The no dar papaya mindset, common scams that target foreigners, and how to move around safely. Practical safety advice from experience, not paranoia.
The mindset that keeps you safe in Colombia. Practical examples from daily life.
Read guide →Rental deposit scams, ATM skimmers, fake police, romance scams, and crypto fraud targeting foreigners.
Read guide →Safe rideshare practices, night travel rules, and inter-city bus safety.
Read guide →Colombia has changed dramatically in the last 20 years. Medellin, Bogota, and Cartagena are visited by millions of tourists annually. Expat communities are thriving. The country is far safer than its reputation suggests — but it is not a theme park.
The Colombian approach to safety is captured in one phrase: no dar papaya. Do not make yourself an easy target. Do not flash expensive items. Do not walk alone in unfamiliar areas at night. Do not trust strangers who approach you with unsolicited offers. This is not paranoia — it is the same common sense Colombians apply to their own daily lives.
The biggest risks for expats are not violence — they are scams. Rental deposit fraud, taxi overcharging, ATM skimmers, and fake police stops cost foreigners money every week. Read the scams guide before you arrive.