Travel Q&A: Pointers for staying safe in Colombia's Cartagena

Q: I'm going on a Princess cruise through the Panama Canal and one of the port stops is Cartagena, Colombia. I have asked the cruise line how safe this port is for American tourists, and of course, they say it's just fine. However, over the years, there have been many drug problems there and I have not signed up for any excursions in this port. I'm a woman traveling alone. Should I just stay on board the ship in this port?

A: Being cautious is a good practice for any traveler, especially one going it alone and in a country with a history of violence.

It's true that the state department regularly issues travel warnings for Colombia. The most recent, in March, pointed to rising murder rates in the major cities of Medellin and Cali. Terrorists continue to kidnap civilians, many of them foreigners, but this occurs mostly in rural areas.

Cartagena, on the other hand, is considered relatively safe, especially if you stick to the busy tourists areas. This is one time when crowds are a benefit for travelers: There is safety in numbers.

Most cruise lines offer port information sessions before the ship docks. Plan to attend if you decide to disembark. You will get a port-of-call information sheet and a map that highlights popular tourist areas. You also may meet other passengers planning to tour the city on their own; perhaps you can tag along with a small group.

Or, before departing on your cruise, you can join the discussion boards at CruiseCritic.com. Find the roll call for your ship and post a message to see if any other solo travelers or couples are looking to form a small group to explore the city.

In Cartagena, tourists often find that street hustlers are their biggest problem. These hustlers easily recognize foreigners and are known for relentless begging. Your best bet is to ignore them. Don't talk to them or make eye contact; just keep walking.

Also, be careful when using taxis at any cruise port. Some taxi drivers have side deals with area businesses and don't always deliver passengers directly to their chosen destination. Be clear upfront that you won't get out of the taxi -- or pay -- if the driver detours.

Should you decide to get off the ship, consider a visit to the walled historic district of El Centro. It's about three miles from the port, about a $5-$6 taxi ride.

Here, you will find the Convento de la Popa, a 400-year-old monastery; the historic Spanish fortress Castillo de San Felipe De Baraja; and the Las Boveda dungeons, which now house tourist shops and boutiques.

Also worth a look is the Gold Museum, containing a priceless national collection of jewelry and interesting pre-Colombian artifacts. Exhibits in the two-story museum also offer explanations in English.

You can find a walking map pinpointing these and other significant sites under General Info at www.cartagenainfo.net.

Have a question of general interest? Send it to Ann Tatko-Peterson at travel@bayareanewsgroup.com.