Cartagena is a beautiful port city located on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Its historic old town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasts colorful colonial-era buildings, cobbled streets, and breathtaking architecture. The city is also known for its beaches, nightlife, and lively atmosphere. However, when planning a trip to Cartagena, one of the most common concerns is safety.
The perception of safety in Cartagena has long been a topic of discussion. While the city has experienced a decrease in crime rates over the years, some visitors may still be wary of potential dangers.
Travelers can go to Cartagena with confidence. Each year, millions of tourists arrive to explore the stunning walled city. The common yellow taxi cab is the most reliable and safest form of transportation.
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at the current safety situation in Cartagena and provide some tips to help you stay safe during your visit.
Crime in Cartagena
Cartagena, like many cities around the world, has its share of crime. In the past, the city has experienced a high level of crime, including muggings, pickpocketing, and armed robbery. However, the city has made great strides in reducing its crime rate in recent years. According to the Colombian government, the number of homicides in Cartagena has decreased by 48% in the past five years.
While the overall crime rate in Cartagena has decreased, it’s important to remain vigilant during your visit. Crimes such as theft and pickpocketing can still occur in areas frequented by tourists. In addition, certain areas of the city may be more dangerous than others, especially at night. It’s best to avoid wandering off alone, especially in unfamiliar neighborhoods, and to take extra precautions with your belongings.
Tips for Staying Safe in Cartagena
Here are some tips to help you stay safe during your visit to Cartagena:
- Stay in Safe Neighborhoods: The historic old town of Cartagena is generally considered safe for tourists. However, it’s important to avoid wandering too far off into less-frequented neighborhoods. Bocagrande, El Laguito, and Getsemani are also considered safe and popular neighborhoods for tourists.
- Use Reliable Transportation: While public transportation is available in Cartagena, it’s best to use a reputable taxi service or private car service for transportation, especially at night. Some hotels and restaurants can help arrange safe transportation for you.
- Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Be aware of your surroundings at all times, especially in crowded areas. Keep an eye on your belongings and avoid carrying large sums of cash or valuables with you.
- Avoid Drugs: Drug-related crimes can occur in Cartagena, and tourists should avoid getting involved with illegal drugs. It’s best to steer clear of individuals offering drugs or other illegal substances.
- Learn Some Spanish: Learning some basic Spanish phrases can go a long way in helping you navigate the city and communicate with locals. It can also help you avoid misunderstandings and potential conflicts.
- Follow Local Customs: Respecting local customs and traditions can help you avoid offending locals and attracting unwanted attention. Dress appropriately when visiting religious sites and avoid excessive drinking or loud behavior in public.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Cartagena is generally a safe destination for tourists. The city has made great strides in reducing crime rates over the years, but visitors should still take precautions to ensure their safety. By staying in safe neighborhoods, using reliable transportation, being aware of your surroundings, avoiding drugs, learning some Spanish, and following local customs, you can enjoy all that Cartagena has to offer while staying safe and secure.
FAQs
Is Cartagena Safe for Females?
Cartagena is generally safe for female solo travelers, unless you’re out at night by yourself. There will be some catcalling and harassment, but if you don’t respond to it, you shouldn’t get into any trouble.
Is Cartagena Or Medellin Safer?
Travelers rarely run into problems in places like Laureles and El Poblado, though. Cartagena is considerably riskier than Medellin as a whole. The natives are considerably less wealthy, and many depend on tourism for income. However, the areas where tourists will be staying are frequently very secure.
Is Cartagena Safer Than Bogota?
While the two cities’ levels of safety are similar, tourists will find Cartagena to be a little bit safer than Bogota because they are less likely to inadvertently wander into a sketchy neighborhood.
