An English girl going to Colombia?

Question

Hi, I have a Colombian boyfriend and he would like me to visit his country and maybe live there. It's very expensive to fly there but when I get the money I would love to visit. I am just not sure how safe it would be.

And do you think it would be ok for me to live there? I'm really pale with pale blonde hair, I think I will stick out like a sore thumb. I am not rich at all but I'm pretty middle class. I am a student. What do you think? He lives in the north of Bogota...

The relationship is very serious and we plan to marry. He doesn't ever say I have to go to Colombia, I did not write that. I would like to visit it, myself, and I would like to live there for a while if it is safe.

I do trust my boyfriend, bloody hell! I am just asking for opinions. He is worried I won't like it and wants to live with me here, but I know he'd like me to visit. Is it a crime to ask more people? Do I deserve having my relationship judged for that?

Answer 1

Hola ! I am from Colombia, And I have been abroad, so i have some expertise to respond you properly. I was living in Japan for 1-year and some people might have those pre-thoughts about Colombia, and somehow it is pretty understable, once they got to know me they realized things were different. Please dont believe all that TV, newspepers say. I am pretty sure there are more unsafe places(UK itself) in another countries than in Colombia. REad, but digest all you know about about Colombia, you already know your boyfriend so I guess that is a good place to realize things can be different.
I have been living in Bogota for the last almost 2 years, and probably It is one of the best cities in South America, where to live. It is located in the mountains, 2,600 meters above Sea level, lovely city beatiful lanscapes, very cosmopolitan and cultural city, there is always something good to do. I am not going to lie you and we have some security problems and those are only in some zones(some rural areas) , where guerrilla and other unlawful groups have presence, but I am sure you can find out if it safe to go there in advance, even though secutity has improved with current president and there might be still a few 'red zones' but in big cities like Bogota, the changes that happens something bad to you, for sure will be the same changes you get robbed in London, Paris or New York

Answer 2

Hi. No, you dont deserve to be judged, I think people sometimes assume things. Ignore them, you asked about traveling to colombia and that's what you want to know, right? well, Colombia is not like you see in most of movies: drugs, bad people, etc. It is a very good country and it has many beautiful and safe places. Bogota is a city with a rich culture and all you have to do is act normal, not do anything stupid like going around with a expensive digital camera hanging of your neck, I mean, it would be teasing thieves in England also, dont you think?
I think that you will be ok. Enjoy your trip and live your life.

Answer 3

Please don't listen to the nay sayers. Believe me when I tell you that when you go to visit your boyfriend you will not be kidnapped for ransom.

The president of colombia has turned the country around and for the better. Crime has been reduced in all urban areas and continues to decline. Colombia's economic growth is one of the highest in south america.

if you go to Colombia to visit your boyfriend you should consider staying in urban areas where it has always been safe because of heavy police presence. There is lots to see and lots to do.

If you don't believe me, I would suggest you do your own research, read news reports and the such to acquaint yourself with the situation better. South Africa is about to surpass colombia, if they havent already, on the number of kidnappings.

I would suggest checking out www.colombianblog.com. It is a message board with lots of information about the country. You can ask all the questions you want and many of the members would be happy to answer. Right now the board is down because of maintance, but I would suggest checking it out in a couple of days when the administrator puts it back up. There are quite a few americans, and even and autralian girl, that live in colombia and make a living teaching english or otherwise.

Colombia is getting safer and safer everyday. I would definitely recommend it.

Answer 4

Hi there It is kind of the same in Colombia (at least in the cities) I have a friend that speaks portuguese in here (and I don't understand a single thing :) ) unless he writes it. You may want to try learning some basic spanish and with the basic english that most colombians know you should be fine. Good luck

Answer 5

"Do you think it would be ok to me for live there?"
You are the only person in the world who could possible answer that question!
We can give you an idea about what it's like to travel and explore Colombia, or you can read the older posts here in YA, about Colombia, and if you still have questions, post a new one.
To get an idea of Bogota, try this link
Bogota Turism:
http://english.bogotaturismo.gov.co

Answer 6

It seems that you don't trust your Colombian boyfriend that much. Otherwise you'd be at peace with the information he gave you and with the fact that his personality is shaped by his Colombian-ness.
You'll blend in easily with Colombians. The country is diverse and it pays fair homage to its aboriginal, European and African roots.
The country is safe provided you're not another gringo going in for drugs, arms dealings and the like.
What do I think? Go for it. Bogota was just awarded (last week) with an international award as the most livable and gorgeous town in the neigbourhood. I lived there for 10 years. I loved it. I miss it.

