Barranquilla Reports

BAQ P4P doesn't come close to the top 3. It is what it is. That's where the non-pros/semi-pros come in. And as you well know, that's really easy in BAQ.

Juernes and Pasarela Show are best during the weekends. During the week, it's very hit or miss. I lucked into a couple of hot paisa siliconas at Juernes a couple of months ago. TLN cost me COP120.000 each for some hardcore sexing. Unfortunately, they are now in Panama.

An older buddy of mine pulled a nice chica out of Pasarela. TLN only cost him COP70.000, but he had to pay a salida (forget how much). None charged at Juernes, at least I've never paid one. Pasarela does hold strip shows in the evening, even had a dance troupe performance there. So that's a way to kill time, if bored.

I was in BAQ a few weeks ago for a wedding. Yeah, talent was lacking in both places. Forced me to call me non-pros to spend the night with. Que suerte. LOL!!!

If you're not the scary type, Plaza de las Cervezas down on Murillo and approx. cll. 20 is pretty decent for non-pros during the week. It's a busy area, busy street, shit does happen, but they do have decent security there. We met some hot 19-24 yr old chicas there, but their dudes eventually showed up. Obviously, only beer served, but we gave the security dude COP 5.000 to look the other way while we brought our rum in and drank it discreetly. We watched some local young dude get his ass smacked up my his girl, who caught him cheating. Damn camera phones. More funny than scary. LOL!!!

Also, La Arenosa is always a late night option throughout the week. A bit dicey, but some decent talent does pass through there. However, during the week, it is hit or miss. On the weekend, more bodies, better talent. We've done well there, when something worth it came through. COP 70.000 usually did the trick for TLN.

Stopped in La Nena (I believe that's the name) right next to La Troja. Should be called La Vaca. Talent was way worse than Juernes and Pasarela. Just one faux blond big-tittied chick with a gut. She was the top looker there, and that really wasn't saying much. LOL!!! We didn't even stay long enough to get a beer.

Best lookers for P4P will be in Lucitania. Let no one fool you, or steer you otherwise. The company will cost you more than other spots, but some of the chicas there were cool drinking company and convo. Might've been decent jump-offs had I gone down that road.

In BAQ, it's great to know where the P4P spots are, but only as a last resort fallback. Not very costly, mostly a waste of time, but sometimes you get lucky.

Suerte

[QUOTE=Ricker]I did a little PFP recon in Barranquilla while I was there.

Checked out Juernes on both Monday and Tuesday nights ... verrrrrrrry slow, slim pickins.

Luckily there was a new place down the street, called Pasarelas or something like that. Though better, it was pretty slow also.
There was a couple cute chicas in there, I hooked up with a nice Calena and fun fun fun :)

IMHO Barranquilla is fantastic for meeting non-pro chicas, and though PFP is available, it's nothing like Bogota, Cali or Medellin.

Suerte amigos![/QUOTE]

hoof ...

juernes was almost scary ... saw a couple whales and some toothless chicas only.
outside the bar was a mother looking for a boyfriend for her cute pregnant daughter. actually it was the mother-in-law, said her son took off after getting the girl pregnant. i threw a few pesos in the [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord132][CodeWord132][/url] fund and headed for pasareles.

the calena i met in pasarela was great. i was so happy to see a few cute chicas after the juernes experience, i bought every chica in the place a cerveza ... only about 6 chicas there at the time. big spender :) jajaja.

she (the calena) even wanted to go out in the daytime for lunch and a movie but i had the novia (girlfriend).
the good news is for me, got her number, and she'll be back in cali soon, and that's where i hang quite a bit. add another to the harem :)

suerte amigos!

but i pulled this and her cousin out of juernes one weekend.

juernes is hit or miss, as i've never seen anything there remotely similar to this chica and her cousin. but it's a cool place to drink cheap and see vacas y aveces solo aveces something nice. plus, it's pretty liberal there. reminds me of the santa fe spots in bogota.

pasarela is more upscale of the two. many of the chicas there are very nice company. most of them live there behind the club. so tln will include a salida. the 2nd chick in the pics works there. really cool chick from la guajira.

now back to not posting any pics. dudes on this sites violate all kinds of rules with pics.

