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leticia / amazon safety?

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Hello, After contacting one of the TravelBlog forum members I am wondering if other people could tell me their opinion about the following. In January I am going to Colombia. I am willing to go to Leticia, but I am struggling about according to the safety. I dont know how close the Farc or other rebels will be. I have been told they are in the Amazon, but it\\\\\\\'s big. Really big. Also I wonder if people have ever seen the pink dolphins in this area (as a tourist). Thank you very much, sebas
14 years ago, July 28th 2009 No: 1 Msg: #81259  
N Posts: 4
Hello,

After contacting one of the TravelBlog forum members I am wondering if other people could tell me their opinion about the following.

In January I am going to Colombia. I am willing to go to Leticia, but I am struggling about according to the safety. I dont know how close the Farc or other rebels will be. I have been told they are in the Amazon, but it\\\\\\\'s big. Really big.

Also I wonder if people have ever seen the pink dolphins in this area (as a tourist).

Thank you very much,

sebas Reply to this

14 years ago, July 28th 2009 No: 2 Msg: #81260  
Hello Sebas 😊

Here is a related thread.

safety tyrona national park and leticia

Mel Reply to this

14 years ago, July 28th 2009 No: 3 Msg: #81268  
N Posts: 8
as i said, leticia seems pretty safe, shitloads of official army there.
we had a walk there, did some shopping, got some food, no problem....it's tranquillo.
if you book a trip/lodge in advance they will organize pick up/transfer from the airport to the lodge anyway.....
we stayed at palmari lodge, which was great. also they have lots of pink dolphins there, too!,
just take your time.....and enjoy. Reply to this

14 years ago, July 28th 2009 No: 4 Msg: #81280  
The town of Leticia itself is safe enough ,army n 5 star hotels ect, but I would think twice about travelling there overland.Last year I travelled by boat from Yurimaguas to Iquitos and it is possible to travel to Leticia ,along the Amazon River ,from here.I have met a few who have done it and loved every minute.The Amazon is just a you'd imagine ,with villages of grass shacks and indians paddling out to meet the ferry in dugout canoes.I have been in Colombia around 3months now and LOVE IT.I am trying to buy land here and make it my 2nd home.The stories you hear of how dangerous it is are WRONG.It is 1 of the friendliest countries on earth and if you do wander into a dangerous area ,by mistake, people will happily warn you to leave and point you in the safest direction.
USA has spent billions of $ here to build up the army and return stability ,and buy themselves a base in socialist South America, but it is having the desired effect.I have travelled places this year ,including the Colombian Choco and parts of the Darien Wilderness, that would have been suicide 5 years ago.
I know you will enjoy your trip .I LOVE COLOMBIA and any advice I can give please feel free to message me Reply to this

14 years ago, July 28th 2009 No: 5 Msg: #81281  
N Posts: 4
Thank you all for your answers. Very kind! I do have a small question for Morrison.. You say ' I would think twice about travelling there overland '.... What is the reason for that? safety or just that you don't see that much wilderness?

Thanks,
Sebas Reply to this

14 years ago, July 28th 2009 No: 6 Msg: #81291  
I love the jungle here but the South Eastern jungle is 1 of the few places left that isn't run by the army or paramilitaries so is 1 of the last hiding places for FARC and also the Peruvian "Shining Path".It was my dream this year to travel by boat from Iquitos-Leticia then do the overland trip to Santa Martha or Bogota but after some research and many Qs of other travellers I decided againts this route.Kidnappings are a big buisness here in Colombia and as much as I love this country and enjoy experiencing the less known adventures there is a point that it becomes too dangerous ,even for me.
I am now living with my Colombian girlfriend in Bogota and I can't catch a taxi on the street becouse of high rate of express kidnappings ,they keep you for a couple of days taking the max from your cards each day.If I'm even 10mins late anywhere my friends start to fret.Thanks to the USA investment here alot of the gangs have moved to Venezuala but you still have to be very careful.
Having said all this I will repeat myself and say Colombia is 1 of the friendliest countries on earth and I'm finding it almost impossible to leave.I was supposed to fly home from Mexico City but have now changed my tickets to Bogota so I can spend a couple more months in Paradise and I will be returning here as soon as the bank account has healed.
Please feel free to ask any more Qs
Reply to this

14 years ago, February 5th 2010 No: 7 Msg: #102523  
Leticia is very safe! I was planning to stay 4 days but ended staying there 3 weeks. It is a wonderful place.
It was perfect because the course included many cultural activities and I really came close to the local community and met many people. The river, the wildlife, such as the pink dolphins and the birds were great. Don't hesitate to visit Leticia.
Reply to this

14 years ago, February 5th 2010 No: 8 Msg: #102606  
N Posts: 4
Hello. I am back from Colombia (and Leticia). Just want to say that Colombia is a super destination. I felt totally safe in Leticia and had a great time (did see the dolphins and more)

Thanks for all help.

Sebas Reply to this

14 years ago, February 8th 2010 No: 9 Msg: #102878  
Thanks for the report Sebas 😊 Reply to this

14 years ago, February 22nd 2010 No: 10 Msg: #104471  
B Posts: 5
Hi to you people who have visited Leticia and Iquitos. Do you have any info on how easy/difficult it is to find work as an English teacher out there?

Happi days Reply to this

14 years ago, February 22nd 2010 No: 11 Msg: #104584  
Hi Sasdad:

Leticia is safe. A nice thing to do in Leticia is to study spanish and/or do some volunteer work.

Reply to this

10 years ago, April 25th 2013 No: 12 Msg: #169786  
Farc aren't really in the Amazon, rather than in the frontiers of the Amazon with the Andes and the Eastern plains. and Leticia is so far away, that is not as strategically important for Farc as many other areas in the frontiers, also, there's a lot of military there (Tabatinga in Brazil is much of a military post). Reply to this

10 years ago, April 25th 2013 No: 13 Msg: #169787  
@ElAustraliano: "Kidnappings are a big buisness here in Colombia"

not really, as I just said in another thread, kidnappings of foreign people are very uncommon. right now, some neighbour countries have higher kidnapping rates: Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico. Ecuador did have a higher kidnapping rate too, a few years ago, but the problem there been decreasing. last year, there were around 200 kidnappings in the country (mostly national people), to give you all an idea.

"I am now living with my Colombian girlfriend in Bogota and I can't catch a taxi on the street becouse of high rate of express kidnappings ,they keep you for a couple of days taking the max from your cards each day.If I'm even 10mins late anywhere my friends start to fret."

the danger of being victim of a street kidnapping is real, but the probability of ocurrence is way lower than what many people think. most cab drivers are honest people.
[Edited: 2013 Apr 25 18:57 - JoacoCanal:264150 ]
Reply to this

10 years ago, May 9th 2013 No: 14 Msg: #170393  
we visited Leticia in January this year and loved it - would not say it was dangerous at all and the Amazon barca cruse was amazing as well - totally recommendable!!! Reply to this

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