Going to Colombia in a few weeks. What should/shouldn't I do?

[Modelworks]

After watching locked up abroad on tv, don't bring anything back that could put you behind a fence for 20 years, inside a place with no guards, and your only survival depending on Manuel the local pimp.

 

[Arkaign]

I recommend Barranquilla or Santa Marta.

Colombia is indeed quite dangerous to an extent. Take one good set of clothes for dinner at hotels/whatever, but dress like shit the rest of the time (including your shoes). Take only as much money as you need to for whatever activities you have in mind, and in general use common sense.

 

[Modelworks]

One other thing I might do is to know where the consulate/embassy is before I went as well as any phone numbers. Just in case you need their services . Not saying you are going to be attacked, but they can help with a lot of stuff from health insurance issues , should you get sick, to places best to visit.

http://bogota.usembassy.gov/

 

[OCGuy]

A line of yeyo off the hood of a Ford Fiesta.

 

[Mellow]

Originally posted by: OCguy
A line of yeyo off the hood of a Ford Fiesta.

Second time you've recommended coke in the same thread. Are you some kind of idiot, or what?

 

[OCGuy]

Originally posted by: Mellow

Originally posted by: OCguy
A line of yeyo off the hood of a Ford Fiesta.

Second time you've recommended coke in the same thread. Are you some kind of idiot, or what?

The only idiot would be the one going to Columbia without doing some coke off the urinal in a whore house.

 

[Modelworks]

From the embassy site, anyone ever heard of this Scopolamine stuff, first I ever heard of it. Assume it is similar to the GHB maybe ?

A recent trend shows a dramatic increase in Scopolamine attacks in the ?Galerias? district (between Calles 53 and 54 with Carreras 24 through 27) and the ?Plaza de las Americas? district (Avenida Primera de Mayo between Carrera 68 and Avenida Boyaca) in Bogota. Due to the number of Americans who have been victimized in these areas, and the high frequency of Scopolamine type incidents, these areas are off limits to official Embassy personnel.

The Embassy urges all Americans to adhere to the following recommendations to minimize the possibility of being a victim to these types of crimes:

- Avoid going to bars or nightclubs alone (although groups have been targeted as well),
- Never leave food or drinks unattended,
- Do not accept food or drinks from strangers,
- Do not leave bars, restaurants, or nightclubs with strangers.

In the event of a suspected Scopolamine type incident, victims should seek medical assistance immediately, and report the crime to Colombian Police Authorities and the U.S. Embassy.

 

[JD50]

Originally posted by: Mellow

Originally posted by: OCguy
A line of yeyo off the hood of a Ford Fiesta.

Second time you've recommended coke in the same thread. Are you some kind of idiot, or what?

Did you honestly expect a bunch of serious replies here? You need to lighten up, maybe some blow will take the edge off.

 

[nerdress]

Oh sweet! I invaded Bogota in my military science class, it looked beautiful when we had to study up on it. Have fun!

 

[PepePeru]

Your beloved patriot asses are gonna get rolled.

 

[biggestmuff]

Originally posted by: Mellow
Anyone have any non-cocaine ideas for me?

Also, Bogota is statistically safer than Washington DC, so knock that shit off.

Uh...The District of Columbia! :Q

 

[biggestmuff]

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: Arcadio

Originally posted by: Gibson486
It is still as dangerous though.

Yeah, but the same is true for most third-world countries.

lol...colombia's not a 3rd world country....it acts like it sometimes....but its not

You mad it's green?

 

[biggestmuff]

Originally posted by: Modelworks
From the embassy site, anyone ever heard of this Scopolamine stuff, first I ever heard of it. Assume it is similar to the GHB maybe ?

A recent trend shows a dramatic increase in Scopolamine attacks in the ?Galerias? district (between Calles 53 and 54 with Carreras 24 through 27) and the ?Plaza de las Americas? district (Avenida Primera de Mayo between Carrera 68 and Avenida Boyaca) in Bogota. Due to the number of Americans who have been victimized in these areas, and the high frequency of Scopolamine type incidents, these areas are off limits to official Embassy personnel.

The Embassy urges all Americans to adhere to the following recommendations to minimize the possibility of being a victim to these types of crimes:

- Avoid going to bars or nightclubs alone (although groups have been targeted as well),
- Never leave food or drinks unattended,
- Do not accept food or drinks from strangers,
- Do not leave bars, restaurants, or nightclubs with strangers.

In the event of a suspected Scopolamine type incident, victims should seek medical assistance immediately, and report the crime to Colombian Police Authorities and the U.S. Embassy.

That rules out every restaurant.

 

[DivideBYZero]

You're not going to get many sane replies from the likes of ATOT. Firstly most of them can't even spell the country name correctly, so take the advice of those people at your peril.

Now for some real info from a Brit who has been and travelled all over Colombia:

1) Have a plan. DO NOT 'wing it'.
2) Prepare your transfers in advance. NEVER use a Taxi you flag down. Always call a reputable cab company.
3) Don't shit your pants. It's not as dangerous as people like to make out. Just treat it like any other major metropolitan city. There are good and bad areas. Get a guide book and read up on which is which.
4)Go to Andres Carne de Res in Chia, just outside Bogota. It's a trip out there, but you will have a wild party, the place will knock your socks off. So will the food, the dancing and the chicks.
5) It's much safer to drive in the country now and the trip to Medellin can be done by road pretty easily. I've driven in Colombia myself and it's pretty standard fare for the type of place, sometimes the driving standard goes downhill. Don't however. Get an internal flight with Avianca and book it before you go.
6) Drugs. You won't see any. I promise you that. If you do, get the fuck away from them, you'll get royally owned by the local constabulary if you are found with them as US citizens. Don't assume it's OK because some toolbags grow it in the Jungle or you want to be like Scarface.
7) Take some wet weather clothes. Bogota is 2600 meters above sea level. The hot steamy bullshit you see in movies like Mr & Mrs Smith boggles my mind. When I first went there it rained for three days straight and was pretty chilly.
8) If you can go to see Villa de Layva.
9) Have a plan. Stick to it. Be safe, but have fun.
10) Arcadio's suggestions of other places to see in Bogota are excellent.
11) http://english.bogotaturismo.gov.co/

/0

 

[BoomerD]

Be sure to thoroughly clean your colon. It'll ensure you have the room you need for your "mule trip" without extra discomfort.

