Crime in Cartagena, Colombia

El Polo says on Sep 9, 2008, 11:45:

Scarver, I wouldnt rely too much on numbers, you just have to go and experience it for yourself, Cartagena has welcomed tourist for decades, therefore it is probably one of the most CULTO cities in all Colombia :) How did you find out about Cartagena dude?

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scarver85 says on Sep 9, 2008, 12:08:

My friend just got back from there and can't stop talking about it. He wants to live there forever. He says he feels safer there than in any major U.S. city, and I believe him. However, I would still like the numbers so I can use them to compare Cartagena to some U.S. cities. I think if I have sold data people will realize that it is not as dangerous as they believe.

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ozgringo says on Sep 9, 2008, 12:38:

I think most people would agree that Coastal cities in Colombia have a lot less issues with major crimes compared to the big inland cities, Cali, Medellin and Bogota. The stats that are often quotes seem to be 10 years old, and date from when Pablo was still around. The murder rate in Medellin was 20 a day 10 years ago.. Now it is 1-2 a day, probably less than many larger U.S. cities, and usually drug related gang violence.

tried to think of something deep to write here.. but couldn't think of anything..

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Noelito40 says on Sep 9, 2008, 13:18:

There are 2 Cartagenas, the beach fronts, the old city, new apartment blocks...all relatively safe and tourist friendly; and then there are the parts of Cartagena where the locals live, and the 2 places are worlds apart!!

Noelito

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island girl says on Sep 9, 2008, 13:27:

yeah noelito I am feeling that comment ... have a couple friends in cartagena and plus from a tourist perspective all you have to do is go to La Popa and check out the view of the majority of Cartagena - not at all like the old city, boca grande or laguito ...

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Bluesdude says on Sep 9, 2008, 13:34:

Crime happens in Cartagena just like every other city in the world. There is a strong police and military presence in the tourist areas, but less so in the barrios, so it's more dangerous in the barrios. Still, I have been to some of the poorest barrios without problems (touch wood). There are risks wherever there are poor, desperate people. Usually when someone commits violence or robbery here, it's for specific reasons - like to buy food or for vengeance, not for a lark or to prove gang worthiness like in the US. I definitely feel safer in Cartagena than I would in many major US cities. (Like, for instance, Oakland and Richmond, California, and Detroit, Newark, etc.)

A guru once said, "the mind is like a drunken monkey." If that's true, then my mind is an orangutan on a binge

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Gator says on Sep 9, 2008, 14:26:

tomtom33's post is spot on when you leave Bocagrande and the area of the old walled city and make the turn past LaPopa you are on you own-especially after dark.

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

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Cheers Terry says on Sep 9, 2008, 15:36:

Ditto Tom.

All the tourist areas in Cartagena are among the safest places you'll find in Colombia and are completely safe for a vacation, but some of the barrios are really tough where a normal tourist would get plucked like a chicken.

Cheers,
Terry

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Sam Salmon says on Sep 9, 2008, 17:19:

Living there 24/7 would be tough with the heat and humidity-great place for a visit though.

' a la orden!'

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Pirate2late says on Sep 9, 2008, 17:37:

Like any city anywhere, there are places you don't want to go. Visited there last Feb. Enjoyed the city and the walled city and fort very much. Very safe. The only thing I did not like at was the public beaches. This is where the "crime" is!! It's the vendors on the beach!!!! They will NOT leave you alone or enjoy the beach. It's one after another, and they make the vendors in Jamaica look like Mother Teresa! I'd go back, because of the history there....but I'd avoid the beaches!!

If you are just looking for some R&R in a beautiful place, go to San Andres. Very beautiful....very safe....and very nice & friendly people. They have vendors, but very polite and respectful.

Having said all that, go and have fun. Don't worry so much!! Just use common sense. I've got a 4 day trip to Detroit next week, and I'd rather be going to Cartagena!

el Pirate

"Fly it until the last part stops moving!"

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dmo says on Sep 9, 2008, 19:51:

Bluesdude, having grown up in Oakland, CA, your comment gives me a warm fuzzy about wanting to travel to Cartagena. =)

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quantum says on Sep 9, 2008, 22:00:

Hey, I was born in Oakland. I resemble that comment........

quantum

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Buongone says on Sep 9, 2008, 22:08:

Antioch here!

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august says on Sep 10, 2008, 05:52:

Yes, Oaktown-born here as well. I too "resemble" that comment. Naw, not actually, doesn't seem too far off, not by the numbers at least. What are we, #4 in the country these days?

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arnold_kate says on Sep 10, 2008, 06:20:

I am living in Cartagena and am a very obvious gringa. I live in a barrio outside of any tourist area. I feel very safe. I let the nanny walk my kids to school by herself and have no worries for them. My spanish is still pretty limited and I take taxis by myself (all way outside any thing that could be consider tourist areas). I love it here. It is beautiful. There ius strong police and military presence. I run in the morningings around my neighborhood by myself with no worries. The things you have to be careful of (like any major city anywhere) is pick pocketing and other obvious things you might carry that could be stolen. I wouldn´t walk around with my laptop case other then to the car and building. Just be smart but dfon´t be worried. I travel between cities out to our farm at night without worries. It is safe here.

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Gator says on Sep 10, 2008, 06:48:

what is the name of your neighborhood??

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

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Pirate2late says on Sep 10, 2008, 07:43:

Thanks tomtom, you are right on. I stayed at the Decameron resort across the road from the beach, and it was not the place to be, the beach there. I'm going back, but to the beaches you suggest!

el Pirate

"Fly it until the last part stops moving!"

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Sam Salmon says on Sep 10, 2008, 10:53:

"they make the vendors in Jamaica look like Mother Teresa..."

LOL!!

' a la orden!'

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El Polo says on Sep 10, 2008, 10:54:

Bourdian in Cartagena

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spy1983 says on Sep 11, 2008, 20:41:

I was in Barranquilla for 3 months and cannot understand why anyone likes Cartegena. I had two friends in Barranquilla that were robbed at different times en calle 90 at gun point. Anyone that "feels" safe is uninformed.

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