The Safest Spots To Visit In Colombia

Colombia is a far safer country to visit than it was a decade ago. Big cities, such as Bogota and Medellín, still have their share of crime, and in some places it would be wise to stay alert. However, there are parts of Colombia where you face very little risk of anything bad happening. We’ve collected the safest spots to explore.

Salento

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. You can visit with Culture Trip in the company of a local insider as part of our specially curated eight-day Colombian Andes adventure.

Guatape

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.

Palomino

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.

Tayrona National Park

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. With Culture Trip, you can enjoy a guided trek through the Tayrona National Park on our epic eight-day Colombian Caribbean tour, led by our local insider.

Minca

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.

Villa de Leyva

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

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

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.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.