Is Leticia safe?
Low street crime for Colombia. Main risks are river and jungle travel, mosquitoes and the remoteness of the region.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- 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 Leticia at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Petty theft in the market and at the port, occasional robberies at night, and drug trafficking along the border that visitors rarely encounter. |
| At night | The centre is lively and fine until about 10 pm. Take a mototaxi or taxi after dark and avoid the port. |
| Solo women | Fairly comfortable for solo women in town. Expect attention and choose registered guides for jungle trips; avoid night river travel. |
| Other risks | Yellow fever (vaccinate 10+ days before) and malaria risk; Sunstroke and dehydration in heat and humidity; Insect bites and river accidents |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Airport touts selling overpriced or unlicensed jungle tours
- Currency exchangers shortchanging pesos, reais and soles
- Tour operators asking for full payment upfront
Take care
- Unregistered boats and night river travel: accidents and robbery
- Port and market area after dark
- Wandering off tour trails: getting lost in the jungle
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 Leticia 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 Leticia safe for solo female travelers?
Fairly comfortable for solo women in town. Expect attention and choose registered guides for jungle trips; avoid night river travel.
Is Leticia safe at night?
The centre is lively and fine until about 10 pm. Take a mototaxi or taxi after dark and avoid the port.
What is the crime rate in Leticia?
Petty theft in the market and at the port, occasional robberies at night, and drug trafficking along the border that visitors rarely encounter. Nationally, Colombia records 24.9 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Leticia?
Police 123 · Ambulance 123 · Fire 119 · All emergencies 123.
More about Leticia
Going to Leticia solo?
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Sources
- Parques Nacionales Naturales (Amacayacu)
- Colombia Travel (ProColombia)
- Aeronáutica Civil
- Canal Trece: Amazonas costs and entry fees
- 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.