Colombia

Colombia has the highest amount of kidnappings in the world. The guerilla kidnap people and then ask their family money. They do this with Colombians and with foreigners. Many Colombians are afraid to travel in their own country.

Backpackers have been traveling the country and almost never get into trouble. You need to stay away from certain areas, but generally, backpackers are not specifically targeted.

Foreigners live in Colombia happily. You DO have to be careful traveling the country. If you work for a LARGE company (say, oil), you are more of a target. If you are just an English teacher you are not much of a target.

Most travelers in Colombia never have problems.

The last few years (2003, 2004, 2005), it has become safer to travel due to actions by the governement to secure the roads.

And here are some basic rules around safety:

Don't get paranoid. Don't let safety fears ruin your visit.

Don't take night buses, unless you are pretty sure it's safe. Take day buses.

If you are the worrying type, just take flights between cities. The main danger in Colombia is being kidnapped (doesn't happen often but when it does it's bad), kidnapping happens when you travel, and taking flights gets rid of that danger. You won't get kidnapped in any of the big cities, this almost never happens.

Ask local advice. That means do NOT necessarily ask a Colombian in Bogota if some area in the country is safe, because they have probably never been there. Ask a real local. Ask Colombians who travel, not Colombians who never leave their city.

Generally, the cities are safe from kidnapping.

Take BASIC travel precautions: leave your passport in your hotel safe, take taxis home after going out at night, use a money belt.

Use a money belt to deter pickpockets.

Take taxis home at night.

Use a money belt. Yes, I repeat myself, but these BASIC precautions are too often not taken.