Is Colombia Safer than Mexico in 2022?
Are you planning a trip to Colombia or Mexico and you want to know which is safer? You’re not alone. One of the first things that many of us think of when planning a trip, especially to Latin America, is safety.
We get an idea from the news, from popular movies and TV shows, and sometimes even from our friends and family members that certain places we want to visit are hotbeds of crime. If we spend even a day in such a dangerous country, we’ll be mugged, kidnapped, and sent back home in a bodybag.
However, it may come as no surprise to you that these ideas we get from mass media are often quite exaggerated and sensationalized. Colombia and Mexico are no exception. After sharing nothing but story after story of drug violence and drug-related crime surges, the media has given most people a view of these countries that is rather unrealistic.
Having said that, there’s nothing wrong with informing yourself about a travel destination’s reputation and learning a few suggestions for keeping yourself as safe as possible while there. If you’re reading this article, you may be considering a trip to Colombia or Mexico and want to know what to expect.
Whether you’re planning to walk around the romantic walled city of Cartagena or snorkel through the coral reefs of Playa del Carmen, you’ll want to read this article to find out more about safety in these absolute treasures of Latin America.
So let’s take a closer look at the topic of safety as we answer the question, is Colombia safer than Mexico?
Does Colombia Have a High Crime Rate?
Over the last decade, Colombia has become one of the top travel destinations in South America and even Latin America as a whole. But, you may be wondering, does it have a high crime rate?
There are a few different ways to gauge the crime rate of a place. One way is through self-reported information, such as survey results. It’s important to note that this measures public perception of crime, which is not necessarily the same as actual incidence of crime.
One source of such info is Numbeo, and based on their survey results, collected throughout the last three years, Colombia has a moderate level of crime. They’ve ranked it as moderately safe to walk alone during the day, but not very safe to walk alone at night.
Keep in mind that this depends on several factors, and later on we’ll look at tips to keep you safe even at night.
Another way to get information about the crime rate is to look at official statistics from a country. This can give you an idea of actual numbers of crime incidents, but it does have a drawback.
It can only show you the number of reported crimes, not to mention that it’s impossible to know whether the country’s government is sharing all of its info, so the actual number of crimes may be higher.
Also, the information may not always be up-to-date. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Colombia had an intentional homicide rate of 25.3 per 100,000 people during the latest year data was available, but that was in 2018.
Having said all of that, is Colombia safer than Mexico? Is either one of them a truly dangerous country? Let’s talk about that now.
Is Colombia Safer than Mexico?
According to the survey information collected by Numbeo, Mexico, like Colombia, also has a moderate level of crime. It’s also moderately safe: it’s highly safe to walk around by day (compare that to Colombia’s moderate level of reported safety when walking alone during the day), but not safe to walk alone at night.
As for official statistics, the UNODC data page shows that in 2018, there were 29.1 intentional homicides per 100,000 people. This is slightly higher than Colombia’s 25.3.
Is Bogota Safer than Mexico City?
Numbeo’s survey results show these two capital cities to be more or less equal. Bogota’s crime rate is fairly high, its safety levels fairly low. It’s moderately safe to walk alone by day, but not so safe by night.
Meanwhile, Mexico City’s crime rate is slightly higher and it’s slightly less safe. Daytime and nighttime safety when walking alone rank more or less the same as Bogota, with Bogota being slightly safer.
Official statistics are less up-to-date. UNODC intentional homicide data for both cities only goes as far as 2015. In Bogota, there were 17.2 homicides per 100,000 people. In Mexico City, there were 12.2
Is Medellin Safer than Mexico City?
Survey data for Medellin shows it to be quite a bit safer than Mexico City. It has moderate crime and moderate safety. It’s highly safe to walk alone during the day, but not quite so safe at night, though still safer than Mexico City.
Official UNODC statistics from 2015 list an intentional homicide rate of 19.3 per 100,000 people. This is higher than both Bogota and Mexico City.
How to Stay Safe in Colombia: 19 Essential Safety Tips
Don’t let the previous statistics concern you too much. There are popular tourist destinations in the USA with similar stats. (For example, Chicago had a higher homicide rate in 2015 than the three cities compared above.)
As with any other country in Latin America, or indeed most any place, there are ways to stay relatively safe in Colombia. Let’s go over some safety tips. (Most of these will apply to Mexico as well.)
✔ Learn some Spanish
This first one might seem obvious, but you’re going to a Spanish-speaking country. In the major cities and other touristy areas, you’re more likely to find some English speakers, but still not as much as you might hope for.
Being able to speak at least a basic level of Spanish will come in very handy, and just might even keep you safer.
If you’re looking for a great resource to help you learn (or improve) your Spanish, I’d recommend the website italki. I’ve used it a lot myself, and it’s helped me greatly improve not only my Spanish, but my French as well.
There are numerous teachers there from many different countries, and they set their own prices, so you can search for somebody within your price range. Classes range from formal lessons to conversational practice.
