Reconsider Travel
“Reconsider travelto Colombia due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and natural disasters. Some areas have an increased risk.”
Updated Tue, 31 Mar 2026
Full advisory →Is Bogotá safe? 🇨🇴
Colombia · Safety report last updated
As of September 2026, Bogotá scores 39/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: caution advised. No — Bogotá remains unsafe for visitors due to elevated violent crime, election-related unrest, and persistent pickpocketing risks despite some improvements. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (high risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 3 (Reconsider Travel).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Bogotá 🇨🇴
Colombia · Assessed 19 September 2026
39
/ 100
Caution advised
Safer than ~25% of countries
What drives this score
Crime37/100ElevatedHomicide 24.9 / 100k
Sentiment43/100CautionMixed to negative
Advisories41Caution
Stability53Caution
Health67Fair
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Caution
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel Colombia-Venezuela border and northern Colombia FCDO advises against all but essential travel to: all of Norte de Santander Department, including Cúcuta.”
Updated 2026-09-03T14:30:31Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for Colombia: exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-09-18T13:42:06.3343428-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Elevated
Urban scale factor
7.7M residents
42
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
24.9 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3Colombia24.9South Africa43.7
21
Robbery / mugging
HighArmed robbery and mugging occur, particularly after dark in La Candelaria, Santa Fé, and parts of Chapinero; visitors should resist neither nor confront assailants.
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing and bag-snatching are common in crowded zones including TransMilenio stations, markets, and La Candelaria, especially during peak hours and events.
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Fair
04 · Institutions
Stability
Caution
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Caution
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed to negative
43/100
Reported feel45Mixed to negative
Robbery risk34High risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
Recent traveler reports indicate feeling unsafe after dark and in certain neighborhoods, with concerns over muggings and scams outweighing positive experiences in tourist zones like Zona T and Parque 93.
No — Bogotá remains unsafe for visitors due to elevated violent crime, election-related unrest, and persistent pickpocketing risks despite some improvements.
Bogotá's homicide rate remains high at 24.9 per 100k, with half of killings being contract-related, and visitors face real risks of mugging and armed robbery, especially after dark in certain neighborhoods. While air quality and healthcare access are strong, the city experiences seasonal spikes in crime tied to political events, and scams targeting tourists are common. Travelers should exercise extreme caution, avoid isolated areas at night, and use official transport only.
Recent developments
- Jun 2026U.S. Embassy warned Americans of possible election-related unrest in Colombia amid rising tensions before the presidential runoff— The City Paper Bogotá
- Jun 2026Protests erupted in Bogotá following the preliminary count in the presidential runoff election, reflecting heightened political tensions— Orinoco Tribune
- Apr 2026Half of all homicides in Bogotá were reported to be contract killings, indicating organized crime's persistent role in violence— EL PAÍS English
- Jan 2026Bogotá reported a reduction in homicides in 2025, suggesting some progress in crime reduction efforts— The Bogotá Post
Common scams
- Fake taxi drivers overcharging or taking passengers to isolated areas for robbery
- Distraction thefts in crowded areas like TransMilenio stations and markets
- Fake police officers demanding to see passports or wallets
Full briefing
Bogotá presents a complex safety picture for travelers: while the city has seen improvements in overall homicide rates compared to its past peaks, it remains significantly risky due to persistent violent crime, organized crime activity, and seasonal spikes tied to political events. The U.S. State Department and UK FCDO maintain Level 3 and regional advisories, respectively, citing crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping as key concerns. Canada advises a high degree of caution with regional variations. These advisories are grounded in real data — Bogotá's homicide rate of 24.9 per 100,000 is well above the global average, and EL PAÍS English reported in April 2026 that half of all homicides in the city are contract killings, underscoring the influence of organized crime.
Recent events confirm an unstable environment. In June 2026, the U.S. Embassy issued warnings about possible election-related unrest ahead of the presidential runoff, and the Orinoco Tribune documented actual protests in Bogotá following the preliminary count, reflecting heightened political tensions that can quickly disrupt public safety. While The Bogotá Post noted a reduction in homicides in 2025, this progress is offset by ongoing risks: muggings and armed robberies still occur, particularly after dark in neighborhoods like La Candelaria, Santa Fé, and southern Chapinero. Pickpocketing is rampant in crowded areas such as TransMilenio stations, markets like Paloquemao, and tourist zones during peak hours or events. Scams are also prevalent, including fake taxis that lead to robbery, distraction thefts in crowds, and impostor police demanding documents or money.
To stay safe, travelers must take concrete precautions: use only ride-hailing apps or taxis called by hotels — never hail cabs off the street due to the risk of "Million Dollar Ride"-style scams. Avoid walking alone after dark in higher-risk neighborhoods, and stick to well-lit, busy areas even during the day. Keep valuables concealed, use anti-theft bags, and remain vigilant in crowds, especially on public transport and in markets. While Bogotá offers rich culture and strong healthcare access (with 80 hospitals within 15 km), the safety environment demands constant awareness. Trust local advice about unsafe areas, and avoid any involvement with protests or political gatherings. The city is not uniformly dangerous, but the risks are real and current — caution is not optional.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Bogotá districts for visitors: 3 safer, 3 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Bogotá safety map.
Santa FéavoidKnown for drug activity and sporadic violent crime; avoid, especially at night
KennedyavoidHigh homicide and theft rates; avoid unless necessary, especially after dark
La CandelariacautionHistoric center; pickpocketing and occasional muggings reported after dark on weeknights
SubacautionResidential area with moderate crime; exercise caution after dark, particularly on public transit
FontibóncautionMixed-use area near airport; petty theft reported, avoid isolated areas at night
ChapinerosaferPopular with tourists and expats; generally safe day and night, but stay alert in southern parts near Avenida Caracas
UsaquénsaferAffluent northern district with low crime; safe for dining and shopping day and night
TeusaquillosaferCentral residential zone with low violent crime; safe for walking and cycling during day
07 · After Dark
Is Bogotá safe at night?
53% of people in Colombia say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2024).
Armed robbery and mugging occur, particularly after dark in La Candelaria, Santa Fé, and parts of Chapinero; visitors should resist neither nor confront assailants.
After dark, be most careful around Santa Fé, Kennedy, La Candelaria, Suba. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Bogotá safety FAQ
Is Bogotá safe for tourists right now?
No — Bogotá remains unsafe for visitors due to elevated violent crime, election-related unrest, and persistent pickpocketing risks despite some improvements. Bogotá's homicide rate remains high at 24.9 per 100k, with half of killings being contract-related, and visitors face real risks of mugging and armed robbery, especially after dark in certain neighborhoods. While air quality and healthcare access are strong, the city experiences seasonal spikes in crime tied to political events, and scams targeting tourists are common. Travelers should exercise extreme caution, avoid isolated areas at night, and use official transport only. (Assessed 19 September 2026.)
Which areas of Bogotá should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Santa Fé, Kennedy as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Bogotá?
- Fake taxi drivers overcharging or taking passengers to isolated areas for robbery
- Distraction thefts in crowded areas like TransMilenio stations and markets
- Fake police officers demanding to see passports or wallets
How does Bogotá compare with other places in Colombia?
Bogotá ranks #9 of 9 Colombia destinations we've assessed, scoring 39/100. See the Colombia safety overview for the full list.
How is this Bogotá safety score calculated?
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
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