Traveling the countryside of Colombia safe?

ColombianoGringo (Moderator) says on Mar 28, 2009, 10:06:

It really depends on what you consider the countryside. Some departments are fairly safe, while others are extremely dangerous. If you specify what parts of which departments you wish to visit, you can get a more precise answer.

I'm so hip, I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis. - Zaphod Beeblebrox, Former President of the Galaxy and inventor of the Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster

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webmanco says on Mar 28, 2009, 10:09:

There are many organized trips to countryside areas, it should be safe going to those areas even if you are not part of the group. I had venture to a few remote areas and nothing has happened so far.

You can ask police at towns to where is safe and where is not too safe. Still I do go to places without asking, I believe asking too much put you on the spot.

I am a local guy.

No hay extremo cierto o verdadero, porque los extremos opacan, enruedan, (lavan cerebros) verdades. Yotas

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) says on Mar 28, 2009, 10:12:

Web, It's one thing for a Colombian to go to certain areas, but for a foreigner to travel in certain parts of Colombian is very risky.

I'm so hip, I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis. - Zaphod Beeblebrox, Former President of the Galaxy and inventor of the Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster

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webmanco says on Mar 28, 2009, 10:14:

That is why I pointed out the group tours. Club de caminantes.

No hay extremo cierto o verdadero, porque los extremos opacan, enruedan, (lavan cerebros) verdades. Yotas

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morlecoco says on Mar 28, 2009, 10:17:

I am Colombain, my husband is German, we would be wanting to go to remote places, where the landscape is dramatic and pristine... it could be all over Colombia. I am aware that some places are safe and not, but where do you find out about that before you plan your trip?!
Do I need to carry a gun to protect us and our equipment ( LARGE format Camera like Ansel Adams, get it?!? whats the deal, how bad is it?
We were thinking to hire a driver for trips, and he would serve as a. transport and security info, is this a good idea?

Thanks

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) says on Mar 28, 2009, 10:27:

I know what LARGE format cameras are.That is not the point. Taking a gun would be foolish. If you were to run into anyone to be worried about, you would likely be outgunned. Also, carrying a gun without a permit can get you in trouble. Most drivers would be of little use as security unless they are licensed bodyguards.

There are plenty of places with dramatic and pristine scenery that are very safe and plenty that aren't. Again, what specific areas do you want to visit? What types of landscapes are you wishing to find? What city will serve as your starting point?

I'm so hip, I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis. - Zaphod Beeblebrox, Former President of the Galaxy and inventor of the Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster

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whitewidow says on Mar 28, 2009, 10:36:

How's this for dramatic & pristine? Try El Cocuy National Park. Full of everything you are looking and safe;

Looking for love....

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webmanco says on Mar 28, 2009, 10:39:

All Colombia is "safe", it is rummored that asking the right guys you can go to either Paramilitar controled territory or ilegal groups territory.

No hay extremo cierto o verdadero, porque los extremos opacan, enruedan, (lavan cerebros) verdades. Yotas

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Ken says on Mar 28, 2009, 10:46:

You have a major issue in that you actually believe what a lawyer tells you. A sentence¨ containing the words ¨Lawyer¨and ¨honest ¨¨ is oxymoronic beyond description.

I am in Tolima now, and travel to all types of remote areas. But I have local people (my girlfriends family) telling me what is safe and what isn´t., and acting as my ¨¨Guardas de espalda¨. I think they use the fear factor to thier own advantage sometimes, but I choose to err on the side of caution.

Like the other people said, do your research on different areas in advance, and take a guided tour. But I am still of the conviction that the highest risk is due to highway accidents. This is true everywhere, but espescially in developing countries. I am shaking in my boots everytime I travel on the Autopistas here, whether in a car or a bus. Mt honest opinion is the driving here is worse than Peru or Venezuela.

In MY opinion, unless your husband is very experienced Military, Police, or CIA DON¨T for god sakes carry a gun. It´s only inviting trouble.One of my criteria for hiring a driver is if they carry a gun, I don´t hire them. The oil companies do the same thing now a days.Unless you are going into areally risky area (whichyou shouldn´t) in which case you go with several armed security guards, if you go out to the field, and carry equipment, you DON´t carry guns. Totally against HSE policy Latin America and Africa.

