Originally Posted by
93hondablk
I would still think twice though about going even if your friend talks Spanish. Don't speak any English out loud in public and don't go to bars. Its a third world country and kidnapping is very high. Word spreads fast when there's a grengo in the area. During my one month stay I witnessed two shoot outs and a few pick pockets.
Don't get me wrong last time I went I felt like a celebrity and the whole neighborhood came out to talk to me. I was only like 13 at the time and I had 25 year old girls hitting on me.
Just be careful and don't show off
Where the fuck did you go?
A lot of things have changed in Colombia in the past 8 years. Tourism is a growing part of their revenues, kidnapping have diminished a lot and locals are happy to have you int here country. Mainly because thy understand the benefits of tourism. That is according to every site on traveling I've read. Obviouly you want to be careful and keep out of the bad area... But I'd do that even when traveling to Paris!
Just register at the embassy when you get in, don't go to the sketchy areas and enjoy.