Visiting Cucuta

miamimike says on Feb 24, 2005, 11:21:

to Florida Bob from MiamiMike Read what these traveler's say about Cucuta-I was there about 5 years ago-though I had no problem-I was always with a Colombian family on the street so maube thats why I had no problem. I was bery happy to leave and never returned. A case Montezumas gastric revenge(picked up in cucuta) did not endear me to the city either.

I have crossed from San Anton
Submitted by Nate on Fri, 03/05/2004 - 16:20.
I have crossed from San Antonio Venezuela to Cucuta Colombia--Then I took a plane to Bogota. Be Advised that both San Antonio/San Cristobal--Cucuta areas are contested by both the Paramilitaries and the FARC. Not to mention that there have been several border clashes by the Venezuelan and Colombian Militaries in the Tachira region. The last time I was there I did not feel secure. I definately felt safer in Bogota.

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Provakator, I would avoid the
Submitted by locolombia on Mon, 06/14/2004 - 19:42.
Provakator, I would avoid the Cucuta region and any place north of cucuta. It is a very dangerous place if you are Colombian. If you are a gringo you are really pressing your luck up there. I've been there several times and to be honest it was very tense and you could see it on the paras faces , even the locals are afraid . Not to mention it's hotter than the face of the sun there also.

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"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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miamimike says on Feb 24, 2005, 11:22:

error sp maube--maybe
bery--very

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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cobbook6104 says on Feb 24, 2005, 11:37:

Miami Mike Hell I love Colombia and it is embarrasing to ask this question, but I do not want to worry the whole thime for my espousa's safety or her familia, si? We are palnning ot fly to San Antonio and drive across the border. I don't need any hassles. Maybe we'll just fly them to Carracas where we are going to visit her sister.

Appreciate your feed back.

Florida Bob

florida bob

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juanalejo says on Feb 24, 2005, 12:03:

Cucuta I go to Cucuta often on business, I do not feel the city itself more or less dangerous than any of the other big cities in Colombia. Your wife´s family is probably the best people to get advice from as they really know how things are there. The Departamento of Norte de Santader is a hot zone, but that does not mean that the city itself is dangerous, north of Cucuta is a hot zone but the road towards Bucaramanga is fine. Since this area is the busiest border between Colombia and Venezuela you also get quite a few backpackers crossing back and forth. Rely only on local information as Cucuta in some sense has the same problem as Cali, that although large parts of the province are fine including the city, then jungle areas are an off limits zone. In the case of Cucuta the border areas with Venezuelain that province along the Perijá mountains are off limits but the valley itself and the corridor towards San Cristobal is fine.

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cobbook6104 says on Feb 24, 2005, 12:16:

Cucuta Certainly we have talked with her family, but believe it or not they want us to come so bad that I sometimes wonder if they are being completely honest. They live in what I have heard is a very poor area near the airport. Certainly not looking forward to the heat, I have heard is unbearable. Then of course with the family not being to affluent, no a/c!! Oh well the culture of the family will most certainly help me to forget the sweat on my brow. Bring on the cold beer.

Thanks,

Florida Bob

florida bob

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adrimm says on Feb 24, 2005, 12:28:

Ugh. I have an aunt that lives there and I hate going to visit. Her neighbourhood is fine, but in general I find the city to be very dirty and too stinkin' hot(literally). A most unpleasant place. In terms of safety, if you look gringo then don't wander around on your own, even up to the corner tienda, esp in a low-end barrio.

If you can afford it why not arrange for a family reunion in Pamplona? It's close to Cucuta, but very pretty, cleaner and cooler. IMHO shelling out a few $ to rent an apartment for a week would lead to a far better time for you, as well as a for treat for them.

Bucaramanga itself would also be a great option to do this in, but Pamplona is closer for them.

