Is Medellin safe?

calipro says on Apr 6, 2005, 11:42:

Medellin I have wanted to go to Medellin for some time but I have always been to scared to go.

I haven't been worried about my safty so much, but rather scared that I wouldn't have as good a time as I do in Cali.

If you do work up the nerve to go, please take a lot of pictures. If someone could show me pictures that compare to the ones I've seen of Cali then I would go in a heart beat.

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poco says on Apr 6, 2005, 12:51:

No problem Saft is not a problem in either city. Keep the number of a physician handy should your safty not return in 4 hours.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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Maciek says on Apr 6, 2005, 13:11:

?? can You explain what You mean please!!

I don't get it "number of a physician handy" !?!?!!?

Mike

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andrews says on Apr 6, 2005, 14:16:

was just there Seemed pretty safe to me. We hung mostly outside the Centro though, seemed a bit dicier down there. Stayed around the estadio and found the hood around there real calm, but w/ enough around to keep you busy, cheap too. I must say, Mde. had the highest percentage of pretty girs I have ever seen, though I haven't seen Cali yet. After seeing Calipro's photos I'm thinkin it might be my next adventure, though I heard that Mde is a prettier place.
It was safe enough that my buddy, who is not a seasoned traveller and a little on the skidish side, is planning his next vacation there.

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william_andrew_channell says on Apr 6, 2005, 14:37:

"Is Medellin safe?"

Are you crazy???

Didn't you know that all of Colombia is terribly dangerous and you are at risk for getting kidnapped at any moment in any place? Even at this very moment, all of you guys sitting in your apartments, at work or at the internet cafe, are oblivious to the fact that your next breath could be your last. So, NO!! Don't go! Just stay in the US or Europe or whatever other developed country you are writing from and don't risk it!

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utopiacowboy says on Apr 6, 2005, 14:46:

By all means, go and have a good time. If you are acquainted with some Colombians who live there and you trust them, follow their advice.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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toneloc24 says on Apr 6, 2005, 15:10:

Don't go The place is out of control.

After de-planing, you'll be asked whether you want to buy coke.......from the guy over there. They point to a shady looking "agent."

Once you reach customs, the agents in between snorts of coke will wave you through, bags unchecked.

English??? What's that?

You leave the airport to enter the throngs of taxistas who certainly only want to sell you to FARC. They'll even get into physical alterations right there in front of you, to fight for the right to kidnap you.

As you're getting into your kidnap-mobile, you see throngs of kids sniffing glue on the curb.

On the long 3 hour taxi ride to Poblado where your hotel will probably be located, through great scenery, just duck when you here gunfire. It's not meant for you. You'll encounter this several times over the course of the 3 hour tour.

You make it safely to your hotel, in an area very eerily representive of the pics in the National Geographic layout.

You head to the bar for a drink. The hot chica in the fatigues will try to spike your drink with something to get you loose. You're so fascinated by how she fills out the fatigues, she don't even notice. Didn't know fatigues were back in style, did ya?

Eventually, you wake up butt-naked with a burro hovering over you, and a incredible burning sensation emitting from your hindparts. And no, you didn't take him for a ride and fall off and hit your head and ass.

The kidnappers deem you worthless and decide to let you go, only after letting the burro have another go at you. Just for their sick entertainment.

You make it to the embassy. They believe you. They do nothing but ask whether the burro was underage, and whether you purchased any coke from the agents in immigration. They also ask why you're walking so funny.

You're eventually allowed to leave the country.

I'm telling you, dude, it's a common tale. Don't go to Medellin or any part of Colombia for that matter. It's completely uncivilized and lawless. LOL!!!!

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

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jpward444 says on Apr 6, 2005, 15:12:

william is wrong DO NOT LISEN TO WILLIAM. He is correct to a piont, rise factor for Meddellin is very high, but that just means to be aware of everything around you.and i truly thing Europe is more dangerous the colombia.


John P. Ward
757-620-0703

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utopiacowboy says on Apr 6, 2005, 15:22:

Great post, toneloc24! Very amusing.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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toneloc24 says on Apr 6, 2005, 15:35:

UC I had to do it.

All that is needed is to type in "Medellin safe" in the search box at the top of every page.

This topic been covered ad infinitum on this site. I'll be in Medellin on Friday, wearing a t-shirt that says "Gringo."

I'm that worried about safety.

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

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dwmte says on Apr 6, 2005, 15:44:

just get yourself a sandwich board and ... walk junin by the basilica.

friend...

medellin is plenty safe now. sure, stay alert and be wise, no matter how 'cool' it is, remember, it's still medellin.

i've lived there over a 15-16 year period and it's gone from hell-land utopia to just plain utopia. trust me, it's the best there is.

ladies, guys, places, food, clubs, countryside, fincas, trips, you name it, they got something (good) for everyone.

be alert, have fun, don't go to outter places without friend/family.

dw

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william_andrew_channell says on Apr 6, 2005, 17:37:

Come on JPWard, I was joking.

