Bogotá

Is Bogotá safe?

It is safe enough for a careful visitor, but it is not a city to relax in the way you might in Buenos Aires. Bogotá recorded 1,173 homicides in 2025, about 14 per 100,000 people. That is far below Colombia's national rate of about 26 but higher than Mexico City and roughly six times Buenos Aires. Theft is widespread: police logged 123,393 reports in 2025.

The US State Department rates Colombia Level 3, "reconsider travel", for crime, terrorism, unrest and kidnapping, while advising against travel to some border regions. Bogotá itself is not in those areas. We score the city 51.

How visitors become victims

Three patterns show up again and again in the UK Foreign Office advice.

Armed robbery. The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary says British nationals have been robbed at gunpoint in La Candelaria, the historic centre. Quiet, empty streets carry the most risk, especially after dark. The US advisoryUS travel advisoryThe US State Department's rating of each country from Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) to Level 4 (do not travel).More in the glossary says street crime can quickly become violent. If you are threatened, hand everything over.

Drugging. Criminals use scopolamine and other drugs to make victims confused and compliant, then empty their bank accounts or assault them. The FCDO says the drug has been given through food, drinks, cigarettes, aerosols and paper flyers, in bars, clubs, restaurants, taxis and on the street.

Dating apps. Gangs use dating apps and websites to find lone foreign travellers, often with a woman making contact, then drug and rob them once they are alone. Meet in busy public places and never take a new contact back to your room.

The FCDO also warns about criminals posing as police who ask to "check" your money or cards. Real police will not do that on the street.

Where to stay and getting around

The north is where most visitors stay: Chicó and Parque 93, the Zona T (Zona Rosa), Chapinero Alto and Usaquén. These areas have restaurants open late, many private guards and a steady police presence. La Candelaria has hostels and the main sights, but it empties in the evening.

The taxi rule is simple: never hail one in the street. The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary reports express kidnappings and robberies in unlicensed cabs. Use an app, have your hotel or restaurant book a car, and at El Dorado airport take only authorised yellow taxis from the official rank.

TransMilenio, the bus rapid transit system, is fast but packed at rush hour, when pickpocketing and phone theft are common. US government staff are not allowed to use public transport in Colombia at all. A ride app costs little and is the better choice, especially after dark.

Roads, air and altitude

Traffic is a real danger. Road deaths fell about 2% in 2025, according to the city, after 565 in 2024, a rate of roughly 7 per 100,000. Motorcyclists and pedestrians make up most of the dead; in 2024, 266 were motorcycle users, 207 pedestrians and 66 cyclists. Cross at signals or footbridges on avenues such as Boyacá, Caracas and Calle 13, and expect motorbikes to weave through traffic. Early 2026 figures showed deaths rising again.

At about 2,600 metres, altitude can cause headaches and breathlessness for the first day or two. Take it easy on alcohol and on the climb to Monserrate. Air pollution has improved: IQAir measured 12.7 µg/m³ of fine particlesPM2.5Tiny airborne particles 2.5 micrometres across or smaller. They reach deep into the lungs and are the air pollutant most linked to early death.More in the glossary in 2024, the lowest since 2017, though still well above the WHO guideline and worst in the first months of the year. Bogotá is the one Colombian city where the FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary says tap water is safe to drink.

Earthquakes and other hazards

The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary rates earthquake risk across Colombia as high, and the US advisoryUS travel advisoryThe US State Department's rating of each country from Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) to Level 4 (do not travel).More in the glossary warns of landslides in informal settlements on Bogotá's hillsides. Visitors in hotels in the north face little landslide risk, but know your exits and follow the drop, cover and hold on advice if the ground shakes. Heavy rain floods streets in the wet seasons.

How to stay safe in Bogotá

• Book every ride through an app or your hotel.
• Carry one card and a little cash; leave the rest in the safe.
• Never leave a drink, and do not accept cigarettes, sweets or flyers from strangers.
• Meet dates only in busy public places and travel there alone.
• Visit La Candelaria and Monserrate in daylight and when it is busy.

For travel beyond the capital, including the regions where the US advises against travel, see our Colombia page.

How we scored it

Violent crime (48) reflects a homicide rateHomicide rateThe number of people killed on purpose each year for every 100,000 residents. It is the most comparable crime figure between countries.More in the glossary of about 14 per 100,000 and frequent armed robbery. Theft and scams (40) and night safety (42) are the weakest factors because of drugging, dating-app robberies and taxi crime. Health (68) and natural hazards (62) are middling, held back by altitude, air pollution and earthquake exposure.