Colombian laws every traveller should know: minors, drugs and yagé

This guide is not legal advice: it collects what the British FCDO security advice (checked on 7 November 2026) warns about on three issues where a tourist's mistake can be very costly. BarSwinger deals only with consenting adults; any proposal involving minors or exploited people must be refused and reported.

Minors: zero tolerance

The FCDO says the law protecting children aged 13 and under is strictly enforced, especially when it involves tourists, and convictions can bring long prison sentences. The national toll-free child-protection line, available 24 hours, is 141. If you see something suspicious in a bar, hotel or party, leave and call.

Drugs

According to the advice, penalties for possession, use or trafficking are severe and detection methods sophisticated. British nationals have been arrested for trying to take cocaine out of the country and prisons are harsh. Pack your own bag, lock it, and never carry anything for someone else. No party justifies the risk: an event that offers drugs is a sign to leave.

Yagé and ayahuasca

The FCDO warns that yagé or ayahuasca, which contains DMT, is marketed to tourists and that assaults, robberies, sexual assaults and serious illness or death have occurred. For a couple travelling for lifestyle nightlife, it is not a recommended activity.

Protests and risk areas

Protests are frequent, often at short notice, and can turn violent; avoid them and allow slack in your transfers. The FCDO advises against travel to certain areas, including the port of Turbo (Antioquia). Medellín and Cartagena are not on that list, but they are among the cities with pickpocketing and robbery.

What to do

Always check your government's current advice, buy insurance, keep your embassy's number and, in a legal problem, ask for a lawyer and contact your consulate.

A note on sources

This summary follows only the FCDO text. Laws and enforcement change, so check the current advice and ask a local lawyer if you have any doubt.