Before leaving for Colombia I was met with just about every response imaginable. Some were excited for me, others kept asking “is Colombia even safe to visit? Now that I have been, I feel there is more room to answer their long-awaited questions. I want to start by saying I absolutely loved my time in Colombia! I am already figuring out how I can return! The culture is rich, the food amazing, and the country ripe for learning. While traveling to Colombia may need a bit more planning than other countries and requires a good head on your shoulders, it is an amazing country that I am forever grateful I got to visit. Without any more hesitation let’s jump into the things to know before traveling to Colombia and answer all your long-awaited questions!
1.) You will need to know Spanish or travel with someone who does
My Spanish skills are nothing to be impressed by. Thank the Lord I traveled with a friend who is well versed in the language and was able to communicate with people. Without her, our trip would have been a very different story. If you are on a tour or staying in a hostel you will be able to get around with English. However, the moment that tour is over you will be thrown back into the world of Spanish. You will need Spanish to get a taxi, shop, and just about everything in between. I really thought I would be okay with my limited Spanish abilities, but the reality is my trip would have been incredibly difficult without a Spanish-speaking friend. If this tells you anything before my return to Colombia I plan on starting my studies in the Spanish Language.
2.) Go ready to listen and Learn
There are so many preconceived notions about Colombia. Their past has shaped every inch of the country. It would be easy to miss an incredible opportunity to learn by not asking questions and digging just a bit deeper. I strongly encourage you to ask your tour guides about daily life in Colombia. Learn why certain events happened and the lasting effects that are now in place. Any traveler could go and leave thinking, “yeah you need to watch for pickpockets, but what a great tourist destination! I encourage you to dig deeper than just island hopping in the North or coffee tasting in the mountains. I learned so much from just talking to our tour guides and taxi drivers. This had me leaving with a deep attachment to this country from the stories I heard, the things I learn, and the friends I made. Finding when we showed genuine curiosity to learn, a friendship quickly formed and people were eager to open up.
3.) Do your research when it comes to ACCOMMODATION
We quickly learned the importance of this fact while staying in Bogota for the first time. We didn’t quite know the area yet and trusted our Airbnb host when she told us we were on the safest street in the city. Later we found out from one of our Colombian friends that we were not far from the southern border of the city, where foreigners really shouldn’t venture alone. He also just got knifed there in an attempted robbery only a couple of weeks before. He then proceeded to show us the safer parts of town and where to avoid. Thankfully, we were fine besides some random knocking on our door and some yelling from the streets at night. In every city we visited there were safer parts of town, do your research to find them and stay there. If you are worried about safety or are having a hard time picking a location, hostels will be your best friend as they offer another level of security
4.) You are going to want small bills
This one pertains to money. I had heard this tip but wasn’t adequately prepared and now if I had to do it over again I would pay more heed to this warning. You will definitely want to carry smaller cash bills. The currency is the Colombian Peso, the bills are marked by mil. but it really stands for thousand (for all the American readers.) Most places we went, whether shopping or taxis, didn’t have change to give back. Even in a big supermarket, they didn’t have change to give back. We found ourselves more than once stuck with only 50mil bills. A handful of times we were able to exchange our bigger bills for smaller ones at a currency exchange counter. If you are in the city you can find a handful of places that will take cards but the majority of what you will want is cash. Especially for tipping after tours or taxis.
5.) Track yourself on a map while traveling
This is just another safety tip for those who plan on taking a lot of taxis to get around. Every time we got in a taxi we immediately showed the driver the directions and settled on a price. I would then follow our journey on google maps to ensure we were going the right way. I would suggest this in any context not just in Colombia. There was a handful of times this came in handy, like looking for one of our Airbnbs. We were able to jump out early and save over 10 minutes of driving time by just walking the extra block. Colombia also uses the app Cabify instead of Uber. They also have a map you can follow. I really liked using them as it felt a bit safer traveling as solo females. Using the app also allowed us to get a good idea of how much different rides/distances should cost.
