HOW IS CALI FOR A TOURIST

cali_brahh says on Sep 18, 2008, 19:11:

God what a bunch of CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where did you grow up? Omaha Nebraska?

If youre gonna go, just use common sense--and you even have family members there?!?! what are you so worried about?

I knew NO ONE and arrived at Cali airport at 1 am, I was 13 miles away from my hotel was clueless!
Plus Im a gringo! a white boy from New York and I made it alive,
(even tho hotel aristi nearly blew up 3 weeks after i left)

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Gringo Spy says on Sep 18, 2008, 19:16:

Statistics speak for themselves and speaking from someone who has been there several times recently, Cali is a filthy, crime infested and violent shit hole. The only people who say good things about Cali are those with businesses there so in IMHO their opinions can't be trusted due to their inherent agenda.

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cali_brahh says on Sep 18, 2008, 19:19:

It is not, the part by hotel aristi is borderline, but if you go up near chippichappe and san antonio it is clean. Just like any city in this world it has its good and its bad.

What statistics are you referring to, I'd like to see them Gringospy, Thxs

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Gringo Spy says on Sep 18, 2008, 19:21:

Have you read the news lately?

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Sonny says on Sep 18, 2008, 19:22:

I have been to Cali many times and not once was I approched, treated badly, mistreated or bothered in any way. Keep your money in your pocket and act normal and enjoy a great city filled with good people.
If you want scared let me suggest the west end of Dallas. Cali is a cake walk.
Enjoy the country. It will surly grow on you

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cali_brahh says on Sep 18, 2008, 19:32:

gringospy what news are you referring to? the Farc bombing? elaborate

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Gator says on Sep 18, 2008, 19:32:

DO NOT FEED

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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Sonny says on Sep 18, 2008, 19:42:

cali brahh this is where the subject changes. I agree, this is a good placve to stop

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nbenjamin says on Sep 18, 2008, 20:04:

I love Cali. I have only been twice. i have never had a problem. I stayed at the Dan there - it is much better than the Dann in Medallo. Request a new room. The pool there has an awesome view.

Also it has the most beautiful women. One of my best friends from Los Angeles's dad is from Cali. He goes all the time - he also has never had a problem.

Arthur Brode can answer any questions.

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Simon says on Sep 18, 2008, 20:05:

Gringo Spy,

Why don't you go #$%$ yourself, you Cali-hating #$%#$#!

"DON'T FOK WITH COLOMBIA!!"-----Simon

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cali_brahh says on Sep 18, 2008, 20:27:

Lol don't mess with colombians and/or calenos :) :) :)

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Simon says on Sep 18, 2008, 20:28:

HELL YEAH!!!!

"DON'T FOK WITH COLOMBIA!!"-----Simon

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Buongone says on Sep 18, 2008, 20:35:

If it's your 1st let me suggest you read up on things to do a bit. Get in with a good cab driver. Ask questions. Talk to the people at the front desk. 1st time I went there, I had little pieces of paper, cut in squares. I would talk with the concierge at the Inter. Figure out where I wanted to go. Write down the address on one of the little squares. Show it to the cab driver. Find out if he knows directions and how much is the cab fare. Most were not over $4-5. Make sure you have your own address in a couple of different spots, on you. Carry your money in your front pocket.I had connections with 2 different women I met on the internet. Met a whole bunch more down there in a short time. Had a blast. Try the horseback riding out in south Cali. You go in groups of like 10 people. There is a point in the ride where you are going down the river. Get them running real fast. Water going everywhere. Good ride. Took a chiva bus around town. Ended up dancing at some nightclub with the ladies I was with. (Thats where the Chiva ends it's ride) I think as a single you need to meet somebody that wants to have some fun. Let them show you the ropes. Of course there are people on here that can tell you more about Cali than I can. People that live there. Enjoy and have fun. lol !!

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nbenjamin says on Sep 18, 2008, 21:01:

Dont knock GS - there is no need for that. Doode use to go by another handle tobyboy. He is just you know a kooky doode.

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Gringo Spy says on Sep 18, 2008, 21:04:

nboy: you're a funny little boy (who can't spell or write well).

Do your homework and you'll easily discover I am only Gringo Spy and not tobyboy or lanegrapaisa (who's name you just edited out of your comment above for whatever reason).

And try to stay on topic! The post is about Cali and if it's safe.

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arthur brode (☼Travelguide writer) says on Sep 18, 2008, 21:09:

nbenjamin says on Sep 18, 2008, 21:12:

GS "the brilliant" or as I like to call him - A tool.

Gringo Spy has another handle: TobyBoy and Langrepaisa or whatever. I get a kick out of it. It is weird that you keep a handle as a woman - but I enjoy it.

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Gringo Spy says on Sep 18, 2008, 21:15:

My main man a brode. One doesn't need to live in Cali to know it's the most violent major city in all of Colombia. I noticed you were conspicuously in the background when there were several post about the recent bombing there. Were you hiding in your bunker?

