I just returned from a week long vacation in Medellin. I was fortunate to be accompanied by a native the entire time, and she taught me how to move in the city. I really enjoyed my time there, and I will go back. I love Medellin.
@kidgotyourticket54743 жыл бұрын
A lot of people told us how dangerous Colombia was or is. We just sold our home in Miami and moved to Pereira and we're vlogging our experience. Videos like yours helped us make an educated decision as to where to move in Colombia.
@HowToExpat3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing and best of luck with everything!
@danielyruby86963 жыл бұрын
I work at Calle 90 and Carrera 15. I've lived in Bogotá for over 5 years. Currently it's not safe even in the north of Bogotá. Before Covid, there were routine police and military patrols. Now, these patrols have stopped. Homelessness is rampant. Even Los Rosales isn't as safe.
@djoh6158933 жыл бұрын
I went to a small town near Cali, and it was pretty chill. The only issues I had were with Venezuelans aggressively begging and trying to get in my face for money but they are starving and homeless so I get it. I'm going back soon and looking forward to the trip
@jerrystawnichy38733 жыл бұрын
Near Cali for beautiful towns try Zarzal / Rodanllo and Bolivar very nice and great people and very laid back. Saludos de 🇨🇦
@stevenortiz90082 жыл бұрын
Update,still the same or worse
@Bun777 Жыл бұрын
they are not starving is just that they don't like to work. they use the same tactic in Chile but if someone offers a job they won't do it. In Perú is the same and locals are also tired of it. they are the worst
@djoh615893 Жыл бұрын
@@Bun777 I didn't realize that part. Nobody pointed that out to me before, but I sort of suspected that in a few instances where the Venezuelans had some decent enough clothes on and seemed to be a bit cocky and entitled with me when I declined to hand over some money. Hell, some of them were looking well-fed! That's weird to me that they behave that way but I don't understand their mentality either.
@djoh615893 Жыл бұрын
@@Bun777 I just now read an article about the Venezuelans finally pissing off the Mexican authorities in Juarez to such an extent that they are aggressively seeking to push them back out of the city using various methods, and the Venezuelans are behaving in insufferable ways instead of being fixing their behavior and sense of entitlement about trying to immigrate to the United States. This is definitely NOT the place to behave so poorly.
@WheresWes3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for saying the police isn't the problem. It's been my experience as well, police officers are very good here.
@Ralphie_Boy3 жыл бұрын
*I agree, my brother-in-law is a Police Sargeant in Pereira*
@amyparker98163 жыл бұрын
That hasn't been my experience. When I was robbed (I was walking alone at 11 in the morning, in a place with many people) the police made a big deal about trying to help me because I'm a foreigner (police captain gave me his personal phone number) but then started berating me for daring to walk alone as a woman, and condescendingly kept remarking that "Colombia isn't like your country" - a fact I'm well aware of, as I've lived here for two years. They were no help to me at all.
@Cocolo_TV3 жыл бұрын
@@amyparker9816 I'm sorry you had to go through that experience but Latin and Central America is dangerous, especially for women as many cases of femicide have hit the news and no one seems to want to do anything about it.
@ElenaCarvajal3 жыл бұрын
What??? Then you have not see what I have seen the police doing! And don't forget about the damn paramilitary!
@chris72493 жыл бұрын
If you have to worry so much about what your doing its not worth going just avoid, so many great places to visit in the world!
@sebasty18003 жыл бұрын
Right! I’m Colombian and it’s very annoying when people come only to complain, and it’s not only foreigners, upperclass Colombians also are quite spoiled. Don’t come if you don’t want to, or leave if you don’t want to be here. It is that simple.
@kevinreily25292 жыл бұрын
Exactly, I live in Bangkok and you NEVER have to worry about anything. Safest big city I have ever lived in.
