Travel Advice and Warnings

There is a serious risk of kidnapping and crime throughout most parts of the country (especially rural areas), as is the threat of being caught in roadblocks set up by illegal armed groups. Travel by road outside the major cities, including by public transport, is dangerous.

It is not advisable to travel to Putumayo, Arauca, Nariño, Caqueta, Guaviare and Norte de Santander departments, or to rural areas of Sucre, Bolivar, Choco, Antioquia, Valle de Cauca, Cauca and Huila departments as there is a high risk to personal safety in these areas. It is also not advisable to travel to southern parts of Meta department and to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (including the 'Lost City). Armed groups are active in this area and the risk of kidnap in this area remains high.

There is also a high threat of terrorism in Colombia, and visitors should be extremely vigilant, particularly when visiting public places used by foreigners, such as restaurants, nightclubs, hotels, bars and shopping centres and in the vicinity of military establishments and government buildings.

There are also natural risks from the Galeras Volcano in Nariño Department and the Nevado del Huila volcano in the Parque de los Nevados (in the west of Huila Department). Visitors to these areas should pay careful attention to all warnings issued and follow the advice of the local Colombian authorities.