Saftey in Colombia

[in bogota]

SOME GOOD NEWS ABOUT Colombia!!; while Bogota has always escaped most of the problems of Colombia (except for the exaggeration of the news media and from people that have never been here) a very positive story has been reported about travel in Colombia over the holiday season. The story was covered on a CNN network. this referes to travel by car throught the country.

Here are exerts from the story: BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) -- A record number of tourists traveled by land throughout Colombia during the Christmas and New Year's holiday, the nation's highway patrol said Thursday. Between December 21 and January 1, more than 16 million tourists -- primarily Colombians -- traveled on Colombia's highways, up 40 percent from the same period the year before, said Col. Jaime Adolfo Leal, director of the highway patrol.

"This is an absolute record," Leal said. Hotels on Colombia's Caribbean coast reported a 100 percent occupancy rate during this holiday season, according to the Colombian Hotel Association.

While we do escape the problems here in Bogota we are happy to see the efforts being made and the improvements. I am sure there will be MANY more to come.

Best Wishes to all for a great new year!!!

[AlexG32]

... in response to Saftey in Colombia, posted by in bogota on Jan 11, 2003

I did a fair amount of traveling while I was in Colombia this past December and early part of January.  I traveled with family in their private vehicles, by private taxi and also by bus, a total of 1000 miles or so by ground. While there was police presence I didn't see tanks, or caravans or convoys of any sort, police, military or civilian.  What I did see was an extraordinary amount of traffic between Bogota and the towns we visited and also Cali and the towns we visited.  

I arrived in Bogota on December the 13 and stayed through the 19.  I went to la Registraduría Nacional del Estado Civil to find out what the delay is on my Cedula.  I visited the US Embassy twice and also passed by the Policía Nacional de Colombia twice on the Trans Milenio.  While there was certainly police presence I saw no more than the norm I have come to expect.

The bus terminal in Armenia was a mad house and we were lucky to get a bus back to Cali on January 3.  When we arrived back in Cali , which by the way was a Friday night, the town seemed deserted.  We went out for a hamburger at Tascas on the North Side about 11:00 pm and things were still quiet.

This thread is called "Safety in Colombia" while Colombia is not the safest country in the world it is still not the most dangerous for Americans to travel to.  The reallity is that during a one week span in Colombia five buses were burned and their drivers killed.  Seven or eight police officers were assassinated  by the FARC in the wee hours of the morning coming back from providing extra security in a small town near Bogota, and a couple of Colombian tourists were stopped at a roadblock by the FARC and killed.  As far as I know all of the casualties were Colombian and none were American or other nationalities.  

[in bogota]

... in response to Re: Saftey in Colombia, posted by AlexG32 on Jan 12, 2003

Alex, Geez wern't you afraid? Thanks for the normal post that made sense!

[AlexG32]

... in response to Re: Re: Saftey in Colombia, posted by in bogota on Jan 12, 2003

The only time I have been afraid was on my honeymoon when my wife and I were traveling by bus between Cartagena and Baranquilla.  Our bus was stopped by the military (although I did not know it at the time) and we were all ordered off the bus and told to provide our cedulas.  Luckily for me I brought my American passport and the delay was minimal.  Many things flashed before my eyes as we were all led off the bus at gun point.  How does one distinguish between the FARC or ELN and a Colombian police officer or soldier?

[Cali vet]

... in response to Saftey in Colombia, posted by in bogota on Jan 11, 2003

I dunno. I'd like to go back to Bahia Solano (actually El Valle 40 minutes away by jeep) in Choco, this time for a honeymoon. The cabanas on the beach and the sun setting over the ocean at low tide with the steamy jungle at your back are super romantic but it was 45 minutes down the coast by launch at Parque Utria where the ELN kidnapped a slew of retired vacationers from Cali some months ago. I'll see what the travel agency at Comfenalco has to say about current safety there.

[valuedcustomer]

... in response to Saftey in Colombia, posted by in bogota on Jan 11, 2003


"In Bogota" says:

"While Bogota has escaped most of the problems (except for the exaggeration of the news media and from people that have never been here)"

This is an inaccurate statement.  Bogota has not escaped most of the problems.  Are you an agency owner?

There have been several car bombings in Bogota recently, including one several weeks ago in the north of Bogota which injured 60 people which my novia could feel from her apartment.  Also, the police raided an apartment in Bogota and discovered  high-tech equipment which would enable guerillas to guide a car with bombs into a building by remote control with a video camera on the car for guidance.

During the Christmas holiday, the roads where guarded by the military.  But the guerillas still managed to stop two buses north of Bogota and kill the bus drives and burn the buses.  And the US Embassy in Bogota decided to close during the holiday.  They must know something we don't.  Then there was the missile attack on Bogota during the inauguration of the new president.

When you go to Bogota, at times it can appear like a normal city with shoppers in shopping malls (except for the tanks and armed military personnel always present), but I would recommend that men don't let their guard down and delude themselves into thinking Colombia is a safe country.

[wizard]

... in response to Re: Saftey in Colombia, posted by valuedcustomer on Jan 11, 2003

I would have to agree with you... Although Bogota "seems" immune from the violence, the truth is far different... It can be a little deceptive as Bogota is a thriving metropolis, but there is still guerilla activity... Not to mention street crime and finally the fact that gringos stick out like a sore thumb...

