In and out’s of traveling to Colombia
Drugs and talking about that Netflix show are big no-nos If there’s one way to annoy Colombians, it’s to get onto a topic that many Western tourists continue to associate with the country: drugs. Illegal substances are a taboo subject in Colombia, and despite (or more likely, because of) the country’s history, few Colombians take them. Residents of Medellín, in particular, are fed up with the city’s association with drug cartels and with tourists who go there to use cocaine, which is illegal and could see you getting into a lot of trouble if caught. When traveling in Colombia, don’t mention Narcos, either. Colombians are frustrated with the Netflix show’s portrayal of the country and what they see as the exaltation of a mass murderer. You can show some respect by steering clear of the many Pablo Escobar tours, too. Listening to local people’s experiences during the drug-war years is likely to be far more informative and accurate.
Scams and muggings do happen While safety has improved significantly, you should always “no dar papaya.” This delightful idiom – which literally translates to “don’t give papaya” – means you should always keep your wits about you, staying alert to those who would take advantage of you. In practice, this means following common-sense guidelines: don’t wander down dark, empty streets at night; don’t head out into neighborhoods you don’t know without checking their safety first; and don’t flap about the city with an expensive camera or phone on display. Travel insurance is essential because muggings are, unfortunately still an issue in cities such as Bogota, Cali and Medellín. You should never resist if someone tries to rob you. Distraction techniques are those used most fruitfully by would-be thieves, so always be wary of people coming up to you in the street or being asked to show your money to scammers posing as police officers. If things do go wrong, head to the nearest police station to report the crime immediately. The police will put together a report and give you a copy, which you’ll need to make an insurance claim.
