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Old 12-07-2008, 09:03 AM   #1
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trying to decide on a place to go for spring break and I've narrowed it down to Costa Rica (since my December trip got put off) and Colombia.

I've always wanted to go to Colombia since we watched this video in high school Spanish class of these folks in Cartagena. I thought it looked beautiful but yeah there's the obvious travel paranoia associated with Colombia.

I checked out some threads on here but the ones I've read are like 4 years old talking about Colombian neck ties and shit haha. I've read that violence has decreased exponentially over time, but it still is the country with the highest murder rate in the world.

Anyhoo, if I went my plans would be 1 week, divided between Bogota and Cartegena. No stops in small guerrilla towns to buy AK-47s and cocaine, just sightseeing and passing out on the beach in Cartegena.

Anyone have any insight? Both trips are the same price, airfare wise for me, so I was just wondering if anyone had eyes on any other safety info before I made my decision.
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Old 12-08-2008, 04:43 AM   #2
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My buddy just went to Colombia back in August or September, something like that. He was going there with a friend of his, a girl who's parents were born there. Her father still lives there, in Medellin on some compound (yeah i know - i didn't ask).

My friend has travelled a fair bit, done the States, Europe, Costa, etc, and said Colombia was one place he felt a little scared in. It didn't help that everytime they went out with this girl's family, her dad and uncles were packing heat. Again, it coulda had something to do with Medellin or their lifestyle, but when he came back it wasn't that, "oh, the news is blown outta proportional - the situation on the ground is so much better, the people are awesome, blah blah - it was, "wow, shoulda saved $600 on airfare and NOT GONE."

But that was one man's take as related by me.
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Old 12-08-2008, 10:23 AM   #3
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I am going to be heading to Colombia probably the end of March, and I´ve talked to lots of other travelers who have been there. Everyone had nothing but good things to say about it.
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Old 12-08-2008, 10:34 AM   #4
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^that's about the time I am planning to go.... like the 21st-28th... I dunno, I'm still on the fence.
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Old 12-08-2008, 02:09 PM   #5
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A couple of my friends were just in Colombia for at least a month. They're two hard-partying, really outgoing British girls who will make small talk with almost anyone. They had a great time but I can try to find out more information if you'd like.
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Old 12-08-2008, 02:21 PM   #6
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that would be sweet, if you don't mind!!
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Old 12-08-2008, 04:26 PM   #7
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A good friend of mine was in Colombia a while back with a girl who was born there and visiting, and she loved it. Said the people were very nice and the food was fantastic, but also felt a little uneasy in general, because they were escorted by men (family) everywhere they went. Sounds about like the same story a lot of peeps have. I personally think it sounds like a wonderful country, but if I were to go I would want to travel with a group of friends or plan to hook up with some other travelers there to sightsee with.
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Old 10-05-2010, 02:39 PM   #8
 
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Any more recent information on Colombia? pinknic38, did you end up going? If so, how did you find it?

I've had two friends who have been there semi-recently and they've had great experiences. Recently I've stumbled across some pretty decent airfares to Bogota and consequently I'm very interested in going. I'd be thrilled to hear some other opinions/accounts of Colombian travel.

Thanks in advance!
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Old 10-05-2010, 09:47 PM   #9
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I just returned from 5 weeks in Colombia and it was my favorite country in South America. Felt like the safest, too.

I highly recommend it!
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Old 10-06-2010, 08:13 AM   #10
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I hate you, I am so jealous. Where did you go?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! OMG tell us everything!!!!!
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Old 10-22-2010, 11:00 PM   #11
 
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I second that, tell all! As far as South America goes, I've only ever got to Chile...I can't imagine feeling much safer than I did there as far as traveling goes; did you get to Chile in your five weeks, and did Colombia actually feel safer? I've heard Colombia has made amazing strides in that regard, but still, I'm very interested to hear. And not just relating to the safety claim, but rather what you got up to in general, cities/spots visited, dos and don'ts...any manner in which you might be able to enlighten me would be much appreciated :D
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