Is Cartagena Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Cartagena is moderately safe for solo female travelers. Most of the tourist areas are well-policed and are generally safe during the day. However, like any city, care should be taken especially at night. There can be cases of petty crime and scams targeted at tourists. It's always recommended to stay in populated areas, be aware of your surroundings, and avoid displaying expensive jewelleries or gadgets. Taking city-approved taxis or rideshares, rather than hailing one off the street, is also advised for added safety.

Safety rating

4.2 /5

Based on 18 experiences from female travelers

3.5 /5

Based on our research and crime data

Cartagena is currently ranked #1 safest place in Colombia for solo female travellers, with an overall safety rating of 4.2 out of 5. . Check the full ranking.

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How safe is Cartagena?

Safety at night:Moderate

Cartagena is generally safe, especially in touristic areas like the Old City and Bocagrande. However, solo female travelers should exercise caution particularly at night. As public transportation is not reliable, using Uber or a taxi ordered from a reliable source is recommended. Additionally, it's always important to stay in well-lit, busy streets and avoid deserted areas. Keep in mind that local assistance is available should you feel unsafe.

Public transportation:Moderate

Public transportation in Cartagena has its pros and cons. Buses and taxis are generally safe during daylight hours but caution must be exercised especially at night. Things can be chaotic due to the city's congested traffic. Always make sure to use licensed taxis, preferably ones booked through your hotel or a reliable app. For a more secure experience, using a trusted ride-hailing service like Uber is advisable.

Street harassment:Low

Cartagena is generally a safe city with friendly locals. However, while street harassment isn't rampant, it does happen occasionally, mainly in the form of catcalling or persistent vendors. Always stay vigilant, especially in crowded and touristy areas.

Petty crimes:Moderate

Cartagena, like any other major city, has its share of petty crimes. Common ones include pickpocketing and bag snatching, especially in crowded areas and tourist spots. It is generally safe, however, reasonable precaution like keeping your belongings close and avoiding deserted areas, especially at night, will help keeping such incidences at bay.

Is Cartagena worth visiting?

Overall rating

4 /5

based on 18 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.4/5

Safety

4.2/5

Food

4.5/5

Budget-friendly

3.8/5

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

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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, 2024

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Solo 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, 2023

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Solo 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, 2023

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Solo 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, 2023

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Solo 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, 2023

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Solo 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, 2023

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Solo 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, 2023

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Solo 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, 2023

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Solo travel

Cartagena was nice and interesting, but still probably one of my least favorite places in Colombia. It was definitely the most stressful place I visited in Colombia. The beach was wild, but also crowded and full of pushy sellers, so I didn't spend much time there. Gethsemani was cool, but walking around the tourist attractions in other parts of the city, I constantly came across offers to buy trinkets.

Posted: April 30, 2023

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Meet 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.

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