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Condorlisa Arroz says on Apr 6, 2005, 22:12:

Why should medellin not be safe? Its safer than NY, LA, and much more. CA Montañas de Colombia

CA Montañas de Colombia

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boomer says on Apr 7, 2005, 07:53:

re: is Medellin safe? Grab the Departamento Turístico Colombiano Video "La Vendora de Rosas" (available on DVD and Tape). See Medellin for yourself before you travel. You'll find all the hot tips for places to see and things to do on your first visit!!!???


ja,ja,ja!!!!!!!!!

orgullo_de_colombia

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2montoyk says on Apr 7, 2005, 08:29:

please that tape only shows the worst parts of medellin.. i lived there for 10 years and i never went to those places... so please be real... medellin is safe...

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toneloc24 says on Apr 7, 2005, 09:25:

2montoyk Please don't take any of us, at least me, serious on this thread. LOL!!!!

I'll be in Medellin tomorrow.

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

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utopiacowboy says on Apr 7, 2005, 11:40:

Is it safe to go to Medellin? Yes, of course. Is it safer than NY or LA? No, it is not. You have to take precautions there that you never have to take in New York. Do you have to take off all your jewelry before you go to Manhattan? You do if you're going to El Centro. This is the comment that drives me crazy and we've been through this a million times before. Everyone who lives in Medellin has been touched by crime or violence at some point. Having said that, yes it is safe for visitors especially if they have someone with them who knows the city and that they can trust.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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poco says on Apr 7, 2005, 11:54:

Boca Raton Florida is pretty safe Colombia is completely safe, the world suffers paranoid perceptions. However, Iraq is safer to work in than Medellin.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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dwmte says on Apr 7, 2005, 14:11:

if you read these posts... you'll feel about as re assured as a frog who just leapt into the camp fire.

medellin is safe. in the past 5 years, there has been a complete change in the safety there. HOWEVER...there are places in medellin that are not safe. so don't let these conflicting posts confuse you.

if you restrict your visiting to poblado, most of envigado and sabaneta and laureles, for all intents and purposes, you're good to go anywhere about these barrios, even with out escort..family/friend.

of course if you're new to medellin, you'll probably want a get-around companion. especially if you venture out of those just mentioned areas.

conduct yourself sensibly and you'll have no problems. explore with a reliable friend and you'll come away with many wonderful memories.

a few posters spoke of the 'vendadora de rosas'...well the grimmer parts weren't shot in medellin, rather on the hills in bello...don't go there. the other shots were on the rio medellin and around junin, la playa and oriental, downtown. those areas you'll probably see if you go downtown. the little restaurants in the film are along la playa.

happy trails.

dw

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utopiacowboy says on Apr 7, 2005, 16:07:

My question, DW, is how does the novice traveller to Medellin even know where these neighborhoods are even if you name them? You can say stay out of Bello but how would the guy even know where Bello is without someone helping him?

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Hunter says on Apr 7, 2005, 16:53:

Medellin They should check out a online map and ask advice on where to stay, here and elsewhere, when they get to Medellin they can ask where they are staying if the places are safe that they wish to visit.

When I first came to Medellin, I didn't know the names of the barrios and which was better etc. I didn't have any contacts here, I got a recomedation for a Hotel on another chat site, I was living in Ctg at the time, I asked a few friends there if the neighborhood that the hotel was in was OK, the rest I just winged.

A bit of research before travelling, helps out a lot.

Hunter

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utopiacowboy says on Apr 7, 2005, 17:29:

I agree with you, Hunter, and I wasn't trying to give DW a hard time even though it might have sounded like it. Although I have spent a fair amount of time in Medellin and I usually have my wife with me, at times I am not sure where I am. Some of the online map links that have been posted on the site are fantastic - I love that maporama site. The paisas themselves don't seem to believe in maps and sometimes this has led to a lot of wandering around.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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morphus says on Apr 7, 2005, 22:39:

it seemed safe until the locals told me i can get mugged walking around around at night. i even heard the taxi drivers will mug you. whenever i'm in a taxi i watch the drivers hands. if he makes any funny moves, i'm ready.

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Condorlisa Arroz says on Apr 7, 2005, 23:10:

morphus You also get mugged walking though the streets of NY or LA at night. Utopia is not entirely correct. NY and LA are more dangerous then Medallo and you can call youself lucky if you only get mugged in NY or LA. There you might even get yourself killed. CA Montañas de Colombia

CA Montañas de Colombia

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SantaFe con Cola says on Apr 7, 2005, 23:26:

Anybody got... Anybody got the phone number for that burro? I've got a buddy here in Bogota who owes me about a million pesos that I'd like to introduce him to.

;^)

Man you guys are bored. How about just... "Yes. Medellin is safe. Just be careful. Beware of the painfully gorgeous Paisas!"

...damn I love that commercial.

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poco says on Apr 8, 2005, 01:45:

Needs more discussion

"Yes. Medellin is safe. Just be careful. Beware of the painfully gorgeous Paisas!"

