Is Cartagena Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
Safety rating
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How safe is Cartagena?
Safety at night:Moderate
Public transportation:Moderate
Street harassment:Low
Petty crimes:Moderate
Is Cartagena worth visiting?
Overall rating
based on 19 experiences from female travelers
Things to do
Safety
Food
Budget-friendly
Group travel
Cartagena is a very touristic city, and as in any place, you should be careful with your belongings. I wouldn't recommend walking alone at night in areas that are not very crowded. It is a well-known destination both nationally and internationally, so I would recommend booking in advance to ensure the best rates and availability for the activities you want to do.
Posted: January 17, 2025Experienced: January, 2024
Suhanna
Canada
Group travel
For the most part I had a blast in Cartagena with my girlfriends and we ended up making a group of friends during our trip from a fun day tour. The food in Colombia in general is OKAY, the quality that we as tourists can afford is certainly higher than what is available to locals (which isn’t fair). I wouldn’t recommend visiting as a solo woman, had I not been with my friends I wouldn’t have felt as safe. The walled city is probably the safest area but the vendors in Cartagena are VERY aggressive (understandably so, the wealth disparities are extremely visible). While I had a fun time, it’s hard to relax on the beach of even the small islands as the vendors will be on you 24/7. A polite “no gracias” will be needed over and over. I recommend brushing up on your Spanish prior to visiting as English is not commonly spoken. Cartagena’s walled city is stunning, lots of beautiful architecture and sites. Getsemani was probably my favourite part of the city, just so beautiful especially with all of the art and appreciation/respect for Afro Colombian culture.
Posted: September 14, 2024Experienced: December, 2023
Ki
Brazil
Couple travel
It's NOT a recommended place for women to be alone, men are EXTREMELY harassing to the point of being scary. If possible, it is recommended to rent a car or go on a tour everywhere, always verifying that the agency is trustworthy. Important tip: UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you go to Baru alone, it is extremely dangerous for tourists. Go with a tour agency, on an excursion.
Posted: March 21, 2024Experienced: March, 2024Solo travel
I traveled alone to Cartagena and had a wonderful time there, I encountered no problems. I used common sense and walked through well-lighted areas, main streets, etc., but really, I did not feel unsafe. There were plenty of tourists, and the locals were very nice. I stayed in a great Airbnb in Getsemani neighborhood, and the owners were very helpful. I ate out in town alone every night and no one bothered me. The only thing that I did not feel comfortable doing alone was dancing in the evenings. I missed that a bit, but I thought that I would probably attract a lot of attention.
Posted: October 13, 2023Solo travel
Everyone was super nice, everything was cheap, and the food was amazing. The only drawbacks were that no one spoke English and it was humid. I never felt unsafe.
Posted: October 11, 2023Solo travel
Recently, I traveled alone to Cartagena and I recommend staying in the Getsemaní district. It's quite lively here, with good nightlife and dining options, as well as very close to the Historical Center. Before ordering a service or making a purchase, ask for the price in advance, as sometimes they may overcharge you.
Posted: September 4, 2023Solo travel
All the time while I was in Cartagena and its surroundings, I felt very safe. However, I was approached by local sellers to buy things, but I simply ignored them and went on.
Posted: August 13, 2023Solo travel
I went on my first solo trip to Cartagena for my birthday. I had an amazing time from horseback riding, taking mud baths in a volcano, going to Palenque, exploring the city and partying. I had an amazing time and felt safe.
Posted: August 8, 2023Solo travel
Cartagena was beautiful, but I couldn't stand the hustlers and people who were constantly trying to sell me junk. You can't even eat lunch outside because they come up to your table throughout the whole meal. Beautiful city, but I won't go back there.
Posted: July 26, 2023Solo travel
The food was excellent, and the locals were very friendly. I had many opportunities to practice and improve my Spanish skills, and I even had some great conversations. Nonetheless, the place was full of vendors, and it was hard to enjoy the beach or walk down the tourist street without being constantly harassed by them. I was also cheated several times, for example, when I was charged a horrendous amount for drinks and shrimp, or when I had to pay a high service fee for a waiter at a beach table.
Posted: April 30, 2023Meet locals in Cartagena
Daniela
About Me
I’m Daniela from Switzerland living in Cartagena. Very sporty so every adventure is welcome. New to this and nice to meet other women sharing sharing some active time.
Upcoming visitors to Cartagena
Elina
About Me
I’m originally from Germany, moved to the US when I was 15 and absolutely love to travel. I spent a lot of time in Southeast Asia and Brazil in college and know first hand how much traveling can cost over time. I just started my first full time and now feel like my wanderlust has exploded so with my limited time to travel now I’d love to host someone here because I love to connect with people from different cultures :)
Speaking
Safety in Colombia
