I think a flight attendant on a layover just went missing in Colombia. (male)

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t feel safe there at all.

Yeah, it's relatively high risk if you're pulling skanks from Tinder and inviting them back to your apartment on the first date. Otherwise, just be careful at night, don't flash your fancy iPhone, and you should be just fine.

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t feel safe there at all.

The thing is, I have no idea who you are, and whether your concerns have any validity. There are people who live in Great Falls and never go into DC because they don't "feel safe there".

Clearly the risk of crime is not negligible there, and you have to have your wits about you, but if you are careful I don't think it is a very dangerous place.

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t feel safe there at all.

Very helpful. Thank you for this.

I wouldn’t feel safe there at all.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Cocora valley is nice if you are near there

I was thinking we would do the coffee district.

Is it definitely worth doing Bogota? I was thinking about Medellin, coffee district, and Cartagena (plus beach, perhaps isla del rosario)…

The coffee district is fantastic! Check out the eco hotels in the region. I'd skip Bogota unless you want a big city experience. Medellin gives you that and a lot of culture. I recommend looking at a travel company to help you plan your trip. That way you'd have English speaking guides who know where to go and what to avoid. Particularly in the coffee region. There are some amazing hikes that we never would have found on our own.

Anonymous wrote:The only decent city in the coffee axis is probably Manizales. Pereira, Armenia, and Ibague don't have much to offer IMHO. Manizales has great weather and feels kind of like a college town.

Salento is just a small town but for a visitor it would be a nice base for 2-3 days.

The only decent city in the coffee axis is probably Manizales. Pereira, Armenia, and Ibague don't have much to offer IMHO. Manizales has great weather and feels kind of like a college town.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Cocora valley is nice if you are near there

I was thinking we would do the coffee district.

Is it definitely worth doing Bogota? I was thinking about Medellin, coffee district, and Cartagena (plus beach, perhaps isla del rosario)…

I would skip Bogota unless you're really into big cities.

2-3 days Cartagena- stay in El Centro/walled city. Walk around and check out Getsemaní. Check out the not so great beach in Boca grande and laguito. Wala beach club, El Muelle, and Riquísimos are great spots in Laguito.

2-3 days Tierra Bomba or Isla Rosario resort. Blue Apple is great and you can also get a day pass. 20 min boat ride from Cartagena.

5 days Medellin- stay in an Airbnb in Laureles near the 1st or 2nd park (avoid La 70 área). The neighborhood is very walkable with lots of restaurants, cafes, bars, etc. Watch a soccer game in estadio. Take the cable car to Parque Arvi. Go to Comuna 13.

Side trips from Medellín -

Go to guatape during the week. Make sure your hotel or glamping spot is easily accessible by car.

Pueblos- there are many to choose from! El retiro, Jardín, and Santa fe de Antioquía are great.

Anonymous wrote:The Cocora valley is nice if you are near there

I was thinking we would do the coffee district.

Is it definitely worth doing Bogota? I was thinking about Medellin, coffee district, and Cartagena (plus beach, perhaps isla del rosario)…

The Cocora valley is nice if you are near there

It is a beautiful country.

Be alert to theft. One party in our group
had theft from their hotel room, a 4 star hotel.

Cartagena
-2 nights
-Stay in the walled city or Getsemani
-Avoid beaches. Be highly vigilant on streets.

Medellín
- El Pob if looking for more upscale
- 3ish nights
- Look into nature daytrips

Bogata
- 3ish nights
- Say Zona T neighborhood, or La Candelaria (less 'upscale' more character)
- explore La Candelaria for a day
- Salt Cathedral is alright
- Lunch La Perseverancia Distrital Marketplace

What are your interests? Big cities, outdoors, beaches, museums, laid back places, mountains, small towns, etc.

Use DiDi, Indrive, and Uber for transport.

Credit card acceptance is a mixed bag. I always pay with cash.

I always carry a burner cell phone, but just be careful with your cell phone. Be smart when it comes to walking around at night, even the best neighborhoods aren't safe.

Thinking of heading to Colombia for a couple of weeks with the kids (late teens/ealy 20s). We have at best basic spanish unfortunately. Any advice on places to go/things to see/avoid?

Thanks!