COLUMBIA - Safety?
Hi AllI'm planning a trip with a friend to Columbia during March/April this year.
My friend, who's travelling with me, has pointed out the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice on travel to Columbia (recommends against all travel to some areas and against all non-essential travel to others - http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/south-america/colombia). It's pretty much as negative as one might have expected. I had thought the FARC threat had now largely subsided.
I've travelled to some quite remote and exotic places in the past, and previously (8 odd years ago) lived and travelled througout South and Central America, so I wouldn't usually be put off by such messages. Having said that, now the FCO advice has been brought to my attention, and due to my friend's concerns, I was wondering if:
(i) any recent travellers to Columbia could provide any comfort on the safety situation there; or
(ii) any prospective travellers to Columbia could give me their take on the safety situation there (esp given FCO advice), and how they have resolved those concerns.
If it really is as dangerous as the FCO site intimates, I think my friend's preference would be to travel to Brazil instead. This would also, of course, be great - but I've always wanted to travel to Columbia, particularly as I never visited the place when I was based in South America previously.
Thanks very much
Milan
1
Basically Governments will always cover themselves and issue warnings more serious then are required. So if there is an unsubstantiated rumour of a threat for example and they did not warn their citizens and something did happen. The media etc would jump down their thoats, and there could be a political backlash. They are making sure they have not failed in their duty of care.In relation to safety. I was there this time 2 years ago for many weeks. It was safe for me and all the travellers i met, especially on the FARC front. But have things changed since then, maybe, no doubt people who have been there since will comment on this post to give you a more up to date picture.
2
Milan 1981I have loved in Colombia for 12 years and have traveled everywhere. Do not worry. Things have changed. Colombia is safe but you will always be susceptible to the ordinary street crime like theft. Just be smart and be low key. The problem we have in Cartagena and Medellin is most gringos act like idiots away from home and are targeted. You wouldn't walk around the streets in NA with an open beer so don't do it here like many of the idiot gringos do. You won't see a Colombian doing it so respect this.
5
Gerard,Shouldn't you be busy walking purposefully up and down the steps of Russell St police station and slamming the doors of a Ford falcon whilst wearing a trilby hat?
I'm not sure anyone has appointed you an arbiter of relevance or taste here so unless you are trying to increase your own post count I don't see your point. Raising a post count on a travel forum doesn't seem much of goal to set yourself in life but to each their own.
BTW #2's other post has been removed, had you read it you would have understood my response.
