Colombia has one number to remember: 123. It is the national single emergency line and connects you to police, ambulance and fire dispatch. Everything else in this guide is detail around that. Save it, along with your embassy number and your insurer’s 24-hour line, before you land.
The numbers to save
| Service | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| All emergencies (police, ambulance, fire) | 123 | Free, 24 hours, from mobile and landline |
| Fire brigade (Bomberos) | 119 | Also reachable through 123 |
| Red Cross (Cruz Roja Colombiana) | 132 | Urgent medical response and ambulance support |
| Civil Defence (Defensa Civil) | 144 | Disasters, floods, landslides, rescue |
| GAULA (kidnapping and extortion unit) | 165 | Police-military anti-extortion line |
| Violence against women | 155 | Free support line, also used by foreign women |
You may see 112 listed as an alternative police line, and some older guides give 125 for ambulances. Coverage varies by city, so treat 123 as the number that always works first and use the others as backups. In some small municipalities the single system is not fully rolled out, so if 123 does not connect, try 119 or ask a local to call the town police station.
Mobile networks route emergency calls even without credit. If you have no signal in the countryside, a hotel, shop or bus terminal is your best route to a working landline.
What to expect when you call 123
Operators work in Spanish. Speak slowly and give information in this order:
- Your location. Street name, neighbourhood, city, or a landmark. In Bogotá give the carrera and calle numbers.
- What happened. “Robo” (robbery), “accidente” (accident), “incendio” (fire), “emergencia médica”.
- How many people are hurt.
- Your name and phone number.
If your Spanish is limited, hand the phone to a hotel receptionist, taxi driver or passer-by. Our Spanish phrases guide covers the words you need.
Police and tourist police
The PolicĂa Nacional runs the country. Colombia also has a PolicĂa de Turismo, a specialised unit that patrols visitor areas. Look for officers around Bogotá’s La Candelaria, Cartagena’s walled city, MedellĂn’s Poblado and Comuna 13, and at major airports. Bogotá expanded its tourist police contingent in 2025, according to the city government.
For tourists, tourist police are the best first stop for minor incidents such as pickpocketing or a lost document, because they are used to dealing with visitors. For anything urgent, still call 123.
Fake police are a known scam. Plain-clothes men who ask to “check” your wallet or passport are not real officers. Ask to go to the nearest station together, and never hand over cash. Our Colombia safety guide covers the common scams city by city.
Filing a police report
Many theft reports can be started online through the national police portal at adenunciar.policia.gov.co, but you will often need to ratify the report in person. Ask for a copy. Insurers want it, and embassies need it for emergency travel documents. Details on replacing a passport are in our embassies and consulates guide.
Medical emergencies
For a serious medical emergency, call 123 and ask for an ambulance. In practice, in a major city it is often faster to take a taxi or ride-hailing car to a private clinic emergency room (urgencias) if the patient can travel. Well-regarded private hospitals include:
- Bogotá: FundaciĂłn Santa Fe de Bogotá, ClĂnica del Country
- MedellĂn: ClĂnica Las Vegas, Hospital Pablo TobĂłn Uribe
- Cartagena: ClĂnica General del Norte
Private clinics will often ask for a card payment or a guarantee before treating non-critical cases. Keep your policy number and insurer’s emergency line in your phone. Public hospitals are cheaper but crowded and slower. Altitude sickness is a real risk in Bogotá (about 2,600 m) and at higher treks, so see our health and vaccinations guide before you go.
Why travel insurance matters here
Colombian private healthcare is good, but a hospital stay or medical evacuation from the Amazon, the Sierra Nevada or a remote coastal area can cost tens of thousands of dollars uninsured. Choose a policy with emergency medical cover, evacuation, theft cover and, if you plan to dive, paraglide or trek, adventure sports cover. You can compare options on our travel insurance guide or get a quote here.
Before any claim, you will normally need: the police report for theft, hospital invoices and medical notes, and the insurer’s case number from your first call. Call the insurer’s assistance line as soon as you are stable, because many policies require prior authorisation for expensive treatment.
Natural hazards
Colombia sits on active fault lines and has volcanoes, so earthquakes are possible. During tremors, follow local instructions and move away from buildings and glass. In rainy seasons (roughly April to May and October to November), landslides can close mountain roads. The Defensa Civil line, 144, and local emergency management offices publish alerts. Check road conditions before long bus journeys.
Before you travel: a quick checklist
- Save 123, 119 and your embassy’s number offline.
- Keep photos of your passport, visa stamp and insurance policy in cloud storage and offline.
- Know your hotel’s address in Spanish.
- Register with your government’s travel alert service if it has one.
- Carry a small amount of cash separate from your main wallet.
Numbers and services change. Check your government’s latest travel advice and the PolicĂa Nacional website before departure. Figures and coverage here reflect information as of 2026.