@Ralphie_Boy3 жыл бұрын
*As usual Sam, you've hit the nail on the head, enjoying life here since 2007 I've followed the simple rule which is stay street smart...* 🌴😉👍
@bananahead443 жыл бұрын
pickpocketing is much more prevalent in colombia, and medellin in particular, than it is in north america. Not sure why you don't recognize it in medellin. Think of how people carry their back packs on the metro, for example. It much more common in medellin.
@gnolan42813 жыл бұрын
I don't recognize pickpocketing in Medellin as a major threat anywhere except in two places; on the Metro train and in a place like El Centro. I don't ride the Metro because it's too crowded. Taxis here are the cheapest I've ever seen anywhere. For the first 18 months I lived here in Medellin I was always a bit on edge on the streets but now after 64 months I am aware but nothing like that has ever happened to me or anybody I know and I'm out there walking every day.
@duermeitsl2 жыл бұрын
should i bring a backpack to avoid getting pick pocketed
@zepecat3 жыл бұрын
great video, you summarized everything pretty well
@HowToExpat3 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@davegarmendia17173 жыл бұрын
I have visited Cali , three times this year 2021. February, April, and June, am returning again in August. Haven’t seen any problems, like you said Sam. Be aware of your surroundings always.
@renemontenegro61433 жыл бұрын
Dont show off! Plain and simple
@dzikijohnny3 жыл бұрын
So it’s not Switzerland then?
@cheekeebandito3 жыл бұрын
Thanks , as always Sam .... moving to Medellín from 🇨🇦 this coming weekend.... My Paisa girlfriend and her 2 teenage sons will be watching out for me ... I take their direction and advice seriously ... keeping a low profile , and staying in at night seem to be a good start .... Cheers !
@chloegilbert53262 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for this video!! I’m about to go backpacking by myself in Colombia and your video was super helpful :)
@HowToExpat2 жыл бұрын
Glad you think so. Enjoy your backpacking trip!
@DrPunani2 жыл бұрын
I'm going to do the same thing in July. How was it?
@lawdog3693 жыл бұрын
I've been in Bogota for 6 months. Despite the protests etc I have felt very safe. Just have to be smart in a big city. I need to visit you guys in Medellin at some point.
@sydneyschell36052 жыл бұрын
Thank you! I will be visiting Colombia for the first time in March and appreciate all the tips.
@HowToExpat2 жыл бұрын
You're more than welcome 😃 Enjoy your time in Medellin!
@john3v1642 жыл бұрын
HNY Mate Cheers 🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺 Great vid & tips thank U 👏👏👏👏 Can't wait to visit Colombia this July August Sept & Oct God bless Stay safe ☝️☝️☝️☝️ Colombia see you soon Love frm New Zealand 🇭🇲🇭🇲
@oliviadimock82022 жыл бұрын
No way!! I'm from New Zealand too, I have always had an interest in Colombia and desperately want to know more about the country!! God bless you too on your trip to Colombia!!
@user-ry1cc1im6f3 жыл бұрын
Hi! I'm Colombian and I agree totally with you, those are the precautions that we all have taken and in my case while I lived near Bogotá I didn't have any problem during my whole life, but in Bogotá specially on the crowded buses it's necessary to be careful with your belongings for some risk and also I'm a woman and avoid to stay int he street at very late hours alone, I just go by Uber or taxi taken from an app... Similar to USA, I hope of course that as time goes by and people become more educated and more job opportunities appear those crimes will decrease slowly 😅
@HowToExpat3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing your experience. We hope so, too!
@adaml73493 жыл бұрын
I’m here right now. Been here for a week in Medellín.
@swagmasterswag123 жыл бұрын
HOw is it coming in august?
@adaml73493 жыл бұрын
@@swagmasterswag12 It seems pretty chill. Cab drivers have told me that things have died down. Just stick to common sense safety tips and you should be fine unless something else pops off
@swagmasterswag123 жыл бұрын
@@adaml7349 you solo ? how the night life ? I’m getting a hotel are you in a hotel or Airbnb
@adaml73493 жыл бұрын
@@swagmasterswag12 Nightlife still going strong. Got an Airbnb in Laureles but El Poblado is an easy Uber ride away. If you are staying multiple nights in a hotel, see if they can assist you in getting a PCR test. The only thing that sucked about staying in an Airbnb was having to figure that out myself.