If you’re a first-time student there and you register with my link, you’ll get $10 USD in italki Credits after you spend $20!
🥳 Sign up for italki and take your Spanish skills to the next level!
✔ ¡No des papaya!
“No des papaya” is a very popular Colombian idiom, though you probably won’t hear it in other countries in South America. Its literal translation (“don’t give papaya”) makes no sense, but it’s actually sound advice. It means that you shouldn’t do anything that makes a crook’s job easier.
Don’t whip out your expensive new smartphone or camera in public, and you should probably leave your flashy jewelry at home. Don’t dress any fancier than your average Colombian does. In short, don’t attract attention to yourself.
✔ Stick to the touristic cities
If you stick to the main touristic cities (e.g., Bogota, Medellin, Cartagena), you should be ok. It’s when you travel off the beaten path in Colombia that you could unknowingly wind up in less safe areas.
Do research before visiting small towns and rural areas where drug violence and drug-related crime surges have been more frequent.
As a bonus tip, the coffee region (known as “el eje cafetero” or “la zona cafetera”) is also a wonderful place to visit. It has safe cities (such as Manizales) and charming small towns (Filandia and Salento, for example) that make Colombia one of the must-visit destinations of South America.
Another wonderful place to visit that is off the beaten path and is also very safe is Ipiales, where you will find the Las Lajas Sanctuary. It’s been called one of the most beautiful churches in the world.
✔ Take Organized Tours
While exploring new places by yourself is fun and can be totally safe, if you want that extra level of safety, you can look into organized tours. There’s more safety in numbers, plus you’ll be with an experienced local guide who can teach you many things about the places you visit.
👀 Click to see top-rated tours and activities in Colombia!
✔ Don’t leave bags unattended
In the USA, many of us are used to leaving our things unattended if we have to walk away for a moment. We’re reasonably confident that nobody’s going to take them. Do not do this in Colombia.
✔ Be careful at ATMs
Watch out for machines with loose card-readers, and be mindful that nobody’s looking over your shoulder. Additionally, you should cover the keypad while you input your PIN.
Whenever possible, stick to ATMs that are attached to banks. Those are plentiful and the safest bet. Always be aware of who’s around you, though.
✔ Ask hotel/hostel staff which areas to avoid
The staff at hotels and hostels, as well as the hosts of rental properties, are great resources.
Not only can they tell you about the best tourist sites and restaurants to visit so you can make the most of your stay. They can also tell you which areas are best to avoid, so take advantage of their local expertise.
✔ Don’t walk alone at night in places with few people
If you’re out and about at night and you’re alone, you actually can walk around. Just be sure to stick to areas with a lot of people around and avoid dark and empty streets. When in doubt, take a taxi or use a ride sharing app.
This brings us to the next tip…
✔ Use a taxi app instead of hailing a cab on the street
Many cities in Colombia have Uber, which can even connect you with taxis. I’ve used it a lot in Colombia and can recommend it.
There are also other ride sharing apps, like Cabify, DiDi, and inDriver. I don’t recommend those, though, as they don’t have a great reputation for safety.
You can even usually ask the staff inside businesses to call you a cab. They’ll tell you the plate number of your taxi so you can verify it before getting in the car.
✔ Don’t accept food/drinks from strangers
No matter how nice somebody may seem, just don’t accept food or drinks from people you don’t know, and do not leave food or drinks unattended. Drugging tourists, though a rare occurrence, does happen from time to time.
✔ Don’t drink too much
I get it. You’re on vacation, you’re partying, you want to have a good time in Latin America. Just keep your wits about you.
A big part of staying safe is being aware of your surroundings and making smart decisions. Those are two abilities that alcohol is known to impair, so just don’t overdo it.
✔ Stay away from drugs
This is (or rather, should be) common sense while traveling. As I said about that other drug, alcohol, you want to avoid substances that impair your awareness and decision-making abilities.
Not only that, but buying drugs in Colombia is most likely going to expose you to locations and people that you’d be better off staying away from. If you stay away from drugs, you’ll most likely stay away from drug violence.
✔ Safe sex only
If you think you might wind up having sex in Colombia, do so safely. And don’t rely on the contraceptives you’ll find in country. Whatever protection you trust back home, bring that with you and bring enough of it.
✔ Avoid protests/demonstrations
Colombia, and Bogota especially, has always been a place with occasional protests and demonstrations, but they have been much more common during the last few years. They sometimes become dangerous, even deadly. The best advice is to stay away from them.
✔ Beware of phony, plainclothes police officers
There have been some reports of people in plain clothes claiming to be police officers. They approach tourists and ask to see their passports. Sometimes they even flash a badge.
If this should happen to you, try to flag down a uniformed police officer. Those are usually everywhere. In any case, I don’t recommend showing your real passport.
Speaking of which…
✔ Don’t carry your passport around with you
This is a good rule whether you’re in an allegedly dangerous country or a supposedly safe one.
