Modern Colombia is a developing country with a vibrant and beautiful culture, amazing landscapes and warm and sociable people. This of course doesn’t mean that you can ignore basic safety and security precautions though. Because whilst Colombia is a far cry from the depiction it receives in certain popular Netflix series, there is still a good deal of poverty and crime here, and if you don’t know how to conduct yourself in Colombia you can very easily end up becoming a victim of crime. Here we give you 10 easy to follow safety and security recommendations for expats and visitors to Colombia.

1. Buckle Up

One of the most common dangers of living in Colombia that isn’t often spoken about, is the preeminent danger of road traffic accidents. Colombia has a very high number of fatal road traffic accidents every year. In 2021 over 7,000 people died in road traffic accidents in Colombia, with almost 50% of those being motorcyclists - this compared to just over 1,500 in the UK. 

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In Pereira where we live, we see fatal accidents reported on local news sources almost every day, and almost all of these accidents involve a motorcycle in some way or another. The sad reality is, that the roads just are not very safe in Colombia. Drink driving is common in Colombia and almost all Colombians regularly use their mobile phone while they’re driving. If you’re newly arrived in Colombia or planning to arrive soon, it’s wise to take precautions to prevent injury or death on Colombia’s roads. Wear a seatbelt where available - these generally aren’t available in Yellow Taxis but in Ubers they always are - and take great care when crossing the road. Do not expect cars to stop or even slow down for a zebra crossing, many Colombians will even speed up to make you get out of their way. Colombian drivers in general do not respect road safety laws so exercise great caution on the roads, be careful and keep your eyes open to stay safe.

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2. Mind your business

A top rule for keeping yourself safe in Colombia, is to mind your damn business. Many foreigners and expats have gotten themselves into trouble simply by not knowing how to keep their noses clean and their mouth shut. Whether it’s other people’s relationships, family or business dealings, unless it affects you and your loved ones directly, just mind your business and don’t engage in gossip. Nobody likes a gossip, and in Colombia where envy, pride and jealousy are rife, gossiping can and will get you into trouble if you’re not careful. Loose lips sink ships, as they say. So no matter what you see or hear, keep schtum and don’t go running your mouth around town. Comprende?

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3. Keep yourself to yourself

Following on from rule number one, is the second most important piece of advice I can give you, keep yourself to yourself when you live in Colombia. Whilst you don’t want to go around talking about other people’s business, you also don’t want people running around talking about you either. In Colombia, the wise expat keeps a low profile and isn’t out and about trying to make friends with every Tom, Dick and Harry they meet… Or Tomas, Ricardo and Enrique as it may be. 

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The lesson is, keep a small and tight knit group of close friends and that’s it. Expats are seen as having plenty of cash, so they’re common targets for crime. For this reason it makes sense to not go around talking to everyone you meet about what you do for a living, who you’re dating, or how much money you make. Keep things on the down low, be smart and don’t become a victim of crime.

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4. Don't be flashy

Another rule to avoid becoming a victim of crime in Colombia, is to not be flashy. It’s not enough to keep a small circle of friends if every time you leave your home you’re walking around in thousands of dollars worth of jewelry and watches, or if you dress like the typical scruffy Gringo in board shorts and flip flops. Dress clean and smart, but also be smart about how you dress. You don’t want to attract unwanted attention on the streets by being flashy with jewelry and watches, or by standing out as an obvious tourist. Street robberies, even in broad daylight, are common in Colombia and victims are often selected based on how they look. So be smart and don’t give the thieves a reason to rob you.

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5. Avoid hookers & Tinder dates

Probably the one of the most common risks for expats and foreigners in Colombia, is to become a victim of Scopolamine when meeting up with hookers or tinder dates. Scopolamine is a drug that renders its victim helpless. Most victims remember nothing and wake up with their valuables stolen and often with their bank accounts cleaned out. The unfortunate fact is that many single males come to Colombia with the intention of using prostitutes and / or engaging in casual sex with girls they find on dating apps like Tinder. These sex tourists give all expats a bad reputation, and actually make the country less safe for everyone. To avoid being drugged and robbed, or even worse, simply follow this rule and do not get involved in local prostituion or Tinder dates.

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Not every girl on Tinder is looking to drug foreigners and rob them, but many are and it’s often hard to tell who is genuine and who isn’t. You’re better off meeting single women via personal introductions through mutual friends, by joining a sports club or church, or by simply asking that cute girl in the coffee shop for her number. This is how the majority of real relationships in Colombia begin, the dating apps promise to make love easy but unfortunately are full of people with less than sincere intentions. So keep yourself safe and meet single women the correct way.

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6. Say no to drugs

Like any country, getting yourself involved in the purchase and consumption of illegal drugs brings many risks. Not only can you never truly tell what you are buying, but you’re also opening yourself up to less than savory characters who may very well be intent on doing you harm. The illegal underworld of Colombia is not to be messed with, do yourself a favor and stay away from drug dealers, the risks are great and it’s simply not worth it if you’re a foreign expat living in Colombia.

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7. You'll never walk alone

Although many robberies occur during daylight hours, if you choose to walk around the towns and cities alone at night you’re putting yourself at greater risk of becoming a victim of crime. Many gangs of thieves roam the streets at night looking for lone victims that are easy to prey upon. Armed robberies with guns and knives are common so if you’re out late at night and need to get home, always call a verified taxi or Uber driver to take you home. Walking alone simply isn’t worth the risk. If you are ever involved in an armed robbery, it’s wise to not resist and simply give up your valuables. An iPhone can be replaced but your life cannot. Many criminals in Colombia will stab or shoot you if you resist so be wise in the face of a threat to your life, give up your belongings and then report the incident to the police.

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8. Be aware of your surroundings

No matter the time of day, whether inside or outside, night or day, you need to stay aware of your surroundings in Colombia if you want to avoid becoming a victim of crime. Leave your belongings alone for one minute can often be enough to have them spirited away by an opportunistic thief. If you’re sitting in an establishment, sit facing the entrance so you can see who enters and leaves. Be aware of all exits. Be aware of anyone watching you or acting suspiciously. This does not mean you need to be paranoid. I’ve spent over 7 years in Colombia without once being a victim of violent crime on the street. But even so, be aware, check who is walking behind you and cross the street if necessary. Keep your belongings where you can see them at all times and avoid obviously using your phone on the street. Be sensible and stay safe.

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9. Don't use ATM's on the street

A common way to target victims for muggings and robberies is to attack a person shortly after they’ve been spotted withdrawing cash at an ATM machine. For this reason, it’s highly advisable to not use ATM’s on the streets in Colombia. Most banks have ATM’s inside the branch, these are much safer to use as are ATM’s in shopping malls or supermarkets. Using an ATM on the street is risky and an easy way to make yourself a target for criminals.

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10. Check the prices before you order

Recently in Colombia a tourist couple on the famous Baru tourist beach of Playa Blanca near Cartagena were given a nasty surprise when a simple lunch and a few drinks they ordered were presented on their bill as totalling over 2million COP (over $450 USD). They were clearly the victims of an outrageous scam, not an uncommon occurence on the almost lawless Caribbean coast. But the main mistake the unfortunate victims made was in not checking and confirming with their vendor the price of the goods before they ordered. This is  a common trick in Colombia, especially in the tourist regions on the coast, so be wise to this scam and always ask to see a printed menu and confirm the price of any goods or services before placing your order. Also, never under any circumstances give your credit card to anyone to charge out of sight, always ask them to bring the card machine to you. Credit cards are easily cloned and it only takes a few seconds of your card being out of sight for you to become prey to this type of fraud.

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