By Roadjunky, Posted Nov 30, 2006
Sections: Guide to Colombia Colombia Basics Transport The People Travel in Colombia Romance and Dating Money and Work Health and Safety Kidnapping Accommodation Bogota Medellin The Caribbean Coast Colombia Resources
It’s really not smart to walk around at night except maybe in the best-policed neighborhoods. All kinds of drug addicts and murderers come out in the small hours of the night and you don’t want to meet them. Take taxis – they’re very cheap.
However, it’s better not to take taxis in the street. Especially in Medellin, many taxi drivers were criminals or assassins before who invested their money in their own car. Many of them may have connections to local kidnapping gangs. So call a taxi company and they’ll send one along.
Always ask where is safe to go and where not. Some people may be overly cautious but you don’t lose much that way. There are neighborhoods where you can get simply eaten up. Also perfectly safe shopping areas may get very dodgy by even 7pm.
If you see someone smoking crack or the local variant, basuka, cross the road and don’t let them see you. A gringo can be a target here.
If you really must buy coke then try to get it through a friend.
When it’s dark walk down streets well away from the shady doorways where someone may be hiding with a knife. Never walk down dark streets and never walk home drunk. Keep your head up and walk with attitude, swinging your arms.
Don’t talk too loudly about the civil war or Colombia’s problems or else people will wonder why you’re taking such an interest. Is it because you have some kind of interest?
Beware of set ups and con artists. Colombia’s scammers are some of the worst in the world and when there are so few tourists to prey on the sharks get hungry. In fact the absence of tourism means that there are very few hustlers on the look out for travelers to scam but keep your eyes open. In particular be careful about accepting drinks or leaving your drink unattended – knock out drops can be inside that put you into an obedient stupour.
It used to be too risky to take buses within Colombia due to the civil war on all sides. Under the current president things have improved though and it’s no longer necessary to take flights unless you want to be careful. Always ask though as the situation can change quickly and anywhere along the Ecuador or Venezuela border can be considered risky.
For more on staying safe check out the Travel Health Guide
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