Quito vs. Medellin vs. ??? - Want to make friends, have fun, learn spanish but stay relatively safe

Hi All,

I'm new to PBH but what a great site! Anyway I'm off to S. America in October for at least 3 months and I really hope to be fluent (or at least as close as possible) by the time I leave. I was in Argentina for a month before and want nothing more than to live in Buenos Aires - but I wanted to travel around a bit first and learn a less distinct style of spanish.
So my challenge now is picking that first place to stay and study for a few weeks. I'm definitely more attracted to traveling for the people, new cultures and nightlife than strictly for the natural beauty of a place - although nearby rain forests and/or beaches would be a definite plus. And since I'm a girl in her 20's who is traveling alone, I also want to make sure I'm not going somewhere unreasonably safe. I've heard such mixed things about Colombia now, but Medellin sounds awesome - has anyone studied there who could recommend it? Or is it a better place to visit once I've learned to get by with spanish a bit more?

I've also considered Quito, but I've never met anyone who's been to Ecuador so I'm hesitant. From what I've read it looks like a good place to study spanish, but is it as cool and exciting as the other options?
I want to stay in a hostel at first to make friends and have fun and then maybe stay with a family. Money is obviously a very big issue since I don't have much of it, but I don't mind paying a little more if the quality and experience are really worth it.

Thanks for your advice!!

~Lauren

By PeachyLo on Aug 13, 2009, 07:29 in Learn Spanish.

Allen Parker says on Aug 27, 2009, 16:45: Hola y Hello PeachyLo,I have been to Medellin many times and I find it more interesting and beautiful each time.Do you speak espanol now?If not or only alittle find someone preferrably latinamerican and practice,you'll find some expressions only in Colombia but they are minor.I know many places and people there who would love to help you learn and practice their english with you,don't worry their english is very good. If you need more help or contacts p/m me,I hope to return myself in October. Cuidate y buen suerte! Take care & Good Luck! Without change we all die! 0 funny, 0 helpful.

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