Hi Guys,

Newbie on the board I've been around a bit and spent a fair bit of time in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Cuba and Brazil. among many other cities/countries.

I'm based in Frankfurt Germany and would certainly say I know my way around some of the clubs so if you need any advice I'd be glad to help

I'm off to HK and Phi for a xmas so I may report on those trips when I'm back.

I have really enjoyed your trip reports and feedback on Columbia and I can't wait to get myself out there.

For the record I'm 32 and English. My Spanish is basic at best.

Next year I've earmarked Columbia as my destination of choice. I'm thinking about going for a month as seeing I'm based in Europe it seems kind of pointless to go for any shorter period of time.

My question to you guys is aside from November, December next year and June because of WC and July through to August because flights are that more expensive, when would you recommend going or would you say its worth going in the periods I've ruled as its that much better?

I was thinking April or May or alternatively September, October. No idea what the weather is like in the parts I'm travelling to at those times.

I was planning to go to Cartagena, Medillin and Cali would you recommend anywhere else?

I would be glad if anyone can provide me with the following info.

1. Weather for these months and areas generally is it wet or dry?
2. Can I get a bus from Medillin to Cali or would you recommend flying?
3. When do Columbians tend to take there holidays. And do prices tend to increase accordingly?
4. How much as a rule are internal flights? I presume prices are stable all year round regardless of how far in advance you book?
5. What would you budget per day for accommodation.
5. What would you budget per day for mongering, food, etc?
6. How would you split up your time in these destinations?

Best deals I've seen around €750 from FFT to Cartegna with Avianca. I guess that's as good as it gets are they any good?

thanks in advance

I would go in April or May, better weather generally then.

1.

Ctg Very Hot
Med Very warm
Cali Hot

2. Fly

3. May be a Easter week in Ctg, prices of hotels and airlines into Ctg are slightly more expensive for that week, not sure of the dates for Easter next year.

4. You could probably get a internal air pass, I would PM Gator if he dosn't post anything here.

5. US$50 for reasonable accomodation.

6. That depends on your food and women tastes?

7. One or two weeks in Ctg, two weeks in Medellin, I personnely don't like Cali much, so I won't recomend it, also it is a bit dangerouse there at the moment.

Have a look for Air Madrid, although the price you already have sounds pretty good.

Hunter

Hi hunter,
Why do you say Cali is a bit dangerous there right now? I have not read or heard of anything going on different since my last trip there in July/August. I will be there in two weeks and staying through the holidays with my novia. If you have some info on what is going on I would appreciate it! We PM'ed before my last trip there. I had a great time there then and never experienced any negative or bad situations. It certainly is not a tourist destination and a little more then basic Spanish skills are required. But I traveled all around the city and even ventured an hour North and South via taxi with no real threats or un pleasent exprienses other then another un ruley and obnoxious american who is not a member of this board. But please update this post with any info you have on new situations in Cali you are aware of!

Far as I know there is nothing particularly new in Cali. But I agree with Hunter. There is a lot of unemployment in the Cali area.

In Jan. of this year, there were a lot of young chicos hanging around with nothing to do and little to eat. It seemed like they were looking at this fat Gringo like I was lunch.

There is no direct targeting of tourists in Cali, but the murder rate is increasing there dramtiically, if all the murders were scum killing scum, it would me much of a problem, but at the moment for example, there are a number of people killing 6-8 people a day by mugging, they are not going up to people and threatening them and taking their money, they are going up and shooting them then relieving of their valuables, that is 6-8 people every day, one foreigner has been killed this year and several hundred Colombians by this method, until they catch/kill the people involved there are safer cities to visit in Colombia.

Hunter

My latest trip to Cali was about 3 months ago and I've been going periodically for over a year. I also noticed Cali appeared a bit more dangerous the last trip, compared to about a year ago. One night on Ave. Sexta I saw a bunch of cops w/guns drawn looking for someone and checking IDs. Unemployment has always been a problem in Cali, you see many more heavily armed guards and soldiers stationed in the public areas or patrolling in trucks than in other cities.

Interesting points! And thanks for the heads up on the latest trends there. Hunter are you in Cali now or have you been there recently? I try to keep up with the news coming out of Cali through my Novia and reading El Pais and I have seen some things, but nothing more then what I see happening here in the major cities. But again I appreciate your thoughts and Merlins as well. Although I had a great experience in my last trip there, I do know that you have to keep your wits about you when out and about! When I was there I did notice a heavy police and army presence every where and I did get padded down every place I went into, especially the clubs. I am looking forward to the Feria de Cali this year and plan to take in all the events including the Bull Fights. Thanks again for the info Hunter and Merlin!

I get my information from the news channels and people connected to the military/police. Cali has changed security wise from your last visit in July/August

I don't go to Cali, because I think it is a bit of a dump and there are far better places to live in Colombia.

Hunter

I still have a great time in Cali, but I just use a lot of extra caution when I go there. I've also noticed that a lot of the cuties that used to work the casas and Floras Frescas have moved on to other cities like Panama City, San Jose, etc. You still find a gem here and there, but not as many IMO.

One thing about what novias tell you, what is viewed as really safe and no problema to them, may be different for a non-local like you and me that may stick out like a sore thumb. Two trips ago, we went to a house party near South Cali where I really, really did not feel too comfortable, despite the novia and her friends being w/me and saying it was totally safe.

Hunter, I guess I will see for myself how the security has changed in Cali as I will be spending about 30 days there starting on the 23rd. As I said previously, when I was there before, I went pretty much every where all times of the day and night and although I did see a lot od security every where, I never came into contact with any situations or problems. I plan to take in all the various festivities that happen in Cali over the Holidays.
Merlin like you I had a hell of a good time in Cali. Now I stayed in the South part of Cali, in San Fernando. I walked all over met some restaurant owners and Internet Cafe owners. I loved the evening hours there, sitting in a few of the open air cafes and feeling the mas breesas. As far as Floras Frescas goes, I totally agree with you. When I went there there were a few stunners, but I did not sample any because I did far better, both in quality and price in the casas and massage places.
I am a bit of a risk taker and enjoy going places where there are not many if any other tourists or gringos.
I am not really into writing reports, but I will comment on what I find in Cali when I get back or possibly while I am there!