I love your country. If your not buying drugs or dealing with prostitute's youll be fine in Colombia. Ive been here for one year and its an amazing country. Im forced to leave in a week because my visa expires. I will be back in January 2025. ❤❤❤❤❤💯💯💯💯 Colombia
A few weeks ago I returned from my fifth--yes, fifth--trip to Colombia. It's one of my favorite countries. Unfortunately TV series like "Narcos" make people believe that everyone who goes to Colombia gets killed, or worse. Cartagena isn't my favorite city. It's the one city that feels overtouristed and the street vendors can be aggressive. In most of Colombia that doesn't exist. I love Bogotá or as Colombians call it "the refrigerator", because it almost never goes above 20C (68F). It's a very real city and only in a very few areas does it feel touristy. Medellin has become almost too popular with foreigners for its own good, but it shouldn't be missed. Cali receives far fewer tourists but it's lovely. Especially the San Antonio neighborhood. Colombia is wonderful. And remember. Pablo Escobar is every bit as dead as Al Capone is.
@@user-bv8fr4to8k te voy a dar un ejemplo. Es como comparar cancun con cartagena. Cartagena es patrimonio dd la humanidad con construcciones del siglo xvi resñira cultura por todos lados..cancun es un producto para el turismo.. Espero haber respondido
Soooo glad you finally went to Colombia!! 🇨🇴 I’ve been going to Colombia with my Colombian wife for 23 years and never had a problem. Do bad things happen in Colombia? Yes. Be very careful! But enjoy the people and culture. The people are wonderful and generous.
If you’re a foreigner, good people treat you like family and bad people wanna screw you up. If you’re from there, bad people wanna screw you up and good people just don’t care about you.
Mark, I'm a big fan of your videos and specially of your openness towards cultures different than your own. But this video touched me deeply because Colombia is where I grew up and live, and you were quite respectful and evidently intent on showing that Colombia in regards to travel safety is not that different from many other countries. Whenever you're back in Bogotá, you and your family have a friend in me and my wife!
Seeing my favorite travel RUclipsr in Colombia, where I travel to often to visit Family in Cali and Medellin, recommending it, really made my day! Thanks Wolter!
We lived in Cartagena for 5 years in the late 90s and even then it wasn’t unsafe. We traveled to Bogotá as well without any problems. The same general travel rules that are good to follow elsewhere should be applied in Colombia. It’s a spectacularly beautiful country and the people are among the friendliest you’ll find anywhere. (It’s definitely helpful to know at least a little Spanish; even being able to speak a few words or phrases helps.)
Thank you for your excellent videos about my Colombia. Keep visiting my country. I recommend you to visit the Llanos Orientales (wonderful nature, spectacular rivers, and very delicious food), and the Coffee area (Quindio, Risaralda, Caldas), so beautiful places, Valle del Cocora, OMG!. You will also enjoy Santander, the Chicamocha Canyon will surprise you! and in every region of Colombia there are different kind of arepas!
My son is heading there on the 20th for his first solo trip. I wanted to go but also have travel plans so it didn’t work out. It’s hard to find good Columbia travel videos so I thank you for posting.
Spent a fee days in Cartagena and absolutely loved it! Pro tip.. if you're strolling in the old part of the city (the walled part) go into the jewelry stores. Most will offer you free beer just for looking
Been waiting on some colombia content! I wouldn’t say it’s 100% safe for the average traveler that doesn’t know Spanish. This isn’t a place for beginners, but it can be amazing if you do your research and don’t be flashy.
When you do take ur phone out in public, hold it very tightly! Someone on moto tried to rob me yesterday in Bogotá. They failed because it was so tight in my hands Be safe 🙌🏻
There is even a saying in Colombia related to this I believe. It's an odd one along the lines of "don't show your grapes" and means never absent mindedly have anything valuable on show
@@user-bv8fr4to8k yes never! Sadly, everyone needs to take their phone for a second as I did to check my uber was arriving. And that 3-5 seconds -bam! I’m glad I hold it so tight always 🙏🏼
I went to Colombia 2 years ago (Carabean coast and Medellin, which were overall OK). I meet people from Bogota and they told me they do not feel safe in their own city. Generally speaking, big Latin American cities are not the safest place. I would go to Bogota, but just to see the main attractions and I would go out ASAP.
I just got back from Colombia and was really worried about the safety issues before I went as well. - For getting around I'd recommend downloading apps such as Uber or cabify. These saved me many times. - Aside from a few select areas such as the historic centre (Getsemani area) in Cartagena, and maybe the main streets of La Candelaria in Bogota and El Poblado in Medellin, try not to walk around too much, especially if it's by yourself or at night. Just take an Uber, they are dirt cheap. I averaged about $3/ride. - Be super aware of your belongings and don't walk around with/have your phone out. - Visit Salento, it was my favorite place in Colombia and is completely safe, even walking around at night. Following some of these precautions and the ones in the video, Colombia turned out to be my absolute favorite country I've been to so far. Colombians are some of the most genuine and most hard working people I've ever met. Can't wait to visit again!
