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Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road Recent News, political or military events, which may affect trip plans or routes. Personal and vehicle security, tips and questions.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



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  #1  
Old 31 Oct 2002
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Colombia

So, everyone tries to tell me that Colombia is mad dangerous.
I'd like to hear from folk who have been in the area in the last few months as its hard to tell the scare mongers from the solid citizens.
I guess we wouldn't have left England if we'd listened to half of the bad news merchants.
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  #2  
Old 31 Oct 2002
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Ask the guys who live there - write to the Medellin, Cali and Bogota Communities on the Communities page.

And you did read about Glenn Heggstad's adventures? Six weeks as a captive of the guerillas, lost his bike and all gear.

Mika Kuhn is currently in Colombia, see what he says.

Basically, yes it's dangerous - you are a TARGET of the guerillas for ransom or political gain. Some areas are ok, some are not.

Your choice, but we cannot recommend it currently. Currently the only other country we aren't recommending is Afghanistan.

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Grant Johnson

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One world, Two wheels.
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  #3  
Old 1 Nov 2002
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I've got a hankerin' for Colombia as well, but I'm going to play it safe and fly over to Venezuela when I arrive in Panama in March.

I'll post the details on my flight arrangements here once I'm through.

NewMexEd
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  #4  
Old 9 Nov 2002
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I went to Colombia 2 months ago, during the bomb attack in Bogota.
I ve spent 1 week in yhis country from venezuela to ecuador.
I didn t see anything dangerous.
I ve met nice people.I ll would to go there an other time, cause it s a wonderful contry.
people say it s dangerous, for me it s looks like an other country.Nothing special. I enjoyed it.
But take care
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  #5  
Old 9 Nov 2002
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Had an email from Mika and things seem Ok. Obviously we will monitor events there, but it does seem that once again people may be getting a bit carried away.
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  #6  
Old 9 Nov 2002
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All this media-crap about Colombia is bullshit. A year ago I spent a wonderful month in Colombia and would returns this same moment if I could...

It's a great country, yet you have to be a little bit more wary about guerilla activities. Otherwise Colombia is my favourite world's country, eventhough I've travelled extensively in south east asia, south americas, europe, a little bit of africa...

The people you meet,..., everything.

Highly recommended!
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  #7  
Old 18 Nov 2002
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Location: Kranj, SLOVENIA
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been there (Cartagena, Tayrona) in august
everything quiet (except the stories :-))
just GO
& take care
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  #8  
Old 30 Apr 2003
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Hi
I went from LA to Lima in 1998. The biggest problem we encounteres was the Darien pass,which still remains a problem.
From Bogota north toward Armenia and Pasto,the biggest problem was the following:
2 different types of guerrillas and bandits.I have to say that we didnt encounter either of those,however,everybody I spoke to in Colombia(colombians) told me the same story. Stay on the main highways.Is in the small towns off the main highways that may have some "strange elements".
Have a great trip....if you're not already there..
Jorge

Quote:
Originally posted by Bolton Wanderer:
So, everyone tries to tell me that Colombia is mad dangerous.
I'd like to hear from folk who have been in the area in the last few months as its hard to tell the scare mongers from the solid citizens.
I guess we wouldn't have left England if we'd listened to half of the bad news merchants.
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