Common Tourist Scams in Copacabana (and How to Avoid Them)
Petty crime — current risks for visitors
The realistic visitor risks come from heading into central Medellín, which most Copacabana-based visitors will do daily.
- "No dar papaya" — the local rule, literally "don't give papaya": don't display anything tempting. Phones, watches, jewellery off the street.
- Scopolamine ("burundanga") — incapacitating drug used in tourist-targeted robberies and assaults, often via spiked drinks or even contact (cards, sprays). Real and current. Don't accept drinks from strangers; watch your glass; be wary of online dating meetups.
- Phone snatches — moped pillion riders. Don't walk holding a phone at the kerb. Use ride-hail rather than waving down street taxis.
- Express kidnappings — taxi-based forced-ATM kidnappings, mainly in central Medellín. Use Cabify, Uber, or DiDi rather than hailing.
- Counterfeit currency — examine COP 50,000 / 100,000 notes; ATMs inside banks are safer.
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