Common tourist scams in Colombia and how to avoid them

Colombia's tourist scams are mostly low-tech and opportunistic rather than organised around visitors. The pattern is distraction: someone bumps you, spills something on you, offers to help, or crowds you at a bus door or market stall while a second person takes your phone or wallet. This happens in Bogotá's Candelaria and around transport hubs, in Medellín's centre and metro, in Cartagena's old town and on crowded beaches, and on long-distance buses where bags go in the overhead rack.

Taxis are the second theme. Street taxis in the big cities are supposed to run on a meter, but a driver may quote a flat 'gringo price' instead, take a longer route, or claim the meter is broken. The clean fix is to order through an app so the fare and route are recorded, or agree the price before you get in if you must hail one. At airports, ignore anyone inside the terminal offering a ride and go to the official taxi rank or app pickup point.

Cards and cash carry their own risks. Skimming devices on some ATMs, and 'helpful' strangers who offer to assist at the machine, are both reported. Always cover the keypad, use ATMs inside banks or malls during the day, and decline any machine or terminal that offers to charge you in your home currency — that is dynamic currency conversion and it costs you a markup. Pay in pesos.

In nightlife areas, the serious concern is drink spiking, sometimes linked to scopolamine, a drug that can leave you compliant and with no memory. Never leave a drink unattended, do not accept drinks from strangers, and go out in a group. If you feel suddenly dizzy or confused, get to a staff member or friend immediately.

Smaller hustles are common too: 'broken' card machines after a meal, fake police asking to check your cash for counterfeits, unofficial 'guides' at attractions, and inflated prices with no menu. Ask for a menu with prices, count your change, and be wary of anyone in plain clothes demanding your wallet.

Decide your transport rule before you land: app-based taxis and ride-hailing for anything after dark, and the official rank at airports. That single habit removes most of the taxi-related risk.

Carry two cards from different banks and keep them in separate places, so a skimmed or blocked card does not strand you. Keep some cash in small notes for taxis and markets.

Blend in where you can: no phone out on the street for long, no obvious camera bag, and no counting large sums of cash in public. In crowded buses keep your backpack on your front.

If something does happen, act quickly. For a stolen card, call your bank to block it, then file a police report — you may need it for insurance. For a stolen passport, contact your embassy or consulate. The emergency number for police, ambulance and fire is 123.

This is general safety information, not legal advice, and conditions change. Check your own government's travel advice for Colombia before and during your trip.