We got ROBBED in COLOMBIA - TWICE

We got robbed within the first 3 hours of being Colombia, as well as on the last day. The muggings took place in Barranquilla at the carnival in the evening and in Bogota in the most touristy street during daytime.

[DAREDEVILBKLYN]

I get robbed everyday. I had kids with a Colombian woman 😂

[Sherky]

My uncle Tou Ger Xiong just got kidnapped and killed in Columbia. It's so sad how crazy and unsafe that county is. Please pray and send condolences to the Xiong Family.. He was such a good person and made a difference in the hmong community. His story made national news and it's so sad. May he RIP 🕊️🕊️🕊️

[ahsteacher]

In colombia I always carry a cheap phone with a colombia number. Also you do not see people carrying purses in Colombia for that reason. No chains and ETc. Never got robbed after 20 years of travelling there. Stay safe. Dangers are increasing as the tourism is increasing.

[jakemccoy]

I have heard many stories where foreigners report robberies to the Colombian cops, and the cops just laugh.

[techgeek]

Mistake #1 - You are standing out in the open at night.

[MrSkipper]

Colombia has become increasingly dangerous since the pandemic. You don't want to stand out as a foreigner when visiting Colombia, it puts an easy target on your back. You would have to blend in, but in your case you stand out like a sore thumb. I don't recommend tourists visiting Colombia unless you know someone who lives there, especially solo travelers.

[AndreInThe]

If you were robbed twice, consider yourself lucky you're still alive.

[mwaynerowe]

27 dead gringos in Medellin so far this year and we haven't even hit the holidays yet. These are just the dead the amount of people drugged, robbed and beaten is much much higher. Petro won so the country is on the path to become like Venezuela. Scratch Colombian off your list because your life and safety are more important

[ryanpierce]

Man that’s super disappointing to hear of your experience there. I spent two weeks in Colombia in April doing a lot of the tourist circuit - Medellin, Guatape, Jardin, Salento/Cocora Valley, Cartagena - and absolutely loved it. The small towns felt very safe but Medellin and Cartagena I could definitely sense trouble would be very easy to find. I did almost get into a bad situation in Medellin one night when I was surrounded by five sketchy dudes that were overly interested in chatting me up - but I quickly got out of there and thankfully nothing bad happened. I can imagine getting robbed would really sour you on a place and had something happened to me I would have had a very different opinion of Colombia. So all this to say is I loved my time in Colombia but it is not a super safe travel destination and anyone telling you Medellin is no more dangerous than NYC or LA or Paris - as many people online have said - is flat out lying.

[elvdell]

It is a shame what is happening in Colombia. Petty crime is definitely on an uptick but even more violent crimes against foreigners are rising as well (it seems). It will be interesting to see over the coming years is this part of the normal cycle these countries go through or if it becomes a new norm. I haven't been to mainland CO since the pandemic hit and my last time there was literally days before the massive shutdown in international travel happened. All of that to say, prior to the pandemic, I never had a problem in Cartagena of feeling safe. With as many times as I've been there, even I'd think twice before going now. It's still nice, and the majority of people are wonderful, but you truly have to be so much more careful now that it begs the question, can it really be called a vacation if you are hyper vigilant for things you aren't normal hyper vigilant for.

[Yalbou]

The sad thing about colombia is that you got to be on your guard 24/7. I went to colombia just before covid. My strategy was to always have my cheap 2nd phone and wallet with little money in a belt bag tucked under my shirt or in my shorts. I would hardly use my phone. And i always went to hostels and used their tour guides and went out with a big group of fellow travellers.
I heard colombia is much more dangerous now, so i dont think i will return soon. Im happy you said mecico is safer. I was really scared of going to mexico but think i will go now

[QueensNY]

The best way to avoid getting robbed in Colombia is not going to Colombia, yes. you heard that right. Choose another destination where you dont have to worry about getting killed, robbed or drugged. I decided not to put my life in constant risk. I just travel to the Phillipines and Dominican Republic, two great places where you know that will not get killed. I dont work for a tourist office in Colombia. My advise is to get a different destination.

[burrosification]

I got robbed in Medellin Poblado at gun point and also in Cartagena by gun point in Boca Grande. Very dangerous place and the people seem to think its normal

[HE]

This is why I changed my mind about going to Colombia. I was VERY close to going. But, I have done research and CONSTANTLY hearing horror stories about Colombia. Thus, I won't be going!

[simonledoux]

I am sorry that you had those experiences in Colombia and I don't blame you for not wanting to return there. I went to Cartagena about 6 years ago and liked the city although it was blazing hot there. For the most part, I felt safe there but I am also alert wherever I go. The only weird thing I experienced was when I was leaving the Colombia, the customs agent asked me if I had anything for him. A bribe but for what? I didn't do anything wrong. I just send no and that was it. Like you, I don't think I would want to return there either. There are so many other places to visit and to explore that are a lot safer. I am older now too and even more of a target than a typical gringo.

[gnolan]

I have continuously been in Colombia since 2016 and have never been robbed, never felt unsafe.

[forsee]

I have a similar experience where I've been robbed 3 times in Bogota (I was there for 3 months) and have always had to be on my guard in urban and even in more smaller town environments. Thanks for sharing your experience here.

[andreanavarro]

DO NOT COME BACK, NOW IS EVEN WORSE THAN EVER!!!

[mylene_b]

I just wanna say my bf's phone got robbed in Bogotá. We were in a park barely a few minutes after sunset, and we were waiting for a ride. We got unlucky because the transport situation is very complicated at the moment as there are strikes because of the gas prices going up. Anyway, we just reported it to the police and they told us next time we're in an open area, we can call 123 and request the police to accompany us. My reflex was just to run as far as possible and I have no idea if that was the right or wrong thing to do.

[Tamasha]

I had no problems in Rio de janeiro in June 2022. I was with my Brazilian friend. I stayed in recreio dos bandeirantes and visited Barra da tijuca and the south zone. I think Colombian cities look more problematic then Rio.