OK? Think this needs more threads? SAFTY IN MEDELLIN Begging on the street (not in astrato 6 neighborhoods for heavens sake) will assure an abdundant supply of an upwardly mobil generation that will be graduating from sniffing glue to the attainment of their dreams through crime. QUOTE: In Medellín, conditions are even worse. The government has abandoned the shantytowns to armed gangs (allied with left or right wing guerrillas, with drug cartels, or sometimes with the army), which are now the only law. These gangs force all young men (and young women) to join them, so teens must choose between becoming sicarios (assassins) or being killed. Many children prefer instead to flee to the streets of downtown or to leave the city. Will this be fixed soon? Think in generations. In the mean time be careful, ie: think PREY.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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morphus says on Apr 8, 2005, 02:27:

in New York and LA you can walk around downtown at night. there are lots of normal people around. theres a very small chance of getting mugged. if you walk around downtown Medellin at night people will tell you "pelegroso". i did'nt see anything out of the ordinary but they must know something i don't know. unless Colombians are just paranoid by nature....LOL.

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utopiacowboy says on Apr 8, 2005, 08:03:

This has never been a site where anyone let the facts confuse them. Consequently people say things like Medellin is safer than New York or LA all the time. In the interest of bringing in a little reality to the world of delusional fantasies, here are the facts. Even though New York and LA are far bigger cities than Medellin, in 2002 New York had 575 homicides, LA had 656 while Medellin had over 2000.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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elmodefoque says on Apr 8, 2005, 08:21:

UC, but most of the deaths in Medellin were accidents. Guy accidentally discharges his gun, while cleaning it, BANG!!! Blows some guys head off. Sometimes you’re checking your knife and slip on a banana peel and on your way down accidentally shove your knife into a guy’s neck. Shit happens.
Cops here in NYC are always shooting blacks and Hispanics by accident. A black pulls out a wallet, BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG………………….. 47 shots later, sorry it looked like a gun. Shit happens.

any colombianita willing to date me, IS UP TO NO GOOD

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carter says on Apr 8, 2005, 10:18:

UTC knowing barrios I think most tourists would know the barrios from maps in the guide books. Most of these books mention danger areas but books can become out of date pretty quickly. most travellers would also ask the hotel/hostal staff where is safe. if you were headed to a tourist attraction you should ask the hotel staff is it safe to walk there or should I get a taxi and is the area around it safe.

NY more dangerous than Medellin is a very stupid comment. Its safe enough to visit but anything you don't want stolen keep locked in the hotel safe as you have an increased chance of getting robbed here as you do in other cities.

I recommend Palm Tree Hostal if you want a safe place where they will give you helpful advice and are use to foriegn tourists.

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utopiacowboy says on Apr 8, 2005, 11:01:

Funny you say that, Elmo. That's exactly how my wife describes them. If a guy shoots and misses his target and kills someone else then she says that's an accident.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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poco says on Apr 8, 2005, 13:07:

Great idea This is a great idea. Need to explain in a funny way, accompanied with body actions for the best delivery. After that I can just say Banana?

This could become bigger than explaining why not to bend over to pick up the soap while showering in jail and just below giving the chickens names for proper identification at the dinner table.

BTW: It was an RARE accident. I think they have some kind of target range for practice. Hummm,, this is NOT an accident,, bad luck is closer.

I'd say mistaken identity would be more common. Attired in Columbia brand cutoffs, Raybans with a camera on one shoulder and the iPod with earphones pretty well eliminates this type of (bad luck).

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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Acadirector says on Apr 8, 2005, 17:11:

I'm paisa 110%, and I'll let you know...
I'll tell you about a couple of friends of mine. Mr. west, he was scared to death everytime he had to catch the metro late at night after teaching English downtown. He would stay away from poorly-lit places and never made conversation with strangers, and here's the funny part: he got mugged twice, once was near the site where a low-power home-made bomb went off, witness a stabbing, et al. On the other hand, Mr. Ward hung with dubious characters at much unlikely places for a foreigner. I happened to be his roommate, and was amazed to witness his rapport with the "parceros". He claimed that people in the most popular neighborhoods were the most honest and sincere. He was determined to immitate their mannerisms and language, because he wanted to become another "parcero". in the end to make it shorter than it has been so far, it's all a matter of attitude.

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morphus says on Apr 9, 2005, 05:24:

back in 1993, Medellin had about 8000 murders a year. now its about a 1000 a year. thats like 2 or 3 murders a day. so in a city of a couple of million people you have more or less a one in million chance of being murdered in Medellin each day.

also, out of all the murders in Medellin, only one American citizen has been murdered in Medellin in the last 10 years. the only bad thing about that statistic is there were'nt that many American tourists in Medellin in the last 10 years.

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British Paisa says on Apr 9, 2005, 05:56:

It should be safe as long as the girls that you met are from the right side.... i.e. if you spent your time hitting on every single grilla/bandida/sucia you saw in San Andres your time in Medellin may not be as enjoyable as her pillo/nea/escoria boyfriend will take care of you....

