| Colombia
Posted: 10/27/2007 2:22:50 PM | Just wondering if anyone has been to Colombia, where you went there, and how did
you like it. How were the people, the food, the music. Would you recommend going there for vacation and where is the best place to go | |
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| Colombia
Posted: 10/28/2007 9:19:43 PM | I have never been to Columbia,but I would have a fear of traveling to this
particular country.
Did you know that Columbia has more kidnappings for ransom,than any other
country in the world?
If I were you,I would set my sights on a different country to visit.
It's not a safe country for tourists. | |
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| Colombia
Posted: 10/29/2007 8:48:40 AM | Candi Apples, I would be very careful about making a statement like that, even though I am not Colombian.....
You can travel to Colombia, it is like any other country. What you hear in the press is highly distorted and made mostly by ignorant people who have never taken the time to research the country.
Many people go there and return every year without a problem. Besides, these kidnappings and other problems happen in certain zones and are very limited.
Do some research my friend. And enjoy your trip to Colombia. | |
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| Colombia
Posted: 10/29/2007 3:43:08 PM | I have been to Colombia and spent a month there in December 05..have to say was an unbelievable friendly and fantastic country! would highly recommend it to anyone...
even the irish were loved there once they got in lol. | |
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| Colombia
Posted: 10/29/2007 4:09:42 PM | | I went in the late 1970's and had a wonderful time. The people were warm and friendly, and being blonde, I got a lot of attention going down the street. With all the problems that they are having, I don't think I'd go again. | |
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| Colombia
Posted: 10/30/2007 10:32:40 PM | | I went on a packaged 2 wk vacation in the late 90's and had a great time. Obviously I avoided the main drug cities such as Medien (excuse spelling). I spent one week in Cartagena and one week in Santa Marta.... no complaints about anything! Use common sense but go and have a great time! | |
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| Colombia
Posted: 11/1/2007 3:54:07 PM | i spent xmas in Medellin..and was an unbelievable great city..the xmas ligths are the best in the world (supposedly they export their used ones to japan or somewhere!)
Seriously..i went to the lost city..(departs santa marta) ..few nights in bogota...and was no worse then anywhere esle i had been..and alot better in other places.
DOnt takeppl who went 10 years ago....go go go go go
oh if you do go and die or get kidnapped dont blame me | |
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| Colombia
Posted: 11/1/2007 4:16:37 PM |
I have never been to Columbia,but I would have a fear of traveling to this
particular country.
Did you know that Columbia has more kidnappings for ransom,than any other
country in the world?
If I were you,I would set my sights on a different country to visit.
It's not a safe country for tourists.
A bit of a sweeping generalization. What candy forgot to mention is that Mexico generallyfloats around no. 2 in the world for kidnappings, yet this does not deter millions from visiting.
To minimize being kidnapped, just don't look rich! Low key backpackers are generally at low risk for kidnapping. Also give Robert Young Pelton's 'World's Most Dangerous Places' a read. | |
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mj999
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Joined: 10/28/2007
Msg: 9 | |
| Colombia
Posted: 11/6/2007 9:50:46 AM | I went to a beautiful little island there called "San Andres or San Andreas". It was about 8 years ago, absolutely loved it, never felt unsafe, the local people were wonderful and guess what?. When you leave, at the airport they give you a rough emerald stone...not sure if they still do this.
While I do not know the rest of Colombia, I would definitely recommend the island mentioned above. | |
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| Colombia
Posted: 11/6/2007 5:09:01 PM | I have been to Colombia 11 times and I love it. I have been to Cartagena, Santa Marta, Barranquilla, Rodadero , Las Islas Rosario and my favourite, San Andres Island.
The people are so friendly and warm and the prices are cheap for travelling. I highly recommend it. Just be cautious if you are going to Cali, Medellin or Bogota as the risks are higher there.
