- Travel Advice
DFAT advice for Colombia
When travelling to Colombia, you should always get travel insurance in case the worst happens. To help you ensure you travel safely, we have included the travel advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for Colombia.
| Colombia overall | This Advice is current for Friday, 22 August 2008. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
| The provinces of Cesar and La Guajira, the cities of Cali and Popayan, and most rural areas | ||||
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
| Santander, Putumayo, Arauca, Cauca, Caqueta, Guaviare, Valle de Cauca, Narino, Antioquia, Norte de Santander and Meta | ||||
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. The overall level of the advice has not changed.
[top]Summary
- We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Colombia because of the high threat of terrorism and criminal activity. Terrorist, insurgent and paramilitary groups are active throughout Colombia and there is a high risk of kidnapping, including of foreigners.
- Government buildings, public transport and commercial and entertainment centres are potential targets for terrorist attacks. Places frequented by foreigners could be targeted by groups.
- We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to the provinces of Cesar and La Guajira, the cities of Cali and Popayan and most rural areas of Colombia because of the uncertain security situation.
- We advise you not to travel to the departments of Santander, Putumayo, Arauca, Cauca (excluding Popayan), Caqueta, Guaviare, Valle de Cauca (excluding Cali), Antioquia (excluding Medellin), Narino (excluding Pasto), Norte de Santander (excluding Cucuta), southern parts of Meta and the city of Buenaventura due to very high threat of terrorism from guerrilla organisations and drug related criminal activity. There is a high risk to your personal safety in these areas.
- If you do decide to travel to these "Do Not Travel" areas, you should exercise extreme caution. If you are in these areas and concerned for your safety, you should consider leaving.
- Australia has a Consulate in Bogota, headed by an Honorary Consul, which provides limited consular assistance. The Australian Embassy in Santiago, Chile provides full consular assistance to Australians in Colombia.
- Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:
- organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy
- register your travel and contact details with us, so we can contact you in an emergency
- subscribe to this travel advice to receive free email updates each time it's reissued.
