There are many safety precautions that you can take when traveling to Colombia. You should never put yourself in a vulnerable situation. This includes not walking alone late at night or flashing your valuables in public places. Colombians also warn against drinking in clubs and bars. If you drink too much, you may become a victim of a crime.
Bogota is the most openly gay city in Colombia
Although Colombia is considered a conservative Latin American country, there is a strong queer undercurrent in the country. The capital city of Bogota, and the surrounding cities of Medellin and Cali, have adopted policies that are welcoming of the LGBTQ+ community. These changes include legalising same-sex marriage and recognizing trans identities.
While most Colombians are still against gay marriage, the country has come a long way in granting rights to the LGBTQ+ community. A 2016 poll found that 59% of Colombians were against same-sex marriage, and a more recent poll found that 46% were in favor. Although Colombians still hold strong religious beliefs, increasing exposure to LGBT characters in mainstream media has helped to lessen the stigma associated with being gay.
Bogota’s gay nightlife is one of the city’s main attractions. The gay scene here is among the largest in the country, centred around the district of Chapinero. Theatron, the city’s largest gay nightclub, is a must-visit for visitors. The club features an open bar and a diverse mix of music genres. There are several other gay nightclubs, including El Mozo and Cavu. If you’re looking for a more relaxed atmosphere, you may want to check out El Recreo de Adan, which features karaoke and other activities.
Despite Colombia’s generally conservative attitude towards LGBT travellers, the country’s major cities are also relatively welcoming to this group. The biggest cities in Colombia, like Bogota and Medellin, have a strong gay community. The Rumors Festival in Cartagena is the largest gay festival in the country. However, tourists should also exercise caution when visiting more rural areas.
Avoid joking about drugs
When traveling to Colombia, avoid making fun of the drug trade. Colombians do not like to be branded as drug traffickers. The vast majority of Colombians do not participate in drug trafficking. However, some Colombians are directly affected by the violence that is perpetrated by drug cartels. Do not make fun of drug dealers by joking about the quantity of drugs they have on hand.
Cocaine is a major problem in Colombia. It has ruined many lives and has been responsible for several crimes. While it is a popular drug in many countries, you should not mention it while visiting Colombia. While it may seem like an interesting topic, do not bring it up when you meet Colombians.
A recent segment on HBO’s Last Week Tonight drew some criticism because it referred to a government law where payments are made in “bags of cocaine”. However, Colombians have a much more open and inclusive election process than the United States, and Colombians are much less likely to take their country seriously if a comedian jokingly refers to drugs. In the long run, it is far better for people to keep it professional and avoid the unnecessary embarrassment and hilarity.
While it is legal to possess one gram of cocaine for personal use in Colombia, it is illegal to sell cocaine to others. If you do buy cocaine while you are traveling to Colombia, you’re not only breaking the law, but also exposing yourself to robbery. Plus, it’s very insulting to Colombians.
Avoid giving papaya to avoid being a victim of a crime in Colombia
One of the best ways to avoid becoming a victim of a crime in Colombia is to avoid giving papaya. This Colombian saying means to not put yourself in an easy situation by flashing your expensive camera, expensive jewelry, or cell phone. These can all be tempting to thieves and they may even be used as a pretext for a crime.
Colombians warn against making yourself a target, so avoid flashing your valuables or walking around alone late at night. They also say not to display valuables or brand names in public places. Also, avoid speaking loudly in English or wearing flip flops.
Another way to avoid becoming a victim of a crime in Colombia is to be aware of your surroundings and wear decent clothing. Wearing shorts or flip flops may attract unwanted attention, so make sure you wear jeans and a t-shirt with a hidden pocket.
The most important way to stay safe in Colombia is to travel with a local who you trust, rather than a random stranger. Criminals in Colombia are creative and always ready to pounce on the unwary traveler. For instance, if you have a cellphone, it is a huge target and even a cheap one is worth at least a month’s minimum wage.
Avoid joking about drug wars in Colombia
If you’re joking about drug wars in Colombia, you’re probably mistaken. While President Trump has been very vocal about his displeasure with the drug trade and has tried to slash U.S. aid to Colombia by almost a third, he’s not the only one. In fact, the U.S. government has tried to cut aid to Colombia by a third in every budget. Congress, however, has repeatedly rejected these cuts.
Since the 1970s, Colombia has been a hotbed of violent drug trafficking organizations. What started as a small operation has become a vast multi-national enterprise. The money derived from smuggling cocaine has allowed the drug traffickers to acquire sophisticated smuggling equipment. These organizations have even enlisted the help of engineering experts from the United States and Russia to construct sophisticated submarines to smuggle the drug.
Even though extradition is a key arm of the U.S. anti-drug strategy, Uribe has resisted extradition, a policy that undermines anti-narcotics efforts. Instead, he’s trying to cast the spotlight away from massive drug trafficking by paramilitaries. The Colombian government has always acknowledged that FARC involvement in the drug trade is comparatively epidermal compared to AUC involvement. But in 2005, President Alvaro Uribe passed the Justice and Peace Law, which demobilized right-wing paramilitary groups.
The drug wars in Colombia are serious, and the violence reflects the breakdown of society in the country. The 2016 peace process brought an end to the armed conflict in Colombia, but leftist forces have since resurfaced and demanded political power. In response, right-wing paramilitary organizations have responded violently to these demands. Meanwhile, drug cartels have continued their reign of terror.
Avoid joking about crime in Colombia
Colombia is a beautiful country with a dark shadow hung over it: crime and conflict. Colombians like to joke that God created paradise for them in the Americas. However, the history of drug violence and crime in Colombia is far from a joke, and joking about crime in Colombia is highly insulting. Drug violence has cost Colombians their lives, their families, and their land. It has also cost Colombians their personal safety.
One of the first things to do when planning your trip to Colombia is to be aware of the current crime rate. Criminal groups are active in the drug trade, as well as extortion, kidnapping, prostitution, and money laundering. Colombians should take caution when dealing with strangers, and it’s a good idea to plan your route in advance.
While crime is a serious issue in Colombia, it is far less common than in other parts of Latin America. While it is possible to be victimized by a criminal, it’s unlikely to happen to you unless you’re extremely unlucky. Still, Colombia has a lot of positives – and crime is just one of them.
While crime isn’t a joke in Colombia, the FARC-EP were a good influence for rural Colombia. They brought law and order to rural areas and controlled the cutting of the forest. However, the end of the peace process led to the emergence of other armed groups that fight for control of the country. This has led to a spike in illicit activities like cocaine, gold mining, and illegal timber. As a result, Colombians have been forced to face the fact that crime is still a real problem, and it is not going away.
Colombians are generally very friendly and sociable. However, there is a lot of poverty in Colombia, and many people live on very little. Compared to rural areas, urban areas have lower crime rates and a lower percentage of poverty. In addition, crime is often much less visible in urban areas. However, if you are visiting a slum, you can be sure that crime is a serious issue.
