Is Medellin Safe to Visit?

Whenever I mention visiting Colombia, I inevitably get asked if it’s safe to visit. In short, the answer is YES!

If all you know about Medellin is what you've seen on tv shows like Narcos and other fictionalized accounts, you're missing out on experiencing an exciting destination. Colombian culture is naturally friendly and family-oriented, and welcoming to American visitors. While I understand the concern, given its notorious history, tourism has become a top industry and the country has taken extreme measures to ensure visitors’ safety.

As is the case with anywhere, I take precautions such as wearing my backpack in the front when I'm in crowded areas. And epsecially when traveling, I try to avoid "giving papaya" (making yourself an easy target) as the Colombian locals would say.

Our hotel was located in a residential area of Provenza that was away from the crowds, but still close enough to the shops and restaurants to not feel isolated. It was well lit, didn't give me the creeps, and I felt comfortable enough to walk alone at night.

Statiscally speaking, Medellin is safer than Eurporean cities like Paris, London, Madrid, or Amsterdam where I'm more likely to be a victim of theft (pickpocketing), tourist scams or terrorist attacks. It's also safer than major U.S. cities like NYC, Chicago, or LA where as a Black woman I'm more likely to be murdered or the target of police brutality.

The point is that travel safety should always be top of mind, no matter the destination. Whenever I travel, here are 5 tips I follow: Safety Tips for Solo GenX Travelers.