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Requesting Info on Palmira

Hello all. I've searched and read prior threads containing comments on Palmira and wanted to solicit additional information. Here's some of what I've obtained from searching old posts:

-Palmira has 300k+ residents and is NE of Cali; Cali airport is actually in S. Palmira.
-Not a whole lot to do in Palmira itself, but it is surrounded by beautiful natural scenery.
-While overall Palmira is relatively safe, there is an underbelly of problems.
-The barrio El Olimpico and Las Mercedes are on the "good' side of town.
-Locals advise to be careful and watch wallet.
-Take a scenic trip to Buga and on to Tulua
-Best sanchoco in Ginebra at Molino Viejo or El Viejo Juancho
-Decent restaurant across street from the bombero in downtown.
-Be wary of cabs and be around a person who knows Palmira.

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To provide a little background info, my Espanol is limited to stringing 3 or 4 words together and using hand/face/body language; I am a gringo who most certainly will not blend in with locals; I'm not the loud, obnoxious type or one who wears a tourist fanny/money pack, nor do I wear flashy clothing or jewelry, etc., but I will not be mistaken for anything other than a gringo. All 30+ days I've spent visiting Colombia in the past year have been in Cartagena (El Centro, Bocagrande, El Laguito); I will be meeting up with a lady friend (Colombiana) in Palmira, but she is not a local of Palmira, nor is she a well-experienced traveller/visitor to other cities. Now, here are my follow-up questions:

1. As to the safety type statements above---what are they resulting from? Street crime because of lack of opportunity and impoverished residents in certain areas of town? Narcos and related criminal/turf activity? Can anybody be a little more specific in describing the underbelly of problems that would affect the safety of a foreign visitor so that I can put it in proper perspective?

2. Does anyone have any knowledge of where I might find a decent hotel or apartamento in Palmira? I'd prefer to have air conditioning, hot shower (private), internet access, etc., and don't mind paying up to $125,000 COP or so a night for good accomodations. My Colombiana friend has been told by an amiga to try the Hotel Las Mercedes. Anyone know of this hotel, its location ,etc.?

3. Below is the information I found on the net for hotels in Palmira----does anyone have any knowledge to share regarding any of these hotels or whether they are located in a desirable part of the city?

http://palmira.gov.co/palmira/paginas/visite_palmira_hoteles.htm

4. Anymore restaurant recommendations or "must-sees" for the area? I will be there for 4 or 5 nights, but can head North to stay a couple of nights in Armenia, etc.

5. The comment from a prior thread of being wary of cabs---ok, I assume this alludes to set-up for mugging/robbery---what is the solution? Call central transponder to send cab, have hotel, restaurant, etc., call for cab, etc.? Also, from the Cali Airport, I presume it is best to just take a taxi onto where I would be staying in Palmira.

Any additional info from those who have visited Palmira or know the area is welcomed and greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

By briarblue on Jul 14, 2008, 06:34 in Friendly Talkzone.

GregYohn says on Jul 14, 2008, 07:09:

Hola!

My GF is from Cali and I have been to Colombia 13 times, but 12 with her!

Basically, ask your GF what to do! Any basic information about the place will not be as good as what she considers the best! In general, you will have to go to the BIG CITY, Cali, for the major places for fun. That is the reason people live in Cali, instead of far from there.

We use buses and cabs in Cali. They are fine, but some taxi drivers drive fast. They have licenses, so they tend to be VERY safe concerning being robbed! Expect to use alot of taxis and go with buses with her if she wants to save you money, but when you do not need to save time.

Cartagena is easier to get around than Cali. Look at Palmira with an online map so you know what it looks like! We go to local malls for fun! We like Palmetto Mall or Jardin Plaza since we are down in the South. Expect to just go and visit family, friends, and local stores nearby. The Sports Bar at that mall is good for a date. We eat BABY BEEF at the mall food court, watch a movie at the movie theatre there, and then finish off at the Fanaticos Sport's Bar. Well, it is what locals do for fun!

I got my GF a new computer when I got there, since her old one was the WORST looking functioning computer I ever saw! One place we visited was the 40-50 computer store mall in Cali after looking at the Carrefour and saw garbage machines. We use it all the time and its a great investment. You look like a nice guy also afterwards, but it made our romance expand even more!

You could go to the top of Three Crosses in Cali to look over the city. Locals like showing up there and it is fun to go to the top! Well, too bad you will need to take taxis and buses everywhere. We have friends and family drive us in their cars too! Take a bus to Cali and a taxi to the top!

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

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Mononoke28 says on Jul 14, 2008, 08:50:

We lived in Palmira when I was a kid and all I remember is all the freaking wasps eveywhere. God those things are awful!

Then in 2007 my husband took me back to the barrio we lived in to see what it looked like and it was as if time stood still, nothing had changed. Even the old kiddie park was still there with the same swings and slides.

Palmira is just aight.

Diana

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briarblue says on Jul 14, 2008, 15:58:

Thanks for the info Greg and Mononoke. We probably won't spend much if any time in Cali...although that could change. I'm hoping to learn more about Palmira and also in regards to doing some sightseeing North from there.

Thanks again!

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osuspain says on Jul 14, 2008, 19:43:

take a bus trip to buga it is about 45 minutes from palmira if I remember correctly. Palmira is a small place where even the some of the locals I came in contact with were like WTF is here.

The shopping center El 14, centro, a pool. I took salsa lessons while I was there that was cool.

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Cerealkiller says on Jul 15, 2008, 00:03:

Briar If i were you I'd stay in Cali and then Id go check Palmira out. I've been there a couple of times and the pueblo is a dump.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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Mononoke28 says on Jul 15, 2008, 07:47:

I can honestly say there isn't much to do in Palmira but you can go to different towns in one day and make the best of it. What we used to do when I was a kid there was go to an estadero called Los Cerezos and always had a great time. Great food, drinks and pools.

Diana

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