All the best and hope not to see you mentioned in the obituaries of 'EL COLOMBIANO'

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dwmte says on Apr 9, 2005, 17:27:

to answer your question cowboy... quite simply, ask. where am i?

poblado, envigado, sabaneta, sandiego...that's real easy to remember. ask anyone. if you're in bello, nobody's gonna tell you you're in poblado...first of all, in the hillside of bello (east) all conversation is with a gun. easy to translate.

i suggest to anyone who is in medellin for the first time to spend a couple of nights at the intercontinental...it's coo, laid back, not necessarily cheap, convenient, and safe. and you can meet folks, ask questions and get straight answers, get drunk and if it's part of the agenda, get laid. all under one roof.

when i was first there in '89, medellin was the wild west, killings and bombings going on around the clock, so a groovy, safe place to stay was essential. the hotel intercontinental provided that.

dw

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utopiacowboy says on Apr 9, 2005, 18:38:

You may be right, DW, but I wouldn't want to be in a situation where I was having to ask where I was and discovering the answer was "Bello". I did learn that with a few notable exceptions the higher up the hills you go, the worse the barrios are. Which is the opposite of here where the rich like to live in the hills overlooking a city and the higher up you go the richer you are.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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juanalejo says on Apr 9, 2005, 19:25:

Not exactly North Medellin could fit your description UC, but in El Poblado things also get more expensive the higher you go.

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utopiacowboy says on Apr 10, 2005, 08:26:

Yes, that is one of the notable exceptions I was thinking of.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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dwmte says on Apr 10, 2005, 08:40:

yes, cowboy... bello is all the way north, end of the metro line. you saw the film vendadora de rosas didn't you? well those scenes in the barrios were there. up on the hills in the univ. de los sicarios... it's a tough place and the life is very hard for the folks who live there/the children who grow up there. it isn't laden with positive uplifting input. i knew a family from there, and was invited to a lunch way back when i had no clue of where i was headed or who lived there. a real shocker. good thing i was a guest.

if one is in medellin, and is on the east side (poblado side) anyplace between sabaneta and san diego is safe. i can't imagine anyone telling you different. just below san diego as you enter downtown, is a place called nikitau...not safe. way wierd. dangerous.

just stay in your taxi as you pass through.

dw.

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GAP says on Apr 10, 2005, 18:49:

Yes, I believe Medellin is safe. I also happened to meet a really attractive girl from Bello (very appropriately named in my opinion), a city, which is part of the Medellin conurbation.

There are some areas that I wouldn't visit after dark e.g. Santo Domingo (at the top of the cable car system), but I had absolutely no problems in Medellin (probably because I am 250lbs and 6"3).

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utopiacowboy says on Apr 10, 2005, 19:19:

I'm a fairly good size too, GAP, about 210 and 6'2" but a midget with a gun could take me out. There is no shortage of small guys with guns in Medellin.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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British Paisa says on Apr 10, 2005, 23:35:

UC is right, it is very rare to see a fist fight in Colombia, probably due to the fact that someone normally ends up getting shot or stabbed, so most intelligent people just prefer to avoid confrontation with strangers.

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morphus says on Apr 11, 2005, 05:22:

Gap in the other thread you said you are 205lbs. 205 or 250? how much weight can you guys move in the gym?

i'm 5'11, 215lbs of solid muscle. i've bench pressed 400lbs in the gym. its not as good as a gun but makes people think twice before they mess with you.

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elmodefoque says on Apr 11, 2005, 07:12:

"if you spent your time hitting on every single grilla/bandida/sucia you saw in San Andres your time in Medellin may not be as enjoyable as her pillo/nea/escoria boyfriend will take care of you...." British Paisa.

Hey British Paisa, the girls you just described are the kind of women I like and the only ones I seem to attract. Where is this wonderful place in Medellin? I like to go there next time I visit medallo.

any colombianita willing to date me, IS UP TO NO GOOD

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Pauly says on Apr 14, 2005, 02:42:

Paul I'm a white male. If I walk through Harlem at night, I'm dead. That being said, most of the world is more dangerous than it was 20 years ago. Costa Rica is MUCH more dangerous, but it's still very safe. I've been to probably 40 countries, most 3rd world. New York was the most dangerous, followed by Rio, Los Angeles, London and New Orleans. Most third world countries are as safe as their 1st world counterparts. The safest places are where Arabs live. (Sorry to be politically incorrect, but arabs generally have ZERO tolerance for crime)

One intersting place, crime wise is India. I've walked through Bombay at midnight alone during the festival of lights with a wad of US $100 notes and never once felt threatened. I've you have any... how do I say this... spiritual problems, go to India. God lives there 24/7. When you see desperately poor people who don't know where lunch is coming from who drag their children around and will bless you 100 times over for giving you the equivilent of a quarter and never dream of trying to steal your money, it gives you faith in human nature you can't imagine. It also helps you understand what gutter slime thieves are.

