higher in some rural areas, and there is a risk of being robbed at roadblocks set up by illegal armed groups. Main roads are generally safe during daylight hours.
  • Public transportBe cautious when using public transport in Colombia.
  • TaxisThere have been reports of express kidnappings, assaults and robberies in unlicensed taxis. Use licensed telephone or internet-based taxi services whenever possible or book through your hotel. Many restaurants in Colombia will book a taxi for you. Do not hail taxis on the street.
  • LandminesThere is a risk from landmines throughout Colombia, especially in rural and remote areas. Mined areas are often unmarked. Be vigilant when visiting remote areas or travelling off the main roads.
  • Air travelThe departmental capitals of Amazonas, Vaupes and Guainía are only accessible by air due to the lack of road infrastructure in these departments.

Extreme weather and natural disasters

  • HurricanesAlthough uncommon, hurricanes and tropical storms can affect the Caribbean coast and the Archipelago of San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina.
  • EarthquakesThere is a high risk of earthquakes across Colombia. Earthquakes occur regularly, particularly in Santander Department and the Andean Region.
  • FloodingThere is a risk of floods and landslides after heavy rains throughout Colombia, especially in the Colombian Andes. Get local advice before travelling on mountain roads after heavy rain.
  • Volcanic eruptionsThere are 25 active and monitored volcanoes in Colombia. Check the latest daily bulletins about volcanic activity (in Spanish).

Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for Colombia, updated 2026-09-03 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →

Country figures

Homicide rate
24.35 /100k2024
Income inequality
Gini 54.42024
Human development
HDI 0.7882023
Income
$22,250/yrGNI per capita PPP
Road deaths
15.4 /100kWHO, 2019
Political stability
49/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
Rule of law
47/100WGI, 2024
Corruption perceptions
37/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
Natural-hazard risk
5.3/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Women, Peace & Security
0.55GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
Air quality
18.4 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
Safe drinking water
74%of population, 2024 · WHO/UNICEF JMP
Healthcare capacity
2.5 doctors /1k1.7 hospital beds per 1,000
Malaria
15 /1k at riskWHO, 2024 · endemic countries only

Natural hazards

Earthquake
8.8/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Tsunami
8.1/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Flood
7.0/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Cyclone
4.1/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Drought
2.7/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier

Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.

Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Colombia (as of 2025).

How Colombia compares

Colombia against the median of all 180 countries in the dataset. Green means better than the median.
MeasureColombiaWorld medianDifference
Homicide rate24 /100k2.4 /100k+22 /100k — better for World median
Income inequality (Gini)54.435.2+19.2 — better for World median
Human development (HDI)0.7880.763+0.025 — better for Colombia
Road deaths15.4 /100k15.4 /100k±0.0 /100k
Rule of law47/10052/100−5/100 — better for World median
Corruption perceptions37/10039/100−2/100 — better for World median
Air quality (PM2.5)18.4 µg/m³19.7 µg/m³−1.3 µg/m³ — better for Colombia
Natural-hazard risk5.3/103.8/10+1.5/10 — better for World median
And against its own region — often the more useful comparison, since South America shares much of the context a global median averages away.
MeasureColombiaSouth America medianDifference
Homicide rate24 /100k8.6 /100k+16 /100k — better for South America median
Income inequality (Gini)54.443.0+11.4 — better for South America median
Human development (HDI)0.7880.777+0.011 — better for Colombia
Road deaths15.4 /100k16.0 /100k−0.6 /100k — better for Colombia
Rule of law47/10049/100−2/100 — better for South America median
Corruption perceptions37/10035/100+2/100 — better for Colombia
Air quality (PM2.5)18.4 µg/m³16.9 µg/m³+1.5 µg/m³ — better for South America median
Natural-hazard risk5.3/104.0/10+1.3/10 — better for South America median

Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.

All 48 cities, safest first

  1. Manizales45.9 · #5476 worldwide
  2. Tunja43.2 · #5658 worldwide
  3. Bogota42.8 · #5683 worldwide
  4. Chía42.8 · #5684 worldwide
  5. Yopal42.1 · #5713 worldwide
  6. Ibagué41.8 · #5720 worldwide
  7. Sogamoso41.3 · #5757 worldwide
  8. Pasto41.0 · #5769 worldwide
  9. Montería40.8 · #5779 worldwide
  10. Facatativá39.9 · #5815 worldwide
  11. Medellin39.9 · #5818 worldwide
  12. Zipaquirá39.8 · #5826 worldwide
  13. Villavicencio39.5 · #5845 worldwide
  14. Fusagasugá39.4 · #5861 worldwide
  15. Piedecuesta38.1 · #5897 worldwide
  16. Uribia37.6 · #5911 worldwide
  17. Girardot37.4 · #5919 worldwide
  18. Bucaramanga37.0 · #5929 worldwide
  19. Girón37.0 · #5930 worldwide
  20. Tumaco37.0 · #5931 worldwide
  21. Armenia36.8 · #5937 worldwide
  22. Sincelejo36.6 · #5942 worldwide
  23. Apartadó36.1 · #5943 worldwide
  24. Maicao36.0 · #5949 worldwide
  25. Valledupar35.8 · #5951 worldwide
  26. Sahagún35.4 · #5962 worldwide
  27. Neiva35.2 · #5967 worldwide
  28. Florencia35.0 · #5970 worldwide
  29. Pereira35.0 · #5971 worldwide
  30. Riohacha34.9 · #5972 worldwide
  31. Cartago34.8 · #5976 worldwide
  32. Ipiales34.8 · #5977 worldwide
  33. Quibdó34.8 · #5978 worldwide
  34. Buenaventura34.7 · #5980 worldwide
  35. Tuluá33.5 · #5995 worldwide
  36. Tiquisio32.8 · #6003 worldwide
  37. Barrancabermeja32.8 · #6004 worldwide
  38. Buga32.7 · #6005 worldwide
  39. Arauca32.4 · #6012 worldwide
  40. Popayán32.2 · #6014 worldwide
  41. Santa Marta30.9 · #6029 worldwide
  42. Cúcuta30.0 · #6035 worldwide
  43. Ciénaga28.9 · #6047 worldwide
  44. Barranquilla28.5 · #6050 worldwide
  45. Cartagena28.3 · #6052 worldwide
  46. Palmira27.4 · #6060 worldwide
  47. Cali27.3 · #6067 worldwide
  48. Jamundí27.0 · #6069 worldwide