Medellin Reports

[QUOTE=Manny51; 1288992]Hi everyone,

Been thinking of going to Medellin later this year, but have been disturbed by recent reports of violence described in the forums. I was planning of staying at CB, exploring the city during the day during tourist stuff, and enjoying nocturnal activities at CB.

Are the dangers people have been describing in most of the city, or just some parts of it? Of course, foreigners in general are targeted for things like mugging, etc. But are foreigner mongers particularly resented and targeted? And if so, do they target places like CB?

Hoping to hear advice from mongers who are veterans of Medellin.

Thanks![/QUOTE]MDE is not as safe as you would like. I don't care where you stay each area has had problems with bandits. Your plan has merit, but you will still need to read the board for advice on protecting yourself.

I have been over a lot of Latin America, and the only place I have felt completly safe is in Lima in the Miraflores secton. As far as MDE I have been there about 10 different times, and so far have been robbed twice. Both times were my own fault as I got complacent, and then paid the price.

Good luck on your adventure.

[QUOTE=Manny51; 1288992]Hi everyone,

Been thinking of going to Medellin later this year, but have been disturbed by recent reports of violence described in the forums. I was planning of staying at CB, exploring the city during the day during tourist stuff, and enjoying nocturnal activities at CB.

Are the dangers people have been describing in most of the city, or just some parts of it? Of course, foreigners in general are targeted for things like mugging, etc. But are foreigner mongers particularly resented and targeted? And if so, do they target places like CB?

Hoping to hear advice from mongers who are veterans of Medellin.

Thanks![/QUOTE][url]Http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/19996-colombia-is-5th-most-dangerous-place-on-earth-study.html[/url]

I am presently in Medellin And I find it quite safe. The Poblado section has enough security that unless someone does something pretty outrageous it is for the most part safe. I cannot get into too much details except to say that the murder of one of the expatriates was due to some questionable activity. I happen to know some people who were aware of some of his goings on.

If I walk out at night there is security, with guard dogs, lining the hill, that I need to walk up and down to get anywhere. The more dangerous area is El Centro. This is the poor section of Medellin. I was in that area about an hour ago (midnight) and Felt safe. As long as one stays near the clubs, or even near the taxis, one is okay. I was hanging out near three clubs there and no one gave me problems. I do not recommend going to El Centro but if you take precautions (I did not get drunk; entered the neighborhood in a cab; left the neighborhood in a cab; did not flash money; was not loud and did not bring attention to myself) even a bad area can be navigated. You will enjoy Medellin. It is a good place.

[QUOTE=Boriman; 1289075]I am presently in Medellin And I find it quite safe. The Poblado section has enough security that unless someone does something pretty outrageous it is for the most part safe. I cannot get into too much details except to say that the murder of one of the expatriates was due to some questionable activity. I happen to know some people who were aware of some of his goings on.

If I walk out at night there is security, with guard dogs, lining the hill, that I need to walk up and down to get anywhere. The more dangerous area is El Centro. This is the poor section of Medellin. I was in that area about an hour ago (midnight) and Felt safe. As long as one stays near the clubs, or even near the taxis, one is okay. I was hanging out near three clubs there and no one gave me problems. I do not recommend going to El Centro but if you take precautions (I did not get drunk; entered the neighborhood in a cab; left the neighborhood in a cab; did not flash money; was not loud and did not bring attention to myself) even a bad area can be navigated. You will enjoy Medellin. It is a good place.[/QUOTE][url]Http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/23696-us-tourist-killed-in-medellin-colombia-.html[/url]

[QUOTE=TweedleD;1289032][url]Http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/19996-colombia-is-5th-most-dangerous-place-on-earth-study.html[/url][/QUOTE]Strange this list does not include countries like Mexico, Afghanistan, and other countries that seems to dealing with some war or other problems.

Side note. Everyone keeps talking about not flashing any money, but who's stupid enough to do that in any country that's known for its violence.

[QUOTE=Boriman;1289075]If I walk out at night there is security, with guard dogs, lining the hill, that I need to walk up and down to get anywhere. The more dangerous area is El Centro. This is the poor section of Medellin. I was in that area about an hour ago (midnight) and Felt safe.[/QUOTE]There is a LOT of security and police presence all over Medellin. That will not help you when a ladron decides he wants what you have. Poblado and Laureles certainly you have better odds of not running into trouble, but then again the thieves know that's where the money is (and bobo gringo).

Somebody needs to ask Aussie Greg for a top 10 survival in Medellin list. He's been here long enough, as a businessman dabbling in the dark side and survived intact so surely he must have some pearls of wisdom to pass along to the intrepid monger.

On another note, every time I start thinking one of these days I could marry one of these fine ass Colombianas, I find another sweet, young, drop dead gorgeous petite little thing in an el centro casa. I mean hot enough that she could easily be working at Fase 2 or Luna Lunera on a Friday or Saturday night. I found one last week that, if she had been asking 150, 000 COP I would have paid it. But nope. 32, 000 pesos and I was up in that sweet, tight, beautiful young ass. Which made me think, hmmm, any yahoo with a few pesos to rub together can fuck this girl. Not exactly wife material there. Of course, one shouldn't be looking for a wife in an el centro casa, but my point is you just never know with a Colombiana if her cuca is or has been for sale. Certainly there are Colombianas who will not prostitute themselves, but it seems to me they are in the minority.