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utopiacowboy says on Apr 14, 2005, 11:11:

New Orleans is far more dangerous than NYC.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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andres_duarte says on May 25, 2005, 21:54:

About Medellín Hi to all you guys, found this site by coincidence searching other things about Medellín, Let me tell you about this city as I happen to live there (or here).
In the first place, I cannot ignore the internal conflict and violence situation of my country Colombia, but you all must know that Colombian cities are safe places for foreign visitors, you can visit cities like Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Barranquilla, Bucaramanga, Cartagena, Santa Marta and the ‘Eje Cafetero’ which is composed of around five small cities or ‘towns’ as you call them (Pereira, Manizales, Armenia, and others). Do not visit places like ‘Los llanos’, Villavicencio, ‘Urabá’, Córdoba, Putumayo, Caquetá or the Amazon region (if you want to see the Amazon go to Brazil). The places you shouldn’t visit is because they have guerrilla and ‘paramilitares’ conflict, and foreign people are not safe at all in those places.

In second place, let me tell you that I get to know many foreign visitors from Europe, North America and Asia because of my work and hobbies. I work with foreign people that are established here, and a lot of their friends and relatives come to visit them every year without any problem.

If you want to visit Colombia I recommend you visit cities like Bogotá, Medellín (of course), Cali and the ‘Eje Cafetero’. I’ve visited most of the cities mentioned above (even some of those which are in the conflict area and are beautiful places like Urabá and Córdoba). Personally, I like to visit Bogotá and Cali, I don’t like much the coast cities (or ciudades costeras as we call them here like Barranquilla, Santa Marta and Cartagena even so they are beautiful and have a lot of tourism infrastructure). Of all the places I’ve seen in Colombia I prefer Medellín in 1st. place and Bogotá on 2nd.

If you want some REAL information on Medellín, feel free to contact me and I’ll be glad to send you info, pics (as I’m a journalist) and related stuff on Colombian cities, if you want foreign testimonies I’ll get you in touch with people from Europe, Middle East, Asia and North America who I know and live here in Medellín.

Have a nice traveling wherever your destiny is!!

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eafit2005 says on May 26, 2005, 10:07:

well...I am sitting in some internet cafe in Florencia (way up the mountain in the north, other side of the metrocable) right now. I would say Medellin is pretty safe if you can even go to those areas without feeling threatened. However, this could change rather rapidly, especially in some areas. Here, and even more in some barrios close by, the Paras still have a lot to say. Yesterday the jailed one of their leader and consequently the Paras threatened to attack and burn buses which go to the center. -- I had to wait for an hour to get on the metro at Poblado cause of those idiots, cause no bus driver deared to get on his bus ;-)
So..its safe, but dont take it for granted, if negotiations between the Paras and the government breake down it could get more ugly.

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morphus says on May 26, 2005, 11:06:

i heard bus are not running in Medellin. not very safe right now. its safer to stay home and watch TV.

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BxUnika says on May 26, 2005, 11:21:

Re: JPWard and i truly thing Europe is more dangerous the colombia.

Care to share your statistics? Every expert would disagree with you.

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BxUnika says on May 26, 2005, 11:28:

What Planet Do YOu Live On? "Why should medellin not be safe?
Its safer than NY, LA, and much more."

No, it's not. Your murder rate is several trimes what ours is, NYC is own of the safest major cities in the US. Kidnapping are almost unheard of, so I really wonder where a lot of you people are getting your information from. Maybe it's that naive "What you don't know (can't see/can't hear/ignore) won't hurt you". Well, dear, every country's government would strongly disagree with you as each country has warnings about travel there. It's rated one of the most dangerous countries with the highest kidnapping rate in the world. It's only "safe" until you or a friend or family gets robbed or kidnapped or hurt. I can't believe how naive some peopke here are.

The crime rates in places here like the South Bronx, Harlem, East NY, and Bed-Stuy are several times lower than any major Colombian city, yet very few people have the casual attitude and just tell tourists, "Sure, the South Bronx is perfectly safe. Don't worry! All those crimes you see on TV, read about, and hear about? Those are rumors!". Give me a break.

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BxUnika says on May 26, 2005, 11:39:

Agreed "Is it safe to go to Medellin? Yes, of course."

It should be more like, if you take precautions you can expert reasonable safety. If it were "safe" we wouldn't have our governments warning us against traveling there nor would there be the skyhigh murder and kidnapping rate it has. How can you say that is safe? When asked if it's safe, the answer is more like "???......"

"Is it safer than NY or LA? No, it is not. You have to take precautions there that you never have to take in New York. Do you have to take off all your jewelry before you go to Manhattan? You do if you're going to El Centro."

Exactly. I lived in a neighborhood in the Bronx that is known for drugs. I would venture to say that most of you would not walk around that area at night. Curiously, the same people who would be afraid to walk around the Bronx at night are telling everyone that Medellin (and Bogota and Cali and Manizales...) are perfectly safe when that's obviously not the truth. I would be a liar if I told you where I lived was perfectly safe and that there was a chance you'd get mugged or robbed while there at night.

