Single travel - safe or not safe?

esanch36 says on Sep 10, 2008, 08:30:

do you speak spanish?

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esanch36 says on Sep 10, 2008, 08:31:

I too would be a little wary of letting a friend out by himself untill he had spent some time here and got to know all the scams they try and pull on gringos

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pavo says on Sep 10, 2008, 08:35:

But then there are gringos stumbling around Medellin wasted at all hours with people they don't even know and usually nothing happens to them. Cool head in Colombia is usually safe.

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Sebastian says on Sep 10, 2008, 08:49:

Post a picture of what you look like and I´ll let you know if an average Colombian thief would either like to kidnap or rob you. Seriously a photo would give me a better idea. but really it depends on where you are and what you are doing and also remember that Colombians get robbed all the time not just gringos.

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nueva york bombero says on Sep 10, 2008, 08:53:

I have traveled all over Colombia alone. Never a problem.
Maybe I've been lucky. Maybe I'm more street smart than the usual gringo?
Who knows? But don't be afraid to get out there and explore....

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GregYohn says on Sep 10, 2008, 09:13:

Hola!

Novias are a bit over protective!

At first when I was getting cervezas in Cali at the end of the block my novia would rush to greet me before I would leave the place. I talked with people along my way! I just took too long and she was afraid! Now, I can hang out and drink two beers and she is not greeting me there!

I was alone walking around BAQ at night in April for 2 hours and she was not nervous!

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

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nueva york bombero says on Sep 10, 2008, 09:18:

Maybe she's not concerned anymore because you leave the toilet seat up?

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dwmte7 says on Sep 10, 2008, 09:45:

to be short...i've been doin downtown (centro) and it's outskirts for twenty years and i'm here to talk about it. there are three barrios to avoid...triste and nikitau both near down town and areas east of bello. just avoid these like the plague and conduct yourself like an adult, respecting those around you and as you noted, use a good measure of common sense and you should be good to go.

dwmte

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Peter (Moderator) (Trustee board) (Dev team) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Sep 10, 2008, 10:27:

DodgerDogs says on Sep 10, 2008, 10:41:

Most gringos never leave Bogota , Medellin or Cartagena.
Colombia is safe !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

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GregYohn says on Sep 10, 2008, 10:54:

Hola!

Gringos are so rare in Cali that people look at me and say I am German or Italian in Cali!

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

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bigtexas1974 says on Sep 10, 2008, 11:14:

"However, they still insisted that it is unsafe to travel alone (even downtown Medellin) for Americans. Do you think this true or an exaggeration?" - Too general of a question considering almost every bit of the situation depends on you, your street-smarts, your image, what you are doing and why, your knowledge of the area, your ability to communicate effectively, etc, etc, etc.

However I find that most "warnings" issued by other common tourists don't apply, of course I am slightly more street-smart than most so would be much less apt to talk negatively or cautiously about a location. ANY place can be dangerous!

Something I have always found funny are these educated world travelers that come to Colombia once or twice and feel they can give good advice. The best yet is when they say to stay in Poblado to stay safe. Your chances (as an extranjero) of getting robbed, scammed, mishandled or screwed over increase 1000% as soon as you walk into the town.

"Sex is one of the most wholesome, beautiful, and natural experiences money can buy." - Steve Martin "You don't appreciate a lot of stuff in school until you get a little older. Little things, like getting spanked every day by a middle aged woman."

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tomtom33 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Sep 10, 2008, 11:16:

dwmte7 says on Sep 10, 2008, 11:25:

over the years, i developed a habit....if i don't know where i'm going, i act like i do.

dwmte

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dwmte7 says on Sep 10, 2008, 11:32:

down town is big....you might say, there's down town and then there's DOWN town. any place between la playa, oriental and the street on the front of nutibara is ok. going way below la playa starts to get iffy. behind the nutibara, beyond the metro....why the f**k would you want to go there anyway? east of oriental is fine, prada. interesting 'old medellin' great old houses. no problems there. trieste and nikitau (nikatau is an area when you're in a taxi going downtown from centro san diego and you go the back way, you pass through a real funky section with feas hangin outta the window and dispossessed yelling and basically, meyhem everywhere....a no go. very dangerous. it's dangerous for those who live there...can be deadly for those who don't. i used to have to go to a foundry in there that made our brass door pulls and other items and i'll tell you...;truly one of the shadiest places in medallo.

