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Colombia Roads between San Augustin + Popayan Colombia Roads between San Augustin + Popayan
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  #1  
Old 14 Feb 2011
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Hey Afear. I passed along that road about a year ago, leaving Popayan on the way to San Agustin. Somewhere in the middle, as I was overtaking a pickup truck on the dirt road there were two guys jumping out of the ditch. I kept going past, they stopped the jeep. The elderly couple in the jeep caught up to me a couple of hours later when I was in some small town looking for fuel and said the guys were FARC, and that they had guns, and that they robbed them. Apparently they're only ever after cash though, and will not steal your bike (so I've been told....). I really think that this is not a serious problem though, and it wouldn't put me off taking that road again.... And it is a lovely road too...
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  #2  
Old 14 Feb 2011
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Thanks, Mr Irish
but that's not the story I like to hear. I probably do it but without much cash + luggage. Only take my swiss army knife to keep the bastards on distance.
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  #3  
Old 15 Feb 2011
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Where's San Augustin
When I search for San Augustin on google maps it pops up to the east of Bogoto. This is a long way from Popayan. Which route are you talking about? Thanks,

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Old 15 Feb 2011
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I didnt have any problems in the 2 months I spent in Colombia last year, FWIW.

However, when I wanted to take a secondary route I always asked the soldiers or the cops, usually at a nearby checkpoint, if the route was safe. Most of the time they said everything was safe, but sometimes recommended against a certain route because of robberies. So take that for what it is worth, which probably aint much.

I made some local friends in Bogota and they told me always to ask about the security before going on a particular route that was off the beaten path. Also, they warned me to stay away from areas around the Brazilian border, and on the Venezuela border they said I should stick to the main crossings and not wander around the border areas or I would find trouble for sure. I heeded the warnings about the border areas as it seemed to make sense to me.

Otherwise, have fun, enjoy Colombia!
Last edited by crashmaster; 15 Feb 2011 at 13:26.
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  #5  
Old 15 Feb 2011
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thanks to all from bogota
I was indeed talking about San Augustin, Provinz of Huila about 511 km south of Bogota. Distance to Popayan is only a couple of hours. I think I play it safe
and drive to Popayan first- but the other road via Neiva seems more scenic.
+ I try not to go to often offroad because of the things called landmines.They make a terrible noise..
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Old 15 Feb 2011
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Just ask the cops or the soldiers at a checkpoint. These cats cn be very interesting to talk to as well. If indeed there were robberies on the road you want to take, they will know about it, and likely have solved the problem by now. FWIW.
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  #7  
Old 15 Feb 2011
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My wife and I passed that way January 2010, from San Augustin to Popayan. It is about 100 km or so, mostly gravel. We did it in the poring rain. There was a fair bit of traffic on that road, mostly trucks, and several km of road works. We spent a lot of time on Colombia back roads with never a problem. Do stop and chat with the police and military at the checkpoints. We found them all extremely friendly and very glad to see tourists in their country.
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