If you want more info, let me know..... | |
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| Colombia
Posted: 11/7/2007 7:13:24 PM | For a date or personalized tour, go to Cybercupido.com and sign up. It is a Latin Dating Site. Line up a lady or two to show you around once you know your destination. I was in Bogota several time in last two years for extended visits and also in Cartagena. Recommend LLoyds hotel apartment suites. Cheaper is available. If you take your time get to know a girl on internet, you can probably stay with her for free. The benefits are incredible as they are hot blooded, ready to rock, and cannot wait to meet you, dance with you, cook for you and treat you to the best love on earth. A Colombian woman will not allow her man to do anything for himself. You will. be treated like a king. Let her take you Salsa dancing. Learn a little Spanish before you go. You might not come back. If you come back you will need about $50 USD to get out of the country. This is imposed because we charge the same to Colombians going out of the USA. Food there is not spicy, but very fresh and wholesome. Lots of rice, chicken, beef, and fish. Have your girl take you to crepes and waffles on Parque 93.
Good luck. We'll send your stuff. | |
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| Colombia
Posted: 11/11/2007 6:57:38 AM | I would do Brazil ( outside of Sao Paulo) or Argentina,
Columbia..= FARC = Kidnapped foreigners=possible death..just because you look rich..well they kidnap 3 to 5000 poor locals a year so you dont need to be rich
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_941.html
A bit of a sweeping generalization. What candy forgot to mention is that Mexico generallyfloats around no. 2 in the world for kidnappings, yet this does not deter millions from visiting.
hahahaha Minor detail..columbia has 10X thats right 10x the mexico numbers. Also Mexico are "express" basically for a day ..columbia..sorry years then they smoke you
Also Mexico they dont do any in the yucatan where everyone goes, So if you take taht into account you are probably 500 x more likely in columbia
Adventuro , have you actually been there or are you just one of the pelton wannabees?( which he has so many]
By the way: Pelton was kidnapped by AUC
In January 2003, Pelton and two 22 year old travellers were kidnapped in the Darien Gap by the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) and held for 10 days before being released
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| Colombia
Posted: 11/11/2007 11:30:18 AM | | Have you been there Pfm? If so where have you been? And how did you like it | |
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| Colombia
Posted: 11/11/2007 7:32:19 PM | Only been there once, two day short layover in Bogata ..Not impressed at all..
Ill stick to my recommendation for Rio or other,,Columbia is damn dangerous.. I have been nasty places..and Bogota is probably the worst for "feeling not safe here" that I have seen , well except Nigeria
The locals are nice but the problem is, any country I go to I rent cars and go to small villages..not a good idea in Columbia | |
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| Colombia
Posted: 11/11/2007 7:39:43 PM | ^^
Not much time to really get a feel for Bogota. Maybe if you had spent more time there you might have a different view. Or maybe not. How long ago was that? | |
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| Colombia
Posted: 11/12/2007 9:34:32 AM | | Travel warnings are usually always exaggerated. The same can be said about Colombia. Sure there are risks in Colombia like anywhere in the world, but Colombia is far from being one of the most dangerous places in the world. Even in Latin America there are several other places that are riskier than Colombia. I used to work for a company that was doing business in Colombia, so I have been visiting Bogota for business several times. I have also been to Leticia (Amazon rain forest) and San Andres Island (Caribbean) on my own. We did business in Bogota for several years. There were numerous visits, but there was never an incident where somebody was robbed or kidnapped. We had Bogota ranked as number 4 on our list of the most dangerous places where we did business. Kingston (Jamaica), Johannesburg (South Africa) and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) were considered more dangerous, because there is a much higher risk of getting robbed in these places than in Bogota. Colombians themselves get kidnapped, but it is not true that poor Colombians get kidnapped. It is only the rich Colombians who get kidnapped. The guerillas have imposed a "guerrilla tax" for everybody who has assets of more than one million dollars. The list has been obtained from the "local IRS" in Colombia. Everybody who refuses to pay the "guerrilla tax" is subject to kidnappings. The same applies to foreigners. If you look poor, you are not going to be kidnapped, but if you flash your gold Rolex and dress up in expensive designer suits you might be at risk. In general Colombia is breathtakingly beautiful, the locals are very friendly and the prices are very moderate. Colombia is an absolute jewel that should not be missed. | |
