Julio G. Says:
I’m drawn to the idea of living in Colombia, but I worry about safety. Is the country as dangerous as it used to be?
IL Contributor Nancy Kiernan Writes:
Many people have an outdated perspective of life in Colombia. The dark days of Pablo Escobar and the drug cartels portrayed in the Netflix series Narcos are long gone.
However, the question of safety in Colombia remains constant. So, from someone who has lived in the country since 2012, let’s get right into it and I will address the most burning issues.
Living in Colombia is safer than in many other countries around the world. As a matter of fact, Bogotá and Medellín, the two largest cities in the country, rank safer than quite a few U.S. cities, according to the 2018 Numbeo Crime Index.
Like any country around the world, there is crime.
But in the expat-centric areas, it tends to be crimes of opportunity, such as pick-pocketing in crowds and theft of unattended items (cellphones, backpacks, handbags). The local expression “no dar papaya” loosely translates to “don’t make yourself a target.” So, it is best not to wear expensive jewelry or watches, flash large amounts of cash, or walk around late at night in untraveled or unlit areas.
The rougher neighborhoods in Medellín include Communa 13, San Javier, el Centro, and Santo Domingo. Gangs still exist and are territorial. They don’t want anyone (including lost foreigners) invading their turf.
Cali has its tough sections too. These include the hillside Siloé neighborhood and practically the entire eastern section of the city. Much of the Pacific coast area around the port city of Buenaventura is quite rural and not any place you would want to live.
Every city in Colombia has its good and not-so-good areas. Investigate the city and talk to expats who live there to help you determine which areas are safest.
Editor’s Note: Read Nancy’s full breakdown on safety in Colombia here.
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