I am in Costa Rica and am heading to Panama in a few days to get my bike to south america, I am wondering if it is safe for me to travel through Colombia? I will be riding with my girlfriend 2-up and would like any information that some one could provide. Have you been there recently, what are the safety issues, should I ship my bike to venezuela instead? Am I even posting in the right area... Or is there somewhere else I may get some recent info??? Please help, thanks!

Well, I'm getting ready to ride south in a few months, and I'm more concerned about Venezuela than I am about Colombia!

There've been lots of posts addressing this issue, and basic use of the search function could go a long way towards answering your questions. The prevalent tone here is pretty blasé, since those who care enough to answer questions (particularly oft-repeated questions) are themselves not easily cowed. You'll have to figure out where you fit in relation to what they tell you....but if you're in Central America now you're probably already doing whatever needs to be done to travel safely.

See you on the road, somewhere or other.

Mark

Mark thanks for the reply. I have used the general search and have not been able to get a whole lot of info, then again I am new to Horizons Unlimited so I may not be able to get the info I am looking for. What are the concerns that you have more about venezuela??? Once again any info will help. Thanks

Ryan

In my experience Colombia was a breeze, people were super friendly, the scenery was beautiful, and it rated as one of my favorite South American countries to ride in... as good as Ecuador, but not quite on a par with Chile. Now the next traveller will tell you something different - it's the luck of the draw. We flew our bike and trailer from Panama to Bogota and got to sit up front with the pilot - an awesome experience.

In Venezuela my wife was strip searched at the border, the contents of our bike and trailer emptied on the road, camera taken apart and yet it still was a great place to travel.

Some of my best experiences were those I was warned not to do and some of the worst were those that others insisted were worth doing. Horses for courses right? If you make it to Bogota do take time out to visit Museo de Oro (the Gold Museum). For me, this was one of the highlights along with Cartagena where the campground manager knocked down a brick wall (his) so we could park our wide trailer inside the grounds. I could just see that happening in the West!

Yes, there's rebels, I've read those accounts too. But we've all heard stories about people who were mugged, shot, robbed...and this was while they were still in their own living rooms, so if you are on the road, enjoy the people you meet, revel in each moment and learn a little Spanish. Leave the doubts and fears where they belong, back home with the remote control!

Buena Suerte amigo.
Ron

I'm in Bogota now and have ridden north(east-ish) from Ecuador through Pasto, Popayan, Cali and Ibagues. Great roads, no cop hassle at all, amazing scenery, friendly folks, safe as milk (so far!) Prepare to spend more time than you planned in Colombia. This is not a country to be "got through"!

__________________
Simon

London-Cape Town 2004-06
Buenos Aires-Vancouver 2008-10:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/fitzpatrick

Hey I'm in Bogota as well, which hostel are you staying at?

Does anyone know if there is an official govt. site which has updated warnings on areas that one should not travel too?