[quote=ricker]hoof ...

juernes was almost scary ... saw a couple whales and some toothless chicas only.
outside the bar was a mother looking for a boyfriend for her cute pregnant daughter. actually it was the mother-in-law, said her son took off after getting the girl pregnant. i threw a few pesos in the [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord132][CodeWord132][/url] fund and headed for pasareles.

the calena i met in pasarela was great. i was so happy to see a few cute chicas after the juernes experience, i bought every chica in the place a cerveza ... only about 6 chicas there at the time. big spender :) jajaja.

she (the calena) even wanted to go out in the daytime for lunch and a movie but i had the novia (girlfriend).
the good news is for me, got her number, and she'll be back in cali soon, and that's where i hang quite a bit. add another to the harem :)

suerte amigos![/quote]

Well it sure as hell doesn't make a lot of since to have the music up loud when I am trying to converse with the chicas in order to see which one I want to take upstairs. My Spanish already isn't A1, and to try to interpret and talk through all of that racket just plain sucks. And Juernes can't hold a candle to Murillo. It seems that Juernes was where they send the old, worn-out chicas to die. And to have a nerve to charge four times that of Murillo is insane. Another good thing about Murillo is that the night I went there was a free concert at Vivero. There were wall-to-wall non-pros inside and outside of the store.

[QUOTE=Hoof Hunter]It's just the vibrancy that separates costeños from the rest. What makes BAQ renown throughout the country. What makes the costeñas hotter than the rest.

It's also a Caribbean thing, from Cuba to the DR to Jamaica. Many similarities between the cultures of the Caribbean islands and costeños.[/QUOTE]

I haven't posted in a while and hate to put a "negative" report on Colombia but need to get this done. 1st, I have been living/traveling to various parts of Colombia (live in Cartagena) for the past 6+ years. I have made the trip at least 1x monthly during that time and came to feel that where I visited in Colombia (Cartagena, Barranquilla, Bogota, Medellin, Bucamaranga, Pasto) was at least as safe for me as South Florida. I have visited casas in all those cities and had numerous adventures that are fondly remembered.

In my apartment in Cartagena there were 3 men from Medellin renting the ajoining apartment. After 24 hours of music so loud that it was heard in the reception (turns out the administration and other apt dwellers were scared to confront them) I knocked loudly and asked that they turn the f----- music down. I went back to my apt and 2 of them knocked on my door, one wanted to fight, he was obviously fucked up, kept pounding his chect and saying "you want to fuck with me!" He moved toward me and then my mistake, told him fuck you, you got it, he pulled a 45 Auto out and aimed , being loco but not entirely stupid I said you win and closed the door. He then kicked the door down, came after me with the 45, been a long time but I managed to circle the apt and got out. Ahhhh, went to the Tourist Police, ended up with about 12 at the apt, they found a permit for him to carry a gun. Seems all a Colombiano has to do is go to the police station and register to carry a gun. After 1 hour the decision was made that he agreed to be good and if anything else happened he would be in trouble, no shit. The police say I need to file a report with the other police in Centro, and that he was scared because I was bigger than him, what the fuck! Anyway, 2 nights later coming back from dinner 2 of the same police pulled me over and since I did not have a D/L with me they were going to write me a ticket and tow my car. I knew they only wanted a propina, they had the guns and I am not Colombiano, resident Visa, yes but no fuckin Colombiano.

Now to Barranquilla. When I was leaving I ran into 2 Americans that were spooked to the hilt. It was their 2nd trip to Colombia, 1st was great and this time they flew into Barranquilla on Avianca. They cleared customs and caught a cab to go to the Prado(nice hotel, not so chica friendly). Some background, they were wearing their big Rolexs, not sure of chains. They had no one waiting on them, took a random taxi. They were pulled over 5 minutes out of the airport and robbed at gunpoint for all cash ($5000+), id, etc. The cab driver did not seem upset according to the guy I spoke to. Anyway, they stayed at the Prado that night, caught a taxi to the Hilton in Cartagena, changed their flight ($1000) and flew home the next day. They did not venture out of the Hilton until leaving for the USA. If these guys are members please post corrections and insights.

