Is Colombia Safe for Female Travelers?
Experiences from Colombia
Overall rating
based on 20 experiences
Rating summary
Things to do
Safety
Food
Budget-friendly
Solo travel experience
I visited Medellín, Cartagena, and Barranquilla. I flew from Cancún to Medellín, then from Medellín to Cartagena, Cartagena to Barranquilla, and finally Barranquilla back home. As for transportation, I used airplanes for all my trips. I paid with a card for almost everything, and they give you a good exchange rate. In Medellín, I stayed in Provenza and honestly found a super cheap Airbnb. I visited Guatape, it's beautiful and you shouldn't miss it. The food is delicious, especially the cheese, and chocolate. I returned at 4 a.m. once, and to be honest, I felt safe. In Cartagena, I stayed in Morros City, where I had a spectacular view. Everything was close to me except the downtown area, which wasn't far away, but I preferred to use a taxi or Uber. You can use Uber without a problem, it's very cheap, and also taxis, but you should ask how much they will charge for everything. In terms of safety in Cartagena, you should be more careful, especially at night, and avoid walking in the early morning, that's all.
Posted: September 19, 2023Solo travel experience
I spent 14 days in Colombia with a very low budget. It was my first time getting on a plane, and I visited Santa Marta and Cartagena, where I felt very safe. I met kind and helpful people along the way. I was quite scared, but now I feel like I'm capable of anything. I highly recommend Parque Tayrona if you love nature. It's a true paradise.
Posted: September 4, 2023Solo travel experience
I went on my first-ever solo trip to Colombia. I had an amazing time along the coast. I went to Cartagena, Santa Marta, Minca, Tayrona National Park, Palomino, Cabo de la Vela, San Andres. I felt super safe the whole time. I strongly encourage visiting this beautiful country.
Posted: August 11, 2023Solo travel experience
I traveled south to north. Started in Cali (home of salsa) and then headed north. I went to Cali, Salento (to hike and see giant palm trees), Medellin (did Comuna 13 walking tour), Guatape (to climb the hill to see the views of the lakes), Cartagena, Santa Marta (a nice coastal town), Minca (mountains), Parque Tayrona (coastal national park). I traveled solo using public buses and fest safe.
Posted: August 9, 2023Solo travel experience
Colombia is one of my favourite countries as it’s naturally beautiful all around but the people and culture enhance it even more. It’s a country that still has a bit of a bad reputation (drugs, crime, Escobar, etc.) but I felt safe and welcomed the entire time.
Posted: July 31, 2023Solo travel experience
Colombia is super safe. Easily one of my favorite countries I’ve ever visited. I’ve been there for a month: carrying a camera, phone, etc, walking around at night. I’m blonde and a don’t speak a whole lot of Spanish. I’ve never had any trouble or felt uncomfortable at all.
Posted: May 26, 2023Solo travel experience
I started in Bogota but flew straight to San Andres to have a beach holiday. Then I flew back to Bogota and took a bus to Neiva to visit the desert. From there I took a bus to Cali, then a bus to the coffee zone. Bus to Medellin. Flight to Cartagena. Bus to Santa Marta and finally flight to Bogota where I spent my last days before flying back to Europe. I was there for around 6 weeks.
Posted: May 23, 2023Solo travel experience
I found solo travelling around Colombia as a woman relatively easy/unstressful, but I do speak at least passable Spanish which I think helped. I also found people generally incredibly helpful, and only Cartagena and Salento (i.e. the most touristy places) seemed to have anyone trying to rip off.
Posted: April 30, 2023
daisy (42)
Hong Kong S.A.R.
Solo travel experience
In Colombia you can find some good restaurants with friendly budgets, nice coffee and chocolate. What to do in Colombia ? I visited Guatapé, spent 2 nights and woke up early to the El Peñol , giant rock , less tourist before 9a.m.. Paragliding for a different point of view of Guatapé as well.
Posted: April 12, 2023Experienced: April, 2023Solo travel experience
Colombia was my favorite country in Latin America and I preferred Medellin over Cartagena. In Cartagena, I felt like a tourist and things were very expensive compared to Medellin.
Posted: April 3, 2023Get the Travel Ladies App
Meet locals, find travel buddies, share experiences, discuss travel plans and stay with locals through couch surfing.
Meet locals in Colombia
Juanita
Speaking
About Me
I am Juanita, I am curre toy studying business administration in Bogotá, I love being in contact with nature, to hike, and everything that involves spirituality,
Countries I’ve Visited
🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇺🇸 United States
Alejandra
Speaking
About Me
Hello! I’m Alejandra Abella. I love theater and music. Currently, I am learning programming. I love animals, I have 5 animals at home. My favorite food is sushi. I love talking with a lot of people. I practice swimming. I work as a ICT teacher. Usually I’m really full with all activities. I love with my parents and brother. I would be pleasure to be in touch with you.
