Colombia: Overview

Travel Warning: General Safety - Heavy Rains

Travelers should exercise vigilance at all times due to the level of violent crime. Although kidnapping and homicide rates in urban areas of Colombia have dropped in recent years, they remain high. Outside the main tourist areas these dangers are greatly magnified - avoid any off-the-beaten-track travel. It's best to stick to the main routes and travel during daytime only. Regions to avoid include border areas with Ecuador and Venezuela, where criminal, guerrilla and paramilitary activities are a threat to travelers.

Heavy rain in central Colombia in late May caused flooding and landslides across the departments of Caldas, Cundinamarca, Antioquia, Valle del Cauca, Santander, Norte de Santander and Arauca. The government declared a state of high alert in many areas, and evacuations were necessary at certain points along the Magdalena River.

Check out Safe Travel for updated government warnings or the Thorn Tree travel forum for some good advice from travelers.

severity: High-level alert