after one develops their colombian ships legs and gets to know the turf, you can trust your internal senses to guide you, but be sure you really feel like you know your footing.

dwmte

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Peter (Moderator) (Trustee board) (Dev team) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Sep 10, 2008, 13:31:

IloveCidy says on Sep 10, 2008, 14:12:

I just got back from the center of the city. I think it is safe. I would watch out for the street kids some of them are crazy with sniffing glue. Also, I did see two homeless ladies beating each other with their shoes. Nobdoy broke it up until the police came. They were there in less than a minute.

I miss my novia!

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capt_j says on Sep 10, 2008, 14:25:

This question comes up frequently. The only time I have felt freaked out in Colombia is out in the country at night. Never at all in daylight in Medellin or Bogota. I walked around centro (Medellin) one afternoon and told my friend about it, and she was like "I cannot *believe* you did that!" She was particularly upset I was in Parque Bolivar. Her dad said there were a lot of muggers around there. I honestly can't say if this is because it really is safe or because I'm blissfully ignorant of the danger.

I'm a big guy, but I can't believe two little guys with knives would have any compunctions about attacking me. I'm also blond and pale and I get a lot of stares, sometimes hostile.

I would think as long as you don't go anyplace too scummy and don't look lost or confused, no one will bother you. I was looking into a bookstore window near Parque Bolivar and a girl of about 13 with braces, middle class or better appearing, tried to talk to me but I couldn't understand her.

I think somebody should write a FAQ on this, as vague and general as it would have to be. I think the best rule of thumb is if you see a lot of cheap red brick and iron bars around you, you are in the wrong place.

Tomtom, where would you not go in centro? Is any rule of thumb applicable or do you just have to know the area well?

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Monita Linda says on Sep 10, 2008, 14:46:

I think it is hard for foreigners new to Colombia to know which places are safe and which not. I have been (sometimes alone) in the nastiest places of Cali or Palmira and nothing happened. Now I wouldn't even think of going there..............

Poor but Preppy ______Colombia: the only risk is wanting to lay.

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tomtom33 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Sep 10, 2008, 15:30:

Lon7 says on Sep 10, 2008, 15:55:

Medellin is very dangerous! Especially for Americans. Kidnappings, killings, people drugged and never heard from again each and every day. I wouldn't go there. Have you tried Miami?

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machin1967 says on Sep 10, 2008, 17:43:

I have been to many areas of Barranquilla, Cartagena, Santa Marta, Cali, Bucaramanga and have never even seen any kind of violent crime whatsoever. Just smoking a little weed, a little coke. But never a robbery, fight, nothing. And I was out at all times of the day and night....in very rough areas. I am not saying it cannot happen....but I feel safer in all those places than in downtown Phoenix, Pittsburgh, or Miami.

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tomtom33 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Sep 10, 2008, 18:31:

Lon7 says on Sep 10, 2008, 18:33:

Just last week a guy was beheaded in Parque Lleras near the Dann Carlton.

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dwmte7 says on Sep 10, 2008, 19:29:

welcome to colombia...now go home.

dwmte

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panthdave says on Sep 10, 2008, 19:33:

There definitely areas in Miami or Caracas I would be more afraid of then in Medellin.....

panthdave Miami

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ozgringo says on Sep 11, 2008, 06:01:

"Medellin is very dangerous! Especially for Americans. Kidnappings, killings, people drugged and never heard from again each and every day. I wouldn't go there. Have you tried Miami?"

Just get yourself one of these and you will be safe..

http://www.chezlark.com/?p=93

tried to think of something deep to write here.. but couldn't think of anything..

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pavo says on Sep 11, 2008, 06:43:

All rhetoric aside, Colombia is a country that demands repect, self awareness and common sense. The word "pilas" sums it up.

