The Safest Spots to Visit in Colombia

This lovely little town in the coffee region is perhaps the most popular destination in the Colombian Andes, and there are now hundreds of hotels, hostels, restaurants and bars here. With the influx of tourism has come improved safety; feel free to wander the streets with nothing to worry about.

A small lakeside town in Antioquia, where everyone seems to know each other, Guatape is a delightful place to visit on any trip to Colombia, and an added bonus is that it’s also very safe. There’s a real communal atmosphere here; its popularity among tourists is partly down to this sense of safety. It’s also one of the nicest little towns in the Colombian Andes.

This little Caribbean beachside community has evolved into a tourism destination, and there are now scores of hotels and hostels along the beachfront. There is very little in Palomino these days that isn’t connected to tourism, and the areas down by the beach are very safe. You can wander the sands in Palomino at dusk and dawn without fear.

A well-guarded national park, Tayrona might just be the safest place on the entire Colombian Caribbean coast – the very real danger of falling coconuts aside. You have to give your ID and pay an entrance fee. And once you’re inside, the only thing to worry about is whether to go for a swim in the gorgeous Caribbean waters or to hike through the jungle in search of toucans and monkeys.

Minca is a lovely village in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada; many visit for a few days and end up staying for weeks. It’s also extremely secure, and the downtown area is so small you will become familiar with many local faces after just a few days. You can hike the jungles through the day without having to worry about safety; returning to your hostel at night isn’t an issue either.

One of the most renowned Heritage Towns in Colombia, Villa de Leyva has gained prominence thanks to its perfectly preserved architecture and excellent range of boutique hotels and restaurants. It also has a wonderful cafe culture, and it’s common to find tables and chairs spilling out into the streets from restaurants surrounding the main plaza. Wandering the lovely cobblestone alleyways, by day or night, is a safe and satisfying experience.

Jardín is another small town (are you noticing a theme by now?) in the Antioquia Department, around four hours south of Medellín. It’s an easy-going coffee-growers community with a friendly and welcoming vibe. The main square, where tables and chairs are laid out for people to drink coffee by day and beer by night, is one of the nicest in Colombia, and the town itself is very safe.

Barichara, one of the prettiest towns in Colombia, is also one of the most peaceful, particularly by night. Touristy by day (most visitors only opt for day trips), the town is delightfully peaceful and quiet by night. It’s also extremely safe, as so few people live here, and the chances of anyone committing a potentially high-profile crime are slim. As with every spot on this list, it’s important to exercise caution, but in Barichara the only real danger is that you’ll fall in love with the town and never leave.

Planning a trip to Colombia? Featuring vibey cities like Bogota, Cartagena and Medellin, plus luscious natural bounties in the Zona Cafetera, Tayrona National Park and the Rosario Islands, Colombia has a dream destination for everyone. If you want to visit as many of the towns on this list as possible, you’re best off booking a multi-day trip.