So fuck it, I guess I'll stick with the old adage: If it fly's, floats or fucks, it's cheaper to rent!

[QUOTE=Boriman;1289075]I cannot get into too much details except to say that the murder of one of the expatriates was due to some questionable activity. I happen to know some people who were aware of some of his goings on.[/QUOTE]It ain't rocket science to figure out the guy was into some questionable activity.

[QUOTE=Boriman;1289075]. The more dangerous area is El Centro. This is the poor section of Medellin. I was in that area about an hour ago (midnight) and Felt safe. As long as one stays near the clubs, or even near the taxis, one is okay. I was hanging out near three clubs there and no one gave me problems. I do not recommend going to El Centro but if you take precautions (I did not get drunk; entered the neighborhood in a cab; left the neighborhood in a cab; did not flash money; was not loud and did not bring attention to myself) even a bad area can be navigated. You will enjoy Medellin. It is a good place.[/QUOTE]That's true, however, if you go roaming about out there, at that hour, you're asking for trouble, no matter how big or bad you think you may be.

[QUOTE=TweedleD;1289081][url]Http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/23696-us-tourist-killed-in-medellin-colombia-.html[/url][/QUOTE]I have already stated my opinion many times on safety in MDE, but since we are asked time, and again about it then I will respond again. If you are careful you are in no more danger than in any other big city. What strikes me as wrong is this viewpoint of how safe Poblado is. For my money it is the most danergous place in MDE. You don't think so? Well a while back a guide with a lot of experence had I think 4 Oriental gentlemen with him, and they were robbed in Poblado. The killing of the foolish tourist who did not want to surrender his watch was in Poblado. Last but not least the Mansion was robbed at gunpoint a while back ago. I guess memories are short on this forum.

The money is in Poblado not in El Centro or Mayorista.

Go have fun in MDE, but go at your own risk, and you tuff guys when confronted with a ripoff just give it up.

You will be fine. Just go. You will love it, trust me.

Noah Goldberg's death was not a random event. He was assasinated.

[QUOTE=Manny51; 1288992]Hi everyone,

Been thinking of going to Medellin later this year, but have been disturbed by recent reports of violence described in the forums. I was planning of staying at CB, exploring the city during the day during tourist stuff, and enjoying nocturnal activities at CB.

Are the dangers people have been describing in most of the city, or just some parts of it? Of course, foreigners in general are targeted for things like mugging, etc. But are foreigner mongers particularly resented and targeted? And if so, do they target places like CB?

Hoping to hear advice from mongers who are veterans of Medellin.

Thanks![/QUOTE]

"gringo sanctuary" "compound" itself is NOT void from violence either, are people forgetting a few years back when armed thugs home invaded the "mansion" at gunpoint, pistol whipped the guard, tied everybody up, stole passports, money, computers, personal effects. People had to travel to Bogota to the US embassy to get back to states. I don't care WHERE you are in Colombia if the ladrones want something from you, you better believe thier going to get it!

[QUOTE=EstebanH; 1289263]You will be fine. Just go. You will love it, trust me.

Noah Goldberg's death was not a random event. He was assasinated.[/QUOTE][url]Http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/14757-british-man-shot-and-killed-in-medellin.html[/url] Noah always boasted about showing guys the "REAL" Colombia, within 3 hours of clearing customs, I believe He did just that

[QUOTE=Boriman; 1289075]I am presently in Medellin And I find it quite safe. The Poblado section has enough security that unless someone does something pretty outrageous it is for the most part safe. I cannot get into too much details except to say that the murder of one of the expatriates was due to some questionable activity. I happen to know some people who were aware of some of his goings on.

If I walk out at night there is security, with guard dogs, lining the hill, that I need to walk up and down to get anywhere. The more dangerous area is El Centro. This is the poor section of Medellin. I was in that area about an hour ago (midnight) and Felt safe. As long as one stays near the clubs, or even near the taxis, one is okay. I was hanging out near three clubs there and no one gave me problems. I do not recommend going to El Centro but if you take precautions (I did not get drunk; entered the neighborhood in a cab; left the neighborhood in a cab; did not flash money; was not loud and did not bring attention to myself) even a bad area can be navigated. You will enjoy Medellin. It is a good place.[/QUOTE]Boriman if you felt safe at midnight in El Centro then you are not in touch with your surroundings because El Centro after about 8-9 o'clock is in fact not safe at all and the later it gets the less safe it gets. You may have felt safe but you weren't safe, believe me.

[QUOTE=Kelso1;1289261]Well a while back a guide with a lot of experence had I think 4 Oriental gentlemen with him, and they were robbed in Poblado.[/QUOTE]Actually, I think that incident was with Frank Casio and he was coming from the metro station to Mayorista not Poblado. That being said, Medellin is dangerous. I am not a belligerent person yet on three separate occasions I have had disagreements with overly aggressive Colombian guys who think they can paw my date. Any one of those could have gone south real quick if guns were involved.

[QUOTE=TweedleD; 1289306][url]Http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/14757-british-man-shot-and-killed-in-medellin.html[/url]

Noah always boasted about showing guys the "REAL" Colombia, within 3 hours of clearing customs, I believe He did just that[/QUOTE]Not sure what you are saying here. Are you afraid to return now?