Answer 7

I would have no problem visiting Colombia. Take some Beano with you to prevent flatulence. Colombian food gives me gas
the correct spelling is ColOmbia
Colombians on average are very freindly people and your boyfriend should know in Bogota where and where not to go.

Answer 8

There are area of Colombia (very few) that you will blend in with your blonde blues. I live in the republic of Panama and I can tell you the regular Colombians are exiting their country everyday into Panama for their own safety from their own nationality. Today for the first time ever Panama made 900 indigenous people that had been living illegally in the Darien rainforest offical refugees from Colombia.

There are area of Colombia (very few) that you will blend in with your blonde blues. I live in the republic of Panama and I can tell you the regular Colombians are exiting their country everyday into Panama for their own safety from their own nationality. Today for the first time ever Panama made 900 indigenous people that had been living illegally in the Darien rainforest official refugees from Colombia because their life was endangered by their fellow Colombians.

I can tell you the Panamanian government in cooperation with the US government has discontinued allowing American tourist to visit the Darien (which is a shared boarder with Colombia) for their own safety sake. I can tell you the special police force of Panama will not go into some areas of the Darien, the very group that is in charge of border protection. It is unsafe due to the gorilla activity coming into the country from the Colombian side in the form of drugs and weapons running.

I can tell you recently three Spanish business men disregarded safety warning and took a boat from Panama to Colombia. They were held hostage for three months until their government finally paid their ransom to the outlaw who held them.

As tourist traveling to Colombia we are advised on to leave the big city areas of Bogota or Cartagena for safety. We are total not use any taxis that are not approved for use by the hotel.

From my perspective as an American living in Panama the risk , mental stress, and worry I would feel from the daily living of always having to feel I was on guard would not tip the balance scale in favor of living in Colombia.

I don´t know how well you know your boyfriend or how long he has been in your country, but I would question anyone who pressed me into an unsafe situation for their own selfish gain of returning home. Why did he leave in the first place if it was so great? How long have I known him, am I really sure I know him? These are all valid question for your consideration as it is true although unromantic ´love doesn´t conqueror all´.

What about Panama? This is close enough to Colombia, airfare is greatly reduced and you are VERY safe in Panama.

For more info on Panama see http://www.panamaexpertos.com/

Answer 9

This is a very good question!

My wife is from Panama (right next door to Columbia) and I'm trying to build a business in Central AND South America.

Columbia is the LAST country I will probably visit due to a few very dangerous groups of people there! I would not suggest visiting Columbia right now.

Instead, I suggest you visit Panama or Costa Rica, first. They are both very close to Columbia (geographically) and you can fly his parent(s) there for about $100.00.

Both Costa Rica and Panama are good places to visit, especially if this is your first time to a Latin Country. Note, thousands of Americans and Canadians are retiring to Panama and Costa Rica now, Donald Trump's company is building a $220MM highrise in Panama City and they are much more friendly places to visit. Still, be careful what part of town you go to... just like NYC, Houston, Phoenix, etc... I think you know what I mean.

Once you've adjusted to Panama or Costa Rica, then consider going to Columbia... MAYBE. Going to Latin America is a HUGE adjustment and 40% of the those who move, LEAVE within one year. It's a major adjustment, so go slowly, adjust, then consider your options.

Also, many Columbians go to Panama because it's just a more stable environment and close to Columbia. So, if you're boyfriend has an open mind and is a good guy he might consider something like this. Though, you'll need AT LEAST $15,000 and you'll need your own business... because neither of you will be able to get a work visa in Panama without your own business.

Other option... move to Miami, like me. It's almost like being in Panama City (Panama)!!

Best wishes,
C