I love to travel and have been to many places. I was in Columbia a few weeks ago, and it was one of the best trips I’ve ever had. Everything about the country exceeded my expectations. I felt very safe. I will definitely go back! I’m also impressed with Walter’s World videos. I checked this video out just to see if it was accurate compared to my personal experience, and Walter is spot on.
Overall I totally agree with the message - the fear mongering about Colombia is BS. But a few things: 1. Muggings are quite a bit more common than in most other places and you should have mentioned that. 2. Do NOT walk around with your passport in a country like Colombia where it isn't required. The best place for it is in your room so it doesn't get lost or stolen. 3. Use ATM's with security around, like in a mall. It is relatively common there for people to watch an ATM and mug the person once they are done getting their money. 4. Use an app like Uber to get around. Dishonesty about fares is relatively common in Colombia but Uber is fine, cheap, and it is how the locals get around.
Colombia is overall safe, but as long as you don't go out of the beaten track. See for e.g. the video of Alina Mcleod "I ALMOST GOT ROBBED AND SHOT AT IN SANTA MARTA, COLOMBIA". If for e.g. nobody walk near the highway, there is probably a good reason. I don't want to discourage people from going to Colombia, but on the other hand, they most know that travelling in Latin America in general is much more of an adventure than travelling to Europe. Colombia is not the hell it used to be, but it is not a place for naive and carefree tourists.
I went to Colombia in the 90s and than in 2022. It is a country I really like and I think in general people are amazing. First, it is much safer than in was during the 90s, no question. I find place like Cartagena very safe. But there is a big difference between the gringo trail (places where tourists typically go) and other places. I went to Ciénaga (Gabriel Garcia Márquez place between Cartagena and Santa Marta but not touristic in itself). I asked people if it was safe at night and people told me know. I can tell you then after sunset (6pm) it was just like Colombia in the not so good old days. I just went out with $5 on me to buy food from the grocery next door. It was just enough time to see there were grids closed everywhere and only young men out. In surface, Colombia is safe and in touristic places, it is decent, but just be mindful things can change quickly and it is not true everywhere. For e.g., I noticed our guide was really working hard to make sure nothing bad happen to us when visiting the Comuna 13 in Medellin. Go to Colombia, it is an amazing country, but don't be naive, ask locals what is safe and listen to what they tell you.
I've travelled all over Colombia. Choose the Caribbean coast over the Pacific. Leticia is also a great spot for tourists. Its a small city deep into the Amazon jungle. The borders aren't recognized, so you can walk across the street and enter Brazil, or take a boat tour down the Amazon river to visit Peru.
We just went to Buenos Aires and Rio and tourist guide told us to be super careful in both cities. He told us to keep our phones safeguarded all the time, and be alert all the time. Colombia is not different
Hi Mark, thanks a great video, I have been living in Barranquilla for the last 10 years so Cartagena is just down the road and I visit often. Your observations are totally accurate and your recommendations are right on point, thanks again for a great video.
I had to reschedule my trip from March 2020 to December 2021 due to Covid. I loved Cartagena. I agree with what you said. I hope to return soon. I heard a few nightmare scenarios about the druggings.
Very good guide! A few extra things to keep in mind, as a Colombian: * Yes, guerillas and mobs still exist. They're nowhere near as much of a threat as they once were, though. Nowadays, you have to go a fair bit out of your way to end up running into them. If you're going to rural areas far off the beaten path, it might be a good idea to ask around and do some research. * Yes, there are dangerous areas in the cities. Most cities have them. Having a bit of awareness of the dangerous parts is useful, but if you're sticking to touristic destinations you'll most likely be fine. * Try not to walk around at night too much. Especially on poorly-illuminated areas. That's where muggers roam. * Motorcycles. There's A LOT of them. Some tips regarding them: - As mentioned in the video, Some motorcycle riders may try to snatch your valuables if you're not holding on to them properly. Don't expose your valuables while walking around. - Some muggers will ride on motorcycles for a quick getaway. Pretty sure that's a thing pretty much everywhere, and it is unfortunately a thing here. Watch out for them, especially if you're in a vulnerable situation (alone, in a dark street, or in an otherwise unsafe location). - 99.9% of Colombian motorcyclists are normal people, looking to get from point A to point B. However... some of them drive quite recklessly. Think trying to sneak in between cars at speed to avoid traffic jams. Whenever you're crossing a road, if it's not a traffic light, even if the traffic is stopped: watch out for the motorcycles! - A positive one: some motorcyclists work as informal taxis. They're typically cheaper than regular taxis, especially for short rides. They can help you save some money in a pinch, BUT you must keep in mind all the aforementioned taxi-taking tips (especially as they're informal taxis, and therefore poorly regulated). Most likely, either get a motorcycle taxi suggested by hotel/store/restaurant staff, or don't take them at all. Also, make sure they do have a helmet, and wear it; it's not going to be the nicest, but crashing without one would be FAR worse. * It's advisable to learn some Spanish. Sure, hotel and touristic staff often known English, but not all of them do. Very few people outside of touristic areas will know English. Being able to communicate may help protect you from some scams, too. A personal anecdote: I was with family at a beach near Cartagena, and we had a New Zealand family next to us, that knew zero Spanish. They were offered a premium meal, and were made to believe that it was included with the trip to the beach. It wasn't, and it cost them over $100 (dollars). They only found out (and stopped buying stuff) because we happened to be nearby to translate for them. * Regarding currency, and the note about "extra zeros in the credit card bill": our currency can be a bit unwieldy to work with. 1 dollar = 4000 Colombian pesos. So don't panic if you see 5 or even 6 digits in your bill. Do panic if you see more than 7. Some touristic locations do shave off 3 zeros off the price tags for convenience (...or to charge you in dollars instead, which would be 4x the cost, so keep that in mind).
