Act as you would in any large, and potentially unsafe metropolitan area such as Chicago or Sao Paulo.
As of 2010 there are plenty of landmines in the countryside, making much of Antioquia out of bounds for tourists. (http://www.colombiareport...)
There are guerrillas of the FARC and ELN active in many rural locations of this department. They will kidnapp for ransom and hold little symphaty for tourists. (http://colombiareports.co...)
Due to the high amounts of violence in the region the Australian Foreign Office advises against travelling to Antioquia. This travel warning was issued in December of 2010 (http://www.smartraveller....)
Don't buy drugs, or even ask about them.
Do not get in a taxi if there is someone other than the driver in it
Avoid downtown and Parque Berrio at night.
Avoid walking around like you're lost, as this may be noticed by the wrong sort of people; if you are lost step in to a cafe or "tienda", restaurant, ask someone there.
It's best to use ATMs located in Exito, Carrefour, Carulla or Pomona supermarkets in the MedellÃn area or to use the ones inside the banks,
Always be aware that you might be followed from ATMs and banks.