Anyway, if I could get pics to post on this site I would show why we go there and will continue to, chicas, period. Got some friends there but have more in the USA. I am going back next week, maybe do my bi-monthly to Bucamaranga.

I am not trying to discourage anyone from trying Colombia, just know that, like anywhere danger is possible and the police are not usually any help. I asked my girlfriend what good the report would do and it seems that if I was killed they wanted to know who the suspects are, fuck that.

[size=-2][b][u]EDITOR'S NOTE[/u]:[/b] [blue]I certainly hope that the author or somebody else will post a link to this report in the Reports of Distinction thread. Please [url=http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/announcement-reportsofdistinction.php?]Click Here[/url] for more information.[/blue][/size]

It's all about the bank on the US side. People need to get ATM cards for US Banks that will pay other banks ATM fees and not charge you the International Currency conversion fee... ala 1-3%. Compass Bank is 1% and pays for the fees. However you slice it, Davidienda is the way to go on the Colombia side. They don't charge a fee... thus if you can find a US ATM card that doesn't charge a Currency Conversion fee it's irrelevant whether or not they pick up ATM fees if you always use Davidienda.

Western Union never has been and never will ever give you as good as rate as ATM cards. You should look into a Paypal account if you have US residency as that would save your customers some cash. Both the Western Union fees and the shitty conversion rate.

LocoGringo,

Thanks for posting this. I tend to get pissed off by loud music as well. So far all I have done is call the porteros. If they can't handle it, they can and do call the police. Of course I know that the police are pretty useless.

Did I ever tell you about my buddy who owns a house near Parque Lleras in Medellin? He was kidnapped from a taxi on the way in from Rio Negro by two guys on a moto and the taxista in Jan. of 2006.

[blue]Greetings Everyone,

I recently cleaned up this thread by moving a number of report by Peter Solano and a number responses thereto made by other forum members, to another thread titled "Peter Solano in Barranquilla".

I have also changed Peter Solano's membership permissions so that he is now limited to posting only in his thread. This should keep the combative parties apart. FYI: I don't care to conduct an investigation to determine who started what.

I have also moved a number of reports in the subject of how to meet Colombian women / how to get a Colombian girlfriend by advertising in the local newspaper and/or in other websites TO a new thread titled "Barranquilla - Advertising to meet Chicas"

This cleanup process is not perfect, and it's possible that I may have inadvertently deleted a few otherwise legitimate posts. If you find that your own report was also deleted, please don't take it personally.

There's an hour of my life I'll never get back.

Thanks,

Jackson[/blue]

[QUOTE=Admin][blue]Greetings Everyone,

I recently cleaned up this thread by moving a number of report by Peter Solano and a number responses thereto made by other forum members, to another thread titled "Peter Solano in Barranquilla".

I have also changed Peter Solano's membership permissions so that he is now limited to posting only in his thread. This should keep the combative parties apart. FYI: I don't care to conduct an investigation to determine who started what.

I have also moved a number of reports in the subject of how to meet Colombian women / how to get a Colombian girlfriend by advertising in the local newspaper and/or in other websites TO a new thread titled "Barranquilla - Advertising to meet Chicas"

This cleanup process is not perfect, and it's possible that I may have inadvertently deleted a few otherwise legitimate posts. If you find that your own report was also deleted, please don't take it personally.

There's an hour of my life I'll never get back.

Thanks,

Jackson[/blue][/QUOTE]

great job mate

[QUOTE=LocoGringo]
In my apartment in Cartagena there were 3 men from Medellin renting the ajoining apartment. After 24 hours of music so loud that it was heard in the reception (turns out the administration and other apt dwellers were scared to confront them) I knocked loudly and asked that they turn the f----- music down. I went back to my apt and 2 of them knocked on my door, one wanted to fight, he was obviously fucked up, kept pounding his chect and saying "you want to fuck with me!" He moved toward me and then my mistake, told him fuck you, you got it, he pulled a 45 Auto out and aimed , being loco but not entirely stupid I said you win and closed the door. He then kicked the door down, came after me with the 45, been a long time but I managed to circle the apt and got out. Ahhhh, went to the Tourist Police, ended up with about 12 at the apt, they found a permit for him to carry a gun. Seems all a Colombiano has to do is go to the police station and register to carry a gun. After 1 hour the decision was made that he agreed to be good and if anything else happened he would be in trouble, no shit. The police say I need to file a report with the other police in Centro, and that he was scared because I was bigger than him, what the fuck! Anyway, 2 nights later coming back from dinner 2 of the same police pulled me over and since I did not have a D/L with me they were going to write me a ticket and tow my car. I knew they only wanted a propina, they had the guns and I am not Colombiano, resident Visa, yes but no fuckin Colombiano. [/QUOTE]

