Bogota is safe for remote workers as long as they take some extra precautions when navigating the city. It is important to note that this capital is one of the biggest in the continent and that poverty and social inequality mean crime of all varieties is, unfortunately, not uncommon. As such, it will be important for all visitors to observe certain guidelines in order to ensure their time in the city is incident-free.
Female remote workers living in the city alone should take extra care at nights and visit nightlife venues in groups; and LGBTQ+ individuals should enjoy the city’s nightlife scene with care and awareness of local macho culture. If you keep all of this in mind, you can count on your time in the city to be rewarding and enjoyable.
Most of the crime in Bogota takes the form of common street crime from pick-pockets and bag-snatchers taking advantage of unsuspecting victims. As such, it is important for remote workers in Bogota to always be alert and aware of their surroundings to avoid being an easy target. Furthermore, pickpockets and bag-snatchers are more likely to operate around the main touristic areas in La Candelaria and Zona Norte, as well as the foot of the Monserrate mountain.
Areas such as Plaza Bolivar, Carrera Septima and Chapinero can be heavily congested at times, and it is at these moments when robbers are most likely to strike. Bogota is safe for remote workers also in terms of violent crime, since this is rare in the main neighborhoods of the city and likely to affect only surrounding suburbs.ick-pockets and bag-snatchers taking advantage of unsuspecting victims. As such, it is important for remote workers in Bogota to always be alert and aware of their surroundings to avoid being an easy target.
Furthermore, pickpockets and bag-snatchers are more likely to operate around the main touristic areas in La Candelaria and Zona Norte, as well as the foot of the Monserrate mountain. Areas such as Plaza Bolivar, Carrera Septima and Chapinero can be heavily congested at times, and it is at these moments when robbers are most likely to strike. Bogota is safe for remote workers also in terms of violent crime, since this is rare in the main neighborhoods of the city and likely to affect only surrounding suburbs.
While the main neighborhoods of Bogota are safe for remote workers, there are certainly areas of the capital that visitors will want to stay clear of. La Candelaria - the city’s historical center - is desolate at nights and very often the site of muggings and robberies. Equally, the surrounding neighborhoods of Soacha, Bosa, Kennedy and Ciudad Bolivar to the south of Bogota and Suba to the north are not considered safe for visitors and their presence in these areas is likely to make them victims of crime. In the city itself, other than La Candelaria, remote workers should avoid the Los Martires neighborhood as well as Calle 26 between Carrera 7 and the airport. Avenida Caracas, a major thoroughfare in central and northern Bogota, is also dangerous at nights, particularly at the height of Chapinero.
Visitors to the city should also count of Bogota’s nightlife being safe and enjoyable. In fact, the city boasts three entertainment districts and party scenes to suit every taste. Theatron in Chapinero, for example, is one of the biggest LGBTQ+ venues in the world and BAUM is recognized around the region as a leader in the electronic music scene. To ensure your safety, however, it is important to keep an eye on your drink at all times since drink-spiking is extremely common in the city. Furthermore, be mindful of the city’s sex work industry as it can certainly make you the victim of serious crime here. Avoiding drugs in Colombia is strongly recommended, as is avoiding walking alone late at night around nightlife venues.
Transportation is safe for remote workers in Bogota under most circumstances. The Transmilenio service can get dangerously overcrowded, and it is important to always keep an eye on your belongings as this method of transport is notorious for being a pick-pocket hotspot. Additionally, make sure to always take licensed and registered taxis by ordering through an app and always checking credentials. Biking is also popular in Bogota, but the center of the city can be dangerous due to heavy congestion, so all bikers are advised to take extra care even on Ciclovia days.
Finally, Bogota is safe for remote workers in terms of political violence and terrorism. Attacks against social leaders and terrorism from dissident organizations is more likely to affect rural communities away from the main cities. Nonetheless, Bogota has been the victim of bombings as recently as 2019 and recent years has seen political violence affect the Plaza Bolivar area after peaceful demonstrations. In general, visitors should be vigilant and stay away from any protests.
For more information about living in Bogota as a remote worker, check out our complete Bogota guide.