Is Cali in Colombia a safe place for a Canadian couple to have a layover, and walk around etc etc?

Question

We are 29 and 22 and are thinking of going to San Andreas Island on a vacation. I have travelled quite a bit and am not stupid, I know all the general precautions to follow. Just wondering if anyone has done this and if it is safe to venture around Cali.

Answer 1

It's completely safe, I'm Colombian, and I've been there a couple times, and if you know the precautions to follow, and use your common sense, nothing will happen. Go to "Lago Calima", it's a huge beautiful lake. Chipichape it's a mall located in the city, is very nice.

As you are a young couple, and if you like to party, and if you like salsa... you must go to "Juanchito", It's a place where are many salsa clubs.

Enjoy San Andres and Cali..

Answer 2

definatly not.

Answer 3

No, Medellin is more safe

Answer 4

Hey,

I'll tell you one thing. If something is gonna happen to you, it will anywhere in the world. Of course you can lower the chances to avoid something bad happening, but still you gotta take the risk. I'm not going to lie to you and say Cali is the safest thing around because it wouldn't be ethical. Sure Cali has its problems, but which city doesn't? Just like someone posted before, got to be sure of your spanish speaking skills and act with character and you'll be fine. I tell you this, not only because I am from Cali and live here, but because I wanna help getting rid of that "Extremely Dangerous, Keep Away" image the city has earned. It has lovely places to visit, and hot spots you want to stay away from, just like NY or Miami or London. I am not compairing but you get my point. I have had english speaking teachers from around the globe, and all ages too, and none of them would recommend you not to visit Cali.

If you have the chance to come, do it.

Just keep your mind open and enjoy the trip. The people from Cali will do everything possible to help you and have a good time.

Godspeed

Answer 5

I'm married to a Colombian and travel there every year.  I'm definitely a gringo - tall and fair - and no one bothers me. Don't be stupid and you will be fine.

Answer 6

San Andres is an island off the cost of colombia, perfectly safe.

Cali is moderately safe, but you need to watchout for pickpockets, which run rampant. Try not to stick out like a sore thumb and dont act like a tourist. Dont carry too much money or walk around with your camera or f***y pack, dead give away you're a tourist. You definitely wont get kidnapped or murdered or anything of the sort. Just have fun.

I would recommend either Bogota, Medellin or Cartagena as opposed to Cali though. They are safer cities.

Answer 7

Yes, Cali is a really safe place for you...i just recommend you, keep yourselves in the south of Cali, it's more beautiful in the south and it is way safer than the north...San Andres is really beautiful and it's safer because even though San Andres belongs to Colombia, it doesnt have those kind of problems because you know is an island and the airports are very secure!! good luck in my Cali

Answer 8

It is just like any other large city in Latin America--I honestly wouldn't be as apprehensive as the other posters have been, but I would advise you to have strong Spanish skills to avoid getting stuck in any sort of situation.

If you are able to get a layover in any other place I would recommend doing it--Colombia in general isn't the best country to be in.

As a last resort, I would not be too worried about Cali. Just try not to stick out like a sore thumb and I would also not recommend trying to be too protective of whoever you're going with, as that might be a sign that you are a tense, nervous traveler. Try to relax but don't go in fear.

If you can get to go to another city instead of Cali, do it. If not, just use common sense and you'll be fine.

Answer 9

Colombia is a beautiful country with beautiful people. The US media has given Colombia a bad rap. You're more likely to be mugged in NYC or Los Angeles than in Bogota or Cartagena.

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Answer 10

I would not do it.  Enjoy San Andres!!!

Answer 11

im colombian, and i really scare this city, you can see a lot of things in Cali, i say you please dont travel, the best place in the worl is cartagena or bogotá too please dont go , excuse my english i lear in the movies and listen to music