Countries I’ve Visited
🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇦🇷 Argentina, 🇺🇾 Uruguay, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇫🇷 France, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇪🇸 Spain
Jessica
Speaking
About Me
Hi! I am a scientist from America and I love seeing new cities.
Countries I’ve Visited
🇦🇺 Australia, 🇧🇿 Belize, 🇧🇶 Bonaire, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇨🇴 Colombia, 🇨🇷 Costa Rica, 🇨🇺 Cuba, 🇨🇼 Curacao, 🇨🇿 Czech Republic, 🇩🇰 Denmark, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇲🇦 Morocco, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇴🇲 Oman, 🇵🇷 Puerto Rico, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇨🇭 Switzerland, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇾🇪 Yemen, 🇻🇦 Vatican City
Stay with locals in Colombia
Alejandra
Speaking
You can stay for:
3 days
I can host:
1 guest
About me
Hello! I’m Alejandra Abella. I love theater and music. Currently, I am learning programming. I love animals, I have 5 animals at home. My favorite food is sushi. I love talking with a lot of people. I practice swimming. I work as a ICT teacher. Usually I’m really full with all activities. I love with my parents and brother. I would be pleasure to be in touch with you.
Countries I’ve Visited
🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇦🇷 Argentina, 🇺🇾 Uruguay, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇫🇷 France, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇪🇸 Spain
Marie
Speaking
You can stay for:
3 days
I can host:
1 guest
About me
Hello! M’y name is Marie, im half french and half spanish, I work in the field of defense of womens rigths, I graduate as a political scientist in both countries. Im currently living and working in Cali, colombia after living for 6 months in Buenos Aires Argentina.
Countries I’ve Visited
🇦🇷 Argentina, 🇦🇩 Andorra, 🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇨🇴 Colombia, 🇨🇺 Cuba, 🇨🇷 Costa Rica, 🇭🇷 Croatia, 🇨🇿 Czech Republic, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇲🇹 Malta, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇺🇾 Uruguay, 🇩🇴 Dominican Republic, 🇲🇦 Morocco, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇷🇪 Réunion
Solimar
Speaking
You can stay for:
7 days
I can host:
2 guests
About me
Hi, My name is Solimar and I'm interested in animals, art, camping, culture, cinema, dancing, fashion, food & cuisine, history, photography, solo travel, swimming and writing
Upcoming visitors to Colombia
Sıla
Speaking
About Me
Hey, My name is Sıla and I'm interested in art, backpacking, camping, culture, diving, nature, food & cuisine and solo travel
Countries I’ve Visited
🇦🇱 Albania, 🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇧🇬 Bulgaria, 🇨🇿 Czech Republic, 🇩🇰 Denmark, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇯🇴 Jordan, 🇲🇪 Montenegro, 🇲🇦 Morocco, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇷🇸 Serbia, 🇸🇮 Slovenia, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates, 🇻🇦 Vatican City, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇫🇷 France, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇱🇺 Luxembourg, 🇭🇷 Croatia
Silvia
Speaking
About Me
Since I started working I’ve been travelling around. I’m open minded, down to earth and always ready for some fun. I like change and I like to keep on moving. The next big step is South America in the late 2023, I’m looking for a travel buddy!
Countries I’ve Visited
🇦🇺 Australia, 🇦🇹 Austria, 🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇲🇻 Maldives, 🇲🇦 Morocco, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Teresa
Speaking
About Me
Hi everybody, I am planning a backpacking trip through South America. I will start in August 2024 and would like to meet other nature and culture connected people who want to start the tour with me. I am already a year earlier in Paraguay and participate in a research project on biodiversity in the rainforest. If you also want to discover this incredible continent I would be happy to establish contact and possibly then do something together in South America.
Countries I’ve Visited
🇩🇪 Germany, 🇫🇷 France, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇨🇭 Switzerland, 🇮🇹 Italy
Local discussions
TravelWhat adventures in Colombia are worth traveling to?
I am traveling to Cartagena and Medellin soon and would love recommendations for both cities/any adventures nearby that are worth traveling to while in Colombia.
Posted: November 2, 2022Solo travel"What recommendations do you have for solo travel in Bogota, Colombia and how safe is it?"
Hello solo travelers. I will be traveling to Bogota Colombia next week for the first time and solo. I would appreciate restaurant and places to see, recommendations and how safe is it for solo travel in Colombia.
Posted: September 17, 2022Travel Safety in Colombia
Is Bogotá safe?
Is Medellín safe?
Is Cartagena safe?
Is Guatapé safe?
Is Salento safe?
Is Uribia safe?
Is Riohacha safe?
Is Bucaramanga safe?
Is Santa Marta safe?
Is Barranquilla safe?
Is Barichara safe?
Is San Gil safe?
Is Villa de Leyva safe?
Is San Andrés safe?
Is Manizales safe?
Is Pereira safe?
Is Dagua safe?
Is Cali safe?
Is San Agustin safe?
Destination rankings
Articles
Frequently asked questions
Is Colombia Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
Is Colombia Safe for LGBTQ+ travellers?
