When most people plan their vacations to Medellin, the focus tends to be on which highlights will be included. They might be excited about artistic offerings like the Museum of Antioquia, or the many Botero sculptures that are scattered across the city. Or, they might be there for the nightlife and party culture of the El Poblado district. Then there are the people who want to get a first-hand look at the vibrant Paisa culture, which is known for its friendly people and good food.
However, an essential part of preparing for a visit to Medellin is learning about the safety risks of the city, and how to avoid them. This isn’t to say that Medellin is particularly dangerous; the majority of tourists, even solo travelers, say that they never felt unsafe during their visit. That being said, the city is full of petty thieves and pickpockets – and the instances of more serious crimes have been going up.
The good news is that you can greatly reduce the risk of falling victim to anything untoward. How? By following some expert tips, which you can read more about below.
Why petty crimes are slightly on the rise in Medellin
Every major city in the world is full of petty criminals, especially those that are popular with tourists. In the case of Medellin, though, a couple of different factors have contributed to the number of robberies that the city experiences each year.
First, the COVID-19 shutdowns were especially hard on the city’s lower class, increasing already high poverty rates. Although Medellin has recovered to an extent, the poorer classes are still feeling the effects of the pandemic restrictions.
Second, about 1.75 million Venezuelans have immigrated to Colombia due to the crisis in their home country. Many of them were living well below the poverty line to begin with, and aren’t able to legally find work in Colombia. Since they can’t find legal work, some of them ended up finding illegal work, including robbing international visitors in tourism hotspots like Medellin.
The main risks for tourists in Medellin
Even though the risks of encountering some of these crimes is pretty low, it’s still best to be aware of them.
- Being targeted by a pickpocket
This is by far the most common tourist-related crime in Medellin. If someone walks through one of the city’s popular tourist watering holes looking like they’re definitely not from Colombia, at some point they’ll likely be approached by a thief. This is especially true if they’re wearing expensive clothes or jewelry, or if they’re carrying items like a smartphone or a camera.
- Being robbed at gunpoint
This is less likely to happen compared to having your wallet quickly slipped from out of your back pocket, but this type of robbery has actually been increasing. If this happens, just give up all of your belongings immediately and do not cause a scene.
- Being drugged and robbed/assaulted
Many women are already aware of the use of date-rape drugs in bars, nightclubs, and similar places. Just like anywhere else in the world, this happens in Medellin too. Female travelers are sometimes targeted by men who want to rob or assault them, so it’s important to take the right steps to hopefully prevent this from happening. But in Medellin this happens even more frequently with men who fall victim to a laced drink at a club.
- Being targeted by a honey trap scam
Women aren’t the only ones who are at risk of being roofied in Medellin clubs; the city has actually been making international headlines in 2023 for the rise of honey trap scams. With this type of scam, the (usually male) tourist meets up with a local date, who sneaks a sedative into their food or drink. The victim will then be robbed; sometimes they’ll wake up with their wallet and phone gone, while at other times their entire life savings will have been drained. In some cases, the drug used is scopolamine, or “Devil’s Breath”; it’s known for causing victims to willingly comply with whatever is suggested to them, including supplying PIN numbers, bank information, and more.
How to stay safe in Medellin
The average tourist comes to Medellin for a great time, whether that means guided city tours or partying in El Poblado. Regardless, these tips should be followed closely at all times; this should decrease the chances of the visit being ruined by any unfortunate incident.
- Don’t be obvious (Or as the locals say “Don’t give papaya!”)
Scammers, thieves, and other petty criminals target people who look like tourists – fancy clothes or shoes, expensive electronics, etc. Even items like tank tops and flip flops are dead giveaways. You can still dress for the occasion, but try not to deviate too far from typical Colombian styles.
- Bring a dummy phone and wallet
If you happen to get held up at gunpoint, that’s no time to play the hero – you should give them what they’re asking for. However, they don’t have to know that they’re getting a cheap phone, and a wallet with only a nominal amount of cash in it.
- Never accept drugs or get overly intoxicated
Even if you’re in Medellin to party, it’s vital to be cautious around drugs and alcohol. These both create the perfect situation for a stranger to take advantage of an unwary tourist, whether the result is losing some cash, or kidnapping and assault.
- Don’t walk around at night
Downtown Medellin is generally safe for tourists during the day, but there are quite a few areas that become much more dangerous at night. If you find yourself out and about after sunset, take an Uber or Didi rather than walking back to your hotel.
- Don’t go out alone
This might be trickier for solo travelers, but many tourists travel in groups. In that case, the smartest choice is always to go out with a buddy. Another helpful trick is to send a friend your live location on WhatsApp, so they know where you are at all times. Or hire a personal guide to show you around Medellin.
Medellin is worth taking precautions for
Is Medellin safe? In general, the answer is yes, even for solo travelers. However, there’s always a chance of running into an unsavory character or two while visiting Medellin. Fortunately, an ounce of preparation is worth a pound of cure; by taking the right steps to protect yourself, you’ll be better prepared to enjoy an amazing vacation in Medellin.