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goin_south says on Sep 18, 2008, 21:23:

If you ask some colombians... .they also will concur that relative to the other cities in Colombia.... Cali, while alot of fun potentially,... also carries a little more risk. Not that I wouldn't go there... I hope to for Feria this year, for the 4th time. But, I do have a good friend, a colombiana, who resides there, and she was accosted last week and robbed of her cell phone, and one of her teenage boys was robbed a few weeks ago of just about everything he had, including his shoes.

Such is life.

Why Not Colombia?..........Stay Tuned, for more.... utterly worthless, self-indulgent gobbets of nonsense.

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arthur brode (☼Travelguide writer) says on Sep 18, 2008, 21:40:

Gringo Spy says on Sep 18, 2008, 21:53:

Just the facts...

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bickerss says on Sep 18, 2008, 22:08:

I like Cali, has a bit more of an edge to it, but be sensible and you should survive. Not a place i would live, but for a visit its fun. More for nightlife than sight seeing, although it has some nice areas around it, lake Colima and San Cipriano..

Investment Strategy - buying when others are crying!! Offloading when others are gloating!!!

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cali_brahh says on Sep 18, 2008, 22:18:

Gringospy WHERE are your facts ? Educate me since I should be shitting my pants on my second trip to cali. I think not.

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Gringo Spy says on Sep 18, 2008, 22:31:

Have fun.

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_mur_percap-crime-murders-per-cap...

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Buongone says on Sep 18, 2008, 23:22:

0.6 0f 1 out of 1K. Take your chances.

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roloenNJ says on Sep 19, 2008, 03:14:

I dont think you should trust any cab drivers ............

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davidslc46 says on Sep 19, 2008, 03:32:

Some of you males can really spout out some negative sh*t.

Buogone: I know you were speaking directly to a man above, but it is worth noting, that some of us also have girls, boys, mothers, and sisters in the USA and all we have to do to confirm that we know that there is too much risk in Colombia is to think about bringing them down to Colombia. It can and should be done, but you don't just tell your baby girl, take your chances like daddy does.

*****************************************
As someone pointed out above, some of us have Colombian friends that actually care enough to say;

" you Northe Americans just don't understand Colombia. It is not what you think it is. It's a place where a life can be taken for 2000 pesos ( duh! I know it may cost you a little more ) It is a very poor country with many bad people. "

Cali is probably in reality just like any big city in any country. There are some areas where you should not go and you better be street wise or you may get a heavy dose of schooling real quick.

Newsflash: The park in Envigado is not safe if you walk around looking like a rich tourist from USA! Poblado is comfortable, and expensive, but do you really understand that at 10am on mainstreet you could be robbed at gunpoint coming out of an ATM? You maybe safer in a small town once you have friends.

Colombia, today is not for the naive or people who have no understanding or ability to protect themselves. These vulnerable types must travel with someone who can protect them.

The statistics do tell you the facts, although much crime may be under reported. But what is not told in the statistics is that much of the crime reported could have been avoided had the victim(s) not put themselves in such a vulnerable location or situation.

Please don't get me wrong, I feel just as safe in Colombia as I would in New York, San Francisco or LA. But you cannot travel through any of these cities metropolitan area safely with your guard down. Most of us know that and appropriately function.

At a minimum the same vigilance has to be maintained in most places in Colombia. Your North american pride/ego could get you killed and you better know when/where not to go and when to leave. I do look forward to life mostly spent on a Finca where I am hoping most days will have worries about issues unrelated to crime or violence or keeping ones guard up.

Just one mans opinion about risk in Colombia..

David

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el_scouser says on Sep 19, 2008, 11:18:

stay in estrato 6 (where the hostals are - Iguana et al) and you will be fine. Im here now, still feel a bit vulnerable when out and about at night. My girlfriend is Calena and isn't a scaremonger but she has told me many stories of robberies, assaults etc - Just be careful and keep your wits about you. Its a surprisingly nice place though, I could probably live here.

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Saltador says on Sep 19, 2008, 11:41:

A friend of mine who is obviously gringo (tall blond hair blue eyes) went to Cali and was detained for hours, strip searched, even had the gloved finger up the a at at treatment by police in the airport. All for no apparent reason. I'll not be making that trip too soon...

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Morrongo says on Sep 19, 2008, 11:56:

mmmmm... that explains why ...fugdis... is always going to the airport.

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Sonny says on Sep 19, 2008, 12:40:

Well. all history got what he or she wanted. I post full of a bunch of trash, no purpose, no help, no positive anything but it did stir up all the bottom of the barrel "I want to add nothing but complain about everythings" posters. Like a shark frenzy. One little bite and all of them come out to get a taste to see which makes the biggest noise. Good place to stop this and move on.
Just my feelings and not intended to insult or hurt anyone

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adidas6953 says on Sep 19, 2008, 19:45:

cali is beautiful...and i am not just talking about the women...

