Some Advice?

Whipstatic says on Jan 4, 2005, 19:24:

Like I said

All you have to worry about in Colombia is chicle(gum)sticking on your shoe or the rare occurrence of a white shark in the Caribbean. Maybe dog shit in a park.

Colombians are very good, kind and warm people. It depends some on the Region where you travel and it is also true that some Colombians do like to start a bit of trouble every now and then but you be cool and humble and u will have a great time.

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Sam Salmon says on Jan 4, 2005, 23:42:

Hablas Espagnol? No worries in Colombia-the advice given by Whipstatic is excellent.
I would suggest buying the latest Footprint Guide to South America forget that shitty rag put out by those cabrones Lonely Planet.
Use the South America Branch of the Thorn Tree for research but don't buy their books.
Most busses during the daytime are safe-anything can happen but it's more likely to happen in Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador or Brasil.
Lots of cheap places to stay/eat/be happy.The idea of 'hostels' is just starting to catch on in Colombia so search each city to see if someone has set one up yet where you want to go.
Colombians are proud welcoming people you'll love the place.Because domestic tourism is popular many entertainment/transport options are very reasonably priced.
Also there is no 'ferry' from Panama to Colombia.It's sometimes possible to catch a yacht if you have time to spend waiting around but flying Panama-Cartagena is much less of a pain in the ass and usually cheaper.
What to see?
Old Cartagena, Bogotá, Medellin, Zipaquira and so many more!

' a la orden!'

' a la orden!'

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Bruce V. Shrader says on Jan 5, 2005, 02:20:

traveling in Colombia Most secure way to travel is by commercial air.
You can rent cars, but not always the most secure if you
get off "the beaten track. (I forget, but I think both Hertz and Avis
are there.
Probably the best, cheapest way is by bus, and they have some pretty nice buses there. similar to the tour busses we have here in the U.S.
I recommend The Parque Cafe(near Armenia), and Popayan(during Holy Week).

Although I have not had too much trouble (with security) in Colombia
after almost 4 years there, BE CAREFUL! You can receive colombian
pesos from almost any ATM Machine with your U.S. Visa/Mastercard,
becareful of carrying large sums of cash and use the ATM's at large
shopping centers and etc. I was the victim of identity theft once
someone charged the equivalent of $671.00 to my visa. I got the money
back after about a month, but it was still inconvient. Also, don't
buy an american dollars unless from a bank. It may be counterfit!
Also, I think it is best to maybe carry about $100.00 dollars with you and get your pesos from the ATM's You will probably get a pretty good exchange rate and possibly avoid any taxes.
You will not see too many americans in cali, maybe in Bogota.
If you do goto Bogota, It might be wise to check in w/the american Consulate there and let them know what you are doing and where you are going.
Enjoy your trip, if you desire more info, My email is:
garf548 at yahoo.com
Mi Casa Su Casa!

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Atrevido (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jan 5, 2005, 04:19:

Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 5, 2005, 07:17:

Sorry gringo, you're wrong I hate to rain on your "Clear and Present Danger" view of Colombia, GringoinBogota, but the security situation is actually quite different for the hippy backpacker crowd than it is for foreign executives and the Colombian upper class. Sure, they can get robbed and rolled just like anywhere (including the USA) but the kidnapping danger isn't particularly high unless the groovy world traveller happens to be named Dupont or Gates and flaunts that fact. If these kids are street smart (which they will be after travelling by bus through Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama first) they'll do just fine in Colombia.

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Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 5, 2005, 08:25:

Show us an example Other than the backpackers who were abducted by the ELN while hiking in the Sierra de Santa Marta in 2003 and later released, can you actually point to a real-life case of a foreign backpacker abducted from a bus in the manner you describe?

It all sounds very hairy-scary, but facts trump speculation.

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Gator says on Jan 5, 2005, 09:10:

No More Ferry to Cartagena The last true ferry, the Crucero Express, bit the dust about 5/6 years ago. You could take a coastal boat from Panama to Colombia. If you do so make sure you head straight for Turbo on the Carribean, or Buenaventura due east of Cali. Be sure and get and get an entry stamp from the local DAS office. Best was to travel on the cheap is by bus-dispite the mierde de toro from some. Millions of Colombian do with no problems.

BTW, pay no attention to some posters. The kidnapping took place in the fall of 2003. None were Americans, none were 18 (average age was 26) and the area was not one that they should have been camping in the first place. All were relased unharmed.

Listening to some who give advice here is like having an arguement with yourself that comes to blows. I'm sure one individual feels only exaggerated, emotional posts of no real significance are important. To tha tposter even trivial stuff is so much fun when it is sensationalized and exaggerated.

I recommend you pay attention to Sam Salman, Mr. Hollywood, Desi and Hunter, et. al.

Go for it.

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

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santiBOG says on Jan 6, 2005, 18:45:

Hey gringoinbogota... if what you say is true, then people in New Yprk city should stay away from tall buildings because sometimes commercial airliners fly into them.

Neocoltrane, go for it. You won't want to skip Colombia. Be smart, have the right information, get advice from locals and you'll be fine.

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