I’m planning a road trip for 2 weeks through Columbia in March with my partner and am a little concerned about reports of tourist kidnapping and deaths etc.
It won’t be hugely adventurous but intend to drive between Bogota, Medellin and Cartagena
I’m an experienced adventure traveller (Including a few times around South America including Columbia) by motorcycle. This trip will be by jeep and possibly a little outside the comfort zone of my partner so I’m keen to ensure that I plan a bit more than usual
I’d appreciate advise based on recent experience in general about any security concerns and specifically the regions I mention I’ll be travelling through - particularly where to avoid
Thanks in anticipation

ColOmbia is relatively safe in most areas - but there are definite no-go areas. Close to the Darien, near the Venezuela border are not good. As always it depends on your appetite for risk.
If your partner is concerned, perhaps somewhere easier to get warmed up?
You'll have to spend some time reading through the HUBB to get more information, but I think it's not very detailed at this time.

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https://www.colombiamotoadventures.com/is-colombia-safe



I have been touring this area


The only dangerous is the traffic

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Look at the travel advice from USA State, UK FCO, Australia Smartraveler, and Canada travel.gc.ca. They are all cautious (the USA most of all), however do give an idea of where to avoid. The UK FCO site has a good map with levels of caution needed.

You are unlikely to go to areas where there are significant risks.

The main roads between Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena are fine, although you need to be defensive and alert. Do not drive at night. CHeck the number plate restrictions in the cities you visit or transit (there are "picoyplaca" restrictions - for example we are permitted to drive only on certain days in Bogotá, except before 0600h and after 2100h).

If you have the patience to read the following you may find it helpful:

Driving in Colombia is not a major challenge, although good situational awareness and judgement are necessary.
Some general advice:
• Colombian drivers can be aggressive, especially in heavy traffic, so defensive driving is essential, however most are simply not aware of standards which many foreigners might take for granted. Take care to assume that others will do things which are foolish, and if/when they do you will not be surprised. Having said that, most drivers are generally fine.
• The main roads can be very good, although many are two-lane, and all roads in the mountains are very tortuous. The minor roads vary from good to poor. Potholes and uneven surfaces are common, in town and out.
• You can easily drive through much of Colombia with no problems, however look carefully at the security situation. Some parts of the country should be avoided completely. Although many consider Embassy advice over-cautious there is a basis for it. Local advice is always invaluable. The region around Cartagena is generally fine.
• It’s essentially impossible to drive safely in Colombia and also obey the rules – if you refrain from crossing a double yellow line you will spend many hours behind slow trucks and motorcycles hoping for a place where you are legally allowed to overtake (for example, from Fresno to Manizales - 95 Km - there are only three places, for a total of about 300m, where you are legally allowed to overtake), and (more critically) if you slow down for the frequent zones with very low speed limits (e.g., a sudden 20 Km/h on an “autopista” many Km from a town) you will sooner or later be hit from behind by someone taken by surprise by your astonishing action.
• Note that depending on your vehicle registration there are restrictions in some cities – e.g., we can't drive in Bogotá in the periods 0600-0830h or 1500-1930h on days with an even date. The "pico y placa" restrictions are not the same in every city, and they change from time to time. You need to check the restrictions for the licence plate you have in all of the places you go.
• Some areas (e.g., Huila, Atlantic coast) are less law-abiding than others, in terms of speed limits etc.
• In and around Neiva (for one) motor-cyclists rarely use lights at night – it’s a major hazard.
Some “rules”:
• NEVER, EVER, DRIVE AT NIGHT – there are stray cattle, donkeys, bicycles with no lights, cars and trucks with no lights, and so on…. Bicycles are not required to have lights, so can be invisible, especially when other lighted vehicles are on the road.
• Give the vehicle a full check before you leave - tyres, lights, fluids levels, papers, jack etc.. Then check tyres visually every day and pressures weekly (there are lots of sharp objects on the streets) and check fluid levels daily.
• We have never had the slightest trouble with police stops/military checkpoints; make sure your papers are in order and you will have no problems.
• Things you must have in the car:
• Flashlight,
• Medical kit (if you have any special requirements bring them with you).
• Fire extinguisher – make sure it’s in date
• Safety vest
• Wheel chocks
• Speedbrace
• Jack
• Safety triangles (2)
• Toolkit
• Optional : GPS – you can get a local GPS map from Garmin Pamacol online
• Optional (we always have these): jump leads, tow cable, gloves, etc. not really necessary but could be good to have if you break down somewhere.
• Is your blood type unusual?
• Communications, routine and in emergency. How will you manage these?
• Make up “In case of Emergency” cards with contact numbers, blood group etc.
Security in Colombia:
• Cities in Colombia are like any big city; street crime is present so situational awareness and common sense prevail – don’t be a target. Some areas should be avoided, others simply need care. The walled city in Cartagena is safe.
• Never use an ATM in the street, always use one inside a shopping centre/hotel.

