Is Cali Colombia Safe? (My Solo Female Experience Here)

Planning Out Your Colombia Itinerary And Thinking About Visiting Cali, But Wondering If It Is A Safe Place To Travel To?

During my time living in Colombia (I lived in the Coffee Region, not too far from Cali), I explored destinations all over the country by myself (as a solo female traveler) including the valley city of Cali, and although I’m an extra safe and cautious person, I never felt like I was in danger here, but there are still some areas you should know to avoid and some other tips to know to be as safe as possible on your visit here.

⚠️ Is Cali, Colombia Safe? (Facts + Statistics)

Back in the 1990s, Cali was not a very safe place to be, in fact it was one of the most dangerous places in Colombia. Fortunately, things have changed for the better all throughout Colombia, because this is definitely a country worth visiting.

All of this country has a pretty dangerous past, but luckily things have continued to get better over the years.

The Evolution Of Cali’s Crime:

Cali’s homicide rate peaked in 1994
Cali, Colombia was one of the 10 most dangerous cities in the world
50% of victims were intoxicated or at a bar when killed
Enforcement policies led to a 50% decrease in homicide rates by 1997
A 2012 effort to fight crime at the national level led to a 25% decrease in homicides within 2 years
Since 2012, homicide rates have continued to gradually fall

So Cali does have a bit of a dangerous past, specifically peaking in the 1990s, but efforts to change that have succeeded and Cali is a much safer place to visit these days, especially when you know the places and things to avoid.

Is Cali, Colombia Safe At Night?

Like most bigger cities, Cali, Colombia is not as safe at night so it's best to avoid going out, especially alone.

Like most large cities, Cali, Colombia becomes a little more dangerous at night, especially for those traveling alone, because there are more vulnerable scenarios to get into.

It’s best to be extra cautious and avoid late nights out as much as possible here, and always stick to well lit, populated areas if you do go out at night or find night tours to go on so you’re not alone.

Is Cali, Colombia Safe For Solo Female Travelers?

I traveled all over Colombia by myself, including the city of Cali, and I always felt safe because I was cautious and aware.

While I lived in Colombia, I traveled all over on my own (one time even riding a 12 hour overnight bus) and during my time in Cali, I never felt like I was in any danger.

I did choose to take a city tour with a group to make transportation easier, but I walked around the more touristy areas alone (while still being very cautious and aware of my surroundings) and used public transportation to get to/from the city.

🛑 Dangerous Areas To Avoid In Cali, Colombia

There are some more dangerous areas of Cali, Colombia that should be avoided, but you wouldn't really have any reason to go to them anyways.

Although there’s not really any reason for tourists to go to these areas, these are the more dangerous neighborhoods you should most definitely avoid in Cali, Colombia:

East Side Of Cali (absolutely do not go here)
Manuela Beltran neighborhood
Aguablanca (Comuna 13, 14, 15, and 21)
San Antonio (at night)
Alameda (after dark)
Comuna 20

*️⃣ Tip: when choosing a place to stay in Cali, stick to the safer neighborhoods of El Peñon and Granada (parts of San Antonio are okay, but it’s more sketchy/dangerous at night)

ℹ️ Tips To Be Extra Safe In Cali, Colombia

While Cali, Colombia is typically a safe place for tourists nowadays (in the right areas), there are a few ways you can be extra safe here or anywhere else in Colombia for that matter:

try guided tours instead of going out alone

stay in groups if possible and stick to populated, well lit areas

arrange private transfers or highly rated ride-shares instead of hailing taxi’s

don’t carry all your money/credit cards around (stash them in different places)

don’t carry your official passports around (make copies and use those instead)

be a little inconspicuous with technology and more expensive products (including jewelry)

avoid Airbnbs (too many horror stories, mine included)

No Dar Papaya (Colombian saying that means not allowing easy or obvious opportunities to be taken advantage of and not getting into vulnerable situations, i.e. be smart)

🔁 Sum Up: Is Cali, Colombia Safe?

My experience exploring Colombia (including the city of Cali) as a solo female traveler was incredibly positive and I always felt safe because I stayed extra cautious and aware no matter where I was. While I personally think there are better and more beautiful places to visit in Colombia if you have limited time, Cali is still worth a day or two if you’re already in the area.