Is the Lost City Trek in Colombia Safe? Personal Experience & Safety Tips by David & Intan

Is the Lost City Trek in Colombia Safe? Here's What You Should Know

If you're planning to hike to Colombia’s famous Ciudad Perdida (Lost City), you're in for an unforgettable experience. It’s easily one of the best adventures in South America — but what about safety?

Let’s get into it: yes, the trek is generally safe. The most common “danger” is probably just slipping on a muddy trail or twisting an ankle. I did this hike not long ago, and even though I had some concerns at first, it ended up being totally worth it.

Still, I get it — Colombia's safety reputation makes some travelers a bit nervous. Here's what I found out based on my own experience and what I picked up along the way.

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1. Violence & Guerilla Activity

Yeah, Colombia's history with guerilla groups isn't exactly reassuring. Back in 2003, eight foreign tourists were kidnapped by the ELN while hiking the Lost City trail. It was a big deal at the time, and the trail stayed closed for a couple of years afterward.

But currently, they have been strong armies patrolling the area so These days the trekking has been the main source of income for these locals, so keeping it safe benefits everyone individually.

And to say the truth, once you are out in the jungle, it quickly slips your mind.

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2. Theft at Camps

I didn’t hear of anyone having stuff stolen at the camps. But still — it’s dorm-style sleeping, so don’t be careless. Each camp has 20–50 people crashing for the night.

If you're carrying valuables like a phone or cash, keep them close — under your pillow or even tucked under your mattress if you’re extra cautious. Just don’t forget them when you pack up in the morning!

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3. Trail Conditions

Here’s where you need to be careful: the trail can be rough. It's muddy, rocky, and there are steep parts, especially after rain.

People do twist ankles — it’s not super rare. Our guide even said he once saw someone break their ankle, and another person got injured diving into shallow water. So yeah, caution goes a long way.

Wear proper hiking boots, watch your step, and you should be fine. No one in our group got hurt, and none of the other groups we bumped into had any issues either.

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4. Food & Water Safety

The food was surprisingly good, and there’s filtered water at every camp. That said, a few people we met got really sick — like, carried out on mules sick.

The cooking conditions aren’t exactly five-star. If you want to be extra safe, bring water purification tablets or stick to bottled water, which you can buy along the trail.

None of us got sick, but it’s smart to be prepared just in case.

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5. Wildlife

The Sierra Nevada is home to some cool animals — jaguars, toucans, howler monkeys, and more. We didn’t see much ourselves, but that’s just how it goes sometimes.

Venomous snakes and spiders are rare, but it's still wise to stay alert. Shake out your boots in the morning and don’t wander off alone at night.

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6. Bugs & Mosquitoes

Being a jungle hike, bugs are part of the deal. Mosquitoes can be annoying, especially when you stop to rest.

Some areas have mosquitoes that carry Yellow Fever, but I’ve never heard of tourists getting it here. The vaccine isn't required, but it’s something to consider. You can even get it for free at the Bogotá airport sometimes.

Definitely bring bug spray, and rest easy knowing every bed has a mosquito net.

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Final Thoughts

The Lost City trek is safe — just be smart and prepared. Most risks are basic stuff like slippery trails or tummy bugs. Follow your guide’s advice, look after your stuff, and you’ll be good to go.

Hope this helped ease your mind about doing the trek. Trust me, the adventure is absolutely worth it!