Is Bogotá Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

While Bogotá is a city of rich culture and history, it does demand certain precautions for solo female travelers. Common issues faced are pickpocketing and scams in busy areas, so it's best you keep your belongings secure. As a solo female traveler, it's advised to avoid walking alone in deserted places or at night. Use registered taxi services or authorized ride-hailing services for transportation. Learning some basic Spanish would be helpful as not everyone speaks English. While, generally, people are friendly, it's best to stay alert and maintain a good level of vigilance.

Safety index

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How safe is Bogotá?

Safety at night:

Safety at night:Unsafe

Bogotá has seen improvements in safety over the years but is still considered risky for solo female travelers at night. While many areas are relatively safe and busy during the day, at night, it is advisable to avoid walking alone especially in deserted or less populated areas. It's best to use licensed taxis or trusted ride-share services for transportation. Remain vigilant and avoid displaying valuable items in public places to prevent possibilities of theft or mugging.
Public transportation:

Public transportation:Moderate

Public transportation in Bogotá, like the TransMilenio system, tends to be relatively safe during the daytime but caution should be taken at night. Crowding can be common, so pay attention to your belongings to prevent pickpocketing. Additionally, while incidents are decreasing, taxis hailed off the streets have been linked to 'millionaire rides,' where the passenger is kidnapped and forced to withdraw large amounts of money from ATMs. Recommendations suggest using trusted taxi booking services or ride-hailing apps instead.
Street harassment:

Street harassment:Moderate

Bogota, Colombia can possess moderate levels of street harassment. Catcalling or non-aggressive verbal remarks can be a quite common encounter, especially in crowded and touristic areas. However, remember that these instances vary from person to person and depends on the area and the time of the day. Highly recommended to keep an attentive eye on your surroundings and prioritize safety. Still, Colombians are known to be hospitable and welcoming, so negative interactions should not overshadow the overall cultural experience.
Petty crimes:

Petty crimes:High

Bogotá has a noticeable level of petty crime like pickpocketing, bag snatching, and theft. It is always recommended to stay alert in crowded areas like public transportation, parks, and local markets as these are the favored places for thieves to target tourists. However, by taking preventive measures like keeping valuableshidden and not showing off expensive items, you can decrease your chances of being targeted. Remember, most locals are friendly and helpful, so don't let this deter you from enjoying beautiful Bogotá.

Is Bogotá worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.5 /5

based on 15 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.4/5

Safety

3.9/5

Food

4.6/5

Budget-friendly

3.6/5
Charlot

Charlot

Belgium

Solo travel

I went to Bogotá and stayed at Spotty Hostel. I loved the hostel and would absolutely get back. At night I didn't always feel safe alone on the streets, but during the day I never felt like that. I've also noticed that it really helps if you speak Spanish! The people are really friendly and always eager to help. A must-visit is Monserrate!

Posted: July 16, 2024Experienced: June, 2023
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Julia

Julia

Netherlands

Solo travel

I spent a weekend in Bogota in March 2023. I stayed at “Hotel Retiro 84 by MIJ”, very safe area to walk during the night for solo female travelers. Favorite places to eat in the area: La Taqueria calle 82, Frites Artois, Azahar Café Nogal Favourite activities in Bogota: - Ride to Monserrate for the sunset (think of arranging taxi in advance from there, as it’s difficult to get Uber afterwards and area is not considered extremely for foreigners) - Museo de Arte Miguel Urrutia, with Botero art (free to visit) Great lunch spot: Quinua Y Amaranto It’s considered safe to walk in La Candelaria before 5 pm, not sure what happens after as I didn’t try to stay after the sunset. I typically walked or got a taxi / Uber

Posted: March 30, 2024Experienced: February, 2023
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Milena

Milena

North Macedonia

Group travel

I was in Bogota with a friend. Love the climate there, throughout the year max 20 degrees Celsius. All sorts of tropical fruits and fresh juices everywhere. It is a nice and clean city, and people are very friendly. Climbed on mount Monserrate on a rainy day - and even though it was cloudy the view from above and the experience was amazing. Not dangerous at all, would definitely return if I get a chance.

Posted: August 23, 2023Experienced: March, 2023
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Solo travel

I loved Bogotá. Although I only had time for Monseratte and La Candelaria, I could easily spend a few days sightseeing. I felt safe, even when I was exploring alone and taking pictures. I made sure to take a hotel taxi before it got dark.

Posted: May 1, 2023
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Solo travel

I felt very safe in Bogota and I loved the old parts of the city. It's really beautiful and clean, and there are a lot of policemen on the streets. I took a bus to Zipaquirá to see the salt cathedral, and it was amazing. The Gold Museum and the Botero Museum were also really great. The Gold Museum is one of the best historical museums I've ever been to.

Posted: May 1, 2023
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Solo travel

I stayed in the La Candelaria area and it was relaxing, both during the day and at night. I did several city tours based on tips (one was about food, the other about street art), I visited the Botero museum and the gold museum, took a funicular to Monserrate, and also did a day trip to the Salt Cathedral and Guatavita. I will definitely return there in the future to see more of this country.

