helped by the fact that the foreign press tend only to focus on the negative aspects of news from Colombia. The country is very large and there are significant regional differences as far as security is concerned. The areas that are not safe to visit because of the conflict between the army, guerillas, and paramilitary groups are often of great tourist interest however.  For up-to-date information on the security situation in the region you wish to visit, we recommend that you get in touch with us.

While the Colombian conflict is less of a risk than one might expect, one should be most wary of con-artists and thieves, not only in Colombia but in the whole of Latin America.  We have been organising trips in Colombia for many years and have talked to countless tourist who have been to different parts of the world. The conclusion is almost always the same – there is a great sense of security in Colombia and most feel that Colombia is actually safer than other Latin American countries. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any concern regarding crime or general security, we are in constant communication with our contacts all over the country.

See below for some important points to bear in mind

• Always use your common sense
• Use road routes only during the hours of daylight
• Keep large amounts of cash and documents in a safe place, or use the safes provided by hotels 
• Keep small quantities at cash at hand, where they will be easy to reach
• Avoid dark and lonely streets
• Wear discreet clothing 
• Leave jewellry and valuable objects at home
• Visit out of the way places in the company of a local guide
• Change money only in safe places and where you know you cannot be seen
• Don’t accept odd looking food or drink
  
  

And in addition, three examples of Colombian creativity:

1. The ketchup or mustard trick.
You are squirted with mustard or tomato sauce, or another sticky substance, and then a friendly person appears offering to clean it off. This person takes your bag or rucksack and begins to clean you up with a tissue. While you are distracted they remove some of your things from your bag or rucksack or take the money our of your jacket.

2. Show your dollars – the Echeverry trick.
A plain clothes policeman approaches you displaying a false ID. He then asks to see your passport and your dollars because according to him there are many counterfeit notes in circulation and he needs to confirm the authenticity of yours. A second person who happens to be close by shows their ID and their dollars. The policeman then departs saying that he needs to take your ID to the station for verification, thus carrying away your passport and your money.

3. Chilean package
You see a roll of notes on the floor next to you. A very pleasant and friendly person approaches you believing that the money belongs to you. You deny that the money is yours and the other person affirms that it does not belong to him either. You therefore decide to split the cash between you. The person leads you to a dark corner whereupon a third person appears and the two commence to rob you.