Cartagena is without doubt one of the hottest cities to go to in Colombia, and it’s simple to see why with its lovely seashores and islands, thriving nightlife, and exquisite structure. It’s a protected place to go to so long as you keep throughout the vacationer areas and don’t wander into the slums. Colombia is just not with out its troubles and violence, however it doesn’t attain the key cities in any noticeable manner, and that features Cartagena.
You’re extra prone to expertise petty crime and be sure that nobody tampers together with your drinks as you make your manner across the metropolis. The key to having fun with your time in Cartagena is to remain in areas the place safety is seen and huge numbers of individuals are milling about.
How to remain protected in Cartagena
You can’t keep away from standing out in Cartagena, particularly if the one language you communicate is English. However, you may scale back your visibility as a vacationer and decrease your threat of being victimized with the next ideas which might be particular to staying protected in Cartagena.
Stay Low-Key
Don’t put on something that appears costly. That consists of jewellery, watches, clothes, and footwear.
Keep your pockets in your pocket or purse and preserve small payments useful. If you must take out your pockets or get cash from an ATM, do it in a public space.
Don’t Hail Taxis
Cartagena’s taxi companies have a awful fame. The drivers are recognized to overcharge passengers, rob them, and even kidnap them. Uber is a greater choice for security.
Don’t Accept Free Food or Drinks from Strangers
Gangs are recognized to drug guests by means of numerous strategies. One methodology is to have a girl strategy male vacationers and supply them a drink that’s been laced with scopolamine and different knockout medicine.
The most secure locations to remain in Cartagena
Certain areas of Cartagena are thought of protected to remain in throughout your go to. These areas are additionally residence to a lot of the standard sights, which embrace the Gold Museum and the Palace of the Inquisition. The most secure districts and neighborhoods embrace:
- Old City AKA Centro
- Getsemani
- San Diego
- Santo Domingo
- Bocagrande
- El Laguito
- Islas del Rosario
Old City, Getsemani, San Diego, and Santo Domingo are all a part of the unique metropolis. These neighborhoods function historic structure and the chance to rise up shut and private with the native lifestyle.
If you need fashionable lodgings and a bit metropolis really feel, Bocagrande and El Laguito are often known as the Miami Beach of Cartagena resulting from its cluster of recent skyscrapers.
Islas del Rosario is made up of 28 islands and is positioned about 62 miles off the coast of Cartagena. Lodgings can be found on the islands, enabling you to have a trip on the seaside with out the strain and noise of an city life-style.
Make positive to steer clear of poorer elements of the town
Some of the neighborhoods are residence to individuals who dwell in excessive poverty and the place dangerous actors are almost definitely to prey upon an unsuspecting guests. However, impoverished neighborhoods are a protracted distance away from the safer areas of Cartagena, however you need to all the time concentrate on your environment, it doesn’t matter what you occur to be doing on the time.
Is it protected to go to Cartagena?
It’s comparatively protected to go to Cartagena, Columbia, despite the fact that the U.S. Department of State lists the nation as a high-risk vacation spot and has it below a “Do Not Travel” advisory. The metropolis of Cartagena is just not a violent metropolis, and vacationers usually are not thought of as targets for legal exercise. In this occasion, the U.S. Department of State issued the warning to impress upon vacationers the must be protected in a area that’s recognized for sudden outbursts of violence.
You’ll discover that Cartagena welcomes vacationers who need to expertise a metropolis that options an previous soul and a younger coronary heart.