Posted: April 29, 2023
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Solo travel

Bogota - Masaya Hostel (has private and shared rooms) in Candelaria - Hotel Bicentenario is also close by. I stayed and liked both. Monserrate... Avoid hiking (safety is the reason for me), but definitely go there!!! (Don't eat at the French restaurant there though, I was disappointed) A tour of the Paloquemao fruit market... book through AirBnb... AMAZING. I love the Gold Museum. A day trip to Guatevita or the Salt Cathedral. Both are great!! It's easy to take a walking tour around the city and see the graffiti too. And YES to Pancakes & Waffles!! I've been there many times.

Posted: November 12, 2022
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Solo travel

A few of my favorite places in Bogota: Gold Museum, Botero Museum, Bolivar Square, Monserrate, La Candelaria neighborhood, if you are there on Sunday - ciclovia, if you have transport arranged - a day trip to the Salt Cathedral and visit Andres Carne de Res in Cundinamarca on the way back to Bogota. Colombia is beautiful!!!

Posted: November 8, 2022
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Group travel

I was just in Bogota in September for a long weekend. We went for a free city walk and to Monserrate (and also just explored on our own). We stayed at the NH Bogota Boheme Royal hotel. We hired a private driver who took us to the Salt Cathedral in Zipaquirá. We also went down to the city center, and he took us to Andres Carne de Res on the way back to Chia, which is the original location and the best place for taking pictures, decorations, and entertainment. The one in Bogota (right below the aforementioned hotel) was good for music and dancing.

Posted: November 7, 2022
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Solo travel

I love Bogota! I stayed at the Hotel de la Opera in La Candelaria and it was wonderful. It is very easy to stroll around and explore the area. Climbing Monserrate is harder than I expected due to the altitude, but it is worth it. I also highly recommend taking part in a gastronomic tour.

Posted: November 5, 2022
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Is Bogotá safe for women?

Safety index

2.6 /5

Based on 6 local experiences

Crime index

3.2 /5

Based on 6 local experiences

It's a nice city when you know how to move around. If you're new, try to stick to locals you can trust. They will tell you where to go, when and how. It's very common to see tourists being careless. That's not gonna help anyone.

Posted: June 18, 2024
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Martha

Martha

Bogotá is the capital of Colombia, which makes it a big city full of people and traffic. As in any other city or country, you need to be careful with your personal belongings. I'd say it's better to be low-key and not wear flashy jewelry and stuff like that. I love my city and country overall; always try to stay safe.

Posted: May 31, 2024
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Is Bogotá safe right now?

Before your visit to Bogotá, it's essential to check travel advisories for Colombia, including your home country's official travel advisory. These advisories can provide up-to-date information on safety, health, and any specific considerations for travelers.
🇺🇸

United States Travel AdvisoryReconsider your need to travel

The United States Government advises reconsidering travel due to crime and terrorism. It suggests exercising increased caution due to civil unrest and kidnapping. Certain areas possess a higher risk. Check the full travel advisory.
Last updated: January 2, 2024
🇨🇦

Canada's Travel AdvisoryExercise a high degree of caution

The Canadian government advises exercising a high degree of caution in Colombia due to high levels of crime. Check the full travel advisory.
Last updated: October 1, 2024
🇦🇺

Australia's Travel AdvisoryExercise a high degree of caution

The Australian government advises exercising a high degree of caution in Colombia overall due to the threat of violent crime and terrorism. Check the full travel advisory.
Last updated: October 1, 2024

Meet locals in Bogotá

Nathaly

Nathaly

About Me

Hey Ladies! I’m from Bogotá, Colombia and I studied Electronic Engineering, I currently work as a Software Engineer and since I traveled as a Digital Nomad through 6 countries for 5 months in 2022, I fell in love with getting to know places, cultures, languages ​​and people. What impacted me the most during these 5 months was the desire to return to my country to get to know it, travel and enjoy it. I’ve traveled to San Agustin and the Tatacoa Desert in Huila, to Medellin and Envigado, I was fortunate to visit La Guajira and the Tayrona park in Santa Marta and go to the Astronomy Festival in Villa de Leyva. I’m passionate about the idea of ​​continuing to explore, both in Colombia and abroad, and sharing experiences with people from different cultures.

Speaking

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Martha

Martha

About Me

I am passionate about traveling, learning about new cultures, and making friends around the world. I consider myself as a trustworthy, enthusiastic, and very easygoing person. I have been immersed in different cultures and have learned from them a lot which has enriched my live and personal growth. Traveling and being surrounded by people from other cultures has taught me to be empathetic towards others and to respect people’s thoughts and beliefs, which I consider as one of my biggest values. Furthermore, I strongly believe that family and hospitality are essential components of our lives. I always try to create an environment where people feel comfortable and welcomed whether it's through sharing a meal together or offering a listening ear.

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Stay with locals in Bogotá

Alejandra

Alejandra

Bogotá

Can host for:

3 days

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.

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Mile

Mile

Bogotá

Can host for:

2 days

About me

I am from Colombia, South America. I like to travel and make new friends.

Speaking

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Upcoming visitors to Bogotá

Coline

Coline

About Me

I am 31 years old and a professional dancer. I often travel. Curious by nature, I love discovering new things and meeting new people !

Speaking

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Safety in Colombia