Is Cali safe to visit right now? (November 2026)

Travel advisories for Colombia

What the advice says

• The US Department of State advisory for Colombia is Level 3 - Reconsider Travel, dated 2026-03-31; this rating applies to the entire country, not specifically to Cali.
• The UK FCDO advice notes that armed groups remain active throughout Colombia and have historically targeted tourist locations such as transportation hubs, markets, shopping malls, hotels, restaurants, and public areas, with attacks involving car bombs, grenades, and explosive devices.
• Pickpocketing, mugging, and armed robbery are described as a problem in major cities including Cali, and travelers are advised to avoid carrying large amounts of cash or wearing expensive-looking jewelry or watches.
• The advice warns of 'express kidnappings,' where criminals, sometimes posing as taxi drivers, target victims near ATMs, often at night, forcing them to withdraw or transfer money; it recommends using ATMs only during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or shopping center.
• Protests and demonstrations occur regularly and can turn violent with little notice, sometimes leading to road closures; travelers are advised to avoid such gatherings and monitor local media for updates.
• The guidance recommends extra caution on city streets after dark or when alone, particularly in less affluent areas, and advises letting a trusted person know your whereabouts at all times.
• These findings are based on country-level UK and US government advisories current as of their stated dates and do not reflect conditions specific to any single neighborhood in Cali.