Don't forget the KY to help...ease the way...

Originally posted by: Modelworks
From the embassy site, anyone ever heard of this Scopolamine stuff, first I ever heard of it. Assume it is similar to the GHB maybe ?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scopolamine

 

[UberNeuman]

Everyone you meet, take them aside and whisper to them, "I seek Juan Valdez - lead me to him."

 

[PieIsAwesome]

Originally posted by: biggestmuff

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: Arcadio

Originally posted by: Gibson486
It is still as dangerous though.

Yeah, but the same is true for most third-world countries.

lol...colombia's not a 3rd world country....it acts like it sometimes....but its not

You mad it's green?

I really wish people would understand the meaning of 1st/2nd/3rd world. It has nothing to do with the economic development of a country. Its an obsolete relic from the Cold War distinguishing between the US and its allies (1st world), the USSR and its allies (2nd world), and neutral (3rd world) countries.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Oh and the Andino shopping mall is one of the best.

 

[compman25]

Originally posted by: AccruedExpenditure
Columbia is as safe as any other SA country. I have a friend that's been there for the last 3 months
-AE

Being kidnapped isn't what I'd call a fun 3 months

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: compman25

Originally posted by: AccruedExpenditure
Columbia is as safe as any other SA country. I have a friend that's been there for the last 3 months
-AE

Being kidnapped isn't what I'd call a fun 3 months

Have you been?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: OCguy

Originally posted by: AccruedExpenditure
Columbia is as safe as any other SA country. I have a friend that's been there for the last 3 months
-AE

Yes, because anecdotal evidence can always be applied to the whole.


I drove buzzed all the time in High School, and never crashed. That means it is safe.

Don't be a fucking douchebag. There were trains blown up in Madrid about a year or so before I went there last summer. Didn't stop me from enjoying a beautiful city in a beautiful country. I'd go back again in a second.

I'd love to visit a number of countries in South America.

 

[coolVariable]

Originally posted by: OCguy

Originally posted by: Mellow

Originally posted by: OCguy
A line of yeyo off the hood of a Ford Fiesta.

Second time you've recommended coke in the same thread. Are you some kind of idiot, or what?

The only idiot would be the one going to Columbia without doing some coke off the urinal in a whore house.

Made me laugh.

 

[coolVariable]

Originally posted by: nerdress
Oh sweet! I invaded Bogota in my military science class, it looked beautiful when we had to study up on it. Have fun!

/thread

 

[JJ650]

My sister has been living there for the past year. She works as a school teacher on the consulate grounds.

The best thing to do is NOT look touristy (assuming you look like a tourist) and use your head. Don't carry ANYTHING in your back pockets. Use money belts. If you have a back pack, keep it locked and strapped to you all of the time.

Same rules apply there as here. Don't be a prick, if something looks shady it usually is.

The taxi drivers love to rip off anyone that doesn't look south american to them. Just don't flag just any taxi down either. You'll get taken for a hike.

For the most part, everyone is warm and friendly. Bogota is a bit chilly compared to other parts of Colombia (much higher altitude). Bring a jacket.


**EDIT**

DivideBYZero has it nailed. Didn't see his post till I submitted mine.

 

[Mill]

Meh, I take Taxis I flag down and I don't take any special precautions while there. I treat Colombia like any other country...if you are an idiot or braindead tourist you might have a problem, but otherwise there is no need to worry. Visting Medellin and Bogota is extremely safe. Going to a conflict zone in Colombia, however, is a totally different story and quite stupid to do unless you know what you are doing.



For Bogota:

The Salt Cathedral/Mine in Zipaquirá is worth a visit.
Museo Del Oro -- meh, its ok if you got the time.
Monserrate -- I highly recommend it. Hike it if you can instead of taking the tram.

Places to eat in Bogota:

Pesquera Jaramillo -- if you like seafood Try the mero.
Pizza -- Pizza 1969 Gourment or Archie's
Hamburgers: El Corral
Bogota Beer Company -- Kind of beloved patriot-laden, but they brew their own beer

Other types of food to try:

Chunchullo -- Intestines... you MUST try them. Delicious.
Chiguiro: If you can find it try it: http://raisingcolombiankids.bl.../2009/02/chiguiro.html
Traditional Colombian Food -- This should be cooked FOR you by an abuela, tia, o madre. Failing that, there are some decent restaurants that have traditional Colombian food. I have no specific recommendations...

In Medellin:

There's a great sushi place in Parque Lleras. Don't remember the name.
Try a Bandeja Paisa at any decent restaurante, but try to go outside of El Poblado or Parque Lleras

Things to do in Medellin:
Go see the Rio de Medellin (hehe, hard to miss)
Take Metrocable to get a good view.
Pueblo Paisa


In all places, definitely try Aguardiente (there is a different type for each department), and Ron Viejo de Caldas. Club Colombia is probably the best (non-micro brew) national beer.