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NCMike says on Sep 19, 2008, 20:12:

I love Cali. I spent July about half in Cali and half in Bogota. Next year I'll probably spend most of my time in Cali. I'm a tall very white guy, obviously gringo. So far, I've not had problems, but I've been schooled by locals and my ex, who is Caleno, so I do walk around with more care than I do around Charlotte. But it is common sense, really. Others have said things above, but I might add, -don't walk around with more pesos than you need. Don't carry your wallet in ur back pocket, better don't carry it at all. You don't need it most likely. When you need to go to the ATM or go shopping call a taxi and take it to Chipi or whatever centro, and take an official taxi back to ur hotel to put away the cash you don't need and put away ur ATM card.
I once was walking around with my ex suegra and her mother in the south near cristobol colon. I had my digital camera and wanted to take pics of them and the barrio. My ex suegra told me she really didn't think it was a good idea that I was walking around with my camera out like that. I took her advice and put it away.
It may not be the prettiest city, but it does have parts I love. But its the PEOPLE man!!! The party to an extent. But I'm a middle aged man now and I can do without so much the party. I've been about 5 times, and love it love it love it.

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Simon says on Sep 19, 2008, 20:24:

NCMike,

Thank you for your kind comments. Cali will always welcome you with warmth and open arms! Regards.

"DON'T FOK WITH COLOMBIA!!"-----Simon

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NCMike says on Sep 19, 2008, 20:27:

Thanks Simon. I'll be back when I can. Probably July!

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billyb says on Sep 19, 2008, 20:56:

Cali is a great place to have a good time. People are warm and friendly, the girls are beautiful. Of course you have to be careful, don't be loud and obnoxious(sp), give papaya, hail cabs on the street, stumble around drunk at midnight mumbling to yourself, flash wads of cash hoping to impress the natives......gee, come to think of it, most of these (with the possible exeption of the cabbies) apply to any city in the world. In other words, don't be a dork and you will have a great time. Of course, if you can't help but to be a dork, well then.............

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davidslc46 says on Sep 19, 2008, 21:43:

I think that was my point Billyb. What you do in cali is what you do in any major city in the USA or the world.

Sonny; man if this thread got you riled up where are you when people are personaly attacking people just for kicks. But I understand things weren't said they way you thought they should be so you did your own trash talking.

David

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billyb says on Sep 19, 2008, 21:49:

David, just read your post and yes, I totally agree with what you posted, specially the part about life spent mostly on a finca ;)

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goin_south says on Sep 19, 2008, 22:43:

Simon: jejje... lol... yes, Cali will always welcome you with open and warm arms... (MAYBE BEHIND YOUR BACK!)... LLOLL... For your warm and kind comments.... YES... I'M CERTAIN... all the thieves and THUGS of Cali will remember your WARM, KIND comments here on pbh.... llol... jjejje.. let us know when you are next accosted in Cali, or... Let Simon know... or, make him your FIRST CALL.. jejje.,.. do they even allow you one call, when you are behind bars, in Locombia???

Why Not Colombia?..........Stay Tuned, for more.... utterly worthless, self-indulgent gobbets of nonsense.

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Buongone says on Sep 20, 2008, 00:46:

GS, Thought you liked Cali?

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goin_south says on Sep 20, 2008, 06:35:

I never had any problems in Cali.
I like Cali.
It would be better,...though,... if I could breathe while there...
It does sorta remind me of Tijuana...
I've been there more than anywhere else in Col... mus be 'some attraction'. eh?
Yeah... it 'Was' that cheap direct continental flight from Houston ;-))

Why Not Colombia?..........Stay Tuned, for more.... utterly worthless, self-indulgent gobbets of nonsense.

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Buongone says on Sep 20, 2008, 22:44:

GS, What, you have some type of breathing problem?

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goin_south says on Sep 20, 2008, 22:57:

not as long as I'm locked up in the Intercontinental (where the air is a lil more clean)

Why Not Colombia?..........Stay Tuned, for more.... utterly worthless, self-indulgent gobbets of nonsense.

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Man Tequila says on Sep 21, 2008, 21:06:

Not to feed the troll. My experience was calenos were very hospitable, that it is a dangerous city and people constantly tell you it is, and that parts of it ain´t pretty.

As for taxis and bad parts, ask your ¨family¨.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

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goin_south says on Sep 21, 2008, 21:41:

and, that's the truth.... thanks for saying so, MT.

Why Not Colombia?..........Stay Tuned, for more.... utterly worthless, self-indulgent gobbets of nonsense.

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calibelleza says on Sep 23, 2008, 22:52:

I travel frequently to Cali, and I love it! The south is a better place to stay and has a lot of malls where you can go to and use an ATM machine safely...

www.calibelleza.com

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allhistory says on Sep 28, 2008, 18:40:

THAT WAS INTERESTING, THANKS FOR ALL THE ANSWERS THOSE ANYONE KNOW OF GOOD PLACES TO EAT?

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goin_south says on Sep 28, 2008, 21:29:

si; the Pizza Place....at the bottom, al fuero.... de la Hotel Intercontinental... also, the restaurant outside, by the pool... at the same hotel... both are INCREDIBLE.

Why Not Colombia?..........Stay Tuned, for more.... utterly worthless, self-indulgent gobbets of nonsense.

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