LOL!!! Really sorry to hear about your experience and glad that you lived to tell the story. I do hope that you learned something from it. A lot of these small-statured Colombians legally carry equalizers. A LOT. And as I've been witness to, doesn't take much for them to use them.

I truly hope that you don't take any of this as condescending or anything like that. That really isn't the intention. I just hope that next time you'll think a bit clearer. This can serve as insight for others into real situations that do occur in Colombia. And hopefully, people can learn something from it and make appropriate decisions.

They'd been partying and/or blasting music for 24 hrs or so in CTG. You think they might not have been doing coke??? Administration and other residents are cautious, yet you choose to confront them??? Not your job, man. Nor will the police take your side, you're just a visitor. Let reception deal with it, one way or another. Be adamant about it. This is what you pay for. For your decision to underestimate everyone else's reasoning or fear, you ended up with your life possibly in danger. Not a good situation.

There are real reasons why many Colombians, esp. men, are overly-polite. Foreigners really need to TRY to understand this. It's better, i.e. safer, to just be polite to everyone. Colombians cope with a lot of crap for self-preservation reasons. They are survivors. These kinds of situations escalate all the time, anywhere, and generally over nothing. I'd say about 90% of my Colombian buddies there, pack guns daily for personal protection, having previously been victims of crimes. This is pretty common. No need to take silly risks, especially if you're just visiting. If you find yourself in a position where things escalate, make the smart decision. Walk away and let someone else handle it. That's not being a pussy, just being smart.

I was just reading another site dedicated to Colombia, and a bunch of male foreigners are going on about the best ways to defend yourself in Colombia. Some live there, most travel there. The majority of these dudes are talking about all kinds of boxing and martial arts. You happen to know of any martial art that prepares you for dodging bullets? LOL!!!! Me neither. This is kinda why we hear "stories." One of the few Colombians on the site mentioned......his guns. Big difference in point of view.

[QUOTE=LocoGringo] Now to Barranquilla. When I was leaving I ran into 2 Americans that were spooked to the hilt. It was their 2nd trip to Colombia, 1st was great and this time they flew into Barranquilla on Avianca. They cleared customs and caught a cab to go to the Prado(nice hotel, not so chica friendly). Some background, they were wearing their big Rolexs, not sure of chains. They had no one waiting on them, took a random taxi. They were pulled over 5 minutes out of the airport and robbed at gunpoint for all cash ($5000+), id, etc. The cab driver did not seem upset according to the guy I spoke to. Anyway, they stayed at the Prado that night, caught a taxi to the Hilton in Cartagena, changed their flight ($1000) and flew home the next day. They did not venture out of the Hilton until leaving for the USA. If these guys are members please post corrections and insights.[/QUOTE]

Unfortunately, that does happen everywhere. In BAQ, it's somewhat interesting that we don't hear more about it. The area (Malambo, Soledad) in which the BAQ airport is located, that you MUST pass through to get to more comfortable settings in the north, isn't anywhere to take any chances with. With more and more foreigners travelling there, I fear we will be hearing more.

In Bogota, Rio de Janeiro, and Lima, idiot travellers are always trying to get cheaper ($3-10 less) taxi fares, by bypassing the official taxi stands, by going out to the main road, by going to the departure area, etc. Because the locals do it, doesn't mean you should. Mind you, these travellers have all their money, valuables, and bags on them. Not sure how well-travelled these guys were, but there's an sizable official taxi stand directly in front of where the taxis line up in BAQ arrivals area.

