Is Colombia safe for American visitors?

Don't give papaya

• Don't wear gold chains or flashy jewelry, or carry large amounts of cash.
• Don't walk down the street talking on your phone, and don't film just to film.
• Don't walk alone at night. Use ride apps to get around.
• Carry one card and a little cash. Leave the rest in the safe.

Watch: Colombia travel warnings: safety tips you needAndrea's list of warnings, from transportation to water. Opens on YouTube.

At your Airbnb or hotel

1. Carry a copy of your passport and leave the original in the safe.
2. Leave spare cards, cash and extra phones in the safe.
3. Choose a building with security.
4. Be careful who you bring back. Andrea suggests photographing a guest's ID.

Dating apps and beach vendors

• Dating apps: Andrea warns against meeting strangers from apps in Medellín. She says cases of visitors being drugged and robbed have increased.
• Beach vendors: on the Caribbean coast, say a firm "no gracias", accept nothing, and agree the price before any service. Andrea's example: a massage quoted at 40,000 pesos that ends up costing 200,000.
• "Free gifts": a bracelet handed to you can come with a bill of about 50,000 pesos for something that costs 5,000 at a market.

Watch: Colombia travel tips: food, safety and moreAndrea on Airbnb safety, vendors and her full warning list. Opens on YouTube.

Quick questions

What does "don't give papaya" mean?

It is a Colombian saying for not making yourself an easy target: no flashy jewelry, no phone out on the street, no large amounts of cash.

Is Cali safer than other big cities?

Andrea says no city is safe by default. Cali is smaller, but people are robbed for phones even in good areas late at night.

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