Car or bus travel to Armenia from Cali - how safe?

vicshere says on Jul 31, 2007, 18:49:

this last Christmas I travel from armenia to cali and then back ....I had no problems what so ever....although renting a car you may find of on the expensive side....buses are a good option and as fast as a car...of course you cant stop every 5 minutes to take photo

listo

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brdman60 says on Jul 31, 2007, 18:58:

I have traveled this route 3 or 4 times in the last 3 years and had no problems. I'm sure your wife knows the route and should have no trouble in a rental car. Go, relax, and enjoy.

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flaleo says on Jul 31, 2007, 19:06:

Thanks for your comments - much appreciated...

But I'm also/more looking for news on dangers (guerilla, not petty crime, etc.) than on good experiences... I mean, anyone who had problems (kidnapping, murder... guerilla activity is the main concern) isn't here to post about it... seeing a number of people posting that they had no problems really doesn't provide any data about potential problems (even if there are basically none)... Again, I appreciate your posts, too, thanks.

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scotty says on Jul 31, 2007, 19:18:

last time i was in Cali i wanted to travel to Armenia but all my Colombian friends said not to go, that it was tro dangerous for a gringo.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

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bufalo says on Jul 31, 2007, 20:42:

scotty - no offense, but they were your "colombian" friends. Locals tend to exagerrate. I heard the same from uruguayans in Uruguay, barcelonians in Barcelona and colombians in Colombia.

Armenia to/from Cali is safe, I'd say even safer on a bus. Do it and don't worry (I'll even show you around Armenia if you want to get away from wifey's family for a bit)

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

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arthur brode says on Jul 31, 2007, 21:45:

ditto
been there done that
3 hours on the bus(one way)
ticket 17,000 pesos(one way)

http://www.calirentals.net/

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arthur brode says on Jul 31, 2007, 22:30:

The problem with Armenia/coffe region is that once you go there you will not want to go back to Cali.

http://www.calirentals.net/

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droble77 says on Aug 1, 2007, 08:38:

People drive a little crazy in Colombia, lot's of slow trucks and cars you'll need to pass on one-lane roads so I don't know if you want to deal with the stress of car-rentals, or how familiar you are with driving in those kinds of situations in not-so-rich countries. I'd stick with day-trips on bus or even hiring a driver/private taxi if you have the $$.

As for shorts, if you're that worried about safety, why would you wear something that would make you stand out even more than you already do? Not that the FARC is going to come after you, but it attracts attention of petty criminals, delinquents. . .

Just go to JCrew and get a bunch of their "summer chinos" That's what I wear in Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican R., Colombia. It's a thin, breathable cotton, and comfortable even in the hottest part of the day. That way you don't have to show off your pasty white gringo legs to the locals. . . :-))

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Miamigo says on Aug 1, 2007, 13:47:

I don't wear them in downtown Armenia, but I've worn shorts in the rest of Quindio, you know, Panaca, the Coffee Park, even stumbling around Plaza Bolivar one night in Tebaida. You don't stand out in shorts in those places. Well, maybe Plaza Bolivar in Tebaida at night.

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bufalo says on Aug 1, 2007, 13:55:

Shorts? Chinos from JCrew? Nooooo you won't stand out - Put on a pair of jeans.

Don't rent the car, driving is different here, take a bus and enjoy the view (go to the little boys room first,though)

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

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flaleo says on Aug 2, 2007, 11:46:

Thanks for more replies.

I wear shorts, I want comfort. I wear shorts all over Colombia, I'm not worried about standing out, I'm not going to change my wardrobe or my 'look' just to fit in... I'm respectful and friendly, and I love speaking Spanish, and Colombians are so friendly in general, so I'm treated fine even if they know I'm a gringo. I'm not concerned about the petty crime, you have that anywhere, more or less... and I think there's less petty crime risk in a Colombian city than there is many other SA cities (like in Brasil, Mexico, etc.).

I had asked about safety for traveling on the highways. Those collectivos get hot, so I'll be in shorts. As long as there's no guerilla activity, or other organizations that are out to make money by kidnapping, then I'll do the trip... maybe even hit Manizales if I have time (although my wife hates that city for some reason...).

Again, thanks for your help!

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Juanito says on Aug 2, 2007, 16:50:

Tranquilo Flaleo,

I am tall, white and British. I stick out like a sore thumb. My Calena wife and I took the bus from Cali to Armenia and back a month ago and travelled around the Armenia, Montenegro and Salento areas by local bus and Willy's jeep with not one hint of a problem. While we were in Armenia we stayed in a finca for 2 nights and had a great time. Take the express bus (more chance of it having a/c and toilet) sit back, and enjoy the ride!

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Timba says on Aug 3, 2007, 06:48:

Advice I got from some Armenians,

The route is currently safe, but you never know. It is safer to take the bus, unless you have luggage. Luggage tends to disappear while you are still on the bus or trying to get off the bus. If you have checked luggage, in order to keep it, it is better to take a taxi.

On the road to Cali, I did see some very nice new small buses/vans that had luggage inside that cabin that travelled faster than alot of cars.

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ecco says on Aug 9, 2007, 16:34:

Do they force you to put luggage in the bus hold if it just 'looks' to big? Or will it also depend on how busy it is? Not sure what the buses there are like and their size, but the coaches I've used before in various countries have the spaces above the seats to put stuff. In my experience it often depends on the driver- some are quite stroppy over what they allow inside. Others don't care so much- especially if the bus is half empty. I'm doing that route also in the near future so am curious.

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