Visiting Cali and Colombia for the first time

LarsBrink says on Aug 20, 2004, 08:40:

Been to Cali Hi Kelv,

I'm from Denmark my self and have been to Cali and many other cities in Colombia on several occations.

For me the safety issue is very mucha about behaveiour. If you listen to the advice of the locals and stay out of areas that you should not go to (e.g. certain areas at night time for example) you are IMHO as safe in Cali as in any other larger city.

Traveling to Cali should be done by plane since traveling over ground can be a bit dangerous, but again it is possible following advise of the locals, traveling at daytime etc.

So don't do stupid things and you will be fine.

Have a nice trip!

Regards,

Lars Brink - colombia.dk - brink-christensen.dk

~ Lars Brink ~ www.colombia.dk ~

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Aug 20, 2004, 15:19:

try to avoid Cali downtown area, especially at night, and by yourself or just with your girlfriend. Avenida sexta after midnight, except with a group of friends. All the barrios east of the Autopista o Avenida Pasoancho after nightfall, again, there are places that are ok if you're with a group of locals. Taking the Carretera al Mar to Buenaventura after nightfall (guerrilla roadblocks and common bandits), the road to Popayán at night (for the same reasons).

Places to be: North, South and West of the city, in general terms. Cali Viejo restaurant should be a good choice for typical caleño dining, empanadas at the Obelisco by the Cali River are very popular,Avenida Sexta, Chipichape Mall, Unicentro Mall and Cosmocentro Mall for safe shopping, and if you get an invitation to Club Campestre or Club Farallones to say, play golf, swim or just to socialize, say yes!

Cheers,
Desi

"When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"(First Witch in Macbeth)

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