How safe is the area sorrounding Bogota? and Bucaramanga

carter says on Feb 7, 2005, 09:21:

Santander I am a foriegner living in San Gil and find Santander one of the safest ares in Colombia. You will not have any problems in Barichara and its definatly worth a visit. San Gil is also safe and there is plenty of oppurtunities for adventure sports like rafting and paragliding.

I visit small towns in the area on a regular basis and have no problems also there are some nice safe places to go camping if you have a tent. I have a hostel in San Gil and most people spend a good week here visiting the other towns, rafting and other touristy things. Please come and enjoy yourself. Bucaramanga is a big city so watch your pockets.

Zipa and Villa de Leiva are also nice safe and worth the visit.

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Feb 7, 2005, 09:27:

Barichara is one of the most beautiful town in Colombia.and
Near Bogota you can visit Raquira too.

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pappasito says on Feb 7, 2005, 09:37:

Villavicencio Is this city safe for gringos?? I know that is only 2 hours from Bogota by car.....

Pappa

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Feb 7, 2005, 09:46:

Pappasito I go to villavicencio every year with my husband() the road is safe. I would'nt send anybody there if I didn't know.Villavicencio is not a very pretty city but have nice weather,a very nice nightclub called capachos,and good restaurants.lots of swimming pools.and parks. They are going to built 3 massives shopping centers there. I have seen quite a few foreigners there, I think because is so close to Bogota now more tourist start to come. they said is going to be the next melgar cos is closer. You will be safe there. my Husband is Blonde green eyes and he didn't have any problems we even got a farm near on the way to pto lopes.We venture out to acacias,san martin de los llanos, pto lopes. I will recommended is different.

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Feb 7, 2005, 10:04:

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Roncita says on Feb 7, 2005, 10:26:

Silviat, I can't speak about Bucaramanga as have never been there but just went to Bogota last weekend and visited Zipaquira - well worth the (hour or so) trip and very safe. The salt cathedral is really impressive.

Haven't been to the eje cafetero since 2002, but it was fine then and as far as I know it still is.

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fill says on Feb 7, 2005, 15:15:

I love Los llanos

fill

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Feb 7, 2005, 15:21:

fill where in los llanos have fill
where in los llanos have u been?

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cajeta says on Feb 7, 2005, 16:05:

i was just there.....my first time ever I just recently went to Colombia for the first time and drove from Bogota to Bucaramanga. It was an absolutely awesome trip-as you can see I am an american from california. The view was amazing and the drive is great as far as the roads are concerned. Now I don't know if you've ever been to south/central america but if you have the roads are awesome compared to Guatemala or Mexico. Of course, common sense and spanish fluency will get you a long way. I didn't get stopped once by the police on the trip there. Be aware that there are many tolls to pay on the way. And also crazy driving with really no rules. Be prepared to drive alittle aggressive. R u used to NYC driving- then you'll have no problem. Outside of Bucaramanga, be aware that there was guerilla activity at one time-we did get pulled over by the cops but it was for forgetting to drive with your lights on during the day. Also, just to put your mind at rest I'm a gringa with hardly any Spanish skills- I went with my Colombian boyfriend.

La Brujita

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cajeta says on Feb 7, 2005, 16:10:

All the area surrounding Bucaramanga is safe I went to all the towns you listed and they seemed very safe to me. San Gil is amazing along with Giron.........I say go do it since I had the guts to go.....have a great time ;-)

La Brujita

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william_andrew_channell says on Feb 8, 2005, 03:54:

From what I've heard the only real danger around B/manga is travelling on the highway between B/manga and B/bermeja. A lot of "Pesca Milagrosa" going down on that highway.

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juanalejo says on Feb 8, 2005, 05:51:

just fine Once and again our friend GIB does not know what he is taking about. The road between Bogota and Bucaramanga is fine and you will actually be surprised the ammount of foreigners you see on weekends in San Gil doing white water rafting. As William Andrew said, the road between Bucaramanga and Barrancabermeja is not the best, they have not had any problems with guerrilla lately, but the whole idea of being around oil fields in Colombia means there are also guerrilla around. But that road is in a completely different direction, so do not worry about it.

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carter says on Feb 8, 2005, 06:27:

Dangers near B/manga GIB I was wondering if you could post more info on the dangers in this area and some specific incidents that have occured to travellers here. I own a hostal in San Gil and want my visitors to have up to date info on what roads and towns are safe. Being based here I have heard no stories of problems especially for Gringos in the area. Everyone knows that San Gil and Barichara are some of the safest towns in Colombia for foriegners. Please let me know which towns are dangerous and why so I can inform my guests.

SilviaT - the last 1.5 hours of the bus ride between Bogota and B/manga is one of the nicest drives in Colombia along the Chicamocha canyon. If you are flying to B/manga you will also drive this road on your way to San Gil and Barichara. Make sure you drive it in the day, not because its dangerous just because its beautiful.

Other towns Giron, Guane and Curiti are all worth the visit

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fill says on Feb 8, 2005, 06:47:

San Martin kat1 ... I lived in San Martin for a while and explored all over the LLanos fill

fill

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vicshere says on Feb 8, 2005, 11:39:

very safe all the areas you refer to are very safe right from B/manga and B/bermeja to , Socorro and even to Cucatta I have driven to all these areas in the last six months and I have stupid white gringo all over my face and with no problem even the trip at night from cucatta to B/manga was safe... its the pot holes that are dangerous nothing else


listo
"con mucho gusto"
Vic

listo

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juanalejo says on Feb 8, 2005, 14:39:

Carter Ignore GIB, he always comes up no matter the subject with a horror story told to him by a confidential high source. My father´s family is from that area, I travel that road on a constant basis and can give faith things are absolutely fine. I have run in a couple of ocassions with personnel from Colegio Nueva Granada (Bogota) and Colegio Bolivar (Cali) on holidays in that area. I can say to my surprise.

