I am going to be there in about a week and half and I really want to shoot there. But I also don't want to be a target or get my equipment stolen. I would try shooting with my iPhone 13 Pro Max just to experiment but I doubt experienced models will take me seriously with a phone. Anyone do a shoot there recently?

Trip Advisor says it is safe as do several other sites. I would check your insurance to be sure you are covered for travel out side the USA and take your camera. Keep it simple and not in a flashy bag that screams "camera" and be alert and relax. People are people where ever they are.  Most good, some bad. Enjoy yourself, enjoy the people.

Trip Advisor says it is safe as do several other sites. I would check your insurance to be sure you are covered for travel out side the USA and take your camera. Keep it simple and not in a flashy bag that screams "camera" and be alert and relax. People are people where ever they are.  Most good, some bad. Enjoy yourself, enjoy the people.

Sorry for the double post.  Once was enough!

My uncle was a DEA agent in Colombia during the Pablo Escobar days. He knew both of the real life agents in the Narcos show on Netflix. He said that agent Pena was a jerk but a lot of people thought my uncle was a jerk so who knows.

I was just in Cartagena a few days ago.  I felt pretty safe, albeit I only visited the walled city and fortress. 
Those areas are filled with tourists and some are relatively unaware of their surroundings while carrying purses and things like that which could easily be snatched.  I saw a few people with expensive cameras and lenses and nobody was bothering them.

It should be noted that there are TONS of street vendors in the old city and will be all over you trying to sell you whatever they're selling. Just be polite and say "No, Gracias" or "No Neccessario" and move on.  If you even stop for a second and show any amount of interest at all they will continue to try to get you to buy something.  They're pretty agressive, but many are licensed (and have a vendor card showing).  There are also quite a few girls wearing fruit on their head that will do a quick modeling session for a tip... $5 seemed to be a pretty good tip.  $2 or $3 will be appreciated. Give 'em a buck and they won't be happy campers.  (Tip AFTER) the photos.

There is a fair, but not huge police presence in those areas as well, so that may have a lot to do with it,  Most of the New City seemed pretty safe as well, in many cases it appeared as though I was in a place like Tampa or Miami.

Be sure to bring lens cleaning cloths because the humidity will fog up your lens and viewfinder in an instant.

   

My fiance is Colombian from Barranquilla and I have gone there a couple of times.  I took my camera on one of my visits and the heat an humidity will wear you down fast carrying the equipment so travel light.  If you are going there intentionally to shoot models then hire a guide/translator/back watcher as well as the model.  If you know someone there even better!  If you are just travelling and shooting when you can then stick with the phone.

I has been in Cartagena and used a professional camera for street photography .
The Walled city , Getsemani and Bocagrande are very safe. Use common sense at night time.
On the rest of Cartagena ( 80% of the city), I would Not carry expensive equipment with me.
Perfectly safe is also "El Archipielago de Islas del Rosario".
Enjoy!!