Thoughts On Colombia: A Protracted Mileage Run

Thanks for the more accurate representation than Ben's posts. Colombia is a great place and is hugely underrated for American tourists. It is as safe as any other tourist destination.

Thanks for this post Ben. I had the same sentiments towards South America, it was only after a stay in Medellín and Cartagena a week prior to your trip that I fell in love.

Thanks for sharing your adventure. Both in 20's and no nightclubs? SMH

I'm always surprised by those who travel who don't have a good camera. No disrespect intended, but I'd invest in a good camera--and some lessons--to take better pictures to remember such a wonderful trip. The Microsoft Lumia 950 has a superior camera for a mobile telephone, if you don't want to carry around a digital SLR.

Maybe this will compel Ben to visit more countries with brown/black people?

I've been reading this blog for literally almost 4 years and have never seen a review on a hotel in Africa (not even South Africa!) and only one review of an African airline (Ethiopian). It's quite sad and while I understand it's your blog to do as you please, as a fan, it would be great to see more variety in your hotel and airline reviews. Or more specifically more reviews on Africa or even South America (besides Argentina and Brazil) or India

Beautifully written and informative.

Thanks, Ford

Thanks for the mini trip report. To add to Flyerguy10's suggestion, why not take Ben to Zambia to do a safari and report back? He might even be able to route via CMB for a cheaper business class airfare.

Regardless of where you choose to travel, you seem to be a very good match and bringing out each other's best parts. Hope you have many more magical moments together.

When I mileage ran to Bogota 5 weeks ago, I took 4 uber trips, and each driver asked me to sit in front (so my friend sat in back), telling me that uber wasn't legal. That sounded unlikely and I wanted to get more info, but the drivers didn't speak English and We weren't unable to understand their Spanish enough. I also googled this afterwards and haven't found this addressed. Curious for you to elaborate on your uber experience there, did Uber drivers tell you Uber was illegal? Did you two have to split up, requiring one to sit up front?

@HITconsultant - they do the same in Montreal so they don't get hassled by the police/taxi drivers. Sucks, but it seems Bogota isn't alone!

Lucky suggestions for future trip reviews.

Mongolia
North korea
Urzbekistan
Pakistan
Sudan
Somalia
Afghanistan
Iraq
Tasmania
Liberia
Minnesota
Egypt
Morocco
Tunisia

The low, low prices are very attractive.

@Tom @Ron R @Boco - thank you!

@HITconsultant - Neither of us had to sit up front, and the drivers didn't say anything about illegality. I think you bring up an important point about the language barrier, which I found to be more significant in Colombia than it was in my travels to other South and Central American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Panama). I speak some Spanish, so it wasn't much of a hindrance in Colombia, but it would have been a little trickier had I not known anything.

@Andrew B - YOU would love it.

Do they have casa particular's there in Columbia?

@Fred I don't believe they refer to them as Casa Particulars like they do in Cuba, but there are a number of smaller, more bed&breakfast style accommodations, especially in Cartagena. One criticism I've heard of these "hotels" in Cartagena is that they are somewhat "lifeless" since there are only a few rooms (in most cases 5-10), but they seem totally adequate and in some cases exceptional.

@Ford "I realized that staying some distance away was a relief, as La Candelaria felt a bit unsafe due to all the commotion and dozens of police strapped with machine guns roaming the streets."

The reason why you saw a significant amount of armed policemen is not really because the place is dangerous and they are ready to gun down criminals. It's because right next to La Candelaria (I'm sure you saw most of these) you will find the President's house, the Congress, the Supreme Courts, the Mayor's office plus some other public agencies like ministries and such.

I am actually a Colombian and I just want to say that visiting Colombia is safe and a great expirience if you know whats good here there are many amazing restaurants that cost only a fraction compared to some in the U.S with the same or even a better experience. Colombia is a beutiful place and a great destination for travelers