So happy to know you and your family came to Colombia. Everything you say is true, specially that the number one danger is the Sun. Now you all are honorary Colombian embassadors! 😊 🇨🇴
Mark, this video comes at a great time as our family will be visiting Pereira in the coming months. We’ll be staying with and going out and about with family over there. We’re excited to visit the axis of coffee region as we’ve been told is gorgeous and a smaller city. Don’t know yet if we’ll head to San Andreas, but thanks very much for this.
Thanks for the nice video and for the nice things you say about Colombia! My mother was Colombian and I lived for a time in the late 1970s in Barranquilla. It was maybe kind of rough where I lived then, but still I have fond memories and really... aren't there rough places in any country? Certainly there are in the U.S. I did go to the beach once in Cartagena, fell asleep on the beach and man, I got burned so badly I was crying and could barely move for a day or two! 😆
I was born in Cali, been living here for 25 years, I'll add, don't walk late at night, even if your destination is only a few blocks away, just pay for an Uber
It is true for most places in Colombia. However, I found that walking at night in the touristic part of Cartagena, Santa Marta and even some part of Medellin was OK. But I would not try in Bogota or Medellin.
Appreciate your comments of Colombia. Very objective. Colombia is not drugs and cartels anymore. Any major city in the world has the same safety risks. You just need to be vigilant.
Thank you, and yes Colombia has become a great place to visit, but be ware just like in any other place there is people that may want to take advantage, just be on the look out.
I'm a US citizen/expat living in Bogota with my Colombian wife. I've been here ten years. I have taken taxis by hailing them on the street. I've gone to the same place from the same place and have paid wildly different fares. One driver took me on a wild goose chase. I finally asked him if he had a GPS device. He said yes and used it to take me directly to where I wanted to go. From that time, I always ask drivers if they have a GPS device. As far as the altitude goes, it took me several weeks to get used to it. I didn't get altitude sickness, but my breathing had to adjust. Incidentally, Colombia is a pretty country and there is a lot for tourists to keep occupied for a long time. There is a lot of fear mongering, which is unfounded, but, at the same time, one needs to be very, very vigilant of their surroundings. In the ten years I've been in Bogota, I've never been robbed or hustled (now, I've jinxed myself by writing this haha). I must add that my Spanish is very poor, even after ten years, so, the moment I open my mouth, the natives know I'm a foreigner.
Hi i went to colombia last year with my friends (4 23 yo men at the time). Were all mexican so no language barriers at all. People are warm, girls are beautiful. Some places you’re perfectly safe like the wealthier areas in medellin or the coffee towns like salento. However in other areas like cartagena you need to watch out for scams and in central medellin i rlly felt sketchy vibes. Many eyes staring at us (i think this is how americans feel in tijuana but yeh first time ive ever felt a 6th sense for danger in latin america) so watch out for obvious signs. Plan ahead and your’re good. But do stay aware. Eyes on your back!
The parts of Bogotá and Cartagena I went to seemed extremely safe. Bogotá usually isn’t sunny enough (nor do you want to show enough skin) to worry about sunburns. The closest thing to a crime I was a victim of was being extorted for extra money to go to the airport. You can’t even trust Uber drivers. I didn’t report one of the Uber guys because he was a good driver who went fast though. I did report a cab driver who wanted an extra 20 mil (about $6 at the time) to get my luggage. I would have given him a comparable tip, but I didn’t like how he got an aggressive tone and tried to gaslight about what we agreed to. I think he wasn’t sure I was a foreigner at first. One good thing is I think it’s against the law for street people to ask for handouts. That only happened once or twice in multiple trips… less often than the shady drivers.
I felt very safe in Cartagena in December when I was there on windstar excursions, both daytime and evening. I generally prefer to be on group excursions as a solo cruiser
I've lived and worked in Colombia since the 90s various times and never had any problems worth mentioning--none more than in L.A. People who perceive the world only through movies and TV shows have no clue. The only problem is when you go to any country--even the U.S.--in tourist mode. Then you become a more visible target for rip-offs.
