Colombia - The Jewel of South America

If you are planning a trip to South America, set aside a day or two to visit Colombia. The countries tourism has improved dramatically over the past few years, allowing world travelers to see and experience Colombia’s beautiful, rich and vibrant culture.

Santa Marta is awe inspiring with snow capped mountains and lush sandy beaches; Bogotá is a cultural dream with all the galleries, museums and theaters to see and browse.

Bogotá, Colombia’s capital, is very tourist friendly, and boasts a lower crime rate than Washington DC.  One can spend an entire vacation in Bogotá and still not see everything the capitol city has to offer.

There are areas that are still deemed questionable for tourists, due to crime rates. But, why would you want to travel to these locations when Bogotá, which is extremely tourist friendly, has all the attractions and culture that one can desire?

It is recommended that travel to rural areas bordering Venezuela be avoided when traveling in Colombia

If you are still unsure of travel to Colombia, you can contact the United States State Department, or the Embassy of the United States in Bogotá at the following:

“Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, by calling the regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern.” (Provided by Embassy of the United States in Bogotá.)

Surprisingly, many people ask if they can bring guns to Colombia. The answer is a resounding ‘No’. If tried and caught, the only view of Colombia seen will be through the bars of a cell!

If you own guns, leave them at home locked in the gun safe. When purchasing firearms abroad, have them shipped from the merchant to your home. Perhaps a friend or family member can place them in your gun safe for you. (In the event that you own guns, and do not own a gun safe, visit www.gunsafesstore.com for a wide selection at reasonable prices.)

By taking the proper precautions, one can have a safe and fantastic time in Colombia.