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miamimike says on Feb 24, 2005, 12:56:

Agree Adrimm Cucuta was just one lousy place and I am not freaked out easily. Things have to be Bad... beofre I complain, but go to Pamplona instead as Adrimm says--much much nicer.. and safer. Google danger in cucuta colombia if you think we are exagerating the situation. You hit the nail on the head, many times the natives underplay the danger of the situation, which is what they appear to be doing to you now, ease your mind. But its dangerous, have no doubt about that. a below link from http://www.anncol.com

Six killings every day in mid-sized Colombian town

13.01.2002 - Right-wing terror has reached a new height in the eastern Colombian town of Cucuta: 57 violent killings by paramilitaries allied to the Armed Forces have been registered in this provincial town - in just the ten first days of 2003!

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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poco says on Feb 24, 2005, 14:02:

A good idea If you can afford it why not arrange for a family reunion in Pamplona? It's close to Cucuta, but very pretty, cleaner and cooler. IMHO shelling out a few $ to rent an apartment for a week would lead to a far better time for you, as well as a for treat for them.

Difficult to imagine better advise !!!! Plus,, I doubt there is sleeping room at their house,, I should add that I'm not familiar with Pamplona.

Colombians love guests and will MAKE room even if they need to sleep on the floor. I'd wouldn't be suspicious just because they want to see you and your wife.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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juanalejo says on Feb 24, 2005, 20:27:

Cucuta I would not base my judgement on visiting or not a city on a figure of killings, in that sense you should have never visited Bogota, as they are a few and then you should never even go to Caracas as it has the highest murder rate in Latinamerica, six times that of Bogota and twice that of Cali the most dangerous city in Colombia. I am not really saying that you should not go to any of these cities, but just to put it in perspective as you have already been in Bogota and Cartagena and have seen how things really are. Cucuta is not exception, like I said before there are areas in the departamento of Norte de Santader which are definitelly out of bounds, but like many places in Colombia the jungles and mountains divide areas which are relatively safe and areas which are not. The area in between San Cristobal and Cucuta is the busiest Colombian border with any country and the movement is quite heavy. The city of Cucuta is full of merchants both from Venezuela and Colombia and the movement of people around town is quite high. Like I said before, believe the locals rather than the ones who have never been before, now if you are not feeling very comfortable, well do not go as there is nothing more stressful that being able to feel at ease.

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cobbook6104 says on Feb 25, 2005, 06:35:

Cucuta I really appreciate all of your advice, I don't want to sound like a puss, ya know? I believe you have helped me with my decision and I'll look into Pamplona. Just trying to do the right thing.

Florida Bob

florida bob

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adrimm says on Feb 25, 2005, 10:03:

Clarification I don't think Cucuta is any less safe than many parts of Bogota - I don't really feel unsafe when I am out shopping in the company of my aunt or cousins, but then my colouring fits in fine and I've been speaking Spanish since I learned to speak.

GIB is correct, as glaring gringo concerns are a little different, and if you are unnaccompanied and don't know the place then I don't hesitate to add ALOT different. BUT If you will accompanied you will be fine.

For me personally, when I say I don't like visiting Cucuta, safety isn't the top reason. After all I spend most of my time at homes "visiting", or in the community pool trying to cool off. Most of it is the dirtyness and heat. Hot weather makes me miserable, and maybe it colours my perception: but to me parts of the city and some people do have an unpleasant je ne sais quois.

My point is that although you'll most likely not have safety problems, you probably won't have much fun at all with the dirt and the heat and the obligatory family-member.

Try the Pamplona idea, I'm sure they'll be ammendable.

There is nothing wrong with changing plans to have a *better* time, it is a vacation isn't it??? Tell them that you've heard wonderful things about them and Pamplona and you would love to treat them to a relaxing break. I don't know what climate you are travelling from but add that you a) want a break from hot weather b) prefer cooler climates.

You could just meet them at Pamplona (dunno if it has it's own airport , but I doubt it, it's in a smallish valley).

OR

You could fly into Cucuta, spend the night at the house (to soften the blow if they take offense at you not visiting their home), and then first thing the next day head out to Pamplona. It's less than an hour from Cucuta on the road to Bucaramanga. Going home, hop a bus to Bucaramanga and go from there.