One of the things I never skimp on when I travel is the taxi to/from the airport. I mean, forget the laptop, ipod, cash, credit cards, cell phone, etc. All replaceable, once stateside. But I got my passport on me. Fuck that!!! Not losing that over being a cheapskate or not being diligent in my decisions. Too much hassle trying to replace that, esp. when the embassy is in Bogota.

Low-key is the best approach. Also, using the official taxis for the security and official fixed rates. In my experiences with the BAQ airport, using the official taxi queue, generally once in the car, driver turns on the a/c, winds up the windows, locks the doors, grabs the ticket stub, and off we go. In approx. 15-20 trips there, usually the same deal, day arrival or late night arrival, never a problem.

I wouldn't doubt that the taxi driver was in on it, BUT I also wouldn't doubt if he wasn't. Here's the other side of the coin. He wasn't the target, hence his calm. If he stays quiet and minds his business, the robbers don't bother him at all, ESPECIALLY if the victims are loaded with cash, and have visible valuables. Think about it. If the driver was in on it, why would he still take them to Hotel Prado, rather than leave them on the side of the road?

Sounds strange to me, but true enough, I've heard of personal experiences in both Bogota and Lima Peru of robbers leaving their victims with just enough money to pay the taxi. In Rio, when they rob the tourist buses coming from the airport, almost never is the bus driver robbed. Why? He's broke. Even the stupidest thieves know, you don't get rich driving a taxi or bus. So, my point is, when something goes down, it doesn't automatically mean that the driver is in on it. When a taxi or bus coming from the airport is robbed, the thieves have targeted YOU, and more than likely because of something you've displayed. Colombia is the home of papaya giving and papaya taking.

When you're travelling to Colombia, you're travelling to COLOMBIA, no matter how safer it's gotten from its notorious past. Why would anyone in their right mind let their guard down coming out of any airport, and let some nondescript stranger steer them anywhere? Do they do that in their home country? Hell no. You get to your hotel room or apartment, and THEN take a deep breath and relax.

And, to be soberingly honest, some people just aren't built for Colombia. Glad they cut their losses early and got out of dodge. Sounds like it was headed downhill anyway.

[QUOTE=LocoGringo] I am not trying to discourage anyone from trying Colombia, just know that, like anywhere danger is possible and the police are not usually any help. I asked my girlfriend what good the report would do and it seems that if I was killed they wanted to know who the suspects are, fuck that.[/QUOTE]

I truly think that it's great that you posted your experience. I don't believe it will discourage anyone, nor should it. On the contrary, people really need to keep their guard up and their wits about them. Though the beauty of the women will blind you and make you almost lose your mind, Colombia is still not the safest place, just safer than before. Things still happen. Mind you, in your experience, your issues were with guys from Medellin, supposedly the nicest people in the country, in CTG, supposedly the safest city. LOL!!!

People believe that things are getting better because the murder rates are down. I have a feeling that even that will change in the next couple of years with a bunch (31,000+) of broke former warriors (paracos) on the loose and few real opportunities for real money other than......

Many Colombians still don't report petty crime. Seriously, why should they? The Colombian police are nothing like police in the USA. Bribes are acceptable, for good and bad. Same can be said about a lot of countries. Your GF is right. Kinda sad, huh?

Best of luck in your future travels.

