Is Cartagena Safe? The Ultimate Solo Female Guide 2024

Are you wondering, is Cartagena safe for a solo female traveller? I had the same question before visiting, so you’re in the right place.

Cartagena proved to be the absolute highlight of my time in South America. The vibrant colours, energetic beat of reggaeton, and infectious energy of the people made it incomparable to anywhere else. I can’t think back to my time in this coastal city without a pang of longing to return.

It’s a place you have to visit to understand. But I’ll remove my rose-tinted glasses for a moment to serve the purpose of this post.

Cartagena is chaotic. And I mean truly chaotic. It’s a never-ending flurry of beeping horns, persistent street vendors and talented but opportunist rappers. People either love it or hate it. But it’s a place you have to visit once in your life to truly feel and appreciate.

I know that no matter how often I return I’ll never grow tired of it. And I say that having visited 3 times on the same trip.

I will say, I felt safe the entire time I was in Cartagena. But this was only my personal experience.

This article will cover everything you should know about safety in Cartagena and tips you can use to stay safe in this incredible city.

How safe is Cartagena?

Cartagena is one of the safer cities to visit in Colombia. And I’d say the most female-friendly. It receives over 600,000 tourists a year, which means a big police presence is put in place to manage crime and keep people safe.

But let’s not sugarcoat it. Things can and do happen.

At the moment sex tourism is a huge problem in Colombia and the big cities like Medellin and Cartagena are bearing the brunt of it. Cartagena is an incredible place but admittedly not without its problems. Drug dealing and prostitution are everywhere in the city.

You can’t walk too far without someone trying to sell you something. I was offered cocaine by a taxi driver on the way to the beach and the proposal of ‘any Latin man I wanted’ by a guy riding a horse and carriage.

Like anywhere, where there are tourists, there are also people trying to make some quick cash in all forms of scams and tourist traps.

You have to take precautions and it’s important to stay aware when you’re walking around Cartagena.

I’d been on a night out in the Old City and was walking back to Getsemani with a guy who worked at the hostel. We bumped into 3 local guys he knew blasting music strutting down the street.

A few pleasantries and an attempted drug sale later, off they went down the street, chatting away.

My friend turned to me and told me to wait a minute. It turns out they were talking about heading to Viajero Hostel to rob someone. He said this was a regular thing as it’s well-known in the city that tourists sit outside drunk after a night out.

I don’t write that to scare you, but more to make you aware that although Cartagena is an amazing place, bad things can and do happen. Especially if you put yourself in situations that make you an easy target.

There’ll be a phrase you hear often in Colombia – No dar papaya. Which basically means don’t give anyone a reason to do anything bad to you. 

Don’t walk around in flashy jewellery with your phone out on show. Avoid venturing into sketchy neighbourhoods alone at night and don’t hang around with the wrong kind of people.

Is Cartagena Dangerous?

One thing you should know about Colombia is that the country has worked incredibly hard to remove the dark cloud that was hanging over them from years of drug-related crimes, gang kidnappings and armed robberies.

They’ve massively upped their police presence in tourist areas and this safety emits all around the Walled City of Cartagena.

As a solo female in Cartagena I never once felt unsafe or threatened. In the streets, the sellers would usually accept a ‘no gracias’ and move on.

Even in the clubs and bars, I found the men to be respectful. If you find that they’re more persistent just ignore them and continue walking, they’ll usually move on to someone else.

These posts are always difficult to write as safety means something different to everyone and is entirely dependent on the experience you have yourself. And it’s impossible to put a blanket statement over a city that is so complex.

I will say though, Cartagena can be overwhelming and for someone who’s never traveled solo before, it might not be the best place to head to for your first trip.

The majority of people will visit Cartagena and not experience any problems at all. But it would be ignorant to say crime and violence don’t happen here, just like anywhere in the world. If you’re sticking to the main tourist areas and avoid things that’ll bring you trouble, you’ll have an incredible time.

12 Tips to stay safe in Cartagena as a solo female

1. Don’t wander around alone at night

This one is obvious no matter where you are in the world. Wandering around alone in the dark is never a great idea. Especially in an area you’re not overly familiar with.

Cartagena is brimming with tourists year round and the streets stay busy well into the night. But once bars and restaurants have closed, it’s eerie how quickly the streets become deserted.

The streets are narrow and dimly lit making it an ideal scenario for sketchy characters up to no good. Stick to exploring in the daytime and if you are out during the night take an Uber or walk back in a group.