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adrimm says on Feb 25, 2005, 10:43:

Info Photos: http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/octopus/119/imagen.htm

General info: http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/octopus/119/

University website: http://www.unipamplona.edu.co/

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signofscorpio says on Mar 12, 2006, 14:25:

Cucuta Everyone here is taking it to the extreme.. It is not the way they say it is... I been to Cucuta. And it is not at all the way they are saying it. Its like any other part of Colombia you have been. Just as clean or just as dirty depending on where you go. I visited.. The people are nice, Not too much to do there but nice place. No worry about Farc or any of that stuff. I had my wedding there and had a great time.. If you know slum then you can expect slum.. If your wife and family is good people, then you will like it... There is much other cities close to go to visit.. And much to see and do..

And normally being with people local.. You do not have to worry about anything.. Her family is not going to let nothing happen to you. They know where you can go and not go, and what you can and can not do.. There are places here in Florida I am more scared of going too than in CUCUTA..... It has it dangers just like any other city in this world... There is activity of things happening as I can turn on my T.V right now and I am sure somewhere in Tampa Fl.. someone got Robbed, Shot, or even Killed...

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sebastiancorrea says on Mar 12, 2006, 14:53:

im goin too im goin to cucuta too. in reality it is quiet safe. just (and listen to this) dont travel at night. with any place(even in the u.s. besides that cucuta is safe and very hot and has smokin lady maybe i might meet you there. lol

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sebastiancorrea says on Mar 12, 2006, 14:53:

im goin too im goin to cucuta too. in reality it is quiet safe. just (and listen to this) dont travel at night. with any place(even in the u.s. besides that cucuta is safe and very hot and has smokin lady maybe i might meet you there. lol

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ibemeubeu9001 says on Sep 29, 2006, 17:21:

Hav"N Fun In Colombia Just Call Me Lucky !

Hello Every-one, Im a new person with this site, and I was just reading verious adventures of many great people, Wow, see how life if whats good for one person is'ent necessarly the same for another. Ok, 1991, I just lost my mom, and I didn't know just what to do. So I got into m car and started driving, and went to a beautiful area of Los Angeles, California, A beach just west of Los Angeles International airport, set for maby an hour and went home to get just a few dollors, and my passport, thanking well, Mexico, guess up no flights, so I went to the next place leaving, less than 2hrs, I got a ticket to Bogota, Colombia, 12hrs later following the waite, 1145pm Wow Im in Colombia SA, No Spanish, Knowledge of any-one so just like any other crazy american, I got a cab and went to a hotel. Nice, English, no problum, the next day I went for a walk and got some new clothing and back to the hotel. I saw the same cab-driver, and He took me to a University, and I was intruduced to a Man, and his family the Hernendez's, wow my family away from home. I stayed for 2 weeks. In less than 5months I went back and at the airport I saw the most beautiful lady trying to connect to another flight, No English, Nada, I have her my card, with a note on the back to call me collect, Please. with nearly 2months on this stay I went home this was in August, In November I received a collect call from someone name Betti, with an ATT operator quectioning in I would except, I said yes. It was her, In one month I went back and was intrudeced to her family and 2years later we were married Wow........She's from Cali, but her wonderful family, lives in Cucuta, I go every two years and never stay less than 30days. I've been to several citys in colombia, Ibaque, solo in a renta car, and had to time of my life.

If a man or woman, wants to travel and thank there isent danger for a stranger ya got to be crazy, Just thank, New York,Brox: Los Angeles, Watts, Washington's DC, London's England, you name it it has its bad places and for people of color the isent a better place to go. South America.

Oh Ya, if you don't speak Spanish, just get into a cab and go to the nearest University, hire aninterperder, I guess thats the correct spelling, but nevertheless, enjoy your life, Money, ya dont need a lots, but the more the better. Remember me OK Im ibemeubeu see ya in colombia.

I just happen to be from Long Beach,CA, and I love visiting South America, My first visit was to Bogota, Ibaque, and Cucuta and not being a spanish speaking person, I had a great time. Would I travel to South America again, You Bet! The people are wonde

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Proud_Canadian says on Aug 7, 2007, 08:58:

As I mentioned on your other post. I spent a week there, and I'm as gringo as you come. I had no security issues, never felt in danger, and was treated nicely everywhere. My reccomendation would be to always be accompanied by your wife or her family.

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