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RUV says on Feb 8, 2005, 23:41:

San Gil I recently came back from Bogota. While I was there, I was skimming a tourist guide book and was interested in white water rafting. I was surprised that this was offered around Bogota. Can this be done in San Gil? If San Gil can not offer it where?

Carter you have a hostel there. Can you give me more info.

1) Is it possible for some white water rafting?
2) How do you get there. I was told that a Taxi needs some kind of permit to go out to these towns. Would a bus be better?
3) How do I make reservations there? Do I just show up? What time should you get there?
4) How far and how long is it from Bogota?
5) This may take to long, so I may to stay at your hostel. Do you have a website? What about website for the white water rafting?
6) Any more info would be great.

Great site.

Thanks

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adrimm (☼Travelguide writer) says on Feb 9, 2005, 12:26:

juanalejo says on Feb 9, 2005, 18:26:

plus many other towns including San Gil, and Socorro, and Barichara, and Oiba and Barbosa and Velez and Piedecuesta. So those are the surrounding country side. And no all of the country is not safe, that is why those of us who know like to say which ones are safe, but GIB you are always saying everything is dangerous, yet you have never been. And your argument always is you know somebody high up who tells you everything. Once again I will say this, if you are not specific where to go and where not to go, they will not believe you and then comes trouble because they will say that paranoid GIB is crazy this place is fine, so lets go everywhere because it must all be the same. Before you know they are down in Putumayo and then it may be to late to clear the mess up.

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viktorinox says on Feb 9, 2005, 19:17:

Check ou this site www.gobernaciondesantander.gov.co
Should be helpful....if your fiancee is gringo, try not to take him to Sabana de Torres ( Paramilitary country ) and the sorrounding area. I was recently there and they had a "Paro de Paras" people aren't allowed to leave town, businesses close...it was quite an experience....and the military patrols the city, asking people what's going on...see my image gallery ( posted a pic con los soldados )

"I am a man of simple taste, simply satisfied with the very best."

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tbone says on Feb 10, 2005, 05:20:

san juan de giron i have spent alot of time in san juan de giron and i love it, most especially at nite when all the people come out for walks. all the vendors come out to sell and the city comes alive with people. in the day time it is a bit warm in giron, but the nites are the most beautiful. the people of giron are fantastic. i spent xmas and new year's in giron and it was a blast. i especially like the basilica menor it is a great place to sit and people watch. this area is historical they have a small monument commemorating the few visits to that very spot by simon bolivar...and the skys in giron...

spent alot of time in b/manga, i like b/manga it alot of everything from the most modern to the commercial life of the everyday colombian i especially like cabecera, alot.

tbone

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Miamigo says on Feb 10, 2005, 06:42:

Zipaquirá That's very safe and the town is kind of nice, too, so don't just confine yourself to the Catedral de Sal. Check out the souvenir stands full of the ticky tackiest kind of religious crap, there's one run by a crusty old nun. I pissed her off big time because I kept asking why she didn't have un niño Dios hecho de panela.

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JoeNJ says on Feb 10, 2005, 17:53:

No Problems in Eje Cafetero I was in Colombia for the first time last month and had the opportunity to drive from Bogota to Pereira. No problems at all during the trip, there was plenty of security on the route and on "la linea". I highly recommend a visit to the Pereira/Armenia region, it is very beautiful, and if you have the opportunity to drive there, it is very scenic. Check out the town of Solenta if you have time.

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SiempreHero says on Feb 10, 2005, 18:53:

Great Trip Joe, I did the same trip a few years ago. It was a great, but exhausting drive. If you could post your pictures it would be really appreciated. I think that those gringos who have made that drive are in a rather elite group.

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carter says on Feb 11, 2005, 09:22:

RUV - Rafting info in the area This post looks like I set it up myself for some free info, but I swear I didn't unless RUV is a friend that I don't know about.

1) Is it possible for some white water rafting?

White water rafting is possible on 3 rivers in the area.
Rio Fonce: grade 2-3, 1.5 hours, 25.000 pesos.
Rio Saures: grade 3-4+ (one 5 but you`ll probably skip it depending on experience) 3.5 hours, 90,000 pesos (based on a group of four)
Canon Chicamocha: grade 3-4 (but more beautiful than Saures), 6 hours 110,000 pesos(i think) (4 people)
Canon Chicamocha 2 or 3 day trips also available
3 days around 300,000

also kayak courses 3 days. 15 hours. 300,000 pesos.
or kayak trips if you have experience on the above rivers

2) How do you get there. I was told that a Taxi needs some kind of permit to go out to these towns. Would a bus be better?

Catch a bus, Its safe. 7 hours north of Bogota on the bus to Bucaramange. The bus stops in San Gil. Or you can fly to B/manga and catch a 2 hour bus.

3) How do I make reservations there? Do I just show up? What time should you get there?

You can make reservations by emailing macondohostal at hotmail.com
or calling (7) 724 5646. reservations help more in organising the rafting trips espcially if you want to go the day after you arrive or the same day.

4) How far and how long is it from Bogota?

7 hours north in a bus

5) This may take to long, so I may to stay at your hostel. Do you have a website? What about website for the white water rafting?

No website yet. email me and I'll send more info.

I also organise caving, paragilding trips and courses, horseriding, mountain bike riding etc

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