@@MarkBH70 Around $600 to $1,000. It depends on the airline, the stops, and suitcases. Emirates just inaugurated a flight from Miami to Bogotá a week ago, for some over $300. They passengers say it is like better than first class flying with that airline, and includes suitcases.
thank you for the post. can you give more detail. im thinking of going back. Last time i was there was in 2018. (still little crazy at night lol, i def dont recommend people to walk at night in boogta,medellin or cartenganna)
@@Andrew-cg2zl I haven't been back since 2019, but I do have family there. There has been a lot of tension between the Colombian residents and the Venezuelan migrants, from what I heard.
Hi as an American retired and living i Colombia.I recomend not visit south of cali due to miliary activity..also the Venuzuela border and near the darian gap should be avoided.Just use you head in other areas of Columbia and enjoy the beauty of the county and the wonderful helpful people.
I love this country but water is very unsafe (at least on the Caribbean coast). Believe me, they have some of the nastiest bacterias there (much worst then Mexico).
this video makes me think of this couple i follow on youtube. naick and kim. they're from belgium and are currently trying to travel the pan-american highway. they're in columbia right now. it's been fascinating because they had to ship their van from belgium to canada, drive from new foundland across to alaska and then start to drive south. lots of headaches with the van breaking down and lots of tears but also really amazing adventures. haha i know a lot of people have been and continue to be worried for their safety since they often sleep in the van and have to find safe places to park for the night.
I was in Leticia a few years ago and did a Amazon tour. Very safe with no issues walking alone at night and almost zero sketchy people, infinitely safer than any big city (that aren’t that unsafe either besides a few bad neighborhoods). Probably the biggest safety concern in leticia was the wild animals of the Amazon, streets dogs and the risk of rabies. But not the people or gangs - the areas with the most gang violence due to the drug trade is usually the port cities, Buenaventura in particular, where they ship everything from.
I went to Santa Marta and on the beach my girlfriend asked a police officer if it was safe and he said one of the worst things he saw at the beach was when someone stole someone’s things, and everyone beat up the thief.
As long as you don't go out of the beaten track, it is generally ok, especially daytime. However, don't try to walk near the highway between Santa Marta and El Rodadero, it is not safe at all. And keep in mind that in Latin America, police officers are not the best source of information as they are often corrupted.
I grew up in Bogota, it makes us very proud to see you visiting our country
Beautiful city
I love your country. If your not buying drugs or dealing with prostitute's youll be fine in Colombia. Ive been here for one year and its an amazing country. Im forced to leave in a week because my visa expires. I will be back in January 2025. ❤❤❤❤❤💯💯💯💯 Colombia
Rolo
@@briangunn21 si sas
👌👌👌
A few weeks ago I returned from my fifth--yes, fifth--trip to Colombia. It's one of my favorite countries.
Unfortunately TV series like "Narcos" make people believe that everyone who goes to Colombia gets killed, or worse.
Cartagena isn't my favorite city. It's the one city that feels overtouristed and the street vendors can be aggressive. In most of Colombia that doesn't exist.
I love Bogotá or as Colombians call it "the refrigerator", because it almost never goes above 20C (68F). It's a very real city and only in a very few areas does it feel touristy. Medellin has become almost too popular with foreigners for its own good, but it shouldn't be missed. Cali receives far fewer tourists but it's lovely. Especially the San Antonio neighborhood.
Colombia is wonderful. And remember. Pablo Escobar is every bit as dead as Al Capone is.
What would you recommend for a sort of sightseeing, laid back holiday? My girlfriend and I are debating between Mexico and Colonbia and can't decide!
@@user-bv8fr4to8k Really that would depend on your interests. I love both.
Maybe do one this year and the other one next 😉
@@user-bv8fr4to8k Colombia is much more fun. The party vibe and friendliness are unparalleled.
Ciudades pequeñas mas seguras y menos visitadas, ideales para visitar Tunja, Pasto, Tolu, Bucaramaga.
@@user-bv8fr4to8k te voy a dar un ejemplo. Es como comparar cancun con cartagena. Cartagena es patrimonio dd la humanidad con construcciones del siglo xvi resñira cultura por todos lados..cancun es un producto para el turismo..
Espero haber respondido
Soooo glad you finally went to Colombia!! 🇨🇴 I’ve been going to Colombia with my Colombian wife for 23 years and never had a problem. Do bad things happen in Colombia? Yes. Be very careful! But enjoy the people and culture. The people are wonderful and generous.
I just was granted a 3 year Colombian retirement visa last week.
I visited Medellin in January 2022 and it was totally safe! The people were so helpful with a special hand to me, a senior!!
Perfect timing! I'm heading to Colombia in two days 😃
How was it?
Such a beautiful country, ppl treat you like family!
If you’re a foreigner, good people treat you like family and bad people wanna screw you up. If you’re from there, bad people wanna screw you up and good people just don’t care about you.
Always be aware of your surroundings
Always listen to locals. If they tell you doing something/going somewhere is unsafe, don't do it!