Last week my novia and I were invited to travel about an hour south of Bogota for a weekend trip... I was a little skeptical, but my novia said NO, is not safe for me... I always abide by her decisions in these matters... Just like when we travel through town and she steers me away from certain areas... She is my native tour guide and knows best... There is no discussion, I follow her lead...

I do feel relatively safe in Bogota, but caution is always advised... Just watch your "6" and you'll be ok...

At least we're not traveling to Tel Aviv...

wizard

[Edge]

... in response to Saftey in Colombia, posted by in bogota on Jan 11, 2003

According to my wife, during the current holiday season that ends this weekend, Uribe has been promoting tourist travel along the highways with tourist caravans.  For example, this weekend there are 13 different highway segments that will be protected by the authorities so that the people can feel free to travel on these highways.  These are routes between major cities and holiday destinations.  They are trying to have people group together and travel in caravans.  I guess the thinking is if there are more authorities on the roads and many more people traveling together, they will be safer.

This is an idea that she says originated in the Valle del Cauca (departmento or state where Cali is) by their governor German Villegas.  He was trying to get people out into the valley to go to some of the smaller towns for festivals.  She is not sure but she knows Uribe and Villegas are from the same political party and she thinks Uribe picked up on this.

Every year the Colombian people choose a "personality of the year" and this year the people chose Uribe as "personaje del año".

[jim c]

... in response to Saftey in Colombia, posted by in bogota on Jan 11, 2003

Don't get your hopes up!  The article forgot to say that a large amount of the travelers drove in caravans protected by the army and police and that much of the police and military were diverted to protect travelers during the holidays. It is traditional to return home from the cities during the season and what would you expect in a report from the director of the highway patrol.  Seeing that you are new to the board and living in Bogota, why don't you fill us in on your history and time spent in Colombia. JIM C

[in bogota]

... in response to Re: Saftey in Colombia, posted by jim c on Jan 11, 2003

Since 1995 I have traveled to Colombia every three months and moved here in October. And you?

New to this board? Not hardly, but I seldom post because of so much negativity and it's difficult to constantly defend something when most people have already formed an opinion from the press or from listening to someone who has never been to Colombia but seems to know all about it.

[jim c]

... in response to Re: Re: Saftey in Colombia, posted by in bogota on Jan 11, 2003

Dear sensitive old timer

    Wizard was correct. I read your profile and believed it. why would I not? If you are not new to this board you must have an alter ego.  I don't recall this name on LWL either. Obviously you have changed your name since moving to that disneyland in the clouds, Bogota.
   Would you be civil enough to enlighten us as to your previous identity. As an old timer, you certainly understand that we often receive fantasy posts by persons who have a need to claim experience and insights that exist only in their mind.
    My initial post was to question any polyana like belief in the press release about safety on the roads of Colombia. I am not in competition with you as to seniority in Colombia. If you read the archives you would know that I maintain an apartment in Cali and have been going there for over three years. I do read the south american periodicos daily and maintain contact with people who are in Colombia.      
    Having spoken directly with the Pope of LWL on the telephone is nothing that would give you credibility in my book. In my experience, this list only gets negative when some payaso gets on and tries to create conflict over minor things. Usually  he has a questionable identity. The majority of us, that have been here a while, generally are aware of each others experience and respect our differences. But of course, you already know that!
    Please don't be shy. We are waiting for your personal insights based on your five years of experience. jim c

[wizard]

... in response to Re: Re: Saftey in Colombia, posted by in bogota on Jan 11, 2003

[This message has been edited by wizard]

I don't think Jim meant anything derogatory by his inquiry... Your profile says you joined in December 2002, which is why he thought you may be new to the board... We all seek knowledge concerning LA and for the most part, Colombia... As a regular traveler to Bogota, I enjoy the city, the people and the culture very much... Any insight I can provide to those in the pursuit I hope is taken in the manner intended... I hope you feel the same or why are you here??? No jabs, nothing negative, just the facts... No need to be defensive...

Sure there are some nut-cases here, not so much now as in the past... Anytime you provide an anonymous forum such as this, you will have people posting diverse opinions on a multitude of subjects... It is a little sad when people have to defend their stance from the hoard... Not like discussing topics over a drink down in the zone... There will always be the "armchair quarterbacks" that think they know best... True in any aspect of life...

I think many would benefit from your experience in Colombia as you live "in country"... Many here think that Colombia is valhalla with respect to finding a mate, so be prepared to defend your views, both positive and negative... So lighten up a little and go with the flow... If you jab at folks, expect the same in return...

From your tone I get the sneaking suspicion that you just joined LWL with a rather controversial post on "honesty"... If so, I can understand your hesitance about posting your views... If that's not you, sorry for the assumption...

Good Luck and I look forward to your thoughtful contributions...

wizard

[in bogota]

... in response to Cuidadoso mi amigo..., posted by wizard on Jan 11, 2003

I am a member of LWL and have been for a couple of years and have spoken with Larry Glickman on the phone in the past. If I shared the same opinion about the "honesty" post, I would have left Colombia a long time ago, that is one post I would have loved to respond to but didn't have the time.