PBH / colombia (travelguide, pictures) / post

Travel Tips for Colombia or anywhere in Latin America

I am an "Ex Pat" long term Latin american resident, not a traveler, the agencies charge a lot of money, usually best for middle aged guys, usually from US/Canada who speak little or no Spanish, have no local nor ex pat contacts nor any social network in Colombia (this is very important throughout all Latin America to avoid hassles). What I did, (as I plan soon to travel to Colombia, to perhaps help set up tours, find qualified native guides and help out small or unique lodging places), is that I re registered on the forum Poorbuthappy Colombia http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia
my new page is
http://poorbuthappy.com/tropicaltimes/
Join the forum, friendly, bilingual, many locals and ex pats, long term travelers and start networking, if you wish to travel independent and save money you gotta do your own homework...Best cities to visit are Bogota, Medellin, Cali & Cartagena on the Caribbean side, you may either fly or take first class express buses between these cities.
As in any large city in Latin America, in these 4 major Colombian cities be aware at all times especially if you have little or no command of Spanish, remember hotel employees and taxi drivers will take you to the most expensive and touristy places, I have my own "secrets" and "tricks" but mine, no one else's. . Avoid overly friendly strangers (young men) offering Guide services and never drink so much in Bars you become intoxicated and vulnerable to thieves. NEVER take strangers to where you are lodging nor give them out your itinerary.
When going out at night, anywhere after dark, carry no more cash than you will think you need to spend, leave other valuables and passport in hotel safe. Carry on you a photocopy of passport while in cities.
If you use common sense Colombia is very safe, the people (make friends) proud, friendly and helpful, just try to avoid the flies (Miel y Moscas) that "tourists" attract and seek out the Butterflies!
Don't walk around wearing the "uniform" Shorts, Sports Shirt, Fanny Pack, Camera...dress like locals do..if you ride public transportation buy a carry a local daily newspaper(Newspaper Classifieds..clasificados a great resource if you read Spanish), low profile, son!!!
Some photos of Cali (from the Webmaster)on our site www.tropicooltours.com/ (El Salvador Adventure Travel). Hasta la vista sobre poorbuthappy.com/colombia

From an on line friend on myspace....

"hello thank you for responding to my forum post.
i am looking for advise on colombia travel....."

By tropicaltimes on Jan 19, 2008, 10:36 in Travel tips.

Chriscan says on Jan 21, 2008, 02:44:

I have come to learn that it is more dangerous not to carry enough cash than to carry too much.
the important thing is taht people don't see it. Your chances of getting robbed are very slim but if you run out of cahs and have trouble getting more for whatever reason, you can really be in a bind.

As single white person alnoe is much safer than being in a group of other tourits.

In Colombia you can trust the police much more than other American countries. I like the police in Colombia much more than the police here in canada

************* WARNING ************* my words often come from my ass

0 funny, 0 helpful.

tropicaltimes says on Jan 23, 2008, 12:36:

I used to be a guide/interpreter in Central America for years, residency, national plates, knew people enroute and at destinations, of course the trips were in a vehicle point A to B to C.
In these days As a resident who blends in, I most always spend time with either local friends who drive or solo when I take public transportation, once some budget travelers wanted me to accompany them on the "chicken bus" to a destination I knew well..uh uh..low profile goes to NO profile!!! Especially if there is an attractive white woman aboard! If visitors do come as clients, there are owner drivers or "friends" (or those who THINK they are) from abroad must provide either rent a car, driver and car or taxi plus lunch then I'll gladly guide them around a day or two!
All common sense. Street smarts.

0 funny, 0 helpful.