Mark, I'm a big fan of your videos and specially of your openness towards cultures different than your own.
But this video touched me deeply because Colombia is where I grew up and live, and you were quite respectful and evidently intent on showing that Colombia in regards to travel safety is not that different from many other countries.
Whenever you're back in Bogotá, you and your family have a friend in me and my wife!
Went to Colombia for my birthday in 2022 October. Bogota and Medellin and I felt perfectly safe, especially Medellin
Can't believe Walter was in my country. I have watched your videos since 2016 probably. Oh my gosh.
Me too, but his name is not Wolter. His name is Mark. Wolters is his surname.
Seeing my favorite travel RUclipsr in Colombia, where I travel to often to visit Family in Cali and Medellin, recommending it, really made my day! Thanks Wolter!
We lived in Cartagena for 5 years in the late 90s and even then it wasn’t unsafe. We traveled to Bogotá as well without any problems. The same general travel rules that are good to follow elsewhere should be applied in Colombia. It’s a spectacularly beautiful country and the people are among the friendliest you’ll find anywhere. (It’s definitely helpful to know at least a little Spanish; even being able to speak a few words or phrases helps.)
I was waiting for this video!!! I’m going to Colombia next week!!!
Thank you for your excellent videos about my Colombia. Keep visiting my country. I recommend you to visit the Llanos Orientales (wonderful nature, spectacular rivers, and very delicious food), and the Coffee area (Quindio, Risaralda, Caldas), so beautiful places, Valle del Cocora, OMG!. You will also enjoy Santander, the Chicamocha Canyon will surprise you! and in every region of Colombia there are different kind of arepas!
Been to Cartagena and Medellin. Both lovely and I felt very safe
My son is heading there on the 20th for his first solo trip. I wanted to go but also have travel plans so it didn’t work out. It’s hard to find good Columbia travel videos so I thank you for posting.
Its Colombia, WTF, so easy.😵💫
@@alexRM58maybe her son is going to South Carolina.
if hes going to medellin ...then hes going for the women
👍
@@commanderclaude8781 Cartagena is the same if not worse
is your son traveling to Columbia university or to British Columbia? WTF it has to do with Colombia?
Fabulous Video! Thank you for sharing ❤ 🇨🇴💃
Spent a fee days in Cartagena and absolutely loved it!
Pro tip.. if you're strolling in the old part of the city (the walled part) go into the jewelry stores. Most will offer you free beer just for looking
Been waiting on some colombia content! I wouldn’t say it’s 100% safe for the average traveler that doesn’t know Spanish. This isn’t a place for beginners, but it can be amazing if you do your research and don’t be flashy.
When you do take ur phone out in public, hold it very tightly!
Someone on moto tried to rob me yesterday in Bogotá.
They failed because it was so tight in my hands
Be safe 🙌🏻
😳
There is even a saying in Colombia related to this I believe. It's an odd one along the lines of "don't show your grapes" and means never absent mindedly have anything valuable on show
@@user-bv8fr4to8k yes never! Sadly, everyone needs to take their phone for a second as I did to check my uber was arriving. And that 3-5 seconds -bam!
I’m glad I hold it so tight always 🙏🏼
@@user-bv8fr4to8k "No dar Papaya." Don't show sweet things.
I went to Colombia 2 years ago (Carabean coast and Medellin, which were overall OK). I meet people from Bogota and they told me they do not feel safe in their own city. Generally speaking, big Latin American cities are not the safest place. I would go to Bogota, but just to see the main attractions and I would go out ASAP.
I just got back from Colombia and was really worried about the safety issues before I went as well.
- For getting around I'd recommend downloading apps such as Uber or cabify. These saved me many times.
- Aside from a few select areas such as the historic centre (Getsemani area) in Cartagena, and maybe the main streets of La Candelaria in Bogota and El Poblado in Medellin, try not to walk around too much, especially if it's by yourself or at night. Just take an Uber, they are dirt cheap. I averaged about $3/ride.
- Be super aware of your belongings and don't walk around with/have your phone out.
- Visit Salento, it was my favorite place in Colombia and is completely safe, even walking around at night.
Following some of these precautions and the ones in the video, Colombia turned out to be my absolute favorite country I've been to so far. Colombians are some of the most genuine and most hard working people I've ever met. Can't wait to visit again!
I love to travel and have been to many places. I was in Columbia a few weeks ago, and it was one of the best trips I’ve ever had. Everything about the country exceeded my expectations. I felt very safe. I will definitely go back! I’m also impressed with Walter’s World videos. I checked this video out just to see if it was accurate compared to my personal experience, and Walter is spot on.
were you in Columbia university or in British Columbia?
So beautiful 🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴 So in love with that country! The people always with a smile!
Overall I totally agree with the message - the fear mongering about Colombia is BS. But a few things:
1. Muggings are quite a bit more common than in most other places and you should have mentioned that.
2. Do NOT walk around with your passport in a country like Colombia where it isn't required. The best place for it is in your room so it doesn't get lost or stolen.