None of my Girlfriends family carry guns.

Colombians and Venezuelans who carry guns and rob are not afraid to use them. Better to get insurance. All that foto gear isn´t worth your lives(at least,material possesions aren´t worth my life). Better just to be very descret about showing offthe equipment and if worse comes to worse, give it all to the robbers and be very calm, and say nothing threatening.

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webmanco says on Mar 28, 2009, 10:50:

Ken I am thinking about going to the Triangulation area, in Coyaima, it seems is a town going wrong with all the invasion due to the construction over the area.

http://www.eltiempo.com/colombia/tolima/altos-precios-y-problemas-soci...

No hay extremo cierto o verdadero, porque los extremos opacan, enruedan, (lavan cerebros) verdades. Yotas

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morlecoco says on Mar 28, 2009, 10:50:

ColombiaGringo, thanks, I don't expect everyone to know what we are shooting with, tranquilo!
I have never lived in Colombia, so have no idea where dramatic landscape is, ie what departments etc. I am basically clueless, I just know that there is alot out there to be seen, and before one packs up equipment for a trip of this sort, you need to research where the places are of interest and if they are indeed safe.
WhiteWidow, Thanks that looks very amazing, from what I hear there all kinds of dramatic landscapes in Colombia, from Dry to lush, flat to mountains... I will look into it more.

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morlecoco says on Mar 28, 2009, 10:51:

ColombiaGringo: we will be based in Bogota...

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Ken says on Mar 28, 2009, 10:51:

Hey Whitewidow

I wanna go climing in Cocuy someday. Is it really safe? Awfully close to Venezuelan border. Any tour groups or Alpine Clubs I can hook up woith that you know of?
Ken

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morlecoco says on Mar 28, 2009, 10:52:

webmanco, thanks for the tip, but group tours wont work for us, as we have a large piece of camera equipment and people in a group dont like to stand around for up to an hour while you take a photograph...

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webmanco says on Mar 28, 2009, 10:55:

Morlecoco, don´t need to worry, there are a couple of photographers club. Who don´t mind waiting for the right chic, I mean shot.

I do usually travel by myself, I like to stop at any given moment to take a picture and talk to people.


Fraylejon


Vista


Laguna



Laguna


Laguna

Me and wife

No hay extremo cierto o verdadero, porque los extremos opacan, enruedan, (lavan cerebros) verdades. Yotas

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morlecoco says on Mar 28, 2009, 11:03:

Ken: Thanks, the gun thing was not serious, sorry it caused such an uproar!
I don't have a major issue either, but this is a family friend I have known all my life, so in the future, would you be so kind as to be carefull about giving out opinions without knowing the whole story.

Forums are here to ask questions and get information, not insult people. I am open to information and knowledge, this and is why i am participating.

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whitewidow says on Mar 28, 2009, 11:04:

ken - i do not know the situation right now, but there are several tour operators in the area that keep up with this info as it is their biz. i think i have a few links i could provide if you are interested. i hope to visit the park myself sometime this year. it looks incredible. colombia has 52 state parks.

Looking for love....

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morlecoco says on Mar 28, 2009, 11:09:

at webmanco. these photo groups sound interesting, i thought you meant just a tourist walking group, do you have weblinks you could share?

at whitewidow, you are inspiring me with these images, do you also have any helpful links so i can research more on colombias parks and geography??

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Bill Turley (Moderator) says on Mar 28, 2009, 11:11:

Many years ago I was a large format photographer. What are you using? I had 4X5 Graphics and a unnamed view 5x7
Are you also digital?
I used a Kodak Prism system Medium format but VERY bulky for a few years
Now I am going light with a digital superzoom
If you would like to visit here you will find some of what you are loioking for.

Mr. Bill Somondoco

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whitewidow says on Mar 28, 2009, 11:11:

http://www.parquesnacionales.gov.co/PNN/portel/libreria/php/decide.php....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_national_parks_of_Colombia

* i've got thousands of photos saved. but, you should checkout juan's website. he is an aquaintence of mine who lives in medellin and does some amazing work. he is also a blogger for the great outdoors on elcolombiano.com's news website;

http://coloverio.securesites.net/blogs/entrepixeles/

Looking for love....

