PBH / colombia (active forums more▼ | travelguide | pictures) / post

gringos in bogota

does anybody have any info about the safety in bogota for gringos? my colombian fiancee and i are moving to colombia in june '04 and i have been doing research. her mom says that bogota will likely be the safest place for us to live, but that is where her parents are from so they are probably biased towards bogota. anybody agree/disagree on the safety??? obviously, we want to be the safest. thanks for your time, any responses will be appreciated.

By chadandmoni on Feb 11, 2004, 13:58 in Friendly Talkzone.

camilo says on Feb 11, 2004, 14:02:

Bogotá is as safe as any other big city in the world, there are very safe places. Cartagena is also very safe. Medellin and Cali can offer a good place to live also.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Peter (Moderator) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Feb 11, 2004, 14:02:

Bogota The cities are generally safe from guerilla activity, although there is some occasional bombing and such. You should be OK in Bogota, just remember it's a big city and there are obviously some neighboorhoods to avoid.

Poor but snappy

0 funny, 0 helpful.

chadandmoni says on Feb 11, 2004, 14:35:

re: gringos in bogota thanks for the input...peace of mind is priceless...as a whole, how are americans looked upon in bogota...am i going to be ostracized or feel very out of place or are gringos fairly common?? thanks again.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

litost says on Feb 11, 2004, 17:27:

It partially depends on just how "gringo" you look... you know there are actually many white people in Colombia (around 25%) of which some blond with blue eyes, etc. And anyways, in Bogota it's very common to see foreigners, but it's always better to do your best to blend in with everyone else for safety's sake. Bogota's a city with many good things, I am sure you will discover them and enjoy all it has to offer. As far as safety, well I won't repeat what everyone else says, just be careful but not paranoid.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

vanwely says on Feb 18, 2004, 14:14:

Just returned from Bogota yesterday and I love it there. This is a really nice city and great for shopping. I love the area around the
Hotel Tequendama. I know the Zona Rosa so well now that I was showing my Colombian girlfriend around this time!! I was checking apartment and condo prices around the 82-85 calle and they are very luxurious and reasonable by US standards. Driving with my girlfriend's boss (a female judge in Bogota) there were block after block of great looking restaraunts and shopping that put my US city to shame. I never felt unconfortable or threatened at any time. This place is a well kept secret.

Vanwely

Colombia - Tierra Querida

Colombia - Tierra Querida

0 funny, 0 helpful.