Cartagena attracts over 3.7 million visitors annually but reports indicate that serious crime has increased substantially in recent years. Should tourists be worried and is it still safe to visit the beautiful city of Cartagena today?
I have lived in Colombia for 15 years and visited Cartagena regularly on vacation.
In this article, I will explain why I am confident the vast majority of visitors will have no issues but also give advice on how you can avoid scams and potential problems when you come to visit.
Is Cartagena Safe To Visit for Tourists?
Cartagena is hugely popular with tourists and as long as you are sensible and avoid some of the poorer areas of town then you will be fine. There are very much two distinct sides to Cartagena but as a visitor, you will have no reason to venture beyond the safer neighborhoods.
In areas such as Bocagrande, Getsemani and the Historic Center serious violent crime is very rare and major incidents are very unlikely.
What you do need to take care of is pickpockets, scams, overcharging and possible robberies in rare quiet areas of the busy town.
You should not overly worry in regards to safety but you will also need to be attentive to what is happening and who you are with when out and about in the city.
Safe Areas in Cartagena
The key tourist areas have a strong police presence and have very few incidents of high-level crime.
That said, there are also areas where pickpockets are active with some locals looking to scam or massively overcharge tourists if the opportunity arises.
Bocagrande ✅
Bocagrande is the main beach area of the city. A narrow strip of sand heading out into the sea with two wide roads, hotels and miles of beach. The police presence is strong in this part of Cartagena and serious crime is very unlikely.
That said, the sellers on the beach can be very pushy and you really need to keep an eye on your property at all times, particularly when you go into the sea. The beach closes officially at 6 p.m. when the police and visitors will start to leave. Into the evening it continues to be safe and busy, particularly alongside the larger roads.
Getsemani ✅
Getsemani is the bohemian neighborhood just outside the walls of the old town.
This is an area with a lot of hostels and boutique hotels.
Police presence is quite significant from day into the evening. It is an area with a low level of reported crime and is potentially the safest in the city.
Late into the evening, it can get quite a lot more quiet and you should take care with the smaller backstreets.
Overall a very safe option which does have some theft but it is not yet as big a target for pickpockets.
Historic Center ✅
The Historic Center is a walled city that dates back to the colonial period with beautiful architecture, narrow streets, open squares and vibrant energy.
This is the area with the strongest police presence and there are usually a lot of people around which prevents serious crime.
You should take care particularly on the quiet back streets late at night and keep an eye on your belongings when sitting down for a drink or if you are walking through busy crowds.
The risk in the old town in Cartagena is very similar to what you can expect in central London and you should take similar precautions.
Cielo Mar ✅
Cielo Mar to the North of the airport is also very safe.
It is an area dominated by luxury hotels and is designed for tourists.
You will find far fewer street sellers and it is an area managed by hotel owners.
Manga ✅
Finally, Manga is also generally a safe area.
The neighborhood to the south of Getsemani is largely a residential area and is quiet.
The police presence isn’t as strong but few crimes are reported.
In the evening you may want to get in and out with an Uber but it is a relaxed, quiet place to stay.
Areas to Avoid in Cartagena
In 2022 Cartagena was the second most violent city in Colombia per capita with 31.29 homicides for every 100,000 citizens. There were 612 murders which represents a 32% increase compared to 2021.
As outlined above, there are very much two sides of the city with violence and high-level crime linked to armed groups almost entirely limited to poorer areas away from areas tourists will visit.
While other cities such as Medellin and Bogota have sought to attract tourists as part of projects to revitalize previously no-go areas, visitors in Cartagena are encouraged to stay in certain areas with no real reason to explore elsewhere.
Neighborhoods with the highest levels of violent crime in the city are San José de Los Campanos, El Líbano, Olaya Herrera, Boston, La María and San Francisco.
Safety Tips
➡️ Do Research About Where You Are Going
As mentioned above, it is unlikely that you will stumble upon one of the more dangerous parts of town. Whereas somewhere like Cali is flat with no clear differences between safer and more dangerous neighborhoods, in Cartagena it is generally quite simple.
Cielo Mar, the airport, the old town and Bocagrande are all close together and this is where most visitors will spend most of their time. Getsemani is just beyond the walls of the old town but is also quite distinct. This means that you should very quickly learn about the key areas in Cartagena.
You may get lost in the old town and a map on your phone can definitely be useful but this isn’t a huge deal as it is all generally safe and it can mean you uncover hidden gems.
What is more important is checking where you are going when taking taxis or Ubers, particularly if you are heading out of town to somewhere like Playa Blanca. This can make sure you are taking the most direct route and help ensure you don’t overpay.
➡️ Don’t accept free samples or gifts from street vendors
If you are lying on the beach and a local person offers you a free massage or a free souvenir then there is absolutely zero chance it is free.
People don’t wake up in the morning and decide they want to spend their limited funds on transport to give you, one of hundreds of thousands of tourists, a gift to say thanks for coming. Colombian people can be remarkably kind and welcoming but that makes no sense.
Some sly vendors will insist on putting a bracelet on your wrist with reassurance that it is free. Once it is on your wrist they will then loudly complain that you are stealing from them if you refuse to pay the US$30 the strip of cloth is clearly worth.
Nobody working on the beach is going to give you a free hand massage just because they think you are handsome. Pilas pues! (local Colombian slang referring to batteries that means “stay sharp” or “switch on”).
