Is Cartagena Secure for Vacationers? (2023)

Colombia has a dodgy fame attributable to drug cartels and associated violent crime, however loads has modified because the days of Pablo Escobar. The nation is doing every thing attainable to make its stunning homeland travel-friendly, however does that imply Cartagena is secure for vacationers?

Cartagena is one in all Colombia’s finest locations to stay, because of its vibrant tradition, charming cobblestone streets, and lustrous Caribbean seashores. A vacation right here is nothing in need of paradise, and there are many the reason why it’s rising into a preferred vacationer hotspot.

Irrespective of how attractive this metropolis is, you’ll have to be ready for attainable risks. Each overseas journey must maintain your finest pursuits at coronary heart, so this information will make sure you’re nicely protected.

Why Go to Cartagena?

Cartagena has an enthralling gold mine of tradition, deep historical past, and pure magnificence — making it a must-visit for vacationers searching for a singular and enriching getaway.

The town’s historic Previous City, a UNESCO World Heritage website, has divine colonial structure, charming cobblestone streets, and vigorous plazas. You possibly can immerse your self in iconic landmarks just like the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas and the Museum of Cartagena de Indias.

Moreover, the Caribbean shoreline is made from tropical goals. Consider gorgeous seashores, the place azure waters and golden sands ease you into tranquility. Cartagena’s culinary scene is equally thrilling, fusing flavors from Caribbean, Spanish, and African influences.

All issues thought of, Cartagena affords an adventurous, healthful ambiance that makes each vacationer really feel welcome and desperate to discover its charms.

Is Cartagena Harmful?

You’ll discover that solutions range on this query, however Cartagena is mostly a medium-risk journey vacation spot. It’s neither probably the most safe nor probably the most hazardous, however it’s positively secure sufficient to go to. Additionally it is thought of one of many safer cities in Colombia.

Your foremost fear could be petty theft or a barely aggressive native at a road vendor. These worries are an ordinary vacationer drawback, identical to in cities equivalent to Marrakech, Morocco.

Sadly, violent crime is rife in Colombia, and there’s little doubt that these issues are mirrored in Cartagena, albeit partially. Nonetheless, the well-traveled routes have minimal instances of violent cases taking place to guests and police patrol the world. Your vacation will doubtless be problem-free when you observe security protocols and keep away from impoverished and high-crime areas.

Harmful Areas in Cartagena

 Chambacú

Chambacú is close to the Mall Plaza shopping center and the favored vacationer spot Castillo San Felipe. Whereas it might provide vacationers an genuine native expertise, it has a better crime charge than different districts, which causes some security considerations. The realm has a excessive degree of poverty, and which means a few of the locals resort to crime.

It’s best to keep away from Chambacú to keep away from potential hazard. In the event you should go by, you must maintain your useful gadgets hidden and lock your automobile when driving. By no means undergo Chambacú at evening.

South of San Felipe de Barajas

It’s advisable to keep away from the southern zones of Cartagena. As a reference level, the San Felipe de Barajas fortress may help distinguish between the much less prosperous neighborhoods, recognized for increased crime charges, and the safer and extra widespread vacationer locations.

Not all impoverished zones imply that the world is crime-ridden per se, however it’s finest to keep away from them altogether. Once more, you must disguise your belongings and lock your automobile when passing by. Sticking to the favored journey routes will guarantee you could have far fewer possibilities of an disagreeable expertise.

Is it Secure to Stay in Cartagena?

Colombia’s vacationer security is much better than it’s for locals. In Cartagena, the crime index is 54.88, that means that those that stay there want to fret about excessive and growing possibilities of being mugged, robbed, or assaulted.

The upper-class districts are topic to much less violent crimes attributable to higher policing, however the poorer areas aren’t as lucky. The Colombian drug scene is a major contributor to organized crime. There are round 36 gangs in Cartagena, and the town falls a part of a drug trafficking path to the south of the port metropolis.

If you’re an expat searching for the place the grass is greener, the safer areas will deliver you a greater security customary.

Secure Areas in Cartagena

Centro

Centro is the historic coronary heart of the town. It’s the journey hub and near nearly all of the vacationer facilities. Right here, you’ll discover remnants of Spanish colonial historical past throughout the iconic walled Previous City. This space is mostly thought of secure for vacationers, particularly within the busier areas.

The bustling streets are adorned with colourful facades, artwork galleries, boutique retailers, and vibrant road markets. In the event you’re searching for an genuine Colombian expertise, Centro is the proper place to be.

Getsemaní

Getsemaní has gained reputation through the years for its artsy, bohemian attraction. Since it’s well-traveled, it is without doubt one of the safer areas. The streets are adorned with colourful murals, and the neighborhood is understood for its vigorous ambiance, native markets, and an array of stylish bars and eating places.

Vacationers are drawn to Getsemaní for its cultural occasions, stay music, and the chance to expertise the town’s inventive spirit. It’s the proper place for finances lodging and a preferred backpacker vacation spot.

Bocagrande

Bocagrande is an upper-class a part of Cartagena, providing top-notch security and splendid lodging. Vacationers are drawn to Bocagrande for its string of lovely seashores, ultimate for sunbathing and water actions.

The close by business district brings you each a neighborhood and worldwide buying expertise. Bocagrande’s various culinary scene has a spread of eating choices, from high-end eating places to native eateries serving Colombian dishes like mojarra and empanadas.

Whereas it might not have the identical historic attraction because the Previous City, its fashionable points of interest, beachfront attract, and vigorous ambiance make it a really perfect vacation spot when you’re searching for a mixture of leisure, leisure, and up to date Colombian tradition.

