A STRAIGHT ANSWER

Is Colombia safe?

It’s the first thing everyone asks me, and it deserves a straight answer, not a sales line.

Colombia has changed enormously. The 2016 peace agreement with the FARC ended half a century of war, and cities like Medellín have transformed themselves. But it isn’t risk-free. Armed groups are still active in some remote parts of the country, and the big cities have street crime. I won’t pretend otherwise.

What the Foreign Office says

The UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to some parts of Colombia, mainly border regions and remote rural areas. Bogotá, the Coffee Region, Medellín, Guatapé and Cartagena are not among them. The advice also warns of street crime in the cities, including Bogotá’s old town, and of a risk of terrorist attacks across the country.

I check the advice before every departure, and I’ll tell you straight away if anything changes. We will never take you anywhere the Foreign Office advises against.

Read the Foreign Office advice for Colombia

How we look after you

Private transport. Private vehicles and drivers throughout, never public buses or street taxis.

Specialist local guides. People who know their city and keep you out of the places that aren’t worth the risk.

A host with the group. I travel with the founding departure myself, from the first dinner to the last morning.

Small groups. Eight guests on the founding departure, so nobody gets left behind.

Hotels we’ve chosen. Every one picked for its location as much as its comfort.

What you can do

Use the transport we arrange, or a ride app. Never hail a taxi on the street.

Keep your phone out of sight on busy streets.

Never accept a drink or anything to eat from a stranger.

Take Bogotá’s altitude slowly on the first day.

Travel with good travel insurance. It’s a condition of booking.

Still have questions?

Ask me directly. — Chris