➡️ If you don’t want a rap serenade give a firm “no gracias”
Locals in Cartagena have come up with all kinds of innovative and creative ways to offer products and services to tourists. In most instances, this can improve the experience for the visitor for a reasonable fee in exchange.
One thing you will see is freestyle rappers throughout the old town improvising songs about the people they meet in exchange for tips. It can be quite cool and some of the videos have blown up on Instagram. The lyrics can be a bit cheeky but that is part of the fun. That said, if you don’t want to hand over a tip then give a firm “no gracias” and they will move on.
Colombians are great but they are also very direct. If you aren’t interested then be clear and nobody will be offended.
➡️ Always ask prices of food or drink on the beach before ordering
This is perhaps my biggest recommendation for anyone who visits Cartagena. The biggest complaint tourists from within Colombia and abroad have about the city is that they get ripped off.
If you are on the beach ask for a menu if possible. If they don’t have a menu then ask the price of everything you order in advance. In many places, there are no set prices and people will charge what they think they can. This can involve a 10x gringo surcharge on a couple of cocktails or the most expensive piece of fish ever known to man.
People refuse to pay and the waiter complains and things can escalate. All of that can be averted with a quick “cuanto es?” when you place your order.
One time in Cartagena we asked how much the beers were. They said 5,000 pesos so we ordered 4 beers and a lemonade. The total came to 50,000 COP because the lemonade, which we didn’t check the price on, was now inexplicably 30,000 COP.
➡️ Try To Not To Go Out at Night Alone
This is good advice around Colombia and the potential for robberies or problems is obviously significantly reduced if you are with others.
Much of Cartagena is very busy into the evening, so if you avoid the quiet backstreets then you should be OK but it is best to travel in groups and be careful with your possessions.
➡️ Watch Out for Pick-Pockets
The busy streets of the old town are full of, at times, naive tourists who are having a good time with their guard down. In a highly unequal city like Cartagena, there are of course a minority of locals who will try to take advantage of that.
When you are in a restaurant be aware of your phone on the table and any bags you have with you. Try to avoid leaving things in your back pocket as you walk through crowds, be cautious if someone approaches you and of your surroundings.
You don’t need to be paranoid or scared but use the same caution as you would use in any bustling city center filled with tourists.
➡️ Be Careful When Withdrawing Cash
ATMs in Cartagena are found in malls but there are also some which are on the street or just inside the entrance to the bank.
When you withdraw cash be extra careful, particularly for the first couple of blocks.
If you withdraw a large amount take it back to your hotel and avoid taking quiet back streets.
Again, this is unlikely but taking sensible steps can help ensure this isn’t a problem.
➡️ Use Your Hotel Safe Box
I don’t always do this and I have never had any bad experiences, but it is always sensible to keep things you can’t afford to lose locked up in your hotel.
It will give you peace of mind and prevent any potential issues with hotel staff.
➡️ Don’t Get Wasted if You Are Alone
As mentioned above, if you are on your own you will always be slightly more vulnerable and that is heightened if you have consumed a large amount of alcohol. If you go out drinking make sure you know where you are and how you are getting home.
These are things easier to plan before that fourth cocktail with a clear head. If you do find yourself alone and uncomfortably tipsy then pause, regroup, find somewhere safe and order yourself an Uber to get you back to the hotel.
➡️ Don’t give “papaya”
In Colombia, locals will instruct you to not “dar papaya”.
This means don’t set yourself to be taken advantage of or don’t make yourself an easy target.
If you have a bill hanging out of your pocket a Colombian may give you the old “no dar papaya” or if you leave your phone on the table while you are distracted. The local people want you to leave with nothing but positive stories to tell and they are keen that you don’t have any bad experiences.
Cartagena Safety FAQ
Is Cartagena Colombia Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
Yes, many women visit Cartagena alone and in the vast majority of cases, there are no issues. Be careful late at night on the smaller streets when you are alone and keep an eye on your drink in a bar or club.
If you are sensible there aren’t any real significant additional risks but it is important to take care particularly later in the evening.
Is It Safe to Take a Taxi in Cartagena?
Stopping a yellow taxi on the street in Cartagena is usually fine and I have personally never had an issue however it is always safer to order using Uber or an app.
Taxis from the airport are safer because the journey is registered and there is also a fixed price depending on the zone you are going to.
Whereas taxis in Medellin, Cali and Bogota now always have meters, that isn’t the case in Cartagena. When you get in a taxi that doesn’t have a meter it is important to ask “cuanto es?” before you leave to make sure you don’t get overcharged.
That said, if you can use an app. You will know the price and that price will be in line with what locals will pay.
Is Cartagena Safe to Walk in at Night?
In Bocagrande, the old town, Getsemani and Cielo Mar you are generally perfectly safe to walk at night if you take the usual cautions.
Stick to the busier areas, avoid quiet back streets, be sensible when you use your phone and make sure you know where you are going.
Is Cartagena Dangerous for Tourists?
Cartagena does have some dangerous areas but it is extremely unlikely the vast majority of tourists will ever go there. I would say much of Cartagena is very safe as long as you keep an eye on your things and behave sensibly.
Is Santa Marta or Cartagena Safer?
I would say generally Cartagena is safer but the large number of tourists makes areas of the city a specific focus for scams and pickpockets.
With Santa Marta, it is possible to go for a walk and find yourself in a poorer part of town where you will feel less safe and there are fewer police officers. That is very unlikely in Cartagena and the biggest concern is going to be someone taking the phone you left unattended in the restaurant.