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Is Cucuta safe for the dude

My wife (who is in the US at this time) tells
me Cucuta is not safe for the gringo.
Any one have the real scoop.
Thanks

By bucaramangadude on Apr 27, 2006, 09:39 in Friendly Talkzone.

Gator says on Apr 27, 2006, 14:30:

Safe is A Relative Word... but Cucuta is nowhere near number one on my or Mrs. Gator's travel list.

"SIC FRIATUR CRUSTUM DULCE. OBESA CANTAVIT."

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

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adrimm (☼Travelguide writer) says on Apr 27, 2006, 16:05:

Not worth going to It's a hot, dirty, smelly cesspool of a city, with a high crime rate, and problems due to a deluge of IDPs (internally displaced persons)from unstable adjacent rural areas, especially in the last few years. The surrounding area has also been hard hit by higher-than-normal rains in 2004 and 2005 leading to mudslides, flooding, loss of homes etc.

Cucuta is one of the cities in which there is said to be high representation of unsavory organized groups within the urban city.
Add to this, as most border towns, fortunes are highly are dependant on those of the neighbouring country, and the Venezuelan economy has changed dramatically.

I'd avoid it unless you *have* to go (ie. family visit) or pass through enroute elsewhere (in which case you should definitely be on the ball with your Spansh and not linger at the bus station).

Too bad becuase it's a stunning drive between Bucarmanga and there (as long as you don't get carsick).

(Info sources: immediate family member -Colombian- doing some aid work in Cucuta, was there for several months, plus my personal experience from trips visiting my aunt who lives there).

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fennell01 says on Apr 27, 2006, 18:10:

Recent visit to Cucuta My Novia lives in Cucuta. I was recently there for 10 days. It is bad but not that bad. Not as hot as Cartagena, air pollution not as bad as Bogota. I went exploring on my own while she was in class and never felt threatened, I am 200 pounds and very gringo looking. Overall, it is not a place to visit, unless you need to. There are however, many many many beautiful girls and NO GRINGOS. Of course I did not look at the beautiful girls b/c I have a novia.....lol

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miamimike says on Apr 28, 2006, 14:46:

Adrian You are Spot on... Worst city in several Colombian Visits-Hot Dirty Dangerous like you say...

Avatar Legend: Bush "If any of you Reporters are wondering, it was a Size 10"

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adrimm (☼Travelguide writer) says on Apr 29, 2006, 08:57:

Being too hasty is never good.

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adrimm (☼Travelguide writer) says on Apr 29, 2006, 10:03:

Edit: Confirmed - toll booth bombed on Thursday. edit: see post below.

It is unclear to me I didn't ask what section of the road it is on and can't recall, so far the only thing I've found is this: http://www.invias.gov.co/invias/index.php?option=com_redvial&limit=10&limitstart=10&lang=es

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adrimm (☼Travelguide writer) says on Apr 29, 2006, 19:18:

Found it - Cucuta region toll booth bombed As I had mentioned earlier (and removed) a toll-booth on the Cucuta-Pamplona road (same route to Bucaramanga) was blown up by the FARC Thursday, and an attendant killed.

It's the third time that it's been blown up. Not a big news story, but that in itself is indicative of the area.

http://www.caracol.com.co/nota.asp?id=280929

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