Sign in with FacebookTop Colombia hotels
Pickpockets Bogotá
3 Reviews BOGOTA Always when out and about here beware of theives and pickpockets. You will automatically be singled out for attention if you have light skin and/or have cameras etc. Poverty is rife and what...
See All 24 Warnings and Dangers in Bogotá
Taxis Cartagena
1 Review Although l felt safe enough in Cartagena, l did have the added advantage of having friends who live here. They were very specific on not taking a taxi alone. Never hail one from the street, what...
See All 10 Warnings and Dangers in Cartagena
Police Bogotá
1 Review I found myself in several situations with the local police. If your caught running a light, everyone does this in Colombia but if your light skinned those guys stop you immediately and the only way...
See All 24 Warnings and Dangers in Bogotá
Vendors Cartagena
1 Review If this is your first trip to Cartagena you will be amazed at the amount of street vendors trying to sell you beer, water, braid your hair, massage, tee-shirts, jewels, lotto tickets etc. It can wear...
See All 10 Warnings and Dangers in Cartagena
tours Cartagena
1 Review If you fancy a trip to the Rosario islands my advice would be to find a small boat to take you. I did the trip from the port and the first stop was the Aquarium which was of no interest to me. We had...
See All 10 Warnings and Dangers in Cartagena
Sponsored Links
Colombia is no longer a scary place. Use common sense, as you would anywhere else. And big cities anywhere can have problems. I felt comfortable and safe in all the places I visited. I wouldn't wander alone at night in Bogota, but I don't do that in the city I live in either.Don't let what Colombia was like 10 years ago keep you from visiting now.
It was not too long ago that the mere mention of going to Colombia would raise more than a few eyebrows due to safety concerns and even today it is likely to at least elicit the good-intentioned question “is it safe?” Bogotá's reputation as the kidnapping capital of the world dies hard and though the country has gone through many changes in the last two decades, it is not easy to shed such a strong aura of danger that has pervaded the country since the days of wanton drug lord wars. One of the big problems is misinformation or should I saw old information. The truth is the average person was probably very unlikely to be kidnapped even in its heyday, such crimes are generally reserved for political figures, their families or at least the more well-heeled. Still, when the country was under siege it was not wise to venture into areas disputed by guerrillas and paramilitaries. Just what...
Colombia is a very good place to buy dollars. Why? Because of the huge amount of blackmarket dollars coming into the country from sales of cocaine abroad there are way to many dollars in the country. As such one can buy dollars cheaper than the market price. Conversely Colombia is not such a good place to bring dollars to buy pesos. Better to take the money out of an account or use travellers checks. In summary NEVER change dollars to pesos in Colombiaadvise from the Black Sheep Hostel. Exact link is below
Colombia is a very well armed country. Anything of importance has armed guards...buildings, bridges, even country roads. I must see hundreds of military all heavily armed each day. I find it comforting since I know this presence is what is keeping me and the country safe. Actually...its also important to know that the entire country is not safe. Many of the country areas and borders with other countries and near the pacific which are all key for the drug trade are not yet controlled by the country but are controlled by rival guerrilla gangs. I have been told that in some areas one out of every 10 buses are seized by the guerrillas. This is why I did not visit some of the sights that were on the top of my list. I will have to go back and see Saint Augustin and its amazing stone statues and terrain some other time.However, many of the cities in Colombia are actually the safest in all of...
be careful of buying tix for caranval in baranquilla from men in the streets leading up to the parade route as the insist they have discount tix only to leran after you bought them that hte the are fake and these men are long gone
As a big city Bogota' may get a bit dangerous in the night time. Please consider that soldiers are always around the tourist area during the whole day but there is less control in the night time. Basically stay in the tourist area of La Candelaria and Plaza de Bolivar (there is no need to visit all the wide city, particularly the west area) where you can find several Hotels and Hostals. The night life is quite busy with many options in different part of the city, but ALWAYS TAKE A TAXI to go back home after your fun.
I have been visiting Colombia since 2002. At that time Colombia was a very dangerous place not only to visit but also to live. Since then the government has made the cities a little bit safer, but it is far from secure. The poverty level is very high. There is no middle class. Unemployment is also very high. Like in many cities throughout the world, poverty is rampant and where there is poverty there is crime. Do not go to the bad neighborhoods. Do not travel with large amounts of money. Travel with someone who knows the area, the customs and the language. It is also helpful to dress like the locals. Don't try to stand out. Don't make yourself a target. This advice is not only for someone visiting Colombia, but even in your own neighborhood. Practice common sense. Stay away from the rural areas, this is where the guerrila forces abound. There are also armed paramilitary groups that are...
The department of state and locals will warn you about flagging a cab. They should instead be ordered or picked up at a reliable location (hotel, . . . ).Otherwise, the city is relatively safe looking. FARC bombings have occurred, but the city has lots of police and cars pulling into lots are subject to bomb sniffing dogs and underside mirror inspections. I wanted to take 1 picture of an officer with his machine gun out, and a large group came over asking for me to take their picture. I was sorry I did not go into the picture, and later, my friend posed with a police officer (that was not carrying a machine gun)
Bogota is named the World’s Highest Capital, over 8300 feet above the sea level!! Like the rest of the Western cities, there’re all mountainous, approximately 3000-4000 feet ASL. When your body couldn’t get enough Oxygen for the blood cells, you’ll easily get tried, dehydrated and hardly catch your breath. Before getting to this country, please consider your health as the priority issue; do a little check-up with your blood pleasure and heart rates cuz you would never want to have a heart attack while traveling for sure!! Like couple of years ago, when Sir Elton John was having his big concert here in Bogota, after 15 minutes of his performance on stage suddenly he just got fainted, the ambulance needed to take him to the ER, all because of this Altitude Sickness.
If you’re on a Road Trip, it’s always a chance running into both the Guerilla or police’s check point especially if you’re heading to Bogotá. Have your passport and other documents (Int. Driver’s License, Work Permit or whatever) ready, don’t be panic if they ask you to get out of your car and take you to their ‘BOSS’. If you are from foreign countries (except for some Americans – you know Colombian don’t like the Americans that much – Why? You’ll figure out!!) just present them your passport and they’ll let you go in less than 10-15 minutes, actually they really love to have tourists visit their country. All you’ve gotta do is answer some general questions and try to be polite to them.
101 Park House Bogotá
1 Review and 34 Opinions I recommend two hotels. If you like little nice hotel with 5-star services look for '101 Park...
SOFITEL SANTA CLARA Cartagena
7 Reviews and 267 Opinions This is a beautiful hotel but not worth the money to stay here...especially not worth having your...
InterContinental Hotel Cali Cali
5 Reviews and 52 Opinions This is the best place to stay in Cali. Although it's the only place I have stayed in Cali, I have...
More Regions in Colombia
Sponsored Links
Comments