City in Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Is Cali safe?
A friendly city with rough edges: street crime, phone theft and some no-go neighbourhoods.
Is Cali safe?
A friendly city with rough edges: street crime, phone theft and some no-go neighbourhoods. Go out by taxi or ride app and stay in Granada, San Antonio or Ciudad Jardín.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 3/5, take real precautions.
- Homicide rate in Colombia: 24.9 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Colombia: 15.4 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 123 · Ambulance 123 · Fire 119 · All emergencies 123.
Safety in Cali at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Crime | Phone snatching, robberies on foot after dark, motorbike thefts and occasional drugging at bars. |
| At night | Granada and San Antonio stay busy, but nearby streets can be quiet. Use Uber or DiDi at night and avoid carrying phones openly. |
| Solo women | Solo women do travel here; expect catcalling. Watch drinks, meet dates in public and use ride apps to get home. |
| Other risks | Heat and humidity; Strong river currents in Pance; Heavy rain and flash floods |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Fake police checks and demands to inspect cash
- Overpriced street taxis without a meter
- Dating-app dates ending in drugging
- Friendly strangers pushing you into a bar
Take care
- Eastern districts (Distrito de Aguablanca)
- Centre at night and around the bus terminal
- Juanchito late-night without a trusted ride
- Cerro de las Tres Cruces without a group
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Carry your passport or a copy; police checks are common.
- Buying drugs is illegal, and street deals are a common setup for robbery.
How Cali compares in Colombia
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Salento | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Guatapé | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| San Andrés | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Minca | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Palomino | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Villa de Leyva | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| San Gil | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Jardín | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Leticia | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Medellín | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Cartagena | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Bogotá | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Santa Marta | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Cali | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Barranquilla | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Pereira | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Cali safe for solo female travelers?
Solo women do travel here; expect catcalling. Watch drinks, meet dates in public and use ride apps to get home.
Is Cali safe at night?
Granada and San Antonio stay busy, but nearby streets can be quiet. Use Uber or DiDi at night and avoid carrying phones openly.
What is the crime rate in Cali?
Phone snatching, robberies on foot after dark, motorbike thefts and occasional drugging at bars. Nationally, Colombia records 24.9 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Cali?
Police 123 · Ambulance 123 · Fire 119 · All emergencies 123.
More about Cali
Going to Cali solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Cali meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- Cali tourism
- MIO (Metrocali)
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.