Stay Safe In Bogota

Colombia’s capital city of Bogota is a sprawling metropolis that almost appears to be sliding down the hill on which it is set. Outside of the historic area of La Candelaria, the general rule of thumb is that the more expensive and safer neighborhoods tend to be toward the north of the city, which is worth bearing in mind when choosing where to eat, sleep and go out at night.

The cheaper digs in town are found around La Candelaria, which is generally safe during the daytime. At night it is advisable to avoid walking around the narrow streets, and instead travel by taxi. The same can be said of Bogota in general, although the excellent Transmilenio bus service is safe during the day.

Travelers should always be wary of pickpockets both on the buses and in popular tourist areas, with sneaky thefts more common than hold-ups due to the strong police presence in most of the city. If you want to climb Cerro de Monserrate in order to enjoy the view over Bogota, it is advisable to do so early in the morning, when the crowds of locals taking their morning run make assaults less likely.

That said there are certain zones that should be avoided at all costs, including the infamous Calle L, which is the center of the drug trade in the city and lies around 9^th Street and 15^th Avenue. If you are interested in visiting the markets which are found nearby, be careful not to approach them via the L, also known as the Bronx to locals.