3. Use ATM's with security around, like in a mall. It is relatively common there for people to watch an ATM and mug the person once they are done getting their money.
4. Use an app like Uber to get around. Dishonesty about fares is relatively common in Colombia but Uber is fine, cheap, and it is how the locals get around.
This is a great video. I visited Colombia about 3 years ago and it was a wonderful trip!
Such a beautiful country ❣️
Thank you! You pretty much covered all my questions
Colombia is overall safe, but as long as you don't go out of the beaten track. See for e.g. the video of Alina Mcleod "I ALMOST GOT ROBBED AND SHOT AT IN SANTA MARTA, COLOMBIA". If for e.g. nobody walk near the highway, there is probably a good reason. I don't want to discourage people from going to Colombia, but on the other hand, they most know that travelling in Latin America in general is much more of an adventure than travelling to Europe. Colombia is not the hell it used to be, but it is not a place for naive and carefree tourists.
NAIL the "naive and carefree tourists"
I went to Colombia in the 90s and than in 2022. It is a country I really like and I think in general people are amazing. First, it is much safer than in was during the 90s, no question. I find place like Cartagena very safe. But there is a big difference between the gringo trail (places where tourists typically go) and other places. I went to Ciénaga (Gabriel Garcia Márquez place between Cartagena and Santa Marta but not touristic in itself). I asked people if it was safe at night and people told me know. I can tell you then after sunset (6pm) it was just like Colombia in the not so good old days. I just went out with $5 on me to buy food from the grocery next door. It was just enough time to see there were grids closed everywhere and only young men out. In surface, Colombia is safe and in touristic places, it is decent, but just be mindful things can change quickly and it is not true everywhere. For e.g., I noticed our guide was really working hard to make sure nothing bad happen to us when visiting the Comuna 13 in Medellin. Go to Colombia, it is an amazing country, but don't be naive, ask locals what is safe and listen to what they tell you.
El guia sabe que siempre habra algun ladron camuflado esperando robar. Pero soy colombiana y desde el 99 no veo un robo, pero claro pasan.
Great video!
Great information ❤
I spent a month in Medellín and was amazed how nice it was. The neighborhood I was in reminded me of the West End in Vancouver
Your advice is very accurate, congrats!
I've travelled all over Colombia. Choose the Caribbean coast over the Pacific. Leticia is also a great spot for tourists. Its a small city deep into the Amazon jungle. The borders aren't recognized, so you can walk across the street and enter Brazil, or take a boat tour down the Amazon river to visit Peru.
Heading to Medellin in Aug 🙌
M/dellin is a great city. I hope you have the chance to see other places as well. Traveling to Medellin is a cliche nowadays. Check out Bucaramanga.
We just went to Buenos Aires and Rio and tourist guide told us to be super careful in both cities. He told us to keep our phones safeguarded all the time, and be alert all the time.
Colombia is not different
Very accurate and balanced video - nice job. Some good Colombia-specific advice, but most of it is something all travelers should habitualize.
So happy to see you went to Colombia
Hi Mark, thanks a great video, I have been living in Barranquilla for the last 10 years so Cartagena is just down the road and I visit often. Your observations are totally accurate and your recommendations are right on point, thanks again for a great video.
Great video. Thank you for posting
Always ask for the price in Cartagena. ALWAYS. I live there, and even locals do it all the time.
I visited Pereira and Manizales in 2014 with a Colombian friend.
I had to reschedule my trip from March 2020 to December 2021 due to Covid. I loved Cartagena. I agree with what you said. I hope to return soon. I heard a few nightmare scenarios about the druggings.
Very good guide! A few extra things to keep in mind, as a Colombian:
* Yes, guerillas and mobs still exist. They're nowhere near as much of a threat as they once were, though. Nowadays, you have to go a fair bit out of your way to end up running into them. If you're going to rural areas far off the beaten path, it might be a good idea to ask around and do some research.
* Yes, there are dangerous areas in the cities. Most cities have them. Having a bit of awareness of the dangerous parts is useful, but if you're sticking to touristic destinations you'll most likely be fine.
* Try not to walk around at night too much. Especially on poorly-illuminated areas. That's where muggers roam.
* Motorcycles. There's A LOT of them. Some tips regarding them:
- As mentioned in the video, Some motorcycle riders may try to snatch your valuables if you're not holding on to them properly. Don't expose your valuables while walking around.
- Some muggers will ride on motorcycles for a quick getaway. Pretty sure that's a thing pretty much everywhere, and it is unfortunately a thing here. Watch out for them, especially if you're in a vulnerable situation (alone, in a dark street, or in an otherwise unsafe location).
- 99.9% of Colombian motorcyclists are normal people, looking to get from point A to point B. However... some of them drive quite recklessly. Think trying to sneak in between cars at speed to avoid traffic jams. Whenever you're crossing a road, if it's not a traffic light, even if the traffic is stopped: watch out for the motorcycles!
