Any health precautions ?

Robert Jorge says on Apr 17, 2007, 18:50:

Hey Bogdan. If you are in medium and large cities, you shouldn't need vaccinations. Really, the only people that need to be concerned about that are people who are going into the jungles or will spend a lot of time on a finca or something. Looks like you aren't planning anything like an Amazon treck or bird watching along the Panama border.
As far as water goes: A lot of people here have said the water in Bogota (for example) is fine to drink out of the tap. Just from my experience, everybody I know and met never drank straight from the tap. It was always bottled or bagged water. However, everybody I ever met or knew brushed their teeth using tap water, no problem. I, with my gringo stomach, never had a problem brushing my teeth with tap water. And again, a lot of people will tell you Bogota water is fine to drink - and I am sure they are correct.
I never had an issue with food health-wise. I take that back - some vendor peanuts at a bar put me in the bathroom for a few days. And I ate everyday in mom and pop restaraunts and cafes, roadside stands, bought fruit from street vendors, etc. I wouldn't worry about the food either. As a matter of fact, the food down there can be a lot better for you than the crap we have to choose from. Treat yourself when traveling between cities to meals at the roadside cafes. Picada is what I think they call a mixed plate of different sausages, potatoes, beef, chicharon, chicken, etc. I am sure it is horrible fat-wise, but DAMN it is good.

"You can not take the barrio out of the girl you really can't." Oneforamillion

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Robert Jorge says on Apr 17, 2007, 18:52:

Hey Bogdan. If you are in medium and large cities, you shouldn't need vaccinations. Really, the only people that need to be concerned about that are people who are going into the jungles or will spend a lot of time on a finca or something. Looks like you aren't planning anything like an Amazon treck or bird watching along the Panama border.
As far as water goes: A lot of people here have said the water in Bogota (for example) is fine to drink out of the tap. Just from my experience, everybody I know and met never drank straight from the tap. It was always bottled or bagged water. However, everybody I ever met or knew brushed their teeth using tap water, no problem. I, with my gringo stomach, never had a problem brushing my teeth with tap water. And again, a lot of people will tell you Bogota water is fine to drink - and I am sure they are correct.
I never had an issue with food health-wise. I take that back - some vendor peanuts at a bar put me in the bathroom for a few days. And I ate everyday in mom and pop restaraunts and cafes, roadside stands, bought fruit from street vendors, etc. I wouldn't worry about the food either. As a matter of fact, the food down there can be a lot better for you than the crap we have to choose from. Treat yourself when traveling between cities to meals at the roadside cafes. Picada is what I think they call a mixed plate of different sausages, potatoes, beef, chicharon, chicken, etc. I am sure it is horrible fat-wise, but DAMN it is good.

"You can not take the barrio out of the girl you really can't." Oneforamillion

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Robert Jorge says on Apr 17, 2007, 18:52:

Sorry for the double post. Don't know what happened.

"You can not take the barrio out of the girl you really can't." Oneforamillion

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jaramillo says on Apr 18, 2007, 05:22:

Everything that Robert said applies also to Medellin.

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Aji1 says on Apr 18, 2007, 07:02:

Agree with above posts but... If you travel overseas much at all do your self a favor and get the three rounds of shots need to complete the hepatitis vaccinations. It takes six months to finish but go ahead and start even if you will travel before you are able to finish the three shots. Hep A, B, C is everywhere and it is easy to prevent. This is coming from a season world traveler who is not shaken by much, but I have seen the complications of Hep. Vale la pena.

I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

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adrimm (Moderator) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Apr 19, 2007, 22:11: