Any no-go areas in Bogota? (Cualquier zonas peligrosas en Bogotá?)?

Question

My girlfriend's brother is going to Bogota (Colombia) on a business trip, and is curious about his personal safety there. He wants to know any dangerous or no-go areas or neighbourhoods in Bogota, how safe is it to walk the streets at night and wants to know how safe is Bolivar Square because he wants to visit Bolivar Sq whilst there. He has visited Johannesburg (South Africa) on a business trip and he felt scared to walk the streets because of what he heard about the high crime rate in Johannesburg. He has already heard about the crime and violence that occur in Colombia, and he wants to know if the crime rate in Bogota is lower than in Johannesburg. in other words, Is Bogota safer than Johannesburg?

Answer 1

Lke everyone said, the Northern part of the city is very safe, Zona Rosa, Zona T, Parque 93, etc, lots of stuff to do.  The southern part of the city the dangerous area, but I dont see why he would be down there anyways.  The Gold Museum (Museo de Oro) might be another place he might want to see while he's there.

Answer 2

I live in Bogota and feel very safe here. There are things I do not do here such as grab a cab off the street when I am alone. Have the hotel or restaraunt call one for you. Do not use ATM machines on the street. Instead use the ones on the top floor of any of the large malls. Do not wander around wearing cameras, lots of jewelry. Do not flash large amounts of money.

In the northern part of the city, it is safe. The further south you go, the higher the probability that you may be robbed. Do not take the buses.

Do not fall into the trap of having a person coming up and telling you they want to check your money for counterfeit bills. Real police will not ask you nor ask you to register as a foreigner. If it sounds like a scam, it is.

All that being said, I love this place. The people are friendly. While he is here he can go to any of the restaraunts or bars around Zona Rosa, Zona T, and Parque 93 without fear of getting into trouble.

The city is like any other large city in the world. There are some places you just do not go. Watch your belongings at the airport. Take a secure cab or hotel shuttle. Ask the doorman at the hotel where it is ok to go or not go. Like I said, a hotel up north will allow him to walk to most places between Calle 80 to 95. Lots of things to do. See links below

Enjoy

Answer 3

safe all bogota

but don't go to the south of the city and some parts of the center

that means

danger in  Caracas avenue

Answer 4

Bogota is as safe as you want it to be. Be smart and use common sense. If you flash around a gold chain in the slums well, chances are you will be stalked.

I wouldn't know about the crime rate, but I can tell you that the city has improved a great deal. Bogota has got much safer and the highest tourism rate in 30 years has now surpassed the charts. Poverty rate has declined 20% since 2007 in Colombia, too.

to play it safe stick to the north part east part of the city.

Check the link below and stay away from the following districts. It is not that they are very dangerous but as a foreigner you might be taken advantage of.

Remember Bogota has over 9 million people so it isn't hard to get lost.

Cuidad Bolivar (The shanty town district)

Usme

San Cristobal

Rafael Uribe

Plaza Bolivar is very safe. It is 4 blocks away from the Presidential Palace Casa de Nariño so don't worry. You may find the sporadic PICK POCKETS, though.

As for walking at night, stick to the North, North Eastern parts to walk at night. I walk at night becuase I know where not to go.

Head to Parque 93 and its whereabouts.

Answer 5

Both answers are great. I would also include a visit to Usaquen and eat at Amarti. The Italian food is superb. The salad bar -which you pay for by weight - has the best quality of any in the city. Ive been to both Johannesburg and Bogota. I would feel a LOT safer in Bogota than I did there. I would not go to Kennedy, Soacha, Fusagasuga is FARC controlled. I would be careful in Caldelaria.. people know its a tourist area. Also DO NOT go to Monserrate on a weekday. It not very full of people and you have a high chance of getting robbed. DO go on a weekend. The ajiaco is superb. I would also go to the Mirador to dance.. BUT! be sure to get a taxi that will wait NO taxis go DOWN from the Mirador and its a very long walk. Most of the south part of Bogota can be dangerous at night. Also, go North to Andres Carne de Res. Fabulous and eccentric disco. Dont go to far outside Bolivar Plaza.. it can be dangerous.. I reccomend two wallets.. one with like 50K pesos in it and a few expired credit cards. If you ever get robbed (I did once) you fork over the fake wallet. I did and it was a beautiful think. I was only out 30K pesos.