Great report. Rolexes and $5k in cash arriving at the airport... sheesh. I've carried around a lot of cash before (pesos) and willing to give it all up. But it's really not a smart thing to do. The big point here is arriving at the airport with it. most likely it gets seen by someone regardless where it is as you go through customs (most likely)... thus you are now a target. No one that you don't personally know for a long time in Colombia is your friend. Anyone will do anything for any amount of money... including pull the trigger on you for 5k pesos. That being said, the airport in Barranquilla is a prime location for thieves to stake out their prey. Why? Because the road to anywhere from the airport is so far, so rambunctious looking to someone who has never been through Soledad before. You really don't know where to look for danger while you are in the cab, and before it hits you, you are sitting prey. Like you said, taxi driver may or may bot have been involved. On the other hand, customs agent, bag handler pushing your bags, cab driver and all could all 3 be involved. You just never know. Heck, you really can't even put it past employees at a hotel like El Prado for not being involved. Probably not in this case... but for a known big-cat or peronality etc arriving. You just cant count anyone out. After all, robberies happen all the time in Barranquilla... small operations all over involving many. I.e. at a bank... teller signals to someone in line when someone has left the counter with a large sum of cash, someone in line, does the signal to someone looking in the window outside the door, the guy outside the door calls armed moto#1. Before you know it, this poor bastard has an operation of 5 or 6 motos passing off the lead following him until they take him out and like you said... it doesnt matter what martial arts you practice or even if you pack a gun. You can't win if you have 5-10 people targeting you with guns pointed at your head from all different directions and you don't even know where they are. Great post and the key advice for Colombia is keep a low profile and remember... no one is your friend, unless you have been to Colombia over and over and over and established relationships and even then... desparate people will do anything... unfortunately this even includes some you consider your friends. Ricker made a good point... make as many friends and possible and make no enemies. But in the end... it's still Colombia.. anything can happen.


[QUOTE=Hoof Hunter]LOL!!! Really sorry to hear about your experience and glad that you lived to tell the story. I do hope that you learned something from it. A lot of these small-statured Colombians legally carry equalizers. A LOT. And as I've been witness to, doesn't take much for them to use them.

I truly hope that you don't take any of this as condescending or anything like that. That really isn't the intention. I just hope that next time you'll think a bit clearer. This can serve as insight for others into real situations that do occur in Colombia. And hopefully, people can learn something from it and make appropriate decisions.

They'd been partying and/or blasting music for 24 hrs or so in CTG. You think they might not have been doing coke??? Administration and other residents are cautious, yet you choose to confront them??? Not your job, man. Nor will the police take your side, you're just a visitor. Let reception deal with it, one way or another. Be adamant about it. This is what you pay for. For your decision to underestimate everyone else's reasoning or fear, you ended up with your life possibly in danger. Not a good situation.

There are real reasons why many Colombians, esp. men, are overly-polite. Foreigners really need to TRY to understand this. It's better, i.e. safer, to just be polite to everyone. Colombians cope with a lot of crap for self-preservation reasons. They are survivors. These kinds of situations escalate all the time, anywhere, and generally over nothing. I'd say about 90% of my Colombian buddies there, pack guns daily for personal protection, having previously been victims of crimes. This is pretty common. No need to take silly risks, especially if you're just visiting. If you find yourself in a position where things escalate, make the smart decision. Walk away and let someone else handle it. That's not being a pussy, just being smart.

I was just reading another site dedicated to Colombia, and a bunch of male foreigners are going on about the best ways to defend yourself in Colombia. Some live there, most travel there. The majority of these dudes are talking about all kinds of boxing and martial arts. You happen to know of any martial art that prepares you for dodging bullets? LOL!!!! Me neither. This is kinda why we hear "stories." One of the few Colombians on the site mentioned......his guns. Big difference in point of view.



Unfortunately, that does happen everywhere. In BAQ, it's somewhat interesting that we don't hear more about it. The area (Malambo, Soledad) in which the BAQ airport is located, that you MUST pass through to get to more comfortable settings in the north, isn't anywhere to take any chances with. With more and more foreigners travelling there, I fear we will be hearing more.

In Bogota, Rio de Janeiro, and Lima, idiot travellers are always trying to get cheaper ($3-10 less) taxi fares, by bypassing the official taxi stands, by going out to the main road, by going to the departure area, etc. Because the locals do it, doesn't mean you should. Mind you, these travellers have all their money, valuables, and bags on them. Not sure how well-travelled these guys were, but there's an sizable official taxi stand directly in front of where the taxis line up in BAQ arrivals area.

One of the things I never skimp on when I travel is the taxi to/from the airport. I mean, forget the laptop, ipod, cash, credit cards, cell phone, etc. All replaceable, once stateside. But I got my passport on me. Fuck that!!! Not losing that over being a cheapskate or not being diligent in my decisions. Too much hassle trying to replace that, esp. when the embassy is in Bogota.

