Travel

As a foreigner, if I visit Colombia, how would I minimize my chances of getting robbed, killed or kidnapped? How worried should I be about going?

Its a very real thing.

The US state department has sent out warnings to Americans about visiting Colombia.

I’ve read news stories about guys getting kidnapped, robbed, or killed there.

And I’ve heard it from many Colombians themselves; Americans that visit have a huge target on their backs.

There’s more financial incentive for a criminal to rob a foreigner than a local.

Expect that there will be people who try to rob, kidnap or assault you if you aren’t careful enough.

Either way, I’m wondering what I can do to minimize my chances.

I would think the safest way to go about things would be to just only talk to people in public places and not visit sketch areas.

And if somebody offers me a ride or to take me somewhere, I just politely decline and say I already have other plans, or that I’m ok with walking to get to where I need to go.

I would still have to watch out for pickpockets though, but I guess the solution around that is to just only carry around $30-$40 USD a day, and not have an ATM card on me. Maybe hide a $20 bill in my sock.

Also, I could bring a second phone and leave it in my hotel room.

The phone that I would carry around with me, I could install a tracking device on if it were stolen.

Maybe the Police there would help me out if I knew the location?

I don’t know

If not, I accept the loss.

As a foreigner, if I visit Colombia, how would I minimize my chances of getting robbed, killed or kidnapped? How worried should I be about going?
Post Opinion