Common Scams & How to Avoid Them in Valledupar, Cesar, Colombia

1. Mototaxis Scam

Overcharging tourists for mototaxi rides. Avoid by negotiating prices before starting the ride.

Price Gouging: Mototaxis may charge excessive prices to unsuspecting tourists.
Pre-negotiation: Always negotiate prices before riding a mototaxi in Valledupar.
Awareness: Be aware of the going rates for mototaxis to avoid overpaying.

Receiving fake Colombian Pesos in change. Check bills carefully and exchange only at reputable places.

Exchange Care: Only exchange money at banks or reliable exchange houses.
Counterfeit Detection: Learn to spot fake bills before receiving them as change.
Caution with Street Vendors: Avoid accepting change from street vendors, use only legitimate establishments.

Tourists being charged exorbitant prices for souvenirs. Shop around and haggle for better deals.

Shopping Strategy: Research souvenir prices beforehand to know a fair price.
Haggling Skills: Practice haggling for souvenirs to get the best possible price.
Avoiding Street Vendors: Shop in local markets or reputable stores instead of street vendors.

Unlicensed guides offering services. Verify guides' credentials before accepting their services.

Licensing Verification: Check if a guide has the required license to operate in Valledupar.
Tour Company Recommendation: Book tours through reputable tour companies for peace of mind.
Guide Feedback: Read reviews and ask for recommendations from other travelers.

Taxis refusing to use meter or overcharging. Insist on using the meter and agree on a price before starting the ride.

Meter Usage: Always insist on using the taxi meter in Valledupar.
Price Agreement: Agree on a price before starting the ride to avoid misunderstandings.
Avoiding Unofficial Taxis: Only use official taxis with company logos and license plates.

Overpriced drinks or watered-down drinks. Choose popular bars and check prices.

Price Check: Ask locals about reasonable drink prices in Valledupar's bars.
Popular Bars: Choose popular and well-reviewed bars to minimize the risk of scams.
Bottled Beverages: Opt for bottled beverages instead of those made from tap water.

Overpriced or undercooked food. Choose busy and popular food stalls.

Busy Stalls: Choose food stalls that are busy with locals, indicating good quality.
Price Check: Ask around for the prices of popular dishes in Valledupar.
Cooked Food: Avoid food stalls that only have cooked dishes displayed.

Skimming devices on ATMs. Use ATMs in banks or inside shopping centers.

Bank ATMs: Use ATMs located inside banks for added security.
Inside Shopping Centers: ATMs inside shopping centers are usually safer as they have 24-hour surveillance.
Covered Keypad: Cover the keypad when entering your PIN to prevent keylogging.

Locals approaching tourists for 'help' or friendship, then asking for money. Be wary of overly friendly locals.

Wariness: Be cautious when approached by overly friendly strangers in Valledupar.
Asking for Directions: When asking for directions, stick to groups of people or well-lit areas.
Donation Refusal: Politely refuse requests for money from strangers in Valledupar.

Rooms not matching online descriptions or overbooking. Book with reputable accommodations and read reviews.

Reputable Accommodations: Book accommodations through well-known booking platforms.
Reviews: Read reviews from previous guests before booking your accommodation.
Online Descriptions: Make sure the description of the room matches what you see upon arrival.

Transportation providers overbooking their services. Book in advance and confirm reservations.

Advance Booking: Book transportation well in advance to avoid overbooking issues.
Reservation Confirmation: Confirm your reservations with the transportation provider before departure.
Reputable Providers: Choose reputable transportation providers to minimize the risk of scams.

Police officers asking for bribes or demanding documents. Carry a photocopy of your passport and travel documents.

Photocopies: Carry photocopies of important travel documents instead of originals.
Legitimate Checks: Ask the police officer for identification and verify their legitimacy.
Knowledgeable Embassy: Keep your embassy's contact information handy in case of emergencies.

Performers asking for money after a 'show'. Politely decline and move on.

Polite Declination: Decline politely but firmly when asked for money by street performers.
Avoid Eye Contact: Ignore or avoid eye contact with performers to discourage requests.
Enjoy the Show, Don't Pay: Enjoy the show and move on without offering payment.

Finders of lost items demanding money. Report lost items to local authorities instead.

Local Authorities: Report lost items to the local police station or lost and found.
Cautious Handling: Be cautious when handling found items until you can report them.
Suspicious Finders: Be wary of finders who demand money for returned items.

Selling fake lottery tickets or winning scams. Avoid purchasing lottery tickets from street vendors.

Avoid Street Vendors: Avoid purchasing lottery tickets from street vendors in Valledupar.
Official Lottery Outlets: Buy official lottery tickets only at authorized outlets.
Scam Warning Signs: Be wary of unsolicited offers for winning the lottery or receiving large sums of money.