Low-key is the best approach. Also, using the official taxis for the security and official fixed rates. In my experiences with the BAQ airport, using the official taxi queue, generally once in the car, driver turns on the a/c, winds up the windows, locks the doors, grabs the ticket stub, and off we go. In approx. 15-20 trips there, usually the same deal, day arrival or late night arrival, never a problem.

I wouldn't doubt that the taxi driver was in on it, BUT I also wouldn't doubt if he wasn't. Here's the other side of the coin. He wasn't the target, hence his calm. If he stays quiet and minds his business, the robbers don't bother him at all, ESPECIALLY if the victims are loaded with cash, and have visible valuables. Think about it. If the driver was in on it, why would he still take them to Hotel Prado, rather than leave them on the side of the road?

Sounds strange to me, but true enough, I've heard of personal experiences in both Bogota and Lima Peru of robbers leaving their victims with just enough money to pay the taxi. In Rio, when they rob the tourist buses coming from the airport, almost never is the bus driver robbed. Why? He's broke. Even the stupidest thieves know, you don't get rich driving a taxi or bus. So, my point is, when something goes down, it doesn't automatically mean that the driver is in on it. When a taxi or bus coming from the airport is robbed, the thieves have targeted YOU, and more than likely because of something you've displayed. Colombia is the home of papaya giving and papaya taking.

When you're travelling to Colombia, you're travelling to COLOMBIA, no matter how safer it's gotten from its notorious past. Why would anyone in their right mind let their guard down coming out of any airport, and let some nondescript stranger steer them anywhere? Do they do that in their home country? Hell no. You get to your hotel room or apartment, and THEN take a deep breath and relax.

And, to be soberingly honest, some people just aren't built for Colombia. Glad they cut their losses early and got out of dodge. Sounds like it was headed downhill anyway.



I truly think that it's great that you posted your experience. I don't believe it will discourage anyone, nor should it. On the contrary, people really need to keep their guard up and their wits about them. Though the beauty of the women will blind you and make you almost lose your mind, Colombia is still not the safest place, just safer than before. Things still happen. Mind you, in your experience, your issues were with guys from Medellin, supposedly the nicest people in the country, in CTG, supposedly the safest city. LOL!!!

People believe that things are getting better because the murder rates are down. I have a feeling that even that will change in the next couple of years with a bunch (31,000+) of broke former warriors (paracos) on the loose and few real opportunities for real money other than......

Many Colombians still don't report petty crime. Seriously, why should they? The Colombian police are nothing like police in the USA. Bribes are acceptable, for good and bad. Same can be said about a lot of countries. Your GF is right. Kinda sad, huh?

Best of luck in your future travels.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=LocoGringo]I haven't posted in a while and hate to put a "negative" report on Colombia but need to get this done. 1st, I have been living/traveling to various parts of Colombia (live in Cartagena) for the past 6+ years. I have made the trip at least 1x monthly during that time and came to feel that where I visited in Colombia (Cartagena, Barranquilla, Bogota, Medellin, Bucamaranga, Pasto) was at least as safe for me as South Florida. I have visited casas in all those cities and had numerous adventures that are fondly remembered.

In my apartment in Cartagena there were 3 men from Medellin renting the ajoining apartment. After 24 hours of music so loud that it was heard in the reception (turns out the administration and other apt dwellers were scared to confront them) I knocked loudly and asked that they turn the f----- music down. I went back to my apt and 2 of them knocked on my door, one wanted to fight, he was obviously fucked up, kept pounding his chect and saying "you want to fuck with me!" He moved toward me and then my mistake, told him fuck you, you got it, he pulled a 45 Auto out and aimed , being loco but not entirely stupid I said you win and closed the door. He then kicked the door down, came after me with the 45, been a long time but I managed to circle the apt and got out. Ahhhh, went to the Tourist Police, ended up with about 12 at the apt, they found a permit for him to carry a gun. Seems all a Colombiano has to do is go to the police station and register to carry a gun. After 1 hour the decision was made that he agreed to be good and if anything else happened he would be in trouble, no shit. The police say I need to file a report with the other police in Centro, and that he was scared because I was bigger than him, what the fuck! Anyway, 2 nights later coming back from dinner 2 of the same police pulled me over and since I did not have a D/L with me they were going to write me a ticket and tow my car. I knew they only wanted a propina, they had the guns and I am not Colombiano, resident Visa, yes but no fuckin Colombiano.

