For a gringo with limited Spanish (but travel to Mexico City, Cartagena and Guatemala) which city, if either, is safer? From reading these posts, it appears that Medellin in the Poblado area seems slightly safer than Avenida Sexta/Chipe Chape mall in Cali, but I wanted to confirm this.

Gracias.

Medellin overall, compaing El Poblado with Avenida Sexta, Medellin as well.

Hunter

Agree with Hunter, now that I've been to MDE, it "felt" safer for me. In Cali, you'll see lots of armed guards w/big guns stationed around the malls and some police/soldiers patrolling the streets. Even with that said, I never had problems while staying in North Cali or Avenida Sexta.

I think for the typical tourist among us, Spanish or no Spanish - if you don't make yourself a mark (no jewelry, don't speaking loudly, no moving around with escorts or body guards) then both are relatively the same.

The three risks you need to consider, and notes on each (IMHO):

1. Kidnapping and major crime
Was a major risk in the rural areas, and past advice was to stay in cities and only do intercity travel by air. The risk has decreased significantly (whether it still is a strong risk or not). In the city, I suspect this is a premeditated crime. That is, the mark is frist staked out so they learn his worth, his activities, and how to best do the crime. If you're a short term tourist and you don't make yourself a mark, you'll be gone before your marked.

2. Petty crime
In the better parts of MDE or CLO I don't think this is much of an issue - cetainly not like it is in Brasil. Be careful, like in any American city, and you'll be relatively safe. Have some street smarts...

3. Boyfriend problems
If you like to flirt or play the nonpro game, then this is IMO your biggest risk. There are little consequences to a BF of the girl your flirting with (or sleeping with) if you anger him. He may just have you killed. It's cheap, it's easy, and maybe (especially in CLO, if he's wealthy) he's done it before! Thus, with regards to this area, I'd guess CLO may be more dangerous, as I believe there is more drug money and less legitimate money in CLO vs. MDE. Or, better said, if you go to a disco/bar and you see a hottie nonpro with some guy that's spending some money, he's more likely to be a narco if you're in CLO vs. MDE. (I'm not so educated on that last point, but I think I've learned this).

Thanks for all of the great advice. As I want to meet normal chicas - I'm late 20s, good shape and guapo - I don't want to piss off some low-level narco whacked out on his own stuff. I agree that there is no discentive for these guys to kill a gringo. On the contrary, they get mucho macho points. In Thailand and the Philippines - 2 places I have frequented a lot - a jealous boyfriend would first have to find a gun and then worry about all of the national negative publicity about a farang/americano being killed. That is one huge advantage to Asia - unless really provoked - even the biggest Asian hothead is restrained by the potential negative publicity from killing a foreigner.

Another tidbit, the last time I departed from from Cali on an international flight (American Airlines), I recall going thru three x-ray check-points. That's right 3 scans, and one bag search.

In MDE, I only went thru two x-ray scans, and one bag search.

Personally, I feel safer in MDE street-wise.

and when i arrived back in MIA from CTG they made us line up before immigration and the dog gave us a good sniffin'.

didn't find anything, though, but don't bring back any aniseed flavour sweets or similar.