Popayan - San Agustin - Tierradentro Safety

Desideria (Moderator) says on Apr 17, 2007, 10:11:

The Popayán -San Augustin road cuts through guerrilla country and is considered unsafe. The road is also affected by many landslides and washouts when it rains. I wouldn't take that road to San Augustin myself but if I wanted to go (which I do) I'd go via Neiva. It's not totally safe either, but the risk of being kidnapped or robbed is smaller.

Cheers,
Desi

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe
they are free." —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

0 funny, 0 helpful.

PetHen says on Apr 18, 2007, 01:07:

No Worries Just been there myself - everyone was very friendly, and the sites were wonderful...especially Tierradentro. I travelled solo from Popayan - Tierradentro - San Agustin - Neiva. I had a few warnings about the road to Neiva, but travelled in the day and had no problems. I met plenty of other people making the loop you suggest and didn't hear of any problems.

Take the usual precautions and you'll have a great time!

Pete

0 funny, 0 helpful.

olafgypsy says on Apr 18, 2007, 13:10:

Thanks The people over at lonelyplanet have corroborated the general consenus here, i.e. that the area has been pretty quiet recently. Consequently I don't think I'll miss out on seeing it. But if it's rainy I will definitely give the Popayan-San Agustin road a miss . . . I was in a dodgy jeep on a muddy dirt road during a thunderstorm one time near Cartagena, and that was one time too many for me ;)

0 funny, 0 helpful.