@swagmasterswag123 жыл бұрын
@@adaml7349 appreciate it
@fazbell3 жыл бұрын
I spent ten days in Pereira. No problems of any kind. Very safe.
@HowToExpat3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing.
@3DAnimationForBeginners3 жыл бұрын
Great video Sam,also their is something else you should mention, never confi financial information to someone you do not know, sometimes Gringos try to impress the women by sending pictures standing next expensive cars, and their half million dollar house or fancy job in the states, their was a gringo who did this and got kidnapped and robbed!
@HowToExpat3 жыл бұрын
Good point!
@Yakuglas123 жыл бұрын
Sam. Thank you so much. I enjoy your videos, great insight and tips. I am booking my trip this week.
@thecatvirusgotme8892 жыл бұрын
Drugs and prostitution - you eliminated those from discussion early on. But, like it or not, that is a major tourist draw. Lots of Countries have nice nature, Latino restaurants and museums - why would somebody take a risk for any of these? Semi-legalized prostitution and drugs is fairly unique to Colombia. I don't think any Western Country offers it. Strangely enough, in SE Asia, where prostitution is illegal, it is relatively safe (Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, etc.). In Colombia, it is legal (in certain zones), but very, very dangerous. Isn't that strange?
@leefamilytx3 жыл бұрын
Thank you, worthwhile topic
@ttdenadaabba21493 жыл бұрын
Very Dangerous! My friend was killed there for a GOLD chain ⛓
@doomd18163 жыл бұрын
When in countries like this, don’t flash wealth
@rickyticky33503 жыл бұрын
Ty so much for the information. Im going to Cartagena soon. Hopefully it's safe
@HowToExpat3 жыл бұрын
Enjoy your trip!
@go-sd3ni3 жыл бұрын
Very safe
@passportbro9042 жыл бұрын
Im from London, columbia seems safer than London. ATM
@chrislabate45493 жыл бұрын
Wouldn’t Sam have a tan if it wasn’t dangerous😭,it’s not too bad but u need to be on point 24/7
@circlestar86973 жыл бұрын
Does scopamine have to be ingested? Or can it be blown in your face with the same result?
@starfox22152 жыл бұрын
It Can be blown in the face. They may ask for directions on a map that has it and if you get it close enough to your nose, you can breath it in and … might be sick
@circlestar86972 жыл бұрын
@@starfox2215 will a mask 😷 protect me?
@MSmith-mb1ut3 жыл бұрын
Just get Violeta to protect you and teach you Spanish.
@kevinreily25292 жыл бұрын
If you have to be so aware of everything you do, it is not a SAFE PLACE to live. OMG, all the instructions to stay safe.
@TurkicTraveller2 жыл бұрын
How much is the monthly cost of living?
@jasonbrown65343 жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing
@CARACAS13 жыл бұрын
Hello Sam...Is there video on how to overcame your fears and doubts about moving to Medellin?
@myownworld83173 жыл бұрын
Is parque elles(spell check) safe??
@candice28752 жыл бұрын
Which is better for living, Mexico or Colombia? And why?
@HowToExpat2 жыл бұрын
Mexico, because it is easier to stay long-term and for those who aren't fluent in Spanish yet. Also it is easier to get around because a lot of Mexicans speak at least a little English which is not the case in Colombia.
@candice28752 жыл бұрын
@@HowToExpat thanks for the insight! I look forward to visiting Colombia and Mexico in 2022. 😃 🥂
@susterovic2 жыл бұрын
i wanna solo travel in january, and want to do all the touristy stuff. will i be safe?
@HowToExpat2 жыл бұрын
Yes you will. Just don't walk around empty streets at night and be street smart. You'll be fine
@susterovic2 жыл бұрын
@@HowToExpat Ok so colombia january trip it is then :) how's the weather in january, february and march? I wanna go to the amazon jungle, the palm place, and the caribbean area for the beaches.