Now to Barranquilla. When I was leaving I ran into 2 Americans that were spooked to the hilt. It was their 2nd trip to Colombia, 1st was great and this time they flew into Barranquilla on Avianca. They cleared customs and caught a cab to go to the Prado(nice hotel, not so chica friendly). Some background, they were wearing their big Rolexs, not sure of chains. They had no one waiting on them, took a random taxi. They were pulled over 5 minutes out of the airport and robbed at gunpoint for all cash ($5000+), id, etc. The cab driver did not seem upset according to the guy I spoke to. Anyway, they stayed at the Prado that night, caught a taxi to the Hilton in Cartagena, changed their flight ($1000) and flew home the next day. They did not venture out of the Hilton until leaving for the USA. If these guys are members please post corrections and insights.

Anyway, if I could get pics to post on this site I would show why we go there and will continue to, chicas, period. Got some friends there but have more in the USA. I am going back next week, maybe do my bi-monthly to Bucamaranga.

I am not trying to discourage anyone from trying Colombia, just know that, like anywhere danger is possible and the police are not usually any help. I asked my girlfriend what good the report would do and it seems that if I was killed they wanted to know who the suspects are, fuck that.
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Colombia is a dangerous place for the unsuspecting. My wife is from Pereira Colombia. She says that the going rate for a hit by the guys on the motos is between 100,00 and 200,00 pesos. You [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] someone off or they want something you have. Your fucked. Don't wear your shiny jewelry, etc... in Colombia.

[QUOTE=Sparkchaser69]Colombia is a dangerous place for the unsuspecting. My wife is from Pereira Colombia. She says that the going rate for a hit by the guys on the motos is between 100,00 and 200,00 pesos. You [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] someone off or they want something you have. Your fucked. Don't wear your shiny jewelry, etc... in Colombia.[/QUOTE]Two days ago, just in front the mall Ciudad Victoria, some guy was kill by 2 guys on a motorcycle.

Just don't fuck with anyone, do your thing and be in peace.

By the way, I here in Pereira and Cartago.

Dosquebradas is a nice town.

My two cents.

Kukulkan

[QUOTE=Sparkchaser69]Colombia is a dangerous place for the unsuspecting. My wife is from Pereira Colombia. She says that the going rate for a hit by the guys on the motos is between 100,00 and 200,00 pesos. You [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] someone off or they want something you have. Your fucked. Don't wear your shiny jewelry, etc... in Colombia.[/QUOTE]
I guess if MY wife knew the going rate for a hit on someone off the top of her head, I'd really start worrying :)

Good that I don't have one.

EA

Damn, inflation hits everything. Gone are the good ole days of the 50.000 pesos sicarios, I guess. However, if you [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] the wrong someone off, they'll kill you for free.

Most sicario hits in Colombia are related to domestic-violence types of situations, suspected spousal cheating, AND shady business dealings. So you better be sure if your "girl" is really what she says she is. Once it escalates into the drug biz, political arena, and power play arena, prices go up.

I remember watching the movie Rosario Tijeras (loosely based on the Medellin scene of the recent past) and them mentioning something to the fact that she got 1.000.000 pesos per hit. So who really knows what your life is worth to the dude who'll pull the trigger, but the dude who'll pull the trigger or the person who's willing to pay it? Degree of difficulty costs more? LOL!!!

Shiny jewelry wearers and those who like to flash cash, one way or another, need only to worry about getting robbed at gunpoint. If they resist the robbery, the situation escalates, sometimes fatally. I wouldn't call this a "hit", just a very bad decision.

I'll find out the prices in BAQ when I'm on the ground next. I have some close friends there who are somewhat connected to that scene.

[QUOTE=Sparkchaser69]Colombia is a dangerous place for the unsuspecting. My wife is from Pereira Colombia. She says that the going rate for a hit by the guys on the motos is between 100,00 and 200,00 pesos. You [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord140][CodeWord140][/url] someone off or they want something you have. Your fucked. Don't wear your shiny jewelry, etc... in Colombia.[/QUOTE]