Nibu Raphael in Colombia - Extracts

[Surfer]

Nibu, I'd forget Buenaventura unless arriving on a private yacht or aircraft as you would catch me on that road over the mountain from Cali which is notorious for kidnappings. I haveafriend with first hand experience with that and he was LUCKY to escape by bribing his female guard. I went as far out the road as Lago Calima, and even there I had a puckered sphincter.

Colombia is different than ANYWHERE in that the great danger lurks out in the countryside ready to trap the unwary. I hear ominous warnings about Tayrona Park too, though the city of Santa Marta, Rodadero & Taganga should all be fine securitywise. I hope you have TONS of $$$ for airline tickets because each different city you visit requires anither airline ticket because overland travel in Colombia at the present time is only for the foolhardy gringos-Colombians can pass where you couldn't because they fetch MUCH less ransomn $$$ than a gringo turista!

[Tropi]

I seriously advise against venturing south of Cali (Popayan, Pasto). This is true guerrilla and coca territory. I have been down there several times (work related) and while I don't easily warn against discovering new territories, it is absolutely foolish to push your luck here just for some cheap hot girls. The road going south passes through rugged guerrilla territory: Buses are frequently stopped and searched by guerrillas. While they might just check your passport, you WILL be the only gringo on the bus and you might just disappear. If they think you are DEA, CIA or similar, you are dead meat, otherwise you'll probably have to cough up ransom money (and we're talking 100K minimum here as Americans are supposed to be rich). Remember that State Department refuses to even negotiate with Colombian guerrilla (let alone paying for your release), so you WILL be on your own. And if your family and friends aren't fast enough you will start to lose body parts.

I don't want to scare anyone. You might be reasonably safe in the towns but you will stand out and that IS DANGEROUS.

You could technically fly to Popayan (military airport) but south of Cali planes are often shot down because they are thought to be drug planes. You'll have to backtrack to Bogotá anyway, you can't fly from Cali.

If you are the (white) guy who strolls through L. A. South Central at night, well this is your place. I should add that the Colombian military and the paras shoot first and don't ask questions later. And if they ask they are NOT VERY NICE down there because nobody believes that a gringo could be so stupid to venture down there just for girls.

Cali is such a great place, you don't have to risk your life and health to save a few dollars. The girls south of Cali don't do anything better or different than the Calenas.

Pereira is ok for a stop, but the town is rather modern and boring. Rumor has it that girls are extremely easy there but I didn't notice much difference. Armenia is in dangerous territory as well.

Leticia is on the Amazonas (Rio Solimoes) bordering Brazil (rather expensive flight from Bogotá). It's a most interesting town to watch cocaine dealings by the tons which are done here quite in the open. If you meet foreigners they are likely to be undercover DEA plus a few intrepid ecotourists exploring Amazonia. The town is not extremely dangerous though but the heavy military presence is annoying (live saving too, maybe). Cheap bars and brothels, rather sleazy. To go there for pussy is rather foolish, you get much better quality in Cali, Medellin or Cartagena. The boat trip on the Amazonas from Manaus to Iquitos (Peru) is fascinating, but after 2 days it gets boring as well. And of course its malaria and yellow fever territory.

[PanamaJack]

Nibu,

I think that most mongers don't post on Armenia, Leticia, Turbo and other smaller cities in Colombia because its really fucking suicide to go into the countryside in Colombia. Everybody tell you when your in Cali or Bogota, don't go into the countryside especially been an American. Its gotten better but still its crazy traveling from city to city on the road, yeah you might be able to do it without incident, a couple of times but just like russian roulette your luck runs out. I'm quiet sure that there some crazy fucks that would take that chance but not me.

Now I've been to Tulua, Calima, Pereira, and Manizales pretty nice cities actually felt safer in this cities than in Cali or Bogota very friendly people. About the girls. Tulua its a city full of hot chicks couln't really do anything but got some nice looks just walking around with my novia. Pereira what can I say! Had to restrained myself some many times I was fucking sick. Guys if you ever travel to Pereira leave your novias behind and do pack alot of magnums. The condoms. Nibu if you do travel to Colombia try this cities, there pretty nice, don't know much about the pay for play business but I did see some around in Pereira, Tulua, and Manizales good luck.