Explore Colombia | Waycarta

Exercise a high degree of caution

Exercise a high degree of caution in Colombia due to high levels of crime.

FCDO advises against all travel; FCDO advises against all but essential travel

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Colombia-Venezuela border and northern Colombia.

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to:

all of Norte de Santander Department, including Cúcuta.
all of Arauca Department, except for the department capital, Arauca
the municipality of Puerto Carreño in Vichada Department, except for the department capital, Puerto Carreño
within 5km of the rest of the border with Venezuela

FCDO currently advises against all travel to Venezuela’s border regions with Colombia. You should not use any of the Colombia-Venezuela land crossings. Pacific coast and Colombia-Panama border.

Chocó Department, except for the department capital Quibdó, the towns of Nuquí and Bahía Solano and Capurganá
the western part of Valle del Cauca Department, including Buenaventura
the municipality of Jamundí, Valle del Cauca
the western part of Cauca Department
the South Pacific, Sanquianga and Telembi regions of Nariño Department
the southern part of Córdoba Department
the Urabá and Bajo Cauca regions of Antioquia Department
the southern part of Bolívar Department

Central Colombia. all of Guaviare Department, except for the department capital San José del Guaviare
Cartagena del Chairá, San Vicente del Caguan, Puerto Rico, El Doncello, Paujil and La Montañita in Caquetá Department
the Ariari region of southern Meta, except for Caño Cristales

If travelling to the tourist site of Caño Cristales, travel by air from the town of La Macarena with a reputable tour company. Colombia-Ecuador border and southern Colombia.

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to within 5km of the border with Ecuador except for:

the border crossing on the Pan-American highway at the Puente Internacional de Rumichaca
the city of Ipiales in Nariño Department

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Orito, San Miguel, Valle del Guamuez, Puerto Caicedo, Puerto Guzmán, Puerto Asis and Puerto Leguizamo in Putumayo Department.

Reconsider travel

Reconsider travel to Colombia due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and natural disasters. Some areas have an increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Do Not Travel to: Arauca, Cauca (excluding Popayán), Valle del Cauca (excluding Cali) and Norte de Santander departments due to crime and terrorism. Within 10km/5mi of the Colombia-Venezuela border region due to crime, kidnapping, conflict between armed groups, and the risk of detention. Violent crime is common in many areas of Colombia, including murder, assault, and robbery. Other crimes, such as drugging, extortion, kidnapping, and armed break-ins—including at hotels and other places tourists stay—also occur frequently in some regions. Street crime occurs throughout Colombia and can quickly become violent. If you are targeted by criminals, do not resist. Police procedures and investigations in Colombia differ from those in the United States, and crimes against tourists are not always prosecuted. This can be a source of frustration for victims. Terrorism There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity, in Colombia. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s Country Reports on Terrorism to learn more.

Terrorists in Colombia may attack with little or no warning and target:

U.S. government facilities
Local government facilities
Tourist areas and attractions
Transportation centers
Shopping malls and markets
Military and police facilities
Hotels
Clubs
Restaurants
Airports

Police, military personnel, and their facilities are often targeted, including in large cities. In the past, attacks have included car bombs, grenades, explosive devices placed in buildings or on main roads, and the use of drones. Illegal armed groups, including narcotrafficking groups and terrorist organizations, have increased in number and expanded into more regions of Colombia. In remote areas where these groups are fighting with the government, they use improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and landmines against rivals and government forces. These explosives may be hidden in vehicles, attached to drones, or buried in the ground. Truck bombs have also been used to attack police and military installations. Civilians could be unintentionally harmed by IED attacks aimed at rival groups and government targets.

Demonstrations Political demonstrations are common throughout Colombia and can:

Shut down roads and highways without notice or estimated reopening timelines
Lead to road closures that reduce access to public transportation
Interrupt travel within and between cities
Become violent and result in deaths and injuries

Due to the risks, U.S. government employees working in Colombia are prohibited from:

Going to Colombia’s land borders with neighboring countries without special authorization
Using motorcycles
Hailing taxis from the street or using any form of public transportation

Natural Disasters Colombia has many volcanoes that can become active, and earthquakes are common throughout the country. After seismic events, tsunami warnings may be issued for coastal areas. For current alerts and more information, consult the Servicio Geologico Colombiano. Landslides are also a risk due to Colombia’s mountainous terrain and informal settlements in mountain cities such as Bogota and Medellin.

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