It's the question I hear most about Colombia, and I get it. Decades of conflict shaped how the world sees the country. Today's Colombia is very different from the Colombia of the 1990s, and it's also a place where planning matters. Both things are true.
Is Colombia safe for luxury travelers? It can be, with good planning. As of October 2026 the US rates Colombia Level 3, Reconsider Travel, and Cartagena sits outside the Level 4 regions. Book arranged transfers, stay in the walled city, use local guides after dark, and buy travel insurance.
Key facts
- Official advice: Level 3, Reconsider Travel, as of October 2026. Some regions are Level 4, Do Not Travel. Cartagena isn't one of them.
- Getting there: fly into Rafael Núñez International Airport in Cartagena (CTG), where our transfers meet you.
- Where to stay: the walled city. We stay at the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara.
- Our trip: the Colombia Experience, July 22 to 28, 2027, with every transfer arranged.
What the Official Advice Says
As of October 2026, the US State Department's travel advisory for Colombia is Level 3, Reconsider Travel, citing crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping and natural disasters. It marks some regions as Level 4, Do Not Travel, including Arauca, Cauca (except Popayán), Valle del Cauca (except Cali), Norte de Santander and the area near the Venezuelan border. Cartagena isn't in those regions. Read the current advisory before you book, because it can change.
Smart Habits in Cartagena
- Keep your phone out of reach when you're walking at night, and don't flash jewelry on the street.
- Use cars arranged by your hotel or guide instead of hailing one.
- Watch your drink, and don't go home with new friends from a bar.
- Carry a copy of your passport and leave the original in the safe.
- Stick to the old city, Getsemaní and well-known areas after dark.
Photo: Caviar in the Air
For the neighborhoods and hotels inside the walls, read my Cartagena luxury travel guide. For the week day by day, see our Cartagena itinerary, and here's what to wear in Cartagena.
How We Plan Our Colombia Trip
On our Colombia Experience, every airport transfer and ground transfer is arranged for you. Your home for the week is the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara in the walled city. Our city tour is private, and our evening walk through the old city is led by a local guide. We strongly recommend travel insurance, and we'll help you choose a policy.
Photo: Caviar in the Air
The Honest Answer
Is Colombia safe for luxury travelers? It can be, with the right planning, the right guides and the right neighborhoods. It isn't a place to wing it. If you're thinking beyond Cartagena, my guides to Medellín and the Coffee Triangle cover what to know there. Let us do the worrying so you can do the dancing.
See the Colombia Experience, or book a consultation.
Travel Tips
Travel Tips
Travel Tips