Skip to main content
Emergency · LATAM
911 Most110 GT/BO123 CO190 BR105 PE133 CL104 PA
EmergencySOS
911Mexico, Dominican Republic, Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Uruguay, Paraguay110Guatemala, Bolivia123Colombia190Brazil105Peru133Chile104Panama

Colombia city safety guide

Is Cartagena Safe? Travel Safety Guide

Is Cartagena safe for tourists right now?

Safety in Cartagena depends mostly on the neighborhood, the time of night, and how you get around. Cartagena safety checks should focus on tourist-zone pressure, beach and island transfers, late-night transport, and whether a claim is official, repeated, or still under review. Check your government's travel advisory for Colombia and the live GringoGuard feed for recent reports before you go.

Emergency number in Colombia: 123.

Open the Cartagena live feed

Recent Cartagena Safety News

No recent news or official bulletins for Cartagena have passed our filters. Check the live app for traveler reports and the latest map.

Neighborhoods to Watch in Cartagena

  • Walled City: Watch plazas, ATM stops, and late-night exits when crowds thin.
  • Getsemani: Check recent signals before quiet side-street walks after peak nightlife hours.
  • Bocagrande and beach zones: Confirm service and transport pricing before accepting informal offers.

Common Risks and Scams in Cartagena

  • Tourist-zone overcharging: Confirm prices and use repeated reports as a reason to choose a different provider.
  • Beach and island logistics: Prefer documented operators and explicit return plans.
  • Late-night transport: Use known pickup points and avoid switching to unofficial transport.

Emergency Numbers and Official Help

GringoGuard is not an emergency service. Use official channels first for active danger, then preserve details for a formal report or operator review once safe.

  • Policia Nacional: 123 Immediate danger, medical emergency, or crime in progress.
  • Fiscalia General de la Nacion: 122 Formal criminal complaint after you are safe and evidence is preserved.
  • Tourist support: Local tourist police or hotel front desk Location-specific routing, interpreter help, and official report steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common risks for travelers in Cartagena?

Tourist-zone overcharging: Confirm prices and use repeated reports as a reason to choose a different provider. Beach and island logistics: Prefer documented operators and explicit return plans. Late-night transport: Use known pickup points and avoid switching to unofficial transport.

Which areas of Cartagena need extra caution?

Walled City: Watch plazas, ATM stops, and late-night exits when crowds thin. Getsemani: Check recent signals before quiet side-street walks after peak nightlife hours. Bocagrande and beach zones: Confirm service and transport pricing before accepting informal offers.

What is the emergency number in Cartagena?

Call 123 for immediate danger in Cartagena, Colombia. Fiscalia General de la Nacion (122): Formal criminal complaint after you are safe and evidence is preserved. Tourist support (Local tourist police or hotel front desk): Location-specific routing, interpreter help, and official report steps.

How do I report a crime or scam in Cartagena as a tourist?

Get safe first and call 123 if anyone is in danger. Then file a formal report with local authorities, and share an anonymous report on GringoGuard so other travelers in Cartagena are warned. Names, faces, and exact addresses are kept private until human review.