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dwmte7 says on Sep 11, 2008, 06:49:

wtf do 'pilas' have to do with respect?

i persoally recommend the 'mexican express card' don't leave home without it.

dwmte

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pavo says on Sep 11, 2008, 07:10:

I don't know. Sounded profound! hehe

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dwmte7 says on Sep 11, 2008, 07:24:

right on!

dwmte

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Sea Gull says on Sep 11, 2008, 08:33:

I think Colombians have learned over time to error on the side of caution from hard knocks experience. It is only / mostly dumb ass Americans who throw caution into the wind and temp fate as they have not experienced the same life taking pain in life, thus don't value life as much as Colombians.

If you are visiting, I'd try, whenver possible, take a local or hire one to hang out with me for the first little bit until the eyes in the back of my head grew out.

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Sea Gull says on Sep 11, 2008, 08:36:

To take it a step further, it is this great value for life that the Colombians have only recently discovered that it is this as well that makes them seek Happiness and Family before anything else in their daily lives.

When you have had so much taken from you, so much hurt and pain inflicted upon you, you learn to appreciate life much more than those who have never experienced such pains.

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dwmte7 says on Sep 11, 2008, 12:10:

sorry, sea gull....wtf are you talking about. in the last twenty years, i never saw folks who valued life LESS than colombians....at least on the surface. a number of years back, you could go behind monteray and look out over the river and every morning there would be any where from ten to 30 bodies floating down stream to centro. and the shooting and killing in the streets was enough to put medallo at the top of the murder capitol of the world list. too, the paras and the insurgents daily pumed/pump up that body count. they treat life so cheaply, you wonder if they have mother's.

don't get me wrong. "normal" colombians (figure out who they are) love their families, GOD, country, and apple pie. unfortunately, every family in colombia has at least one member who's involved in the drug trade. every family. and those involved are callous, cold blooded and serious. and they don't give a damn about life. so keep that clear when you talk about how colombians are. my family is there and my brother was taken out by sicarios. it touches every family. no exceptions.

dwmte

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paisa29 says on Sep 11, 2008, 12:52:

"unfortunately, every family in colombia has at least one member who's involved in the drug trade"

Douglas I really do respect you very much, but please don´t make such kind of generalizations.

"Fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality" Conrad Hilton

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dwmte7 says on Sep 11, 2008, 16:06:

dear, it's true. if not immediate family, somewhere in the extended family, somewhere someone has their hand in it. remember, we're talking about a $140,000,000,000.00 business. by far and away, the biggest business in colombia. in my own family which is squeeky clean...although i don't know who, but in my soul, i know that some tio or some primo or somebody has got their hand in their somewhere. either small time or big time. there's too much money and it's too easy. i found out that (unnamed) tios in miami were somehow involved. it's pernicious, and it's tenacles spread throughout the world, and there's so much money--easy money--that it proves irrestible. where do you think all the money comes from for the construction of all those high rises in poblado and envigado...damn sure aint from hot dog carts, nor from a "high" paying job with coltejer, or being an attorney or doctor. nor from raising cattle or fruits and vegetables. it's cocain and now, heroin.

i say this with sadness, deep sadness, but a sadness driven by candor.

dwmte

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Sea Gull says on Sep 11, 2008, 16:51:

dwmte7 says on Sep 11 (today): flag

"sorry, sea gull....wtf are you talking about. in the last twenty years, i never saw folks who valued life LESS than colombians....at least on the surface. a number of years back"


I think you just proved my point.

While we here on PBH surely appreciate your stories and knowledge of what Colombia "was", you surely might be a bit outdated on your knowledge and views of today's Colombia. Especially Medellin. Have you been there recently?

Colombia is BOOMING with great optimism and hope and happiness in its people.

It takes a country, a culture, a city, or anyone or anything in life to experience such hardship..........and then and only then do they fully understand what it is like to appreciate something. Colomibans, and especially in Medellin are so full of life and happiness that it is this great value for life that the Colombians have only recently discovered that makes them seek Happiness and Family before anything else in their daily lives.

