Is it safe to visit Cali right now?

If you’ve seen any news about Colombia for the past couple of weeks, then most likely they have included pictures and videos of the country being in flames and the police shooting so-called innocent protestors. 

We will stay out of the politics, but the short story is that a one-day protest on April 28 against a new tax reform has turned into a 28-day event putting the country to a halt. While the entire country has been affected by protests, roadblocks and vandalism, no place was hit harder than Cali. It reached a point where the military had to enter the city to bring law and order back.

It’s important to note that 99% of all the protesters were peaceful. But, there was a tiny fraction of the people on the street who got violent. They shot and threw rocks at the police. They tore down statues, burned public busses, destroyed several banks and looted some stores. Whether the outside world agrees or not, you can not allow a tiny group of protestors to cause billions of pesos worth of damage to the city and the local economy.  

To make matters worse, all of the main roads in and out of the city got blocked by indigenous people thus preventing the city from getting food, gas and medicine supplied. 

So what’s the reality today?

An acquaintance of mine remarked the other day:

Cali is far from perfect right now but better than the media portrays it to be

I agree.

Let’s just be frank. It has been quite chaotic. And while some protests are still taking place, I wanted to let you know that city has calmed a lot. The protesters are negotiating with the government. Violent clashes in Cali have mostly ceased, and the city is beginning to feel like itself again. The airport is operating with normal frequency. Its operation was only ceased for one day during this entire period. Transportation between city and airport is unobstructed. Supermarkets have been stocked. Gasoline is available. Restaurants and businesses are opening their doors to clients again. 

Does that mean that everything is completely safe and back to normal again? No… not yet.

Can you visit Cali and still have a good time? Yes, I would say so… but you need to be cautious.

Allow me to elaborate…

I live in this city with my wife and two kids. Do we feel threatened? No. Are we scared? No.

If that was the case, then we would have left when all this began.

Please know that the intention with these protests has never been to attack other civilians. The inconformity has and still is with the government. 

Anyone who visits Colombia will quickly realize that the country is split between the ones that have and ones that don’t. It’s a class-divided society run by a corrupt political class. The people are fed up with the status quo and are demanding a change. It’s hard to blame them. 

Has crime risen as a result of these manifestations? Yes. And for that reason, it is super important to be very alert to your surroundings and take extra precautions if you decide to visit.

Here are a couple of recommendations:

• Don’t go looking for trouble. Avoid going to the parts of the city where most of the action is taking place. This is a big city. And just like New York, Chicago, Rio de Janeiro, Mexico City, Lima or any other big city, there are certain areas where you are a lot more likely to end up in an unpleasant situation. If you’re visiting as a tourist, then stay around the touristic areas like San Antonio, El Peñon, Centenario, Granada, Parque del Perro, Chipichape, Ciudad Jardin, etc. Most of the confrontations have been in the south on the road towards Jamundí, Aguablanca to the east and around Siloé to west. Avoid those areas and you will avoid 99% of all problems.
• Don’t go flashing your valuables like cameras, smart phones, jewelry on the street. Best to just carry cash and leave credit cards and important documents at home or at a safe in the hotel. This is pretty much a standard recommendation for most of the big cities in Latin America but it’s even more valid now.
• Don’t walk long distances. Better to use taxis / Uber / Didi. Especially at night.
• Local COVID curfews are currently begin at midnight until 5 am. Don’t stay out after that hour. The streets are very empty.
• If you’re traveling between big cities then it’s better to fly than take the bus.
• Should you be approached by anyone trying to rob you, then don’t be a hero. No physical belongings are worth an injury or in the worst case your life.
• Common sense goes a long way.

Colombia is still and will continue to be one of the most beautiful and diverse places on this planet. An amazing travel destination with more colors and flavors than anywhere else we know of. And they are desperate to get the economy and tourism activated again.

That being said, right now, it’s worth considering why you want to visit. Regular tourists may be worried about security or bothered by the current restrictions in domestic transportation. Understandable. But if you’re coming for a medical appointment or to visit friends, family and loved ones then I’m sure you’ll have a good time no matter what. Also, as a digital nomad or someone who can work remotely and earn EUR, USD or any other hard currency, then your purchasing power is amazing here. And you can still combine your stay with salsa and Spanish classes, great food, culture, and so forth.

In conclusion: Don’t be afraid to come back. Don’t let mainstream media manipulate your perception of the world. The Colombians will receive you with their arms wide open. And the recent trouble has only made it even more affordable with the USD/COP exchange rate hovering around $3700-3800. 

Hopefully, the next couple of weeks will se an improvement in the situation as the vast majority are desperate for things to calm down and return to normal. Any questions or comments, then feel free to reach out in the comments below.

Helpful resources

El Pais – local newspaper with news about the current situation including an interactive map showing any potential roadblocks.

Secretaría de Movilidad de Cali has a Twitter profile that get’s updated almost hourly with mentions of any potential roadblocks.

Cali airport also has a Twitter profile where any potential hiccups get reported.

P.S – The picture is of a peaceful protest on the river boulevard May 24, thin Cali where thousands showed up to protest against the road blocks and violence between authorities and