Truth or Hype? Please advise.

toneloc24 says on Oct 2, 2005, 19:42:

In 2005, definitely not true.

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

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Mr. Hollywood says on Oct 2, 2005, 19:59:

Pelton I don't know when Pelton was there, but the only theives who are going to "relieve" you of your clothes are also only going to rob you of your innocence. Santa Marta (including Rodadero, Taganga and Tayrona) seemed quite safe the times I've been there.

Remember, Pelton has made a cottage industry out of presenting himself as the courageous traveler to all the world's fucked up places. So he's not going to downplay danger, for sure.

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KenMan says on Oct 2, 2005, 21:16:

what a lie This guy is such a liar thats defenitely not true. Ive gotten drunk in el rodadero beach at night and nothing has happened to me or the tourists i was with.

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Tom says on Oct 2, 2005, 21:38:

WHAT THE FK I guess that he never get his ass into Colombia ?

hasta la vista

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BAQ says on Oct 2, 2005, 21:39:

HYPE All HYPE, I live in Barranquilla and travel to Santa Marta, never had any problems

Semper Fidelis !

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Saltador says on Oct 3, 2005, 04:23:

That's what I thought... Too many people have posted favorably about this area for it to be true. I guess this guy needs to update his book or actually go there before he writes about it.

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toneloc24 says on Oct 3, 2005, 07:38:

Saltador If you have questions about Santa Marta, just ask here on the forum. Many of us have been there and will be going back.

There may have been some truth to Pelton's statements about Santa Marta in 2000, as Colombia was a more dangerous place on a whole 5 years ago. It is still dangerous in certain parts.

But in 2005, Santa Marta is pretty safe, esp. El Rodadero. I personally prefer the beaches of Santa Marta, as well as the laid-back attitudes and scarity of gringos, much more than Cartagena.

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

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Gator says on Oct 3, 2005, 09:00:

West Spent a LOT... of time four weeks ago condo hunting in Santa Marta (El Rodadero) four weeks ago. Went all over Santa Marta, Rodadero(which is not hard) and the Park and NO problems-never even felt uncomfortable.

Best advice to Robert Young Pelton: "Put a rubber band around your head and snap out of it." No le hagas caso a ese tonto.

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

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Miguel says on Oct 3, 2005, 09:06:

Santa Marta is dangerous As in addictive; like tone stated, the beaches are nicer than Cartagena's, the prices are much better than CTG, and the lack of too many gringos is a big plus, IMHO.

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vicshere says on Oct 3, 2005, 09:32:

you dont have to wait till the middle of the night to get robbed .....you more likely to get separated from you valuables from a Colombian (with a smile of their face) in broad daylight in the middle of the beach......dumb ass tourist flashing their money around duhhhhh...just asking to get robbed


listo
"con mucho gusto"
Vic

listo

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Mr. Hollywood says on Oct 3, 2005, 09:34:

Please explain. Vic, you keep posting about dumb-ass tourists with money and vicious but smiling Colombians who rob them. Care to share with us the experience that led you to have this position?

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Oct 3, 2005, 09:39:

reminds me of the commercials by Monster.com a couple of years ago...the ones where children said things like, "When I grow up, I want to file all day." "I want to be a yes man." "I want to be forced into early retirement."



NEW VERSION

"When I grow up I want to be a dumb-ass tourist"



;-)

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Crazy4Cali says on Oct 3, 2005, 09:54:

I haven't seen too many "dumb-ass tourists" in Colombia (which is one reason I like going there over other places). But I have seen them in Costa Rica and muchos in Mexico.

They come into a poor country with their designer safari vacation wear with more in their luggage than what many of the locals have in their entire house and peel off hundred dollar bills like there is no tomorrow. In Costa Rica, the locals were simply offended (but politely took their money anyway). In Mexico, they simply built resorts to accomodate them (and take their money more efficiently).

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Mr. Hollywood says on Oct 3, 2005, 09:57:

Somehow, I guess that Colombians have seen a lot more other Colombians peeling off hundred dollar bills than they've seen dumb-ass tourists doing it. Then again, the kind of Colombians who are walking around with wads of hundreds aren't the type you really want to rob.

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