Next time you are in Medellin, can I suggest you get out among the people and walk around. Say hi to a few. They won't kill you dmte7. Just keep a good head on your shoulders or bring a friend who does. You will find an amazing spirit in the people.

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dwmte7 says on Sep 11, 2008, 17:17:

great post, sea gull, and yes, i have.

i know what your saying and i agree. however and not to side step. the 'up' attitudes of colombians is constantly tortured by the low/no lifes amongst those who do such harm to the citizenry and the country...that's my point.

dwmte

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Sea Gull says on Sep 11, 2008, 17:19:

fine fine. lets pee in the same lily pond then.

"constantly tortured by the low/no lifes amongst those who do such harm to the citizenry and the country."

such as?

And don't say FARC.

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tomtom33 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Sep 11, 2008, 17:24:

Sea Gull says on Sep 11, 2008, 17:31:

tomtom33 says on Sep 11 (today): flag

"Such as? Gee, have you spent much time in Colombia?"

Yes, I have.

I'm waiting to hear it from either of you because you both just might be living not in reality.

You can pee in the lily pond too if you like, just don't look left or right or we might have to throw you in.

And don't say FARC.

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dwmte7 says on Sep 11, 2008, 17:55:

fyi we've owned a home in envigado for years. we can only go back on holidays and school breaks presently as we are dealing with the education of our youngest. but as soon as she's in university, about 2 more years we'll be back permanently.

iwould point out that i know and have experienced more in colombia...specifically medallo, over the past twenty years than you'll probably ever know. so try not to condescend in your comments. examination of my posts over the years will bespeak my thoughts and opinions of colombians indominable spirit. it's why it became my adopted country, many, many years ago. i even buried one of my sons there. i've watched it grow out of the ashes of hell when the capos pretty much ran the show. and even then when evil reigned and tortured the people their ability to smile and face each day with optomism was not diminished. yes i know colombian peoples and their incredible faith and spirit. at the same time, i know the dangers and realities of the mean and evil which possesses far to many of it's peoples. i've seen people murdered right in front of me and my cunado was killed by sicarios. danger is not a fantasy, it is a reality and what with all the new felt ease that many feel, don't think for one minute that they are blind to the realities that they face and which could effect any of them at any time.

noting and showing an appreciation of their spirit and culture are truly commendable and i far prefer to hear a visitor laud their true merits, rather than hear about strip clubs and prepagos and nightlife...none of which has ever been a part of my life there. not to say that i haven't and don't enjoy fiesta. i do, but in a completely different vein.

countless changes have occurred over the years. however, i don't consider them all for the good. lleras is a perfect example. where our modest home is in envigado used to be a quiet sleeply little area--near santa barbara--las flores. now, it's grown and changed and around it are towers where folks lock themselves in and guards keep the keys. i don't think of those changes as necessarily good, either. but then again, i'm not a condo dweller. and i couldn't live behind guards. so enjoy colombia, be one of those who adds to her culture and not one who detracts from it. contribute to her positive and spiritual aspects and not to her base and banal side. then after many years you can truly feel you know and feel colombia...give to her as she has given to you and add to the total sum of her wonder.

dwmte

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Sea Gull says on Sep 11, 2008, 18:57:

I thank you very much for your long reply but it still doesn't qualify you as being in touch for the Original Posters question dmte7.

"Single travel - safe or not safe?"

I started to go through it, point by point but I will not......instead.........

Medellin has changed. The "time" that you know is NOT the time of NOW!

Keep posting as the "old school" is very welcomed here on PBH. We love to hear the old stories.

Just not presented as the REALITY of TODAY.

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el flaco says on Sep 12, 2008, 03:27:

If you're with Colombians they obviously feel responsable for you and over-react. They would feel dreadful if anything happened to you.

It's the same with us but the safety issues are different in our countries.

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tomtom33 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Sep 12, 2008, 03:36:

cali_brahh says on Sep 14, 2008, 21:24:

try walking near chippichappe in cali. worse than nyc imho

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