Leave your passport safely hidden in your hotel room or hostel. Keep a photo of it in your email and your phone, and keep a printed copy or two with you at all times. It’s better to use a photocopy whenever you need to show some ID.
✔ Be aware of your surroundings
Almost all of the previous tips can be summed up rather simply. Just be mindful of what’s happening around you. If you stay aware of your surroundings, you’ll be able to avoid the overwhelming majority of unwanted incidents.
✔ Wear a money belt, and keep your wallet in your front pocket
Keep your important credit cards and some emergency cash in a money belt, and just keep the cash you need for the day in your wallet. That wallet, by the way, should always be in your front pocket, never in your back pocket. This makes it harder for pickpockets to take it from you.
You might even consider keeping an expired credit card or two in your wallet. In case you have to hand it over against your will, having those useless credit cards inside it will make it look legit at first glance while you focus on getting to safety.
✔ If you do get mugged, just give them what they want
So you’ve taken all the precautions and still the unthinkable happens. Don’t put up a fight if it’s not necessary. (Hint: it’s almost never necessary.)
Your belongings are just things. You can get new ones (especially if you have travel insurance, which I recommend). Your life is worth far more than anything you have on you.
How to Stay Safe in Mexico: 7 Essential Safety Tips
Once again, most of the tips for staying safer in Colombia also apply to any other country in Latin America (and most other places, for that matter). Nevertheless, if you’re not heading all the way down to South America just yet, here are a few more tips to keep you safe during your stay in Mexico.
✔ Research locations before going
As long as you do a little bit of research before choosing your vacation destinations, you’ll be fine.
In general, cities farther away from the US border are safer than border towns, where drug violence and drug-related crime surges can be rampant. Cities along the Mexican Riviera like Playa del Carmen are generally safe for tourists, as are usual tourist sites like Cancun and Mexico City.
Just read up about any specific cities you want to visit before you go there.
✔ Stay at popular resorts
Popular resorts are popular for a reason. They’re great places to stay, and they’re safe. They may cost a bit more, but safety is priceless.
✔ Eat and drink only at popular spots
Limit your dining to restaurants and street vendors that have long lines and whose customers are both locals and tourists. You might have to wait just a bit longer than you would at the empty spot next door, but at least you’ll know you’re at a safe place with a good reputation. Your stomach will thank you.
✔ Use public transportation by day
In general, it’s okay to take buses and trains in Mexico by day. In Mexico City, there are even buses and subway cars that are only for women!
✔ Use registered cabs by night
At night, it’s safer to avoid public transportation, so go ahead and spring for a taxi. Just be sure it’s a registered cab. Alternatively, you can also use Uber in many cities.
✔ Don’t reveal your itinerary or accommodations to others
The only people who should know your itinerary or accommodations are family members, close friends, and/or significant others. Don’t give out this information to anybody else while you’re in the country.
✔ Go on Organized Tours
We said it about Colombia, and we’ll say it about Mexico too. (Or about any place, really.) Taking tours of the places you want to go is a fun and safe way to explore the area without having to worry about organizing anything, since that’s been done for you. Plus, you’ll probably learn a lot more on a tour.
Click to see the top-rated tours and activities in Mexico!
Conclusion: Is Colombia Safer than Mexico?
We’ve looked at some data about crime rates in both of these countries in Latin America. It turns out that both are fairly similar when it comes to safety, with some minor differences based on location and time of day.
In some respects, Colombia is slightly safer than Mexico. In others, Mexico may be slightly safer than Colombia. But overall, as long as you’re following the safety tips recommended here, and using the same common sense you’d use anywhere else, you’ll be okay.
Also remember that nowhere is completely safe, and so much in life is just luck. Before I moved to Colombia in 2010, I’d often get the same questions over and over again from different, well-intentioned people:
“Aren’t you afraid of getting kidnapped?” “Don’t they have a lot of crime there?” “Isn’t Colombia dangerous?”
But I’ve spent a lot of time in Colombia (and other parts of Latin America) over the years, and I’ve personally never felt unsafe (the worst crime I was a victim of was a totally avoidable theft of some personal belongings). On the other hand, I’ve felt unsafe in the USA many times.
Once, during a short stay in Oakland, California, I witnessed a gunfight about 30 feet from where I stood on a busy downtown street in broad daylight. Meanwhile, my good friend has lived there for more than a decade, and he’s never seen anything like that. So I never recommend letting a country’s notoriety for crime make or break your travel plans.
The truth is that both Mexico and Colombia are beautiful countries, each with its own special brand of magic that makes it worth visiting.
So whether you’re in Bogota or Mexico City, Cartagena or Playa del Carmen, if you follow the safety tips, stay aware of your surroundings, and trust your intuition, you won’t have to wonder whether Colombia is safer than Mexico.
You’ll have a great time and see why so many people love to visit these wonderful jewels of Latin America.