"This is the comment that drives me crazy and we've been through this a million times before. Everyone who lives in Medellin has been touched by crime or violence at some point. Having said that, yes it is safe for visitors especially if they have someone with them who knows the city and that they can trust"

Exactly! I have never been to Colombia, but my friends and boyfriend are honest and say that at least at first it would not be such a great idea for me to travel alone in Colombia (and I am from NYC, not a rural area where there is no crime). It seems that many people on here are either in denial or just naive. For example, CaliPro once said "Los Angeles and all of NYC is morte dangerous than Cali". Can you say wishful thinking?

I know I'll probably be attacked, but people come here for actual advice and answers, not to be told what they want to here. For all of you guys who are alive and have never been harmed or had friends/family harmed in Colombia, there are thousands of tourists and natives who...well, let's just say they are not around to tell us about it. I have had friends who were robbed and who have had family members murdered in places some here like to call "safe".

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BxUnika says on May 26, 2005, 11:58:

My last Comments "They should check out a online map and ask advice on where to stay, here and elsewhere, when they get to Medellin they can ask where they are staying if the places are safe that they wish to visit."

Well, see, that would work but 1) there are very few travel books available on Colombia (even here in NYC it's hard a lot) and 2) this is precisely what the board is for, but it's not help when some wide-eyed idealist tells you "Oh, Medellin is perfectly safe". That doesn't answer the question.

"in New York and LA you can walk around downtown at night. there are lots of normal people around. theres a very small chance of getting mugged. if you walk around downtown Medellin at night people will tell you "pelegroso". i did'nt see anything out of the ordinary but they must know something i don't know. unless Colombians are just paranoid by nature....LOL."

I have never been to LA, but I live in Washington Heights (El Pequeno Santo Domingo) and lived in the Bronx and I usually felt safe walking there at night (I know a lof of people don't). Getting mugged or robbed isn't uncommon in those areas, but then again, most tourists are not wondering around Grand Concourse or Webster Ave. at 3 AM.

"I'm a white male. If I walk through Harlem at night, I'm dead."

That's total BS. I walk through there almost every night (to get the subway) and have been doing it for years and have lived in other marginal neighborhoods (see abpve) and I am not only White, but I'm a blonde with blue-eyes and a 22 year old girl. If you are afaid of Harlem, I'd say you should hide under your bed at the prospect of going to Colombia.

"New York was the most dangerous, followed by Rio, Los Angeles, London and New Orleans. Most third world countries are as safe as their 1st world counterparts."

Where do you get your info from? Except for maybe London, we are the safest one of those cities you listed.

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poco says on May 26, 2005, 12:05:

Wrong Location I'd say you should hide under your bed at the prospect of going to Colombia

More fun to hide on the top.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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morphus says on May 26, 2005, 12:36:

anybody that lived in the Bronx or East NY would laugh if they went to Medellin. the danger in Medellin is either a joke or hidden somewhere in the city that tourists don't go. if the murder rate was really that high you would witness at least one murder or see somebody dead in the street. i have spent about 2 months in Medellin and have'nt seen anything yet. i never even heard gunshots. people tell me the north is very dangerous. maybe there but who goes there?

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litost says on May 26, 2005, 16:20:

just in response to andres_duarte:

The tip of the colombian amazon, namely Leticia and the Amacayacu National Park, are very safe areas and although I haven´t had the luck to go there myself, many friends have and talk wonders about the jungle there and the things to do, right on the border with Brazil (tabatinga). I agree that Urabá, Putumayo and the Llanos are not recommended for a foreigner with no knowledge of Colombia.

On the subject:

Medellin is about as safe as the average latinamerican city... if the statistics still show it as having a very high murder rate, it is mainly because of guerilla and paramilitary militias which fight over control in the poorest "comunas" in the northern part of the Valle de Aburrá... in the rest of the city, take the usual precautions without getting paranoid, things are pleasant and entertaining unless you happen to have very bad luck.

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utopiacowboy says on May 26, 2005, 18:11:

Can you stop telling everyone that Cordoba is not safe? If you don't know what you are talking about, and you don't, don't say anything at all. Have you even been to Monteria? My wife is right, this site is for morons with nothing better to do than spread misinformation. Oh I forgot, it's only for entertainment.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Rubiazo says on May 26, 2005, 20:57:

I'm in South Bronx every day... And I'm there at all hours. I ride my BIKE up and down Concourse, Webster, Jerome, you name it.
Concourse has never really been that dangerous. It's too wide open; too easy for people to see you doing your shit.
Even in its worst days for crime (early 90s) NYC was a LOT safer than a lot of the rest of North America. Really, it can't even compare to Baltimore, DC, LA, Detroit, Buffalo, Cleveland, a whole lot of other places.
The Bronx got its bad reputation not because it really was the worst of the worst, but just because of how NICE it once was and how far and how fast it fell. I work in Highbridge and Morrisania which are just about the two worst neighborhoods in the Bronx, and the worst thing that ever happened to me was some crackhead came up to me and offered to give me a blowjob for 50 cents (said I didnt need a condom either, eeech!!!).
These days NYC's overall crime rate is at a 45 year low. It sucks because we are being policed to death here (sometimes literally!) but if you still think NYC is a dangerous place you just haven't travelled that much.
I love Rio and I love Bogota a lot more than NYC but I wouldn't say they are less dangerous, not by a long shot. As I posted in another thread, my novia's friend got shot in a carjacking, just sitting in traffic in his car in the middle of rush hour in centro. That sort of shit just doesn't go down here. And Bogota and Medellin are neck and neck for crime.