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Catfish35 says on Mar 28, 2009, 11:25:

I see whitewidow is using the fotos I took and I gave him for his 22nd birthday last year to brag again..hmmmm

Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."

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whitewidow says on Mar 28, 2009, 11:30:

i was bragging on juan. he has mad skills! i cannot post your photos here, fish. you know that would cause an UPROAR! naked clown photography just has not hit the mainstream yet, amigo. you will have to be patient and let the world evolve to meet your tastes and lifestyle obsurdities.

Looking for love....

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webmanco says on Mar 28, 2009, 11:31:

Thanks for the link WhWi, Kudos to Juan.

No hay extremo cierto o verdadero, porque los extremos opacan, enruedan, (lavan cerebros) verdades. Yotas

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morlecoco says on Mar 28, 2009, 11:55:

Thank you everyone, im getting more and more excited about the trip!!!

Bill: my husband works with Film, 8x10 and custom 12x20... he's a total purist, im even chucking my digital point n shoot for a good old fashion 35mm :-)
We are keen to find out if there are any resources left for film in Colombia too.

Best
Constanza

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Bill Turley (Moderator) says on Mar 28, 2009, 15:57:

I wouñd plan on doing your own souping and bring you film supply. I had problems getting 120 processed

Mr. Bill Somondoco

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TravelFamily says on Mar 28, 2009, 17:44:

Bill you are a jack of all trades! You constantly surprise me. The area around Bill is incredibly beautiful and breathtaking scenery- and we only saw a small part of it!

The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. ~St. Augustine~

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whitewidow says on Mar 28, 2009, 17:53:

more pics from turley!

Looking for love....

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getting better says on Mar 28, 2009, 18:43:

It is possible to visit to some very remote and beautiful parts of Colombia in safety. Nearly everywhere that there are good roads the natural habitat is destroyed. That is not a problem to those who think that coffeee farms are real nature. But if you want to go to some really nice places you are going to need to be prepared to spend some time and money on travelling.
PM me if you think I can help.

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La_Huella says on Mar 29, 2009, 13:06:

I don't think there are any areas of Colombia that are dangerous for foreigners that aren't also dangerous for Colombians. Being from Bogota is just as obvious as being from the US or Europe in any of these remote areas. Hell, being from the next valley makes you stand out like a sore thumb.

Webco is also absolutely right, with the right connections you can go ANYWHERE in this country. My musician friends recently finished a tour of Arauca, and my yagero friend who works for the SENA also came back from a week of doing seminars there. Nobody had any problems, but if you just show up unannounced it could be very bad.

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Robert Jorge says on Mar 31, 2009, 23:49:

I have to agree with La Huella. If a Rola goes to say Puerto Lopez or Grenada (Meta), they will stand out as much as a gringo. And are targeted as much as gringos as far as price gouging goes.

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billyb says on Apr 1, 2009, 07:08:

"I don't think there are any areas of Colombia that are dangerous for foreigners that aren't also dangerous for Colombians."

I agree. Hey rubi, it's a lot more fun disagreeing with you.

"All I want to know is where I'm going to die, so I never go there" Unkown (at least to me) wise man.

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Londoner says on Apr 2, 2009, 19:07:

Some nights I sit and watch the sun set over the Pacific and the mountains of rural Choco.And thats as close as I ,m ever likely to get because the countryside there is incredibly dangerous.

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morlecoco says on Apr 2, 2009, 19:30:

so i hear... there is a place i would LOVE to visit... http://www.morromico.com/index.htm its in el choco on the pacific, seems like utter heaven
they have guided tours into the parque ensanada, is that safe?

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Rocco81 says on Apr 10, 2009, 11:28:

In this case Morlecoco, less is more...if you showed up with a large security team first of all you would look like some sort of agent trying to take reconassaince fotos of terrain, narco crops or people living in the area. Not to mention you would pay fairly high price for good security. In general you would attract much bad attention and at the very least make more of a stir than is needed.

As with most things, if you ask for permission and stay on the main roads you have been told to stay on then you should be ok. Obviously you and your husband shouldn't wander around remote places alone without a clue where you're going, so yeah hire a locall tourguide and/or driver.

If you are going to take fotos of landscapes you should be fine, just let people who might live near where the fotos are taken,what you are doing.

Sic semper tyrannis

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