You possibly can really feel protected in Cartagena so long as you train widespread sense. Vacationer locations such because the Walled Metropolis, Getsemaní, and Bocagrande are teeming with law enforcement officials.
In accordance with a Ministry of Commerce, Trade, and Tourism report, 3,700,000 individuals visited Cartagena final 12 months, and guests reported a typically protected keep.
Avoid drug sellers and prostitutes, be cautious of pickpockets, and also you shouldn’t have many issues with security.
LATEST NEWS from CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA
February 15 – The climate has pressured the closure of the seashores in Cartagena.
The Cartagena Mayor’s Workplace has forbidden bathers from getting into any of town’s seashores because of the present maritime climate situations.
The Mayor’s Workplace requested that guests and Cartagena residents observe this interim order till the authorities decide that the state of affairs has improved.
The federal government additionally states that “winds with speeds of 12 to 24 knots (22 and 44 km/h) and a major wave peak between 1.0 and 1.7 meters” are occurring and recommends that the Maritime Affiliation and the inhabitants take note of the experiences and keep away from actions on the seashores and within the sea.
Official Journey Advisories
U.S. Travel Advisory
The U.S. State Division advises in opposition to touring to Colombia (usually) due to the nation’s excessive crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping.
They advise to not journey to:
- “Arauca, Cauca (excluding Popayán), and Norte de Santander departments as a result of crime and terrorism.
- The Colombia-Venezuela border area as a result of crime, kidnapping, and danger of detention when crossing into Venezuela from Colombia.”
As of proper now, Cartagena is just not the topic of any journey advisories, so technically, Cartagena is a protected vacation spot in Colombia.
Canada Travel Advisory
Even within the safer areas of Colombian cities, there are muggings and assaults. These conditions have the potential to grow to be violent. In Colombia, firearms and different weapons are incessantly used. Robberies with weapons on show are widespread and may occur in eating places, retail facilities, buses, taxis, and on the streets. When victims don’t cooperate, criminals gained’t suppose twice about utilizing weapons on them.
All all through the nation, petty crimes like pickpocketing, purse and cellular phone snatching, are frequent. Thieves incessantly drive by and steal bikes. They are often present in each prosperous and impoverished areas of the nation.
Areas to keep away from
The US authorities has issued particular warnings for south Cartagena, Chambacu, and the east space of Centro Business Caribe Plaza.
El Paraiso, La Maria, and Sector La Magdalena are different neighborhoods with excessive crime charges.
Regardless of being in style vacationer locations, the realm encompassing Zapatos Viejos, Castillo de San Felipe, and India Catalina, are bordered by unsafe neighborhoods. Sure people could prey on unwary or inconsiderate vacationers. It’s preferable to go to these places throughout the day slightly than at night time.
Whereas violent crime is uncommon in vacationer locations just like the Walled Metropolis of La Candelaria and the seashores, pickpocketing remains to be prevalent.
Widespread Scams in Cartagena
Sadly, Cartagena, Colombia, has gained a fame as a metropolis affected by scams. Listed below are some suggestions that can assist you keep away from them:
- Be cautious with relationship apps: In Colombia, particularly in main cities, use solely respected cell apps and prepare to satisfy potential dates in public locations. Scammers have been identified to create faux profiles to focus on international people, robbing and drugging them when they’re alone.
- Be careful for counterfeit items: Suspiciously low costs for supposedly real objects could point out they’re faux. Search recommendation out of your lodge on the place to search out respectable items.
- Negotiate rigorously with avenue distributors: Keep away from revealing the amount of cash you have got till you agree on a value. Displaying a big invoice could discourage distributors from bargaining with you.
- Guard in opposition to foreign money manipulation by taxi drivers: At all times agree on the fare earlier than getting into a taxi and ensure if the driving force can present change for giant payments. Keep vigilant throughout the fee change to forestall being short-changed or deceived.
- Beware of prolonged routes taken by taxis: Keep alert and use GPS to make sure you’re not being taken benefit of by taxi drivers who could take longer routes to extend fares. Think about using Cabify or Uber to trace your experience.
- Defend in opposition to card cloning: Credit score and debit card scams are prevalent in Colombia. Use ATMs situated inside banks or purchasing facilities throughout daylight, and examine the ATM for indicators of tampering. At all times cowl the keypad when getting into your PIN, and keep away from leaving your card unattended throughout transactions in eating places.
- Train warning with encounters involving strangers: Be cautious of people promoting magazines or in order they might use distractions to steal your belongings. Equally, be cautious of avenue distributors and keep away from turning into distracted whereas they interact with you, as this might be a tactic to pickpocket you.
- Keep away from overcharging: Foreigners are sometimes focused for overcharging as a result of assumptions about their wealth. Pay the agreed-upon value promptly to keep away from being exploited, significantly when utilizing taxis, buying objects from casual distributors in vacationer areas, or eating in faraway areas.
Security Suggestions for Cartagena
- Conceal invaluable possessions: Be sure that costly objects resembling jewellery and cameras will not be visibly displayed whereas navigating town.
- Stay inside populated areas: Whereas Cartagena is usually protected throughout daylight, it’s advisable to remain inside bustling areas and keep away from abandoned or poorly illuminated streets, significantly after darkish.
- Train warning at night time: Regardless of Cartagena’s vibrant nightlife being a serious draw, it’s vital to apply vigilance as soon as night time falls. Keep in teams, make the most of respected transportation companies, and chorus from accepting drinks from unfamiliar people.
- Hold emergency contact particulars accessible: Carry native emergency telephone numbers in addition to the handle and make contact with data of your lodging always.
- Choose respected lodging in safe neighborhoods: Go for lodging with optimistic evaluations in areas just like the walled metropolis, Getsemani, or Bocagrande, the place facilities are conveniently accessible on foot.
- Monitor private belongings: Given the potential for pickpocketing and theft in Cartagena, keep vigilance and keep away from leaving belongings unattended. Think about using a cash belt or hid pouch to safeguard important objects resembling passports, bank cards, and money.