- A positive one: some motorcyclists work as informal taxis. They're typically cheaper than regular taxis, especially for short rides. They can help you save some money in a pinch, BUT you must keep in mind all the aforementioned taxi-taking tips (especially as they're informal taxis, and therefore poorly regulated). Most likely, either get a motorcycle taxi suggested by hotel/store/restaurant staff, or don't take them at all. Also, make sure they do have a helmet, and wear it; it's not going to be the nicest, but crashing without one would be FAR worse.
* It's advisable to learn some Spanish. Sure, hotel and touristic staff often known English, but not all of them do. Very few people outside of touristic areas will know English. Being able to communicate may help protect you from some scams, too.
A personal anecdote: I was with family at a beach near Cartagena, and we had a New Zealand family next to us, that knew zero Spanish. They were offered a premium meal, and were made to believe that it was included with the trip to the beach. It wasn't, and it cost them over $100 (dollars). They only found out (and stopped buying stuff) because we happened to be nearby to translate for them.
* Regarding currency, and the note about "extra zeros in the credit card bill": our currency can be a bit unwieldy to work with. 1 dollar = 4000 Colombian pesos. So don't panic if you see 5 or even 6 digits in your bill. Do panic if you see more than 7. Some touristic locations do shave off 3 zeros off the price tags for convenience (...or to charge you in dollars instead, which would be 4x the cost, so keep that in mind).
Very Lovely ideas 😊😊
So happy to know you and your family came to Colombia. Everything you say is true, specially that the number one danger is the Sun. Now you all are honorary Colombian embassadors! 😊 🇨🇴
Osm
Hey Mark, awesome video
*You said it exactly the way it is. I like that you are not exaggerated or sensationalist.*
Ty for this video!! I’m planning a trip for next year, so the timing of this is great for me ☺️. Love your videos!
Mark, this video comes at a great time as our family will be visiting Pereira in the coming months. We’ll be staying with and going out and about with family over there. We’re excited to visit the axis of coffee region as we’ve been told is gorgeous and a smaller city. Don’t know yet if we’ll head to San Andreas, but thanks very much for this.
I liked in Pereira for a little less than a year. It’s a great city with very kind people, I rarely felt unsafe. Enjoy :)
Great video, be polite, respectful 😊❤
You make everything convincing
Good information
Very good work
Thanks for the nice video and for the nice things you say about Colombia! My mother was Colombian and I lived for a time in the late 1970s in Barranquilla. It was maybe kind of rough where I lived then, but still I have fond memories and really... aren't there rough places in any country? Certainly there are in the U.S. I did go to the beach once in Cartagena, fell asleep on the beach and man, I got burned so badly I was crying and could barely move for a day or two! 😆
I was born in Cali, been living here for 25 years, I'll add, don't walk late at night, even if your destination is only a few blocks away, just pay for an Uber
It is true for most places in Colombia. However, I found that walking at night in the touristic part of Cartagena, Santa Marta and even some part of Medellin was OK. But I would not try in Bogota or Medellin.
Welcome to my country! Go to San Andres. That’s our island. 🏝️
Very informative and good tips thanks man!! :)
Appreciate your comments of Colombia. Very objective. Colombia is not drugs and cartels anymore. Any major city in the world has the same safety risks. You just need to be vigilant.
I love your videos 🤗
Greetings from Guaviare Colombia.
Geotours del Guaviare
Good advice !
So nice
Very useful Video!
Thank you, and yes Colombia has become a great place to visit, but be ware just like in any other place there is people that may want to take advantage, just be on the look out.
I'm a US citizen/expat living in Bogota with my Colombian wife. I've been here ten years. I have taken taxis by hailing them on the street. I've gone to the same place from the same place and have paid wildly different fares. One driver took me on a wild goose chase. I finally asked him if he had a GPS device. He said yes and used it to take me directly to where I wanted to go. From that time, I always ask drivers if they have a GPS device. As far as the altitude goes, it took me several weeks to get used to it. I didn't get altitude sickness, but my breathing had to adjust. Incidentally, Colombia is a pretty country and there is a lot for tourists to keep occupied for a long time. There is a lot of fear mongering, which is unfounded, but, at the same time, one needs to be very, very vigilant of their surroundings. In the ten years I've been in Bogota, I've never been robbed or hustled (now, I've jinxed myself by writing this haha). I must add that my Spanish is very poor, even after ten years, so, the moment I open my mouth, the natives know I'm a foreigner.
Fantastic
Very nice
Hi i went to colombia last year with my friends (4 23 yo men at the time). Were all mexican so no language barriers at all. People are warm, girls are beautiful. Some places you’re perfectly safe like the wealthier areas in medellin or the coffee towns like salento. However in other areas like cartagena you need to watch out for scams and in central medellin i rlly felt sketchy vibes. Many eyes staring at us (i think this is how americans feel in tijuana but yeh first time ive ever felt a 6th sense for danger in latin america) so watch out for obvious signs. Plan ahead and your’re good. But do stay aware. Eyes on your back!