Another big myth is that rural areas are safer than big cities. People who think this are the same people who think that the interstates are 'rural'. The only time I really worried about my safety was in a rural area in Puerto Rico. They were actually forming a posse on us and we had to SPRINT for the car and squeal away. This is true for me anywhere I've travelled, but certainly true in Colombia OR Brazil. And that border area where Brazil Colombia and Venezuela meet in the Amazon is a definite no-go unless you bring your own platoon of bodyguards.

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daver says on May 26, 2005, 23:10:

"bus are not running in Medellin. not very safe right now. its safer to stay home and watch TV."

I live in Medellin, and today (the 26th) I walked to the Poblado Metro Station to meet my wife so we could go see a medical specialist downtown (near Centro Colombo Americano). We took the Metro to the San Antonio stop and walked to the clinic. We walked around for a bit after and had lunch at a greasy spoon near the Colombo. We walked back to the Metro (Parque Barrio stop) and went to talk to my wife's sister for a bit.

We then took the Metro to Envigado to get a suit (I went by myself, and my wife back to work) I need for a wedding (rented) and then I walked to the Metro Station in Envigado (I forget the name of the stop, but its near a Nissan Dealership), and went back to the Poblado Metro stop, and walked to my apartment in Castropol (near Hotel Belfort).

I can't be certain, but I think I saw between 500 and 10,000 buses running in Medellin, packed to the tits with people, and Medellin was as safe as ever.

I think the problem was only in the north of the city.

Just so know stupid rumours start going around....

Dave

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morphus says on May 27, 2005, 02:02:

my girl in Medellin said she could'nt get a bus to go to her univeristy in Sabeneta. that was wednesday. it must be back to normal now.

Rubianzo, the Bronx became the worlds most famous ghetto from all those burned down buildings in the 70s. there was'nt any place else in the U.S. that looked so horrible. it looked like the end of the world.

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daver says on May 27, 2005, 10:47:

"Rubianzo, the Bronx became the worlds most famous ghetto from all those burned down buildings in the 70s. there was'nt any place else in the U.S. that looked so horrible. it looked like the end of the world."

There are places that were worse, and are worse.

I have family that lives in Windsor Ontario. They told me about the riots in Detroit (1969? 1962?). People in Windsor got out their lawn chairs, sat by the river, and watched a lot of Detroit burn to the ground. I guess the police were chasing black dudes onto the US-Canada bridge, they were jumping into the river, and the cops shooting into the water at them.

I went to a concert in a bad area of Cincinatti (2001)... and it was much worse then my trip to see a Yankees game in the Bronx (1989). My buddy and I went to a fast food place afterwords... Him, me and about 400 mean looking black dudes.... nothing happened to us.

When I worked in California, I droped of some parts to be machined at a shop in a bad area of Oakland. Needless to say, I was a bit nervous (here I was, a white Canadian, in the middle of 99% black ghetto, with a little ol Nissan Sentra, with Kentucky plates). I got out of there fine (and fast!).

The worst neighbourhoods I have seen in my life are here in Colombia (the only third world country that I've been to). I hate to say it, but its true.

Dave

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Lionheart says on May 27, 2005, 17:14:

Medellin on Wednesday Colombian Police Extend Hunt for Militant
By DAN MOLINSKI, Associated Press Writer
Thu May 26,10:41 PM ET

Hundreds of police on Thursday pursued a powerful right-wing paramilitary leader accused of killing a state congressman.

President Alvaro Uribe ordered the arrest arrest of Diego Fernando Murillo this week, throwing peace negotiations with the paramilitary groups into turmoil just days before Congress is expected pass an amnesty bill that would bring about a final peace deal.

In a display of his power, paramilitary groups that Murillo controls protested the arrest order by directing all buses in Medellin to stop working Wednesday, and said they would burn any bus seen on the road.

The paramilitaries were created decades ago to attack leftist guerrilla groups that have been fighting to overthrow the government for 41 years. But these rightist groups quickly began a dirty war of their war and have used drug trafficking to fund their efforts.

Uribe ordered the arrest of Murillo and suspended him from the talks after prosecutors accused him of killing the congressman near the peace talks zone on April 10.

Some 750 police, including anti-drug agents and special forces, began searching for Murillo Tuesday in the 240-square-mile safe haven in northwest Colombia where the peace talks are held with the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, or AUC.

Government officials met with the rest of the leaders of the AUC leaders, early Thursday morning to express their desire to keep peace talks going without Murillo, but the chieftains gave no immediate response.

Murillo once allegedly ran a team of assassins used by Pablo Escobar's Medellin cocaine cartel.

