Is it safe for a westerner to travel to Colombia?

Show all answers

Julio Santos Montoya

Yes, I went to Medellin, Colombia last year for two weeks and I had a blast. I would suggest going with someone that knows the area and not going by yourself. Also, knowing a little bit of Spanish would help. From what I saw there was no real danger in Medellin. The people were very friendly and open to Americans. The women were the most beautiful women I have ever seen and being from Miami I see a lot of beautiful women. As with any major city you should take certain percautions like not travelling at night by yourself and not flaunting money. As for other cities I don't know, but I do know that the country side is where the crime is the most prevalent. Overall, my experience was amazing in Colombia and I felt no harm travelling in Medellin. I plan on going back in a couple of years.

paul

Quantify safe.

If you stick to traveller routes you should be ok but you have to remember that economic division is huge and there is a lot of gun ownership off the beaten track. Stay off Bogata streets late at night and out of El Farc and ELN territory. If you are American, it's probably wise to give it a miss altogether. Whatever happens, you are likely to make it home. The mountains around St Agustin in the south and the Caribbean coast in the North are worth the risk. Good luck.

Ms.Kiss

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home.. ( avoid areas where you are likely to be victimized,avoid carrying large amounts of cash,etc)
----------------------------
In many areas of Colombia, a three-year government offensive has pushed rebel groups back. There are now a few safe pockets beginning to attract foreigners.Among them is the Eje Cafetero (the "coffee crossroads"), made up of three diminutive states â€” QuindÃo, Risaralda and Caldas â€” about 100 miles west of BogotÃ¡, recognized as the source for some of the world's best coffee...

Getting around coffee country is easy. Inn owners themselves often offer to drive visitors to nearby towns, or to see the sights. Innkeepers can also call local cabbies, who charge about $6 an hour to take visitors on tours or drive them to local attractions, which range from horseback rides into the countryside to whitewater rafting on the region's many rivers.
"Cofee Trails"
New York Times, February 12,2006

damari_8

I was born in Colombia and haven't been back for 20 years. Like everywhere else as long as you stay away from trouble and show respect to the culture, people and place, you will be fine.
My brother in law who's 100% British goes to Colombia every couple of years, he loves the place. Many people get into trouble when travelling to places such as Colombia, simply because they think and behave there, as if they were superior.
Colombia is lovely place, the difference you see from region to region is amazing i.e. Cartagena and the rest of the coast front is very Caribbean, hot sandy beaches, lots of salsa etc.. Then places such as Medellin surrounded by mountains and lakes, takes your breath away.
I'm planning to go next year on holiday with my very British children and can't wait to show them the humanity you find in people over there. Good luck and I hope you enjoy it.

Inglatino

I spent 3 weeks in Colombia and would go back tomorrow, I have been alaround S.America and still maintain that the Colombians were the friendliest bunch I met.
As was mentioned before, do your homework. Stay away from the FARC and ELN controlled zones, travel in the day and not on night buses.
I didn't speak any Spanish at the time and travelled with a couple of other gringos, we crossed the border at Ipiales in the south then travelled onto Pasta, Popoyan, Nieva, Bogota (and around) and then in Cartagena. I loved it, never saw any trouble.
Just be sensible.

Rebecca

Depends on the area you are going to as some parts are extremely dangerous and at risk of attacks by terrorists.
Check out the british foreign and commonwealth office website, as it gives a list of areas to avoid, and to register with the police when you arrive in the country.
Don't forget to take out travel insurance incase anything should happen either before you go or while you are out there

Hibee

To Colombia, yes. In Colombia, not really.

thewordofgodisjesus

If you know the right people who arent connected to drugs in any way, who know where to keep you. Just recently some 170 people were killed by drug gangs in Bogota, I think it was. Not a place for a honeymoon!

shoe s

no its not

Câ™¥nejita Câ™¥queta

sure... just watchout for car bombs and be sure to run out of the bus before it completely gets burned down

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: