Leaving your home country for a place like Colombia is like stepping into a real-life jungle—both figuratively and literally. What surprises me most is how naïve many foreign residents can be about the dangers and challenges of living abroad.

This is a reflection on the risks and realities of expat life.

Like everyone, I have my own perspective. Take it with a grain of salt, or if you find value in my insights, share this with others so they can benefit too.

The Danger of Life Abroad

Having been in Colombia since February 2013 in (including 6 months in Brazil in 2012), I have noticed a few things about the reality of Life Abroad in Colombia.

NOTHING is Ever FREE in Colombia

n places like the United States, we’ve grown so accustomed to getting things for free that we often forget their value—something as simple as an ink pen. I remember attending conventions where I’d leave with five to ten pens, a few pencils, and a pile of swag without giving it a second thought.

In Colombia, however, that kind of freebie culture rarely exists. Promotional items are often too expensive or reserved strictly for serious client prospects or actual customers.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in Colombia is that nothing is truly free. Whatever someone gives you today will cost you double tomorrow—whether it’s repaid in favors, money, or something more personal.

A Caution for Women in Colombia

If a favor comes from someone who isn’t a close friend—someone you already share time, food, or value with—be wary. Especially as a woman, there will always be people trying to leverage generosity for something in return—sometimes even sexual favors.

At this point, you may be shaking your head in disbelief, but let me share a personal story.

When a Favor Comes With Strings Attached

I once met an older man who owned several rental properties. We began working together to find tenants, and he always spoke kindly to me:

“You’re a wonderful, beautiful woman. Don’t hesitate to lean on me if you ever need anything.”

I thought, “Oh! How nice.”

Later, when one of his apartments was empty, he let me stay there a couple of times when I needed a place. Coming out of lockdown, I hugged him goodbye, and he held on a little too long.

“Ah, poor guy, he must be lonely,” I thought.

But the last time I saw him, things escalated. Instead of sitting across from me, he sat next to me and tried to hold my hand—in public. He was married. As he spoke about how love eventually fades, I suddenly realized:

“Shit, did I give him the wrong signal?”

That was the last time I spoke to him.

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Cultural Differences: Free in the U.S. vs. Free in Colombia

In the U.S., it’s normal to visit friends and stay over without any expectations. Sure, things could happen, but often they don’t. In fact, it’s generally good etiquette to bring a hostess gift—but nothing more is expected.

In Colombia, things are different. Many men see favors as a transaction—especially when given to a single woman. Lending out an apartment, offering help, or providing a favor can sometimes be seen as an open door for later expecting something in return—whether it’s sex, appearances, business deals, or connections.

And in a direct, aggressive culture, they aren’t afraid to make their interests known.

Final Thought

If you’re a woman in Colombia, always pay attention to the unspoken expectations behind someone’s generosity. Sometimes, what seems like a kind gesture comes with strings attached.

This “nice old man” may not have been interested in sex, but he would have loved to have me in every other way possible—parading me around as his arm candy and flaunting me in public.

Sure, he might have made it financially worthwhile or even connected me with powerful contacts—contacts I’d probably do crazy things to get my hands on. But, I digress.

Ultimately, for me, the price was too high. I value my freedom, individuality, and reputation far too much to waste it on some old, married guy. Eww!

Honestly, I wish I had something to smash against a wall right now, just for the satisfaction of watching it break. But again, I digress.

As my dad used to say:

💬 “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

Want to know more about the dangers of living in Colombia? Read this: [How to Avoid Getting Raped, Robbed, and Screwed Over in Colombia] 👉

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Hoard Information Like Gold

In Colombia, your most valuable asset isn’t money—it’s information.

✅ With the right information, you can navigate life efficiently, save money, and avoid scams.
❌ Without it, you’ll be shooting in the dark, making costly mistakes, or even becoming a target.

In our home countries, we’re used to plentiful, accurate, and easily accessible information. In Colombia, however, information is often scarce, unreliable, or deliberately misleading.

Especially during COVID, things change daily. Government decrees shift constantly, and rumors spread like wildfire.

