Is it safe to travel to Colombia?

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dgi_marin

Well since you have traveled to other latinamerican countries, and your spanish is fluent, you should be fine, because you already know what precautions you should take.

Specifically in Colombia, the biggest advice anyone will give you is staying away from rural areas, specially in the south-west of the country (Provinces of NariÃ±o, Putumayo or Guaviare, specially). Guerrilla presence is still strong in those areas, since it is where most of the coca plantations are located.

Rural areas in the provinces of Cundinamarca, Boyaca and also the Eje Cafetero are common tourist destinations, so I'd say they are a lot safer for visiting. Just try to travel while accompanied by a local, who will probably know the most interesting places to visit and which ones to avoid.

Cities like Bogota, MedellÃn and Cartagena are safe from guerrilla activity. However, as everywhere else, there's some risk of getting robbed in the street. Some precautions are not waring flashy jewelery, and always calling a cab company instead of taking a cab on the street. You should also try to avoid talking to strangers in the street. Most colombian people are very warm and willing to help foreigners, but then there are ones who try to distract you so they can steal something from you (a practice I've seen in empoverished areas of the city). I'm from Bogota, and those are the same precautions that we practice everyday.

It may sound like a lot of precautions, but once you get past them, you'll probably have a great time. I've met several foreigners who came here, and fell in love with Colombia (and they didn't even speak spanish, so you're one step ahead of them, lol). Just take this precautions and you will be fine.

Hope it helps!!

not_so_old_55

I have visited 6 times in the past two years. I think it is as safe to travel to Colombia as to any other country in South America and maybe safer than some others. Bogota is a wonderful city. For history, Cartagena is great. I also enjoyed Medellin. Just use the same precautions that you used in Ecuador and I think you will be fine.

Obama is a socialist

Yes and No. The big cities are safe. Bogota, For the most part, is safe. Also if some moron tells you to stay in La Candelaria tell the to stuff it. EVERY thief in Colombia KNOWs that's a tourist area.. be prepared to lose your stuff. Medellin, and to a lesser extent Cali. Melgar, Giradot and most of the Eje cafetero is safe. Cartagena (inside the walled city especially is safe, towards the bull ring is less so) Baraquilla and Santa Marta are pretty safe. San Andres is safe as is Gorgona (lots of monkeys) Choco isnt safe at all. The northern departments that border venezuela arent safe. You can go to los katios and few other parks.. but ask in advance. I like Ciudad perdida but reccomend arriving by helicopter. San Augustin in Huila is a great archaeological site.. but not safe. Villavicencio is pretty safe. If you are staying with someone, ask them.. but for the most part..Smaller towns are FARC or PARA controlled. Email me if you want more info. I live there about 1/2 of year.

Alejandro M

Okay Colombia being the big drug capital of the world was true back in the 80's but now there is more drugs coming from africa, I have researched this, but our country is continously disgraced by hollywood and there ignorance when making movies.

If you have already been to ecuador then you should not have any real problem. You must already understand the dangers or visiting a country in South America, and really it is not different from any other country. If you do stupid things, like go trekking in areas where organized criminals are known to be active do not be surprised if bad things happen.

But in answer to your question no it is not dangerous at all to visit Colombia, stay in the cities, when travelling around either go by plane or if by car take safe busy routes.

The farc are now at the least active they have been our goverment is doing a great job to bring back Colombias good name from before the drug days.

We have a very beautiful country and everyone here is so nice espicially when they find out you are a foriegn person. My to favourtie places are Medellin (my city) and Santa Marta.

reggae_music_lover

COME HERE NOW!!!!!!

This place is great and the people are very friendly. There is so much history and culture here. This is one of the most beautiful countries I have been in (over 33 visited). This place would be one of the most visited in the world if not for past "cartel" atrocities. Colombia has all types of terrain: sea, mountains, jungle, plains, everything. The carnivals that are different in every city. The different music in all the different districts.

Things have changed a lot since Presidente Uribe has been President. They have taken back a lot of the country.

Just travel from city to city via airplanes. Avianca is a very safe airline. I personally would not drive across country because there are a few unsafe guerrilla controlled areas.

As far as the larger cities go, go there. Ask the people where is safe to go. Read the state department website. Treat it like any other large city in the world. Do not be stupid. It is as dangerous as Detroit, Washington DC, New York, Tokyo, Panama City, Toronto, London, etc, etc, etc. Do not make yourself a target by flashing money, jewelry, etc. Read the traveler section of any website or state department type or embassy website.

GO AND ENJOY!!!!

PS-DGI MARI..I lived in San Jose Del Guaviare 2 and 1/2 years....it was one of the places I loved best....just do not wander too far

.â€¢*Â´âœ¯SummerSoSoon!

Maybe this will make you more wanting to come to Colombia.

watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ied8SZyKUXc

have fun!

Desperate

TAKE ME WITH YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would go if I were you. I am too adventurous anyway, but it is always great to discover places by your own and not by the travel books.

I never been there despite I have friends all over S.America and have invitations to visit them. I don't speak Spanish( one day I will learn!) but people understand each other with sign/body language if they really want to.

Columbia has one of the finest coffee on the earth!

GO GIRL! Good luck, enjoy it!

x.JellyBabiJay.x

Okay just to say there may be a drug issue in colombia but it does not mean it isnt safe. My mum is colombia and we visit on a regula basis. And my mum is nice and tanned but because my dad is as white as snow, i to am reallly pale and i have not had any problems with it. and im from the UK. But just dnt tell eeryone ur from the UK cuz sum people may ask for money as they think we are all rich but seeing you are from the US, its more common for american s to go there and its like anywhere in the world, you just gta try and keep safe cuz ur in danger as soon as u leave ur house in the morning anywhere in the world so donj be scared, be proud, is a beuifuk country with amazing people and you will enjoy it soo much, trust me xD

Carl_the_Truth

Not safe...

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