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