The parts of Bogotá and Cartagena I went to seemed extremely safe.
Bogotá usually isn’t sunny enough (nor do you want to show enough skin) to worry about sunburns.
The closest thing to a crime I was a victim of was being extorted for extra money to go to the airport. You can’t even trust Uber drivers. I didn’t report one of the Uber guys because he was a good driver who went fast though. I did report a cab driver who wanted an extra 20 mil (about $6 at the time) to get my luggage. I would have given him a comparable tip, but I didn’t like how he got an aggressive tone and tried to gaslight about what we agreed to. I think he wasn’t sure I was a foreigner at first.
One good thing is I think it’s against the law for street people to ask for handouts. That only happened once or twice in multiple trips… less often than the shady drivers.
I felt very safe in Cartagena in December when I was there on windstar excursions, both daytime and evening. I generally prefer to be on group excursions as a solo cruiser
Great vlog ...
Thank you!!! ❤ 🇨🇴
I've lived and worked in Colombia since the 90s various times and never had any problems worth mentioning--none more than in L.A. People who perceive the world only through movies and TV shows have no clue. The only problem is when you go to any country--even the U.S.--in tourist mode. Then you become a more visible target for rip-offs.
I grew in the Colombia from the 90s everything were bad news in the TV , I’m also proud that foreigner come here
I would love to go to Colombia! Never been to South America. Beautiful! (I'm poor, but someday I will go!)
Most things in Colombia are very cheap. You don't need to be even middle class.
@@inolvidable. How much is a ticket?
@@MarkBH70 Around $600 to $1,000. It depends on the airline, the stops, and suitcases. Emirates just inaugurated a flight from Miami to Bogotá a week ago, for some over $300. They passengers say it is like better than first class flying with that airline, and includes suitcases.
@@inolvidable. Great. I'll have to save up. I'd like to try Emirates.
@@inolvidable. How much for hotels and food?
Intresting
I've been to Colombia many times, and was curious on Mark's take on it. Although post pandemic, Colombia has gotten a little crazier.
thank you for the post. can you give more detail. im thinking of going back. Last time i was there was in 2018. (still little crazy at night lol, i def dont recommend people to walk at night in boogta,medellin or cartenganna)
@@Andrew-cg2zl I haven't been back since 2019, but I do have family there. There has been a lot of tension between the Colombian residents and the Venezuelan migrants, from what I heard.
I've been to colombia since when I was little
awesom❤
Good 👍
THANK YOU
Nice 🙂🙂🙂
nice ❤
Hi as an American retired and living i Colombia.I recomend not visit south of cali due to miliary activity..also the Venuzuela border and near the darian gap should be avoided.Just use you head in other areas of Columbia and enjoy the beauty of the county and the wonderful helpful people.
What? Venezuelan border near the Darien? What are you talking about? They are in the opposite direction. You probably mean Panama.
Good
Go to Jardin Antioquia! You will love it!
Basically it all comes down to “No dar papaya”. Always apply that motto and you’ll be safe.
Colombia ❤
I was going to ask about the water but you beat me to it.
I love this country but water is very unsafe (at least on the Caribbean coast). Believe me, they have some of the nastiest bacterias there (much worst then Mexico).
Basically: No dar Papaya!
this video makes me think of this couple i follow on youtube. naick and kim. they're from belgium and are currently trying to travel the pan-american highway. they're in columbia right now. it's been fascinating because they had to ship their van from belgium to canada, drive from new foundland across to alaska and then start to drive south. lots of headaches with the van breaking down and lots of tears but also really amazing adventures. haha i know a lot of people have been and continue to be worried for their safety since they often sleep in the van and have to find safe places to park for the night.
Hi, I've been watching your videos for a long time. I'm from Colombia. What do you think of the food?
Does anyone know if it's safe to visit and tour the Amazon in the south east part of Colombia?
Probably safer than the larger cities. But, better if you go with a tour.
I was in Leticia a few years ago and did a Amazon tour. Very safe with no issues walking alone at night and almost zero sketchy people, infinitely safer than any big city (that aren’t that unsafe either besides a few bad neighborhoods).
Probably the biggest safety concern in leticia was the wild animals of the Amazon, streets dogs and the risk of rabies. But not the people or gangs - the areas with the most gang violence due to the drug trade is usually the port cities, Buenaventura in particular, where they ship everything from.
I went to Santa Marta and on the beach my girlfriend asked a police officer if it was safe and he said one of the worst things he saw at the beach was when someone stole someone’s things, and everyone beat up the thief.
As long as you don't go out of the beaten track, it is generally ok, especially daytime. However, don't try to walk near the highway between Santa Marta and El Rodadero, it is not safe at all. And keep in mind that in Latin America, police officers are not the best source of information as they are often corrupted.
Best
Its safe to my experience at least. Never go to bar to meet girls and have drink with them or good luck on that.
nice
Wanna visit there