GACS Safe TravellerCartagena tourist scams: what to watch for, how to react
Cartagena is safe by day in the Walled City but emerald scams, jet-ski damage claims, drink-spiking in Getsemaní bars, and unmetered taxis catch thousands of tourists.
Traveling to Cartagena? Get free real-time scam alerts.
Protecting yourself is good. Protecting your family is better.
First 10 minutes if something happens
Been scammed, robbed, or pickpocketed in Cartagena? Work through this in order. Your progress is saved on this device.
Build your free Cartagena safety plan
Answer 2 questions — we'll reorder this guide to match your trip and highlight the scams most likely to affect you.
Who's traveling?
What worries you most? (pick any)
Free. No email required. Signup only if you want us to remember and update it.
Help keep Cartagena accurate
Spot an old emergency number or a scam we're missing? Tell us — it goes straight to moderators.
Offline Cartagena incident card
One page. Emergency numbers + top scams. Print or save to your phone.
Top 5 scams in Cartagena
Emerald 'wholesale' scam
A 'jeweller friend' offers wholesale emeralds; the stone is worthless synthetic.
How it works
Guides, taxi drivers, or 'friendly locals' offer 'family jeweller' access to buy emeralds 'wholesale.' The stones are glass, synthetic, or lab-grown corundum. Real emeralds require certification from Fedesmeraldas; tourists have no way to verify on the spot.
How to avoid it
- Buy only from certified Colombian jewellers with Fedesmeraldas certification (Bogotá more than Cartagena).
- Real wholesale prices don't happen — retail emeralds start at $200/carat minimum.
- Never accept a 'jewellery tour' offered by a stranger.
If it happens: do this now
- Dispute card charge with your card issuer — 'not as described.'
- File complaint with Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio (SIC).
- Report to Cartagena Tourism Police (Policía de Turismo) at Centro Convenciones.
Jet-ski / banana-boat damage claim
Operator invents $500+ 'motor damage' after your ride; deposit and card get charged.
How it works
Freelance operators on Bocagrande / Playa Blanca take cash deposit or your card, then invent damage after your ride. Common on Isla del Rosario tours too.
How to avoid it
- Book through your hotel's licensed activity desk or a certified tour operator.
- Video the entire watercraft before and after your ride.
- Refuse to hand over passport as deposit — cash only, and count it back.
If it happens: do this now
- Dispute card charges with your card issuer — send your video evidence.
- Report to Cartagena Tourism Police (5 660 1210) and SIC.
- File complaint with FONTUR (tourism authority).
Drink-spiking in Getsemaní bars
Scopolamine ('devil's breath') added to drinks; victims wake up hours later, robbed.
How it works
Colombia's scopolamine problem is severe. Powdered form is odourless, tasteless, and puts you in a compliant zombie state — you walk to ATMs with the attacker, hand over PINs, cannot resist. Common in bars in Getsemaní and on Bocagrande. Sometimes delivered via a friendly stranger buying you a drink.
How to avoid it
- Never accept a drink from a stranger, even opened.
- Watch the bartender pour and hand your drink to you directly.
- Do not leave your drink unattended, even for a bathroom break.
If it happens: do this now
- If you feel woozy or 'floaty' after a sip, tell a friend or bar staff immediately.
- Get to a hospital — scopolamine is fast-acting; medical intervention limits damage.
- File police report at Tourism Police (5 660 1210) as soon as coherent; freeze cards.
Taxi no-meter overcharge
Airport → Walled City is $30,000 COP but tourists routinely pay $150,000.
How it works
Cartagena taxis have no meter — fares are 'agreement' based. Common tourist fare inflation: airport → Walled City ($30k → $150k), Bocagrande → Getsemaní ($10k → $50k), Walled City → Rosario Islands boats ($50k → $200k).
How to avoid it
- Agree fare BEFORE getting in; typical fares are published at tourism kiosks.
- Use InDrive or DiDi apps — Uber is not reliably legal in Colombia.
- Ask your hotel for the fair rate to each destination before departure.
If it happens: do this now
- Pay only what you agreed; photograph plate.
- Report to Tourism Police (5 660 1210) with plate and time.
- Dispute card charge if you paid electronically.
Fake police 'passport check' in Walled City
Two men flash badges and demand to inspect wallet 'for counterfeit money.'
How it works
Occurs on quieter streets in the Walled City at night. Fake officers flash a lanyard, ask for passport and to see wallet 'for counterfeit check,' and pocket bills or swap cards during the inspection.
How to avoid it
- Real Policía Nacional wear uniforms with clear insignia.
- Real officers never need to touch your money.
- Say you'll walk with them to the nearest Comisaría or the Tourism Police station.
If it happens: do this now
- Refuse and walk toward a busy street or hotel; call 123.
- Report to Tourism Police (5 660 1210) — this scam is known.
- If cash taken, file Denuncia at any Comisaría for insurance.
Emergency numbers in Colombia
Local police & anti-fraud authorities
Policía de Turismo Cartagena
+57 5 660 1210
Centro de Convenciones — 24/7, English/basic French
SIC Consumer Defence (regional)
+57 5 663 5510
Consumer complaints — sic.gov.co
Most embassies are in Bogotá. Some consulates in Cartagena (US, France). Check cancilleria.gov.co.
Get the full 17-scam catalog for Cartagena
Free with signup: every known scam in Cartagena, embassy direct contacts, offline-ready incident card, and a WhatsApp share card to warn your family.
Unlock full catalog — freeTraveling with family?
Family Shield monitors your household for scam attempts, drink-spike alerts, and fraudulent charges — 24/7 while you're away.
Protect My Family — $69/monthShare this guide
Send it to anyone traveling here. Every share protects another traveler.
This is the watermarked card link previews will show on WhatsApp, Telegram, X, iMessage, Facebook and LinkedIn.
https://gacs.app/safe-traveller/cartagena?utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=safe-traveller
Nearby guides
Cite / share this guide
You may quote or republish this guide for non-commercial safety purposes. Please include the attribution below and a link back to https://gacs.app/safe-traveller/cartagena. For redistribution rights, email hello@gacs.app.
GACS Safe Traveller — Cartagena, Colombia. Updated 2026-07-14. Source: https://gacs.app/safe-traveller/cartagena
© 2026 GACS — Global Anti-Crime & Safety. Published as a public safety guide. Content updated monthly from government advisories, local police guidance, and verified traveler reports.
Sources: US State Department, UK FCDO Foreign Travel Advice, Australian Smartraveller, local police advisories, and reports verified by GACS. Content updated monthly.