2. Watch your drinks

The nightlife in Cartagena is some of the best I’ve experienced and the city isn’t short on parties. But as we know, the more alcohol you drink, the less aware you are of the dangers around you. Unfortunately, drink spiking is common and as sad as it is, something you have to stay aware of.

If you’re out at the bar, don’t accept random drinks from strangers and don’t leave your drink hanging around unattended. It only takes a second for someone to drop something into it.

3. Learn some Spanish

English isn’t as widely spoken in Colombia as other places and you should always make an effort to be able to speak at least a few local phrases of the language.

If you’re taking a taxi or using public transport, just being able to explain where you’re going or ask for directions will make your life easier.

Your trip will also become more fulfilling, conversations with locals in taxis, plazas or bars can really impact the connection you feel with a place. Even if you’re not fluent (I most definitely am not) you’d be surprised at how much you can learn and interact by just getting out there and speaking.

It may also save you from dangerous situations. My friend and I were walking down to the metro station from Pueblito Paisa and ended up on a long industrial-looking road. Immediately my gut told me this wasn’t the place to be.

Moments later, a car pulled over to tell us that it wasn’t safe and to get out of there. Trust your gut and practice Spanish.

4. Stay in hostels or hotels in the center

When you’re looking for accommodation in Cartagena aim to stay within the Walled City or Getsemani. This is where the majority of tourists stay which means additional police presence in the area to cater for this.

I’d also advise staying in hostels, not only are they located in safer areas but there’s also the added social benefit.

You have the opportunity to meet other people and get involved in tours and activities with the hostel. This is especially important when it comes to going out on a night, it’s much safer to be in a group.

I’d recommend staying in the Getsemani area if you’re in Cartagena. Los Patios Hostel was the best hostel I stayed in out of everywhere I stayed during my trip through Latin America.

They have group activities day and night and the tour leader makes a point of ‘always bringing everyone back together’ if you go on a pub crawl.

5. Use reliable transport

If you’re going to be using public transport in Cartagena keep your belongings close and be aware of your surroundings.

When you get on the bus, don’t leave your bags on the floor. It only takes a second for someone to run past and grab it.

Also try to stick to well-known routes, you don’t want to be stuck in an off-the-beaten-path area on some random little road alone waiting for a bus.

Flights within the country are affordable and cut down some of the crazy travel distances between cities. If you’re concerned about using public transport to make long journeys, opting to take a flight can be a much safer option.

6. Stick to well known areas

Whilst I’m all for ‘getting out of the tourist areas’ sometimes there’s a reason to stay in them. The busier tourist areas tend to be safer as they have an increased security presence. Just like anywhere in the world, certain areas are best avoided.

I noticed within Cartagena and Colombia in general how quickly a ‘safe’ area can suddenly become ‘not so safe’ after only walking a couple of streets. Always check that the neighbourhoods you’re going to be walking through are safe to do so before setting off.

If you’re heading out somewhere and unsure how safe it will be, check with the staff at your accommodation. They can provide invaluable advice on areas in the city, their safety, transport routes and things that you should avoid. And if they recommend avoiding a certain place, listen.

Locals know the city much better than you do and are basing their advice on what they know or have experienced themselves. No dar papaya.

7. Invest in a good bag

The last thing anyone wants on a trip is to have their valuables stolen. To avoid this while travelling, the type of bag you choose can make a big difference.

And I say this from experience. I had my phone, 3 bank cards and all of my cash stolen in a bar in Nicaragua. I blame this 70% on the bag I was wearing and 30% on my alcohol consumption at the time.

I’d chosen a bag for the aesthetic rather than the safety element. Well, a lot of dancing and an unknown amount of shots later, I went to grab my phone and realised my bag was open and everything was gone.

I’m pretty sure with a decent bag that had sat close to my body I’d still have all of my belongings now. Well, probably not the cash. But you get the point. This is why I’m now the biggest advocate for using a Crossbody Bag with a Slash-Proof Strap.

Thieves are quick and sometimes you don’t even notice it happening, especially if you’re out in a busy bar or club.

8. Don’t buy drugs from randomers in the street

Now we all know drugs are for mugs. But let’s not beat around the bush. Many tourists visit Colombia every year intending to buy cheap drugs and partying. Despite any misconception, cocaine is illegal in Colombia. You risk pretty hefty fines or worse if you’re caught with it.

