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Colombia•South America

Cartagena Cruise Port Safety Briefing

High

Is Cartagena, Colombia Safe for Cruise Passengers?

Cartagena, Colombia carries a high risk rating. CruiseAware recommends reviewing the latest U.S. State Department and CDC advisories carefully before going ashore.

See the current cruise safety outlook

At a Glance

Overall Risk
High
Emergency Number
123
Cruise Port
Port logistics NOT ASSESSED. The cited eligible sources do not support berth, walking, taxi, terminal, or transfer facts for Cartagena.
Last Updated
September 5, 2026

Executive Summary

Cartagena is a Colombia cruise destination. The current U.S. State Department advisory is Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) for Colombia countrywide due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and natural-disaster risks; this is a country-level assessment, not Cartagena-specific.

Quick Facts

Risk Level

High

Country

Colombia

Emergency Number

123

Cruise Port

Port logistics NOT ASSESSED. The cited eligible sources do not support berth, walking, taxi, terminal, or transfer facts for Cartagena.

Health Considerations

CDC displays a Level 2 yellow-fever notice for Colombia and a Level 1 global dengue notice; CDC directs travelers to review vaccine and medicine guidance. Colombia Travel states the single emergency number is 123.

Safety & Security

The U.S. advisory says violent crime is common in many areas of Colombia and identifies countrywide crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, and natural-disaster risks. Cartagena-specific crime conditions are NOT ASSESSED.

Port Tips

Port logistics NOT ASSESSED. The cited eligible sources do not support berth, walking, taxi, terminal, or transfer facts for Cartagena.

Local Emergency Number

123

Store this number in your phone before going ashore.

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Multi-page PDF briefing: security & health risk matrices, entry requirements, local hospitals, insurance guidance, and emergency contacts — personalized for your ship and destination.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Cartagena rated High?+
High maps to the current U.S. Level 3 advisory for Colombia. It is countrywide rather than Cartagena-specific.
Are there current health notices for Colombia?+
Yes. CDC’s Colombia Traveler View displays a Level 2 yellow-fever notice and a Level 1 global dengue notice.
What is Colombia’s emergency number?+
Colombia Travel, the official tourism agency, states that 123 is the country’s single emergency number.
Are Cartagena cruise-terminal arrangements verified?+
No. Port logistics are NOT ASSESSED by the cited eligible sources.
Is Cartagena, Colombia safe?+
Cartagena, Colombia carries a high risk rating. CruiseAware recommends travelers reconsider nonessential travel and consult a travel health provider. Cartagena is a Colombia cruise destination. The current U.S. State Department advisory is Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) for Colombia countrywide due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and natural-disaster risks; this is a country-level assessment, not Cartagena-specific.
Is Cartagena, Colombia safe for cruise passengers?+
Cartagena, Colombia carries a high risk rating. CruiseAware recommends travelers reconsider nonessential travel and consult a travel health provider. The U.S. advisory says violent crime is common in many areas of Colombia and identifies countrywide crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, and natural-disaster risks. Cartagena-specific crime conditions are NOT ASSESSED.
How safe is Cartagena, Colombia?+
Cartagena, Colombia carries a high risk rating. CruiseAware recommends travelers reconsider nonessential travel and consult a travel health provider. Most cruise passengers visit Cartagena, Colombia without incident when they stay in port and tourist areas and use licensed transportation. The U.S. advisory says violent crime is common in many areas of Colombia and identifies countrywide crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, and natural-disaster risks. Cartagena-specific crime conditions are NOT ASSESSED.
Is there a travel warning for Cartagena, Colombia?+
The U.S. advisory says violent crime is common in many areas of Colombia and identifies countrywide crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, and natural-disaster risks. Cartagena-specific crime conditions are NOT ASSESSED.
Is it safe to leave the cruise port in Cartagena, Colombia?+
The U.S. advisory says violent crime is common in many areas of Colombia and identifies countrywide crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, and natural-disaster risks. Cartagena-specific crime conditions are NOT ASSESSED. Always use licensed taxis from the port authority, stay in well-trafficked tourist areas, and keep your ship's emergency contact number on hand before going ashore.
Does CruiseAware have a full safety report for Cartagena, Colombia?+
Yes. CruiseAware offers a personalized Country Intelligence Report for Cartagena, Colombia — a detailed PDF briefing covering health risks, safety advisories, emergency contacts, vaccination recommendations, and port-specific tips tailored to your cruise itinerary.

Source Citations & Review History

Our medical and travel experts synthesize information from the following authoritative public sources. We do not rely on AI without human verification.

Last verified by CruiseAware: September 5, 2026

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