I plan to head to Colombia in March and am wondering if anyone has been there recently and can give me an update on the travel safety situations and where a lone backpacker should avoid.
Reply to this I personally haven't been there, but i do know that it's always changing. Guerrillas are mostly located in the South, but that's not all you have to worry about, there are nasty cops and paramilitaries also. A have a few friends from Colombia and they've said that it's not dangerous in the larger cities (e.g., Medellin, Barranquilla, Cali, Bogota). The main problem is getting from Colombia up into Panama. I've heard that some people take a boat from Colombia to Panama to bypass the more remote areas of Colombia. I honestly think the dangers in Colombia (from Colombians and other backpackers I've talked to) are overblown. Your best bet is probably to get down there and, as you're hitchhiking, ask the authorities about the current conditions every couple of days. Good luck.
Reply to this Definately on the right track aaron. The towns you mentioned are all pretty ok these days - Cali maybe not so great. Then north/west of medillin is probably a no go aswell. Don't travel at night (the gov't is quite right about that). Dont flaunt your money. Smile. You'll be fine.
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