And not just that, with no regulations in place, you have no idea what it is you’re taking. Just consider how trustworthy the two random strangers who approach you with the offer of drugs at 2 am really are.

There’s also a new drug nicknamed pink cocaine everywhere in Colombia, especially in Cartagena. It’s basically a mix of different substances and dyed pink for the appeal factor. Since it’s a synthetic drug, the effects are unpredictable and sometimes dangerous.

For the sake of a few hours of fun, the risk’s probably not worth it.

9. Don’t forget your portable charger

There’s nothing worse than being miles away from your accommodation and seeing your phone on 1%. I’ll admit I’ve been in this situation a couple of times and trying to figure out buses and routes becomes 10 x more challenging.

It’s always better to have a backup if you’re going to be heading off somewhere for the day.

And if the safety options not enough… You’ll also need it for your photos, how are you going to take amazing pictures of a new place without battery?

You never know when you’re going to need it. Always make sure you have a fully charged portable with you.

10. Keep a mental list of reference points

Which brings me to my next point. Always make sure you remember the street name of the place you’re staying and try make mental notes of landmarks or streets around you.

It’s especially useful when you’re walking around the little streets of the Walled City, just logging where a shop is in relation to the plaza can really help you feel more comfortable in finding your way around.

It also means you won’t have to pull your phone out every 2 minutes to look where you are.

If you’re ever lost without access to maps, a local is more likely to know where a famous landmark is than a small hostel catered to tourists. It also means you don’t have to tell anyone the name of where you’re staying.

11. Use Uber or official taxis

Always use official taxis or Uber. Cartagena is known for taxi scams targeting tourists. Scams usually involve overcharging passengers or taking a longer route.

You can tell if a taxi is licensed if it has the license sticker on the front. If you do get in a (licensed) street taxi, always agree on a price before you get in.

12. Check the amount you’re charged on your card

The beaches in Cartagena are particularly notorious for tricks and scams with tourists. From dodgy tours to overpriced sun loungers, unfortunately, it’s common for tourists to be charged more than the agreed price in the hope that they don’t notice.

Always check the amount is correct before making a payment. It can easily be mistaken, especially if the charge is in pesos and you’re not familiar with the exchange rate. It’s much easier to resolve this before you make the payment than it is after.

A Dutch guy staying in my hostel had an unfortunate experience on the Rosario Islands. Instead of paying what would be €7 for a drink he was charged €70.

He said they showed him the price on the card machine in pesos but had added extra 0’s. When he called them out on it, they told him he saw the price and intimidated him to leave.

Just always double check and ask for a bill where you can.

The best apps for staying safe in Cartagena

• Google Maps – without a doubt Google Maps is the OG for getting around in a new country. I’d be lost without it, literally. Not only does it tell you where you need to go, it stops you from wandering around like a lost sheep and potentially ending up in a bad area. You can use it offline and download the route you need if you don’t have data (which you should 100% get).
• ESIM – which brings me to my next recommendation, an ESIM. It’s all well and good disconnecting from the world sometimes but not when you’re in a new country exploring foreign areas. Things can happen when you least expect it and you don’t know when you might find yourself lost or in a tricky spot. Make sure you have phone signal to contact someone or look something up if you need help.
• Uber – you can get Ubers all over the city and I found them to be much more comfortable than street taxis. You can use the app to bypass language barriers or the need to find a taxi in busy areas. Also as the price is fixed, there’s no haggling with taxis trying to scam you. Uber is technically illegal in Colombia though, so the driver may ask you to sit in the front to not draw attention to the car. Don’t be alarmed if they ask this, it’s perfectly normal.
• Deepl – a great translation app when you need some language assistance. I found this to be a more natural sounding translation too which is better when communicating with the locals.
• Life360 – a great location sharing app that allows you to share your real-time location with family members or friends. It’s a good app to have if you want to keep them updated without having to message to tell them everytime you move.
• TripWhistle – provides the emergency service numbers (police, fire, ambulance) for the country you’re in. It also has the option to share GPS coordinates with emergency responders.

Is Cartagena safe for solo travellers: A Summary

Cartagena is one of the most beautiful cities on the Caribbean Coast. With the incredible colonial old town to admire and the crystal clear waters of the nearby islands to explore, Cartagena is an amazing place to visit for solo travellers.

But like everywhere, it doesn’t come without its issues. By sticking to well-known areas, staying aware and following these safety tips, you should be able to have an incredible trip without any problems.

Is Cartagena safe for solo female travellers? FAQs