Is Medellin safe? Generally — yes! Medellin is a safe place for travelers (with a little know-how!).

Locals in Medellin helped us create this guide to safety in their hometown. It includes everything from up-to-date COVID info to tips for solo travelers.

Update: COVID-19 in Medellin, Colombia

When the pandemic broke out in March 2020, Colombia took quick, decisive actions. Years later, Colombian officials still take COVID seriously and precautions are in place in Colombia that help make the country safe.

Here are the current rules for travel to Colombia:

• Travelers must be vaccinated or have a valid negative COVID test prior to entering Colombia. (Vaccination must be completed more than 14 days prior to travel. Otherwise, a negative COVID test result is still required.)
• The Check-Mig registration form is required and must be completed 24 hours prior to arrival. Travelers can complete the form on Colombia's government website.
• Masks are required indoors and on public transit in some municipalities.

Medellin's crime rates are low

Yes, Medellin was once infamously dangerous — it was even once known as the most dangerous city in the world!

But the Medellin of today is completely different. In fact, Medellin's 82% decline in violent crime means that the city is now safer than New Orleans.

And like other major cities, locals say that violent crimes occur in neighborhoods far away from the center of the city — that is, far from where you'll find most Colombian points of interest.

Petty theft is your only real concern

Medellin is Colombia’s second-largest city after Bogota, and, like its sister city, has high rates of petty theft.

To avoid petty theft and stay safe in Colombia, locals suggest taking a cue from the popular Colombian saying: “No dar papaya." Roughly translated, this means “don’t put yourself in a position to be taken advantage of.”

To that end, benefit from local advice when it comes to things like spotting and avoiding petty theft and other scams. Our locals advise to:

• Avoid wearing anything that makes you stand out from the locals; flip-flops, fanny packs, shorts, and expensive jewelry are all signs of a novice traveler — which pickpockets use to their advantage.
• Keep your belongings secured to your person at all times. In Medellin, thieves are known to ride motorcycles through traffic, snatching phones, jewelry, and bags from open car windows.

You probably don’t need any extra vaccines

If you’ve had the COVID vaccine and you’re up to date on your routine vaccines (tetanus, chickenpox, MMR, polio, and flu), odds are that you don’t need any additional vaccines before going to Medellin.

If you’re planning on traveling to more rural points of interest, the CDC recommends getting certain vaccines for Colombia travel, including typhoid and hepatitis A vaccines.

Be sure to check with your doctor before you go!

Medellin's tap water is safe to drink

Medellin is one of the many cities in Colombia with an excellent water purification system, so the city’s tap water is absolutely safe to drink. That also means that fresh fruits, vegetables, and street food are safe to consume.

Medellin's public transit is safe and easy to use

There’s no bad choice when it comes to Medellin public transport — whichever option you use for your travel itinerary, you’ll get to where you need to go cheaply, safely, and easily. Medellin’s most popular modes of public transportation are the metro, buses, and cable cars, with the majority of travelers using the metro.

Medellin’s award-winning metro system is only $0.69 per ride with a Civica card, which works much like a standard metro card in U.S. cities. Civica cards can be used interchangeably between buses, metros, and cable cars.

Solo female travelers love Medellin

Good news, solo female travelers! Medellin is largely considered to be one of the safest places in Colombia for independent, solo travelers — especially if you keep to the city’s well-populated areas. Real talk: harassment and cat-calling are an issue in Medellin (as in Colombia and Latin America as a whole); however, they’re generally considered to be less severe in Medellin due to the city’s massive student population.

With that in mind — and given Medellin’s balmy average temperature of 72° — jeans are the go-to wear for most Colombian women if you feel like blending in. But don’t let any haters dictate your wardrobe — many women feel safe wearing whatever they want while hiking around Medellin or partying away in the city’s awesome nightlife.

Emergency numbers everyone should know

In the off chance that you run into any trouble while galavanting through Medellin, here are some numbers to call for assistance.

• National Emergency Number: 123
• Tourist Police: (1) 3374413
• Information: 113
• U.S. Embassy in Colombia: (+57) (1) 275-2000