6.) ‘no dar papaya’
If you have done any research on Colombia I am sure you have heard of this saying. “No Dar Papaya” is a common saying you’ll hear said throughout Colombia but more specifically in Bogota. Its basic meaning is to not have any valuables showing when you are out and about town. Keep your phone in your pocket, your mother’s gold jewelry at home, and look both ways before pulling out any expensive camera. It’s true, the petty crime rate here is very high. You’ll hear story after story of people losing their phones and bags to pickpockets. Now I won’t say anything bad will happen if you keep your things stored away. However, your chances of getting mugged lower significantly when you keep your things stowed away. Only pull out your phone when absolutely necessary and keep an eye out when you do so.
7.) Be prepared for the weather
Most people’s first thought when it comes to Colombia is warm and tropics. This however totally depends on where in Colombia you are headed. In Bogota, the weather was low 60°F while raining on and off throughout the day. That’s pretty much Bogota year-round because of their position in the mountains. Yet, if you travel to Cartagena be prepared for high 80’s°F and to sweat like nothing else. Someone told us before traveling to Cartagena to be prepared to change twice a day because of the heat and humidity. Boy were they right! Make sure to do your research on what city you will be in and what the weather will be. A rain jacket is a must when traveling in this country. Colombia holds one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems. This means you’ll need to be prepared for anything!
8.) graffiti is legal here
This was one of my favorite parts about Colombia. The colors and art are at every turn! Especially in Bogota, graffiti is on every corner, wall, and ceiling. This is a way for the people to speak out about important issues. You will find a lot of the art pieces have deeper meanings behind all the colors. Those who have fallen for freedom are pictured throughout the city as a reminder to never forget. You have integral images of culture and history scattered throughout the city. Many places offer graffiti tours where you can go and learn about the most important pieces. You even see it in the younger generation in the cities, most are covered in tattoos as a way to express themselves and use art again to speak out for freedom and justice.
9.) Bogota is one of the highest cities in the world
If you are traveling to Bogota just keep in mind you are at an elevation of 2,630m above sea level. That being said, if you are coming from a city with a lower elevation be kind to yourself. Allow yourself time to acclimate before you jet off on any strenuous adventure. Drink lots of water, and bring your ibuprofen just in case. Take your time walking up the hills and don’t feel bad if you find yourself out of breath faster. They offer different natural teas that can help with the elevation around the city if you feel like you’re having a hard time acclimating. Just give yourself a day or two then you’ll be filled with enough energy and lung compacity to run right up Monserrate mountain!
10.) Watch where you wonder
If you are going to take any of this advice, listen to this one. It is so easy to wander onto streets you have no business being on. This point connects a lot with number three, do your research about neighbors that are safe for tourists and neighborhoods to avoid. This was advice we got from every Colombian friend we made, so if you don’t want to listen to me, listen to them. We found it extremely helpful to ask our tour guides where to go and where to avoid. It didn’t have to take long but it allowed us a lot more freedom and peace overall. Following simple safety tips really helped make Colombia safe to visit. Don’t go down streets with no people on them or that are poorly lit. Failing to follow those guidelines can make you the perfect mugging target. There is nothing to fear but use wisdom and discernment. It only takes a few simple pointers to make your trip safer and more enjoyable.
wrapping up
At the end of the day, Colombia is a beautiful country! I wouldn’t necessarily advise this country as your first international trip, but if you know what you are doing this place can quickly become a favorite. I hope this helped answer the question of “if Colombia is safe to visit.” As well as give you a realistic idea of what to expect. There is so much to learn and do here that you could spend weeks and still need more time. If you are looking for more on Colombia you can Click Here. You can also find more travel tips Here. Feel free to share your stories about Colombia and give me some of your favorite tips and tricks! I wish you all the best travels!
Until Next Time, Olivia Grace
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