Colombia

[fidelcastro]

Booked to go in September. Has anyone been and what are your experiences?

If we can avoid the inevitable jokes about white powder etc, I'd be grateful!

Thanks in advance!

[tarkys_ears]

Saw a dirt cheap flight to Miami in Business with Avianca via Bogota... didn't quite fancy booking it though!

[Vegas Claret]

Booked to go in September. Has anyone been and what are your experiences?

If we can avoid the inevitable jokes about white powder etc, I'd be grateful!

Thanks in advance!

Legit, my brother used to live there for work for a few years. What do you want to know ? I'll ask him

He loved it, it's been his favourite place to live. He only ever had one problem and that was on a bus when some guy pulled a knife out - but that's like being in London !

[Tribesmen]

Great call , I would love to go but Mrs Tribes is having none of it .

[CyrilEbokiPoh]

Great call , I would love to go but Mrs Tribes is having none of it .

Did she not fancy the local taxis?

[fidelcastro]

Legit, my brother used to live there for work for a few years. What do you want to know ? I'll ask him

He loved it, it's been his favourite place to live. He only ever had one problem and that was on a bus when some guy pulled a knife out - but that's like being in London !

Hi Viva!

Yes, where in Colombia did your brother live? I'm staying in Bogota, Cali and Medellin.

What are the best things to do and to visit?

[Vegas Claret]

Hi Viva!

Yes, where in Colombia did your brother live? I'm staying in Bogota, Cali and Medellin.

What are the best things to do and to visit?

Bogota, i'll ask him and let you know.

[fidelcastro]

Bogota, i'll ask him and let you know.

Cheers mate!

[PaintYorkClaretnBlue]

Only been whilst on a cruise but stopped off in Cartagena, it was lovely, very friendly.

[Lord Of The Ings]

You're in for a treat, Colombia is an amazing country. I spent three months travelling around it back in 2021 so have a decent understanding of the place. First recommendation would be to try and get on a football match (or three) whilst you're there, Bogota have Milllionarios, Medellin with Atletico Nacional and Cali has America/Deportivo. All massive clubs with big fanbases and crazy matchday experiences, check the fixture lists and if you're lucky you might land a Libertadores/Sudamerica game, which is the South American version of the Champions and Europa League.

Some general recommendations for the cities you've mentioned you're going to:

- Bogota has some really good museums like Museo Del Oro and Museo Nacional. The history of the country is fascinating with the indigenous population, conquistadores, Pablo Escobar, almost a civil war with far-left guerrilla factions. You can take up trip up to Monserrate which is the mountain that overlooks the city and visit one of the highest monestaries in the world at the top. La Candelaria area is probably the main tourist spot, Zona T for food and bars. Worth noting that the weather in Bogota tends to be a bit drab due to the altitude (8600ft above sea level) and you'll probably feel this when you land.

- Medellin has the reputation for being the 'coolest' city in Colombia, loads of bars and nightlife. Take a tour around Comuna 13, use the cable cars and go to see the nearby Guatape. It's also known as the city of eternal spring so be ready to get sunburnt in the morning and then hide from thunderstorms in the afternoon.

- Cali is the birthplace of salsa so well worth checking out some of the dancing bars/shows and embarass yourself if you're brave enough, Monumento de Cristo Rey and Plaza de Caicedo are worth a visit too.

Colombia is one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet, so if you can schedule in a trip to one of the cities on the northern coast like Barranquilla, Cartagena or Santa Marta you could visit Tayrona national park which is one of the highlights of the country. There's also Ciudad Perdida up there which is bascially the Colombian version of Machu Picchu. Security is something to be aware of as the reality is that it isn't the safest place in the world and it's not like walking around Madrid or Barcelona, so don't wear expensive clothing or watches etc etc or be walking around the streets with your phone constantly out, also use Uber and don't get in random taxis. You'll have an advantage if you can learn at least the basics of Spanish as English isn't widely spoken outside of people who've been to university or worked abroad in the US.

Overall you'll have a fantastic time, Colombians are some of the most fun and friendly people on the planet and it'll be an experience to remember. Enjoy!

[Tricky Trevor]

Niece & hubby went last year and loved it.

[dougcollins]

Yep, pack your own bag.

[ArmchairDetective]

Was in South America for a few weeks recently. Regrettably I only did a quick stop off in Colombia as the weather wasn't the best. But everyone I met said Colombia was the highlight of their travels. The north coast is great apparently, beaches and diving etc. Go to the small towns further east than Cartegena. By all accounts Medellin is apparently the place to be too. A changed city from a decade or two ago.

[Vegas Claret]

Cheers mate!

He's gonna ask his friend who lives there, he said something about an assassination attempt and certain areas are best avoided due to recent unrest - he'll find out more and get back to me.

[Vegas Claret]

Cheers mate!

Ok, this is from his friend in Bogota:
She said, be very careful - it's not as safe as it used to be. Lots of gangs about even at some of the tourist areas. Leave nothing at all in your car if you hire one, be very aware when taking your cellphone out in the street, don't wear jewellery or expensive watches.

Only take taxi's that are officially registered, apparently info should be displayed

Overall she said be extremely careful, the security situation has gone downhill pretty quickly - same as everywhere really mate, be aware of your surroundings bla bla.

Things to do in Bogota

They said Monserrate is well worth a visit, some sort of church thing on a hill (or something I dunno lol) - https://monserrate.co/en/plan-your-visit/
Museo del Oro - https://colombia.travel/en/bogota/gold-museum

Brother said go to the Juan Valdez coffee shops if you like good coffee
National Park
Keep an eye out for the free concerts
Salt mines - I've asked him to confirm which one as there seems to be two - I suspect it will be https://thecolombianway.com/en/our-trip ... s/nemocon/ rather than this one https://colombia.travel/en/encanto/zipa ... asterpiece

Do you speak Spanish ?

[Vegas Claret]

apparently it's the Zipaquira one, I guess have a look at both and see what you think !

[Vegas Claret]

Btw, he said he would still go but be more careful. This is from last year, sounds similar to what he is saying but still plenty to do
https://www.under30experiences.com/blog ... a-colombia

[fidelcastro]

Thanks for the info, Viva!

I'll check it all out when I have more time, and yes I can speak Spanish reasonably well.