City in Bolívar, Colombia
Is Cartagena safe?
Tourist zones are heavily policed and mostly fine, but bag theft, aggressive vendors and nightlife scams are common.
Is Cartagena safe?
Tourist zones are heavily policed and mostly fine, but bag theft, aggressive vendors and nightlife scams are common. Avoid isolated places after dark.
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 Cartagena at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Crime | Phone and bag snatching, pickpocketing in crowds, overcharging and nightlife scams. Drugging at bars and via apps is a known risk. |
| At night | Old Town and Getsemaní plazas are busy until late. Use Uber or a licensed taxi at night rather than walking between districts. |
| Solo women | Solo women visit regularly. Expect catcalling and vendors' persistence; watch drinks and use ride apps late. |
| Other risks | Heat above 32°C with humidity; Sunstroke on island day trips; Flooding of low streets in heavy rain |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Street sellers adding charges or switching change
- Unlicensed tour boats to the islands and demanding extra fees
- Taxis without a quoted fare; agree price first
- Dating-app or 'friendly' meetups ending in drugging
Take care
- Old walls and beaches after dark with few people
- Centro outside the main plazas late at night
- Bocagrande beach after midnight
- Getsemaní backstreets when empty
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 Cartagena 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 Cartagena safe for solo female travelers?
Solo women visit regularly. Expect catcalling and vendors' persistence; watch drinks and use ride apps late.
Is Cartagena safe at night?
Old Town and Getsemaní plazas are busy until late. Use Uber or a licensed taxi at night rather than walking between districts.
What is the crime rate in Cartagena?
Phone and bag snatching, pickpocketing in crowds, overcharging and nightlife scams. Drugging at bars and via apps is a known risk. Nationally, Colombia records 24.9 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Cartagena?
Police 123 · Ambulance 123 · Fire 119 · All emergencies 123.
More about Cartagena
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Sources
- Cartagena tourism (Corpoturismo)
- 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.