Travel to Columbia.?

Question

I may have to travel to Columbia for work. Has anyone been out there? I have checked out the f/office web site and they advise against travelling to certain areas. Seriously considering refusing to go. Anyone have any experences that would convince me other wise?

Answer 1

I wish I could go there, I'll take your spot!

Since 2000, Colombia has REALLY come a long way in making their country a safe place for both the inhabitants and people visiting the country.  Murder rates are now quite similar to those of major US metropolitan cities, which is down to about 5-10% of what it once was.  As a whole the country is trying to become a peaceful nation which can interact with the rest of the world positively.  I would be more worried going to a place like Venezuela than Colombia nowadays, but that's just pure opinion (and as an American).

One thing is to make sure and respect their culture as much as possible.  Don't bring up the issue of drug trafficking and other controversial topics.  If they get brought up anyway, keep in mind some people Americans view as bad people are viewed in a positive light in certain parts of Colombia.  Pablo Escobar contributed a lot of money to the city of Medellin, building soccer stadiums, donating money to the poor and so on.  Just embrace the differences of your two cultures, and move on.

But, it is also your choice to not go.  If you aren't comfortable being in that situation, talk it over with your supervisor, and ask him if there's anything you can do to help alleviate some of your fears.

As a last note, I hear Colombian women don't mind American guys at all. ;-)  I'm not sure if it works the other way.  Though, as with most of what I say, individual personality is much more of a factor than generalizations.

If you do go, enjoy yourself!

Answer 2

Don't go to Medellin or Cali, that's for sure. Every story I've ever heard about Colombia has been a cautionary tale. Even people from Colombia tell horror stories. Kidnappings, murders, rampant corruption, etc., etc. I'm not saying not to go, but you're definitely taking a risk. Good luck.

Answer 3

I'm a gringo married to a Colombian, own land there and will build my retirment home in Narino soon.  Been there many times and NEVER had any trouble, but I know folks and work hard to speak Spanish all the time (my wife is the only english speaker in our circle of family and friends anyway).  It's beautiful  in Narino with great weather.  People are friendly, but don't be stupid either. If you are doing oilfield work, you will be in a secured compound - don't leave it!  Street crime is a problem in the cities because of extreme poverty.  No obvious displays of wealth (like a Rolex).  Carry a dummy wallet with an old credit card and about 20,000 pesos ($10) and give it up without a fight if necessary.  Secure your passport and carry a photocopy.  I'm more afraid of traffic than anything else.  They all drive crazy.  City buses are safe, but inter-city buses have lots of accidents.  Don't break the law and don't expect cops to be like they are here.  In the lowlands malaria can be endemic, but the mountains are safe and really beautiful.  To not go would be a serious missed opportunity.

Answer 4

Bogota is a very safe city. Dont listen to the naysayers. Crime is way down over all.  All the northern neighborhoods are perfectly safe to live in and very upscale. yOu should hvae no problems.

Answer 5

Dont believe people who have never gone or lived there. Colombia is a safe place. Yeah, there is crime, like here or England or anywhere. But you wont feel insecured over there. Plus Colombia has many places to enjoy after work, girls are beautiful, you'll see about it..i know there are some parts that you dont want to go..but dont worry about it, COLOMBIA is great. I aam from there. but i live is USA I went 2 months ago and i feel so much safer than before...

Answer 6

i heard they beat the c**p out of anybody who doesn't know how to spell the name of their country. Good luck, my grandma is from colOmbia

Answer 7

if you are an executive, there is always an element of risk to any prolonged stay in colombia, esp in the countryside or really anywhere outside bogota or atlantico province.  the country is safer than it was a decade go.  as baaark correctly points out, colombian women are very fond of american men, so that's a big plus if you dig beautiful latina women (colombian women consider themselves the elite of the latin world).  

here are the keys:

there are three places you should be - hotel, work, restaurant.  always make sure you have several colleagues with you in public at restaurants.  do not hang out in cafes or any wayside eateries or hangouts.  do not stroll the malecon or through the park alone under any circumstances.  do not go to nightclubs under any circumstances.  if you are in a compound in a conspicuous industry (ie: oil), do not stray from the compound at all.  oil executives and even line workers are the #1 target for colombian ne'er-do-wells.  

the country is very beautiful, and most of the people are very decent.  if you are an oil worker and you have a family at home, do think hard before going and make sure your compound is secure (ask around).  otherwise, no worries as long as you use common sense mate.

Answer 8

Colombia.

Answer 9

2 years ago I traveled to Colombia on a missions trip and had a blast and never felt in dangered.  I'm assuming your business is in Cali or Bogota.  As long as you use common sense you'll be fine.  I wouldn't suggest going out at night with out a local you trust (it could be dangerous).  Once you start to get outside of the cities it gets to be more dangerous at night, but feel free to travel during the day.  Personally I think you will be fine and you should go as if you deny going it could effect your job.  Besides I'd be more concerned about traveling to Venezuela right now.  Colombia has really started to take the country back from the Drug dealers and guerrilla war fare.  Also Some people in my group had been their 4 years ago and within that 2 year span it was much cleaner, and nicer.  (oh yes and I stayed a few blocks away from where you shouldn't go any further south than that inside Bogota....and i was completely safe!)

Answer 10

colombian cities don't have crime rates similar to american cities.  there's WAY too much crime that goes underreported for that to be true.  i've looked around and also asked questions here and it seems colombia is still considered one of the most, if not THE most, dangerous country in latin america, and some of its cities are still considered some of the most dangerous in latin america.  so i call BULL on colombia being as 'safe' as the US.  

that said i really couldnt tell you what to do.  from my reads it seems you'd do best to stay in at night (at least in certain cities), and of course dont alert anyone to the fact that youre a foreigner.