View from my window
I have been asked by quite a few people regarding safety in Bogotá. Some of the common questions are: “Is it a safe city?” “Will you be kidnapped and made a drug mule?” “Are you crazy?”
That answer to the second question is a definitive “no.” The answer to the third is “probably” but it has nothing to do with my decision to move to Bogotá.
As for the first question, “safe” is a rather ambiguous word. My definition of “safe” is any city where the chance of being a victim of crime is unlikely, and 99 times out of 100 the unlikely crime is being mugged, losing your possessions without physical harm.
I would say Bogotá is safe if you do the following two things:
A) Live in the northern parts. There is no cut and dry North/South division, but generally the north is much, much safer.
B) Take cabs late at night.
If you read the travel warning from the U.S. State Department, you would think you were going into a war zone. That is simply not the case. It mentions that this past January, there was one bombing in a warehouse that killed two people. Tragic, yes, but statistically insignificant.
Jens Porup, a former travel writer for Lonely Planet, recently gave a speech to the Bogota tourism board. He pointed out some facts that those who haven’t traveled South America are probably unaware of:
1. Venezuela should have the reputation that Colombia used to rightfully deserve in the 80’s and 90’s. If you go there, be very careful.
2. Contrary to popular perception, you are more likely to be mugged in Peru or Ecuador than in Colombia.
3. Virtually all backpackers that visit Bogotá stay in the historic center, La Candelaria. Ironically, it is quite possibly the most dangerous part of the city for a foreigner to stay.
As a parting thought, I can’t tell you how many people advised me against going to Colombia that had never visited the country! If you want to know what its really like, talk to somebody that has been there…
Latest posts by mabogota
- Inevitable Stereotypes - March 11th, 2010
- 2009 Wrap-Up - December 30th, 2009
- Accidental Discovery: Weight Loss at High Altitudes - November 23rd, 2009
- Paying It Forward: Helping Locals Volunteer Abroad - November 2nd, 2009
- Must Read: Strategies to Empower a Community/Organization - October 14th, 2009
- Volunteering at a Religious Organization When You´re Not Religious - September 29th, 2009
- Be Careful, Self-Deception Can Cover Its Tracks... - September 20th, 2009
- Ciclovía: A Car-Free Revolution - September 8th, 2009
- Teaching English with a Fake Degree I Bought off the Internet - August 31st, 2009
- What You Need to Know About Living in Bogotá - August 25th, 2009
I am partly ashamed of myself from clicking on the title ‘Is Bogota Safe?’ to be honest. I have plans to travel there and hopefully become involved with volunteering whilst I’m there. However, every single person that I mention this too I receive the same comments you mentioned. I always say to myself the same thing ‘If you really want to know what it’s really like, talk to somebody that has been there..’. But, the reason I was ashamed was because I feel I knew this already, and that there are limits to your safety as in any city defending on the circumstances involved.
Sorry for the essay of a comment! But thanks it was great to read this.
Luisse
Sara,
I think you hit it right on -¨Ï was told I would be kidnapped multiple times ¨ … how many of these people had been to Colombia, let alone Bogota before?
Thanks for your post! I too live in Bogotá and think that the tips you give are quite good. I find that being in the north at times can feel a little too much like being in the United States, but definitely think at least for being out late, that’s the best part of the city to be in. La Candalaria is beautiful and is certainly a picturesque place for a hostel, but not a place I would want to be alone at night, unfortunately.
I told multiple times I would kidnapped before I came to Bogotá and yet my experience here so far has been largely positive. I am glad to see another traveler feels the same way!