"No dar papaya": the local rule for staying safe

Colombians sum up street sense in three words: "no dar papaya," don't make yourself an easy target. Keep your phone out of sight on the street, don't wear visible jewelry, avoid empty streets at night, and take registered taxis or ride apps. Never accept drinks or cigarettes from strangers in nightlife areas; drink-spiking (scopolamine) is a known risk. With those habits, Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena are welcoming cities that most visitors leave loving.