Thread: Cartegena - Will You be SAFE?

Ships are now visiting the port of Cartegena.

The US Dept of State currently warns against visits to Columbia.

But, I've also found an interesting article about personal safety for cruise passengers in the city of Cargegena, which refers to the Canadian Advisory as being more" balanced."

It's interesting, to say the least. I'm going to quote excerpts in the following posts (giving links), as this might make for an interesting discussion.

First, from - ARRIVING BY CRUISE SHIP-TIPS


While on your Cartagena adventure, you will see poverty-up close. The U.S. State Department for years, has issued a: Travel Warning to U.S. Citizens against visiting Colombia. If you seek a more balanced and accurate report, visit the Canada Advisory. Canada has a consul in Cartagena. They know first hand about personal safety. The Travel Warning issued by the U. S. State Department is seriously hurting the economy and people of Cartagena! If you are a U.S. citizen, you should feel good knowing that your visit will help our economy. You are welcome, and the people of Cartagena thank you.


Note: This text is written by a 62 year old U.S. citizen who lives and works in Cartagena. "Even with a so-so command of the Spanish language, I don't feel that I have ever been in personal danger in Cartagena. My work keeps me out at all hours, visiting clients, many times while I am alone. Of course, I am cautious as to where I go, the way I dress and act, but this is also true when I visit my home state of Florida." Use a little common sense, and you will have no problems.


This page is really interesting ... I hope you'll visit it and read it in its entireity

While it DOES encourage visits, it also provides some straight talk about conditions there, and what seem to be legitimate concerns, as well as tips on keeping yourself safe while there.

Next - from the US State Dept:

COLOMBIA

August 07, 2008
This Travel Warning updates and reminds American citizens of ongoing security concerns in Colombia. The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens of the dangers of travel to Colombia. While security in Colombia has improved significantly in recent years, violence by narco-terrorist groups continues to affect some rural areas and cities. The potential for violence by terrorists and other criminal elements exists in all parts of the country. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Colombia issued February 05, 2008.

Violence has decreased markedly in many urban areas; however, the level of violence in Buenaventura remains high. Small towns and rural areas of Colombia can still be extremely dangerous due to the presence of narco-terrorists. Common crime remains a significant problem in many urban and rural areas. For additional details about the general criminal threat, please see the Department of State’s Country Specific Information for Colombia.

The incidence of kidnapping in Colombia has diminished significantly from its peak at the beginning of this decade. Nevertheless, terrorist groups such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the National Liberation Army (ELN), and other criminal organizations continue to kidnap and hold . . . .

Read the entire statement here:
Colombia

Lastly, the advisory from Canada's Foreign Affairs and International Trade is quite lengthy, and differentiates between various areas of Columbia.

It starts like this:

There is no specific information about future terrorist activities or threats against Canadians citizens in Colombia. However, the security situation remains unpredictable. Possible terrorist targets include military and police vehicles and installations, restaurants, underground garages, nightclubs, hotels, banks, shopping centres, public transportation vehicles, government buildings, and airports located in major cities. Canadians should be vigilant and avoid any unattended packages or parcels and bring them to the attention of security personnel. Travel to most urban centres and major cities serviced by commercial air transportation, and the islands of San Andres and Providencia, can be undertaken if one exercises a high degree of caution.

Here's the link to the page:
Travel Report for Colombia

So, after seeing what three different sources have to say, what is YOUR assessment of the situation?

Whicj of the three views above would you be most inclined to trust?

If you've been there, what can you tell us about your visit from a viewpoint of personal safety? Which of the three viewpoints (The Canadian, the American, the columbian) seems most accurate to you after having visiited Cartegena yourself?

Do you know of another source that might be helpful in adding something of substance to a discussion of personal safety in the port of Cartegena? If so, please tell us about it!

I just came back from Cartegena. Damn...TONS of street vendors coming at you left and right. I was always nervous whenever I could see someone walking towards me preparing to make his sales pitch, but whenever I try to walk away in the other direction, someone from behind offers me some Colombian silver!!

Anyway... overall, I didn't feel too unsafe that day. However, there should be a warning about some Colombian men who, how shall I put this, are not shy at all when showing interest in women.

So aside from the scorching temps, the site of grills in front of everyone's homes and unwanted cat calls Cartegena is a gorgeous city. So if you would like to go by all means go! Crap happens everywhere anyway even in the safest places.

Is it a pretty city, NB?

Originally Posted by canarymoon

Is it a pretty city, NB?

Yes, it is beautiful. My mom and I took the old city walking tour, beautiful churches and the view from the monastery was awesome, but it was hot and humid as hell. It's also quite modern with nice hotels and restaurants and some shopping areas.

At the end of our excursion, our tour guide told us to tell everyone at home that "Cartegena is a safe and beautiful city!"

So, everyone, Cartegena is a safe and beautiful city

Well, thanks for passing on his message!

Seriously - so glad to hear you enjoyed it. Guess the heat is a iven so close to the equator, though. . .

Nice info, xN ! Glad you enjoyed and made the best of your day there.

Cartegena is one place I strongly suggest taking an excursion offered by the ship!

We were on a mini-bus for the excursion. Gangs of teens would run out and shake our bus demanding money. The police would come QUICKLY and run them off each time.

It was January and sooooooooo hot and humid ... not even to mention the smog. Remember, I'm from SC and very use to hot & very humid weather (July/Aug.) ... but not combined with the smog.

Yes, we were safe ... but, I'm not getting off the ship there again.