If you don’t speak Spanish, you may feel out of the loop. Do your research, and always verify the authenticity of what you hear. As a blogger, I see how easily false information is fabricated—aka propaganda.

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Be Careful Who You Trust

If you already live in Colombia, be cautious about who you share personal details with.

👉 Information is power—and many Colombians are always looking for a one-up advantage.
👉 With economic hardship and rising poverty, people are more desperate than ever.

I had to laugh recently when I saw someone post about moving to Colombia to teach English, get married, and bring their “large” savings.

🤦‍♀️ Bless their heart.

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Final Thought

If you’re planning to live in Colombia, the smartest thing you can do is guard your information like gold. The wrong person knowing too much about you could cost you more than you ever imagined.

🔹 Want more survival tips for expat life in Colombia? Stay tuned.

During hard times, anything you say can and will be used against you, which brings me to my next point…

Mistakes Are Expensive—And Sometimes Permanent

In Colombia, even the most innocent mistake—whether genuine or calculated—can lead to fines, arrest, or even deportation. The last thing you want is to get kicked out and banned from re-entry for seven years.

Most of the time, your immigration status won’t be at risk, but remember: if you’re not a citizen, too much crazinesscan get you permanently ejected. And trust me, as someone who enjoys pushing limits, I’ve learned that lesson firsthand.

Even when you think you’re in the clear, there’s no 100% guarantee. So do yourself a favor—stay out of trouble whenever possible.

Failure to pay fines, bribes, or legal fees can mean denied re-entry or forced expulsion. And if you’re running a business, a single bad decision could wipe out your savings, retirement, or entire investment.

Bottom line? Do your research, and if necessary, pay for the right information.

💡 Life abroad is amazing—but it can also be a brutal wake-up call.

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Don’t Trust Anyone

This one should be obvious. But it’s not.

If you love spontaneous travel (like I do), it’s tempting to trust the kind souls you meet along the way. DON’T.

Even the most friendly faces can have hidden agendas.

📌 Rule #1: Protect yourself first.
📌 Rule #2: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Welcome to Colombia. 😉

The best way to explain this? Think about that one relationship that ended after months or years, leaving you scratching your head: “I thought I knew them!” If you can’t fully understand the person you’ve been sleeping next to, what makes you think you can read the intentions of someone you just met?

Life abroad in Colombia has taught me to be slow to trust—especially when it comes to money. Sometimes, I’ll give people just enough rope to hang themselves, waiting to see what they do. I like to live just a little dangerously.

Trusting is always a risk, but the key is to do it strategically—gradually, in small bets, before going all in.

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The Price of Trusting Too Quickly

I once watched a new expat set up a business in Colombia, hiring locals he believed were competent professionals in marketing and business administration. There was just one problem—he had a demanding 9-to-5 job that required frequent weeklong trips abroad.

🚨 Red flag? He trusted his new team without oversight.

Whenever he left the office, his employees vanished like smoke. Nothing ever got done. How do I know this? Because I was hired to teach them English.

He prepaid for classes, scheduled everything in advance, and left town. But after week one, his staff stopped showing up. They ghosted me—and more importantly, they ghosted his business.

A few months later, the entire team was fired. I don’t know how much it cost him financially, but it definitely cost him time—and probably a few gray hairs. His idea was great, and I think it’ll eventually succeed—but not before he learned a very expensive lesson.

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Malicia Indígena—Survival of the Slyest

Colombians have a phrase: Malicia Indígena (Indigenous Maliciousness). It’s the art of taking advantage of whatever life hands you—even if it screws someone else over.

In the jungle of Colombia, this mindset can cost you money, time, and even your life. Maybe I’m exaggerating… but not by much.

On a cultural level I hadn’t even the slightest concept of how horrible people could possibly be.

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Edit: May 9, 2022 – Recent events merited an article that goes beyond the obvious causes like drugs and sex, instead focusing on the lifestyle or business decisions which maybe have led to foreign residents ending up dead.

How Foreign Residents End Up Dead in Colombia