best place to go - Cuba, DR, Colombia or Venezuela?
Hi guys,
I´m thinking if going to Latin America later this year - I still have vacation time left over from last year… I´m looking at late October / early November. Anyway, it´ll be my first time there and the trip will be about 2 weeks.
Now my question. Where should I go - Cuba, DR, Colombia or Venezuela? I have read most of the forum reports on these four countries (well, “only” the ones from 2005 & 2006 actually), and I think I have a good idea what to expect in the different places. Btw, I would I´d like to thank all you guys who post such great reports!
Before someone tells me “Brasil”: I´ll probably go there in 2007 – a Brazilian friend of mine is getting married next year and has invited me to come visit. So I am not going now.
I should mention that I speak Spanish fluently – I´ve been to Spain quite often in the past two years, mostly on business, but some fun also. See my posts in the Spain section (February 2006). I´m 35 y.o.
After reviewing the info, these are my impressions – please correct me if I´m wrong in your opinion, feel free to give your advice or point of view!
(1) Cuba: the scene seems to be much slower than a few years ago. Stories of hassles, crackdowns etc. Also I don't like police-states, communist or other, so I guess I´ll pass on Cuba – even though cubanas (the ones I know in Spain) are very fine.
(2) Venezuela: many people seem to complain it´s gotten too expensive & that p4p-action is too “professional” (in the negative sense), no gfe etc. Is that accurate?
(3) DR: some areas over-touristed, but others less so. Many positive reports. Crime less a problem than in Venezuela or Colombia.
(4) Colombia: many good reports. Cartagena vs. Medellin or Cali? Safety could be an issue (?), but I´m not a scared person normally. I guess as long as you do as the locals do & keep your wits about it should be ok.
Right now, I´m leaning to either DR or Colombia. I´d love to do both, but in 12-14 days it´s probably not practical. Anyway, thanks for all the info, hope this post was not too long or too boring.
Felipe2006
Age Perspective from another famous communist......
[QUOTE=Ricker]If you're an older guy ... are you in decent shape, is your attitude young, are you a cool guy, do you speak spanish, can you smooth talk a women, etc ... these types of factors are very important[/QUOTE]"A man's only as old as the woman he feels." Groucho Marx
(LB - take note!!)
Polvo