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| Colombia
Posted: 11/12/2007 10:32:59 AM | ^^
How were the chicas in Colombia? I hear they are very beautiful and friendly. | |
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| Colombia
Posted: 11/13/2007 12:57:01 AM | | My family (not me) lived in Columbia for 10 years in the 70's. They married Columbians and have been back many times for work and vacations. The general feel of many different family members and friends is that Columbia is more risky to visit than it used to be. Some of my family members would tell you to NOT go, while others would tell you to go and to not let fear stop you from experiencing a beautiful country. Just be sensible and follow the precautions that other posters in this thread have already mentioned. Personally, I would go only if I was with family members that are Columbian and can speak spanish well. And I'm a very adventurous, "jump before I think" kind of person! Does this babble help at all? lol | |
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| Colombia
Posted: 12/3/2007 3:48:53 PM | | Thanks for the comments. I am going to Colombia in a few weeks. First to Bogota and the to Bucaramanga. | |
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| Colombia
Posted: 12/4/2007 10:36:11 AM | | Get a special insurance for hostages, the going rate for ransom for Americans is 5,000 dollars. | |
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| Colombia
Posted: 12/4/2007 1:12:48 PM | ^^^
Just wondering if you have ever been there. were you kidnapped? | |
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| Colombia
Posted: 12/4/2007 1:47:37 PM | No, but I have been traveling with people who have been, and there are various parties in the mountains who do this for profit. They do not ask for much, 5 grand.
As a mountaineer I do not travel in the area for that specific reason.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_941.html
The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the dangers of travel to Colombia. Violence by narcoterrorist groups and other criminals continues to affect all parts of the country, urban and rural.
Violence has continued to decrease markedly in most urban areas, including Bogotá, Medellin, Barranquilla, and Cartagena. The level of violence in Cali, Buenaventura, and the surrounding areas remains high, largely as a result of the illicit drug trade. Many rural areas of Colombia remain extremely dangerous due to the presence of narcoterrorists and Colombian government operations against them.
Terrorist groups such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN), and other criminal organizations, continue to kidnap civilians for ransom or as political bargaining chips. No one can be considered immune from kidnapping on the basis of occupation, nationality, or other factors. The FARC have held three American official contractors hostage since February 2003. Although the U.S. government places the highest priority on the safe recovery of kidnapped Americans, it is U.S. policy not to make concessions to or strike deals with kidnappers. Consequently, the U.S. government’s ability to assist kidnapping victims is limited.
U.S. government officials and their families in Colombia are permitted to travel to major cities in the country, but only by air. They are not allowed to use inter- or intra-city bus transportation. They also are not permitted to travel by road outside of urban areas at night. All Americans in Colombia are urged to follow these precautions.
As the Department develops information on potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threats through its Consular Information Program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. U.S. citizens should consult warden messages for Colombia at http://bogota.usembassy.gov/wwwsc093.shtml, as well as the Department of State’s Consular Information Sheet for Colombia and Worldwide Caution Public Announcement at http://travel.state.gov. U.S. travelers can also get up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 in the U.S. or Canada or on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.
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In other words the marines are not coming to save your ass if you get caught. | |
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| Colombia
Posted: 12/4/2007 2:17:40 PM | I won`t be doing any mountain climbing and will be with Colombian friends who
know where it is safe to go. I will be staying on the main routes and not wandering off into the countryside. If i do get kidnapped and am lucky enough to get released unharmed i will post my experience here. | |
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| Colombia
Posted: 12/4/2007 4:15:26 PM | | If you don't have KRE Insurance just try to look like a penniless bakcpacker. | |
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| Colombia
Posted: 12/5/2007 5:26:33 AM | | I am not too worried about the FARC , but maybe being kidnapped by a pretty Colombiana would be nice! | |
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