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Hunter says on May 27, 2005, 17:40:

Sananeta & buses I also saw plenty of buses around, maybe it only afected some of the barrios to the North of the City.

Morphus where is the University in Sabaneta?

I have walked around many parts of Medellin for the last 2.5 years, with no problems, yet I was in London for 3 weeks in April and had two problems on the street there in the afternoon both times. People can say what they want, but I find Medellin far safer than London.

Hunter

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Rubiazo says on May 27, 2005, 18:56:

The worst I've seen Are some of the indian reservations in the north of Canada, and some of the nastier small towns. And this is including Detroit, New Orleans, Newark, all of NYC, LA, all of Canada except the maritimes, half of the DR, half of PR, Rio, and Bogota as well as many other areas.

The first time I went down to the DR they took me to the worst ghetto in Santiago to try and shock me and 'show me the difference between DR and Canada'. I was surprised that it wasn't nearly as bad as some areas of Canada I'd seen. I told them they needed to travel more if they thought THAT was a bad area.

BTW the Detroit riots started in 1968. I have family in and around Detroit and in Sarnia who lived through all of it. They say the city has never fully recovered :(

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morphus says on May 28, 2005, 10:39:

University in Sabaneta Hunter, i went there once. you walk up the main drag pass all the bars. then you follow a path thats next to a stream. its on top of a steep hill.

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Hunter says on May 28, 2005, 10:49:

On the way to Doctora?

I thought there was only a school/college up there, I will ask my friends.

Hunter

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morphus says on May 28, 2005, 10:56:

not sure maybe its a college. its not very big. she calls it a university.

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Hunter says on May 28, 2005, 12:05:

morphus I just had a chat with my friend at my local cafe, he lives in La Doctora and he confirmed that there are two universitys there.

I didn't think there was any in Sabaneta, I have walked around most of the town, but never been further than the discos on the road to La Doctora, which is the next village/small town after Sabaneta.

Hunter

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dwmte says on May 28, 2005, 13:37:

i'm skipping the comments and ..... just replying to the question...

no, don't go there. it's unsafe and you probably wont live to tell about the adventure.

just stay away. it's dangerous...beyond your wildest beliefs.

now, you might try doing a search on safety in medellin on the upper right side of each thread. few subjects have been more hashed over than this.

dw

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morphus says on May 28, 2005, 21:14:

Medellin is not 100% safe but safe enough. i'm a firm believer that when its your time to go, its your time to go. you can make it back from Medellin alive but then end up dying a boring death alone at home choking on some food.

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Gadianton says on Jun 8, 2005, 15:51:

Safer Than It Was, But No Again, some of the comparisons on here are bizarre! London's one of the bonafide, safest cities in the world. I have many friends in London and hardly any of them think it's dangerous AT ALL. Interestingly, the only ones who do tend to read too much of the more sensationalist newspapers in the UK.

In almost every year of the last 15, Medellin has had multiple times as many murders as larger cities such as L.A., New York and of course *sniggers* London! Rio's normally safer than Medellin but a lot more dangerous than those cities as well.

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Hunter says on Jun 9, 2005, 14:29:

Gadianton I am afraid the only English newspaper I read is the FT, I just see things with my own eyes and see what happens to people around me.

But as stated many times the rate of murders per city doesn't mean anything, but I believe it is a waste of time talking to you, because you seem to be one of these people who follow stats religiously, such as your example about Bogota in another thread, where you quoted a prediction from the BBC based on what, oh stats again.

Have you ever been to Colombia, I suspect that you haven't because you would be to afraid after reading the stats.

Hunter

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Gadianton says on Jun 9, 2005, 17:10:

Hunter Firstly Hunter, I have been to Colombia. Medellin, Bogota and Cali. Secondly, you said stats don't mean anything? Now let me get this right. You're saying that Medellin, which has many multiple times the murders of London (a far larger city too), is a lot safer????

I was in London recently and I wouldn't describe it as even dangerous man! Try telling the families of the [normally anyway] thousands of murder victims per annum in Medellin that stats don't mean jack. You're not even defending Medellin, merely insulting peoples intelligence and what the slum dwellers have to go through.

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utopiacowboy says on Jun 12, 2005, 10:47:

There is a direct correlation between the AUC controlling the city and the homicide rate. If the AUC controlled the entire country as it does Cordoba, Colombia would be very safe and you could travel freely everywhere. Sure they're murdererous narcos but they do bring a measure of stability.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Mike19 says on Jun 22, 2007, 20:53:

Any know anything about the el poblado area near the nice EL TESORO MALL in medellin. I heard its really nice and was wondering if anyone been there and can comment on the safety in that area - thanks!

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parcero says on Aug 12, 2007, 03:09:

colombia is safe to travel if ur a foreigner it should be relatively safe but always remember to still be cautious as anything can happen. colombia and places like medellin are only dangerous if u actually live there as witness alot of things my grandpa for example had a gun pointed to his head and had his car hijacked, in medellin but dnt get me wrong if ur a foreigner wanting to travel to colombia do so but i do not advise that u live here.

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