Warnings & Risks in Cartagena

Cartagena is an absolute journey gem, however sadly, there are nonetheless dangers when visiting. Pickpocketing and bag snatching are the highest considerations concerning hazard. However they are often averted by not displaying indicators of wealth and maintaining your belongings safe.

Extra violent crimes like armed mugging and assault are attainable, however safety patrols happen on the well-traveled routes, making this much less doubtless. As evening falls, it’s the most harmful time in Cartagena, and staying in is your only option. If you’re to exit, you must by no means stroll round after darkish, guard your drinks, and select dependable transport.

General Journey Threat (5/10)

General, you’ll doubtless have a problem-free vacation in Cartagena, particularly within the vacationer hotspots. Though Cartagena is medium-risk, not many vacationers have any horror tales to inform. So long as you’re cautious and conscious of what risks could lurk, you have to be A-okay.

Petty and violent crime, pushy road distributors, fake police and scammy taxi drivers are the first hazardous run-ins. As soon as you know the way to deal with them, you must be capable to get by unscathed.

On a aspect be aware, Cartagena does face political unrest, so when you discover any protests, keep away. You shouldn’t work together in any respect, together with taking photographs and movies. It’s suggested to analysis native information earlier than visiting to know the political local weather.

Crime

Petty crime is widespread in Cartagena, and also you’ll must control your belongings. All the time maintain your valuables hidden and locked away, maintain your bag near your physique when strolling, and lock your lodge room and automobile always.

Violent crime occurs largely at evening, and you must ideally keep away from going out after darkish, particularly alone. If you’re to spend an evening out, by no means stroll, and have dependable transport prepared once you go away an institution. If you’re held up in a mugging, it’s finest to surrender your belongings to keep away from being harmed.

Avenue Distributors

Since Cartagena has a excessive poverty charge, locals do as a lot as they will to rake in some money, particularly once they spot a vacationer. Avenue distributors can grow to be aggressive when pushing a sale, and also you have to be agency with them.

For probably the most half, don’t categorical curiosity in one thing a vendor sells till you’re prepared to purchase. It will make your buying expertise a complete lot extra nice.

Notice that individuals providing to take a photograph anticipate fee afterward. Seaside chairs and umbrellas are additionally to be rented and should not free. One other factor value mentioning is that if somebody affords you instructions, they’ll doubtless attempt to advocate you to go to someplace to earn a fee.

Pretend Police

Though it’s not as widespread because it was, there are individuals out in Cartagena who fake to be cops. They’ll gown as one, strategy you, and demand to see your cash to confirm whether or not it’s counterfeit. They then take the cash, saying it’s pretend, and go away.

No precise police officer will ask you this, and you must deny their request and stroll away. By no means comply with anybody searching for to confirm your cash. If it does appear critical, request that you simply go to the police station.

Transport

Taxi companies in Cartagena use a taxi meter to calculate your fare. Generally, the driving force is dishonest and says it doesn’t work, or they lie in regards to the quantity and find yourself overcharging you. It’s finest to keep away from taking marked taxis.

Experience-hailing apps like Uber work in Cartagena, and it’s a extra dependable technique to get round because the fare is pre-confirmed. You can even ask your lodge for a dependable taxi service when you desire.

Suggestions for Staying Secure in Cartagena

Now that the principle security hazards, these prime suggestions will add to your safety throughout your keep in Cartagena:

• Watch out at ATMs: Solely use them within the daytime, and scan the world to make sure nobody is lingering to keep away from being mugged.
• Don’t be flashy: Carrying costly jewellery and watches makes you extra of a goal for theft.
• Negotiate costs beforehand: taxis, road distributors, and seashore distributors wish to surcharge, and an agreed worth mitigates an disagreeable shock.
• Don’t drink the faucet water: Water high quality is poor in Colombia, and consuming it should doubtless make you sick.
• Hold your telephone hidden: Many thieves are ready for the chance to grab it from you, so solely use it when mandatory.

Is Cartagena Secure? | Regularly Requested Questions

Earlier than heading to this splendid metropolis, these frequent queries will clue you up on another journey concerns.

Is Cartagena Secure for Solo Feminine Vacationers?

Since Cartagena is simply a medium-risk vacation spot, solo feminine journey is secure sufficient. Touring the town by yourself is a ton of enjoyable, however with a view to maintain your well-being in examine, you must train cautious habits. It is best to all the time maintain your belongings shut and safe to keep away from theft.

Solo ladies should use dependable transport and stick with vacationer areas like Previous Metropolis and Bocagrande. Going out alone at evening isn’t advisable. Ladies also needs to be aware that being catcalled is widespread.

Is It Secure in Cartagena at Evening?

Some say it’s secure to exit in Cartagena at evening, however it places your security in danger. Drink spiking and armed muggings are a few of the considerations at play. In the event you go in a bunch, you should not have any points. So long as you guard your drinks, don’t stroll round within the streets, and use dependable transport, you have to be simply effective.

Is Cartagena Low cost or Costly?

The US greenback is robust in opposition to the Colombian peso, which makes a vacation there tremendous reasonably priced. Nonetheless, Cartagena is the costliest metropolis in Colombia. In the event you journey in peak season between December and March, you’ll pay extra for lodging and actions. One of the best time to go to when it’s extra reasonably priced is in Could or September.

Is It Price Going to Cartagena, Colombia?

Sure! Cartagena is genuinely magnificent and guarantees an expertise like no different. It’s a vibrant place with distinctive attraction, because of its well-preserved colonial structure, historic websites, wealthy tradition, and delightful seashores. A vacation right here could be jam-packed with varied actions, from exploring native markets to stay music at fashionable bars.