Colombia Travel Risk Level

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. 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 a

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. all of Arauca Department the municipality of Puerto Carreño in Vichada Department 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 FCDO advises against all but essential travel to: 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 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 FCDO advises against all but essential travel to: 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: all of Cauca Department, except for the department capital Popayán 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 trav