Korean Job Discussion Forums

bucheon bum · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

Was killing time at work and saw an airfare to Cali from SFO for 550 bucks (including tax). Thought that was a pretty good deal, but also thought, "cali? as in cali cartel? isn't that a bit sketchy?" Did a little reading up on it on the thorn tree, and sounded like things are pretty safe in colombia these days.

Just wondering if any of you have made it to Colombia and/or Cali.

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Cali is one of my dream destination cities.

Its known to have some of the most beautiful women in all of Latin America.. and everyone knows Latin American women in general are quite stunning as is! In addition, Colombian women are really down to earth.. Colombia gets so few tourists.. so being a western guy, you really get the attention from Colombian women in a really good way.

Anyways.. you see where this post is going.. but its mostly well-known for a place to meet gorgeous women for 'girlfriend-like experiences'.. i.e.. not the Thai hooker/prostitute kind. Thats its main attraction from what I know - gorgeous stunning women.

That and one of the hottest salsa capitals in the world.

Oh yeah.. and all the drug cartels of the 80s and 90s and such and all that. But from what I understand.. its the countryside of Colombia you have watch out for.. not the cities so much themselves.

Anyways.. in short, if I were in California.. and I saw a plane ticket for $550 to Cali.. I'd be booking my reservations right away to finally check out that city in particular! In addition, I've never heard one bad thing about Colombia from anyone who has actually had the nerves to go there. Its supposedly the exact opposite of its stereotypes when you meet the people themselves. Plus life goes there as normal, etc. I'd love to personally check it out.. someday I will.

Natalia · Joined: 10 Mar 2006

I have not been to Colombia myself, but I have Colombian friends (albeit from a very rich background) who don't seem to think it's all that dangerous. Of course, they're biased to a certain extent, but one of them is married to a German and they head over there at least once a year.

But from a heterosexual female point of view, I can say my friends are indeed gorgeous, intelligent (i.e. not whiney princesses) and very approachable women.

snehulak · Joined: 20 Nov 2005 Location: USA

When I lived in Miami a few years ago I worked for a cargo airline and frequently hopped rides down to Bogota, Columbia. I've been to many different parts of the city and never once felt unsafe. Like TB said, the danger is out in the countrside, and even there isn't so bad.

And yes, the women are stunning. On my last trip I went to a bar with my American buddy and we met a couple of girls who are sisters. They, like almost all of the girls we met there, were very friendly and cool. My friend liked his girl so much that he just married her a few months ago.

As for Cali, that same friend has been there a few times and says it's way better than Bogota. He never felt unsafe there either. He raved about the night life and girls.

Overall, Columbia is my favorite place in South America, and I've been all over. Go for it!

kangnam mafioso · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Location: Teheranno

i've always dreamed of going to colombia also. cheap ....tropical ...jungles ...not many tourists. cali would be interesting. medellin and cartegena would be must-sees too. there used to be a lot of kidnappings and such but i think the country is getting safer as long as you arent in the drug business.

winnie · Joined: 08 May 2005 Location: the forest

I've been to Cali twice....it's a great place to visit, def check it out. But do be careful...I was robbed there at gunpoint my last visit...but I'd still go back if I could!!

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Anyone make it to Cartagena? Photos of that city look absolutely gorgeous. Most backpackers I met while in South America, always rated that city as one of their favorites and must-sees on the continent. I gotta get there someday.

From what I understand of the other cities:

MEDELLIN: Predominately Spanish.. very upper-class type kind of feel. Kind of European city in the mountains of Colombia. Higher elevation than most making it a more cooler climate.. but not as 'cold' as Bogota is described as.

BOGOTA: Highest elevation for the main cities. Very cool temperatures all the time year-round.. not cold.. but cool. Heard its very urban.. very very urban. All kinds of people there - every combination of Colombian - which seems to run the entire gamut from black to white to indian to mestizo to every combination imbetween.

CALI: Hot salsa city.. most black and whites who mixed.. making it have perhaps a more Cuban-like feel.. also a salsa capital. The weather is lower elevation than Medellin and Bogota.. but not as low as the coast like Cartagena, etc. Known as a hot city for its women, salsa, and lower elevations than the other mentioned Colombian cities.

CARTAGENA: Gorgeous colonial city with a beach-like touristic atmosphere - although heard the beach isn't amazing.. but still gives it a beach feel to the city. Also, its the most african influence of the major cities.. but tourists come from all over Colombia and one of the safest cities in the country due to it being so touristic-centric.. the government goes way out of its way to make sure this city isn't effected by anything internal.

Anyways.. I'd love to visit Colombia.