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• NEVER, EVER, DRIVE AT NIGHT – there are stray cattle, donkeys, bicycles with no lights, cars and trucks with no lights, and so on…. Bicycles are not required to have lights, so can be invisible, especially when other lighted vehicles are on the road.
• Give the vehicle a full check before you leave - tyres, lights, fluids levels, papers, jack etc.. Then check tyres visually every day and pressures weekly (there are lots of sharp objects on the streets) and check fluid levels daily.
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Is this specific for Colombia ?

There is a whatsapp group for ADV riders in Colombia.
Sharing info about routes and places to stay.
No discussions about danger. Accept normal common sense.

I have spent many afternoons in/at plazas in small towns.
And I have always felt very relaxed.
I have only met nice, friendly and helpful people.
People are siting outside.
Drinking coffee. Watching other people and talking.
But that are small towns, remote.
Not big cities in the middle of the nights
(But to be drunk at 3 AM in or around bars in a large city is not recommended for any country).
But I have only been there together with these friendly people.
Not reading US information...

Dangerous chess play in Tulua

Normal life in a plaza

My habitation

Hard to overtake o
Yes, traffic is dangerous. SO keep out of main roads

Dangerous coffee stop.
Might get stuck there

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Both are relevant for many parts of the world. The comment on bicycle lights is specifically included because the law changed and they're n longer required to have lights - they gave up trying, few bikes had lights anyway.

The comment on tyres is included because iy experience is that there's more chance of a puncture in South America than in many other areas (in our case, over 240,000 km (more or less similar km driven in each continent, we've had no punctures in our vehicles in Africa and Eurasia, one in Australia, two in Canada, but five in South America. The difference in my view is the debris on the roads, so this is why I mention it.

You may have guessed that I keep a "standard" advice note to use - or more accurately several of these. This one is specific to Colombia but fairly obviously lots of advice is valid throughout Latin America and some is valid everywhere.

This is a year later, but the two more direct routes between Popayan and La Plata (26 and 24) are apparently very dangerous right now (geurrilla territory). I happened to be staying in a hotel next to the police station, and police stopped me and sent me back around, showing me videos of FARC blocking the road, shooting at vehicles, and ramming vehicles that tried to escape. Sounds like there are instances of stealing vehicles or kidnapping people.

It's a shame because I did a stretch of the 26 the day before, and it was an amazing road. He sent me back through Garzón and San Agustín (the latter being a great place to stop and explore).

These were no go roads 2 years ago - we carried on down and crossed over via the Trampoline.

My wife and I just did San Agustin to Papayan without issue on a motocycle.

The next day in the evening news, there were reports of FARC stopping people along that route.

I live in Pereira, look me up, we host travelers on our farm.

Now you are going to drive a jeep.
But maybe you can join the biker group below anyhow.
The views should be the same.
90 members travelling Colombia. That is a lot more info than.....


(I have been afraid on time in Colombia.
And that was when I was riding motorcycle through Bogota)
The jeep will be much safer.


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I will send you a link to the group as private message

Enjoy your trip.
Nothing is without risk. The heaven can fall down tomorrow.

I was i Peru last year. In Juliaca, Peru. When 17 people where killed in attempt to occupy the airport. They carried those 17 coffins in a parade outside my hotel.
https://en.mercopress.com/2023/01/10...17-people-dead
https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...ning-explainer

I entered Ecuador recently. At the same time as the war between the drug cartels and the /police+military started.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...-of-war-update

But I stayed in El Oriente. Calm.

In Colombia I sit at road side cafés, chatting to people.
Or spend the time around a quiet plaza in a small villlage.
Everything is calm and safe.

I have friends that have visited Venezuela, without any problem.

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