Safety of driving between cities

[Pete E]

I have popsted alot in the past asbout not driving between cities in Colombia.I was going from what other people had said and also a safety first mindset.If anyone has had a problem with it,don´t do it.Well,I completely overstated the case.
It is true there are areas of Colombia you don´t want to drive,but that depends on who is in control of the area.2 years ago the guerillas controlled the area around Popiyan.Not so today.
I would tell any person thinking of driving to do a little research,ask alot of questions.
The head of my wifes church here in Cali wanted to take me on a trip to some towns in the area.He is also a political candidate and is doing alot of organizing.After asking alot I went.We drove from Cali to Seville and Armenia,about a hundred miles north.There were lots of cars on the roads.Nobody was concearned about safety.We went through a couple of police checkpoints,but nothing of any concearn.It seemed totally safe.The same may not be true at a different time and place.
It depends.But its not automatically a don´t do.

Pete

[Edge]

... in response to Safety of driving between cities, posted by Pete E on Jan 3, 2002

Pete - I think the areas that are particularly dangerous are in the mountains.  Every trip I made to Cali we traveled to various places in other states. Especially in the valle del cauca, you are probably safe.  None of these trips involved traveling in the mountains (except one), where the rebels are more prevalent.  

But it is good to be cautious.  We did travel once up to lago calima since my relatives thought it was pretty quiet for rebel activity.  We went through 3 army check points around the lake.  The first check point was very thorough and they searched everything.  The "captain" noticed I was an "extranjero" and commented on it but other than that, they were courteous.  I will tell you though, this one trip in the mountains made me want to see more.  The country is certainly beautiful but it is not worth running into any trouble over.

[JimSimon]

... in response to Re: Safety of driving between cities, posted by Edge on Jan 3, 2002

The key is going with a local who is aware of the world.  Colombians know which areas are completely safe for Americans and which aren't.  

Situations change since there are three terrorist groups so you can't make generalizations about mountains always being more dangerous.  Generally unfriendly terrrain (jungles and mountains) are better for gurrilas but Cplombia is a huge country.

I would go anywhere with a local person I trust.

Jim