Reconsider Travel
“Updated information on civil unrest and kidnapping. Reconsider travel to Colombia due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping.”
Updated Thu, 17 Apr 2025
Full advisory →Is Cali safe? 🇨🇴
Colombia · Safety report last updated
As of September 2026, Cali scores 48/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Exercise a high degree of caution when traveling to Cali, Colombia, due to significant risks of crime and social unrest. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (high risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 3 (Reconsider Travel).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Cali 🇨🇴
Colombia · Assessed 24 September 2026
48
/ 100
Mostly — take normal precautions
Safer than ~38% of countries
What drives this score
Crime49/100CautionCrime index 61.3 / 100
Sentiment50/100CautionMixed
Advisories41Caution
Stability53Caution
Health64Fair
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 2026-09-23T18:02:49Z
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 2026-09-23T17:06:07.61029-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Caution
Mugging & robbery risk
High risk
34
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
55 / 100 (Mixed)
55
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
2.4M residents
57
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
24.9 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3Colombia24.9South Africa43.7
21
Robbery / mugging
HighHigh risk of mugging and robbery, particularly in less-touristed areas and at night; visitors report feeling unsafe walking alone after dark.
Pickpocketing
ModerateModerate risk of pickpocketing in crowded areas and tourist spots.
▸ 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
50/100
Reported feel55Mixed
Robbery risk34High risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Visitor experiences in Cali are varied, with many reporting positive and transformative trips while others warn of recent unrest and crime. Common sentiment suggests that staying in safe areas and exercising common sense leads to a generally safe experience, though caution is consistently advised.
Exercise a high degree of caution when traveling to Cali, Colombia, due to significant risks of crime and social unrest.
Cali presents a mixed safety profile, with official advisories recommending reconsideration of travel due to crime and terrorism. While violent crime is largely concentrated in specific neighborhoods tourists typically avoid, visitors should be aware of elevated risks for robbery and pickpocketing in more frequented areas. Recent reports indicate ongoing concerns about social unrest and political violence.
Recent developments
- Aug 2026A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the country's western region, raising questions about travel safety.— Time Out Worldwide
- Aug 2026The new president pledged a robust fight against crime and fiscal austerity in his maiden speech.— Bloomberg.com
- Jun 2026Protests vowed 'resistance' to the incoming right-wing government.— The Globe Post
- May 2026Two presidential campaign staffers were killed as elections neared.— Al Jazeera
Common scams
- Scopolamine drink spiking, potentially via dating apps
- The Avenida Sexta bike-lane snatch (bag-snatching)
Full briefing
Cali, Colombia, requires a high degree of caution for travelers due to persistent safety concerns, particularly regarding crime and social unrest. Official government advisories, including from the U.S. State Department and the UK FCDO, recommend reconsidering travel to Colombia, with specific warnings about crime, terrorism, and civil unrest. While Cali itself is not under a 'Do Not Travel' advisory like some surrounding rural areas, the city's overall safety index is low, reflecting significant risks.
The primary concerns for visitors revolve around violent crime, with a high homicide rate in the country, though much of this is concentrated in specific low-income neighborhoods that tourists are unlikely to visit. However, robbery is considered a high risk, and pickpocketing is a moderate risk in more populated tourist areas. Travelers should be particularly vigilant about personal safety, especially at night. Areas like downtown (El Centro) and Sucre are cited as particularly dangerous, and walking alone at night, even on popular streets like Avenida Sexta, is advised against.
Recent events highlight ongoing instability. In August 2026, a significant earthquake struck the region, prompting discussions about travel safety. Political tensions are also evident, with reports of campaign staff being killed and protests against the new government in mid-2026. These factors contribute to an environment where heightened awareness and careful planning are essential. Common scams targeting tourists include drink spiking and bag-snatching, particularly in areas known for nightlife.
To mitigate risks, travelers should prioritize safety by avoiding walking alone at night and using only registered taxis or reputable rideshare services. It is crucial to be discreet with valuables, refrain from displaying cash or expensive electronics, and stay informed about local conditions. Travelers should also be aware of specific scams and heed local advice regarding unsafe neighborhoods. Ensuring comprehensive travel insurance is in place is also a critical step.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 10 Cali districts for visitors: 4 safer, 3 needing caution and 3 best avoided. See them plotted on the Cali safety map.
Aguablanca District (Comuna 15)avoidIncludes Mojica and Ciudad Córdoba; top homicide rates in the city; tourists should not visit due to armed group activity and violent crime.
Charco AzulavoidPart of the East Zone; frequent violent incidents and muggings; avoid entirely, especially at night.
SiloeavoidWest Zone comuna; high robbery and assault risk; not patrolled regularly; avoid unless with trusted local guide.
El CentrocautionDowntown area; avoid backstreets and walking alone at night due to robbery risk; petty theft common in crowded zones.
SucrecautionAdjacent to El Centro; higher incidence of mugging and pickpocketing, especially after dark; avoid isolated streets.
Avenida SextacautionKnown for nightlife but elevated risk of phone snatching and robbery; avoid using valuables openly and walking alone after dark.
San AntoniosaferHistoric colonial neighborhood with vibrant street art and cafes; generally safe during day, avoid walking alone at night.
GranadasaferUpscale area with boutiques and restaurants; well-patrolled and considered one of the safest areas in Cali.
San FernandosaferPopular area around Parque del Perro with restaurants and bars; reasonably safe with standard precautions, lively nightlife.
La FlorasaferFrequently cited by locals and visitors as a safe zone; residential with good security presence.
07 · After Dark
Is Cali safe at night?
53% of people in Colombia say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2024).
High risk of mugging and robbery, particularly in less-touristed areas and at night; visitors report feeling unsafe walking alone after dark.
After dark, be most careful around Aguablanca District (Comuna 15), Charco Azul, Siloe, El Centro. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Cali safety FAQ
Is Cali safe for tourists right now?
Exercise a high degree of caution when traveling to Cali, Colombia, due to significant risks of crime and social unrest. Cali presents a mixed safety profile, with official advisories recommending reconsideration of travel due to crime and terrorism. While violent crime is largely concentrated in specific neighborhoods tourists typically avoid, visitors should be aware of elevated risks for robbery and pickpocketing in more frequented areas. Recent reports indicate ongoing concerns about social unrest and political violence. (Assessed 24 September 2026.)
Which areas of Cali should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Aguablanca District (Comuna 15), Charco Azul, Siloe as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Cali?
- Scopolamine drink spiking, potentially via dating apps
- The Avenida Sexta bike-lane snatch (bag-snatching)
How does Cali compare with other places in Colombia?
Cali ranks #7 of 9 Colombia destinations we've assessed, scoring 48/100. See the Colombia safety overview for the full list.
How is this Cali 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.
More Colombia reports
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4 reportsBrowse the Colombia safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: cali.json (CC BY 4.0).