@myke37292 жыл бұрын
i'm native colombia and if you don't go to marginalized neighborhoods you'll be fine.
@metroman8185 Жыл бұрын
I just got robbed and shot by a rubber bullet. Medellin is like the Wild West!!
@prika20003 жыл бұрын
So what did you say here? Don't get into dangerous situations and avoid girls out of your league?! Thanks, but I already knew that.
@HowToExpat3 жыл бұрын
Good for you. Most people don't.
@sebasty18003 жыл бұрын
Common sense is a virtue these days.
@wbuffett13 жыл бұрын
Doesn't sound good and worth it. I would go to Panama or DR
@MrFrepri3 жыл бұрын
Just go and make a judgment based on your own experience.
@wbuffett13 жыл бұрын
@@MrFrepri when someone tells you something is important to listen so you dont end up like Timothy Reed RIP , Jamal the KZbinr shot in Cali or the young men sentrnced to 34 yrs in Ecuador
@sebasty18003 жыл бұрын
Just don’t come, you can rest assure not a single soul here is going to be missing out on anything. Actually, in my opinion in the short term future, tourism is causing more harm than good to Colombia, so spread the word, please.
@wbuffett13 жыл бұрын
@@sebasty1800 Poblado and Provenza is made because of tourism. They need to stop robbing tourist and live there lives and benefit from them.
@sebasty18003 жыл бұрын
Hahahaha. Sorry, but no. It may help, yea, but as far as I’m concerned, no place in Colombia is dependent on tourism, except maybe the north west coast in places like Cartagena, but that my friend, has been dependent on Colombian tourists from other places in the country for decades now, and it won’t change in the short term future.
@Cocolo_TV3 жыл бұрын
I guess I can't wear my gucci loafers in Colombia.
@francousmiani12343 жыл бұрын
You can if you enjoy being robbed🤣🤣
@eminem09612 жыл бұрын
spoiled children who taught them to walk with expensive things on top, that's not how things are
@Loutripe2 жыл бұрын
It's very safe *BUT* you have to do abcd and e, that's not what I call safe lol. And I believe you are from switzerland, so yeah, you know what's safe
@a.delgado92743 жыл бұрын
Why ? Not Cali is where I want to go
@lemonborn3 жыл бұрын
JUST FREAKKIN SHOW ME DA ARMY-GIRLZ ALREADY!!
@comrade9163 жыл бұрын
I have been to Colombia a few times.. Although, I enjoyed my stay, I was always very alert of surroundings. Even in the smaller towns in Colombia, I would advise being cautious. Many Colombian's find nothing wrong with a local stealing from a gringo.. It's just part of their society. I think that much is envy towards the economic success in the West..
@juliosantana43683 жыл бұрын
Part of their society??? Lol...and you also say colombians are Jealous of the West, you are joking right? Last time i checked millions of Americans visit Colombia every year compared to the number of colombianos visting the West as you stated...You also said that most Colombians are ok with Colombianos stealing from gringos...Wow..I don't know where you been .... but in Colombia when they catch a thief ..they will beat him almost to death...the locals hate Thiefs in Colombia..l lived in both places and hands down I pick Colombia! No place is perfect, but the way you are making colombianos sound..not good..! 👎
@comrade9163 жыл бұрын
@@juliosantana4368 Colombians visit the U.S. in far fewer numbers for two main reasons: 1. They need a tourist visa. 2. They don't have the funds to travel outside of Colombia. Regarding stealing. Colombian society is corrupt from the top down.. Government, politicians, police, etc, etc.. Stealing is common place in a spheres of daily life.. At lastly, I just tell it the way it is.. I don't sugar coat the reality of South America.
@sebasty18003 жыл бұрын
Mate, Colombia is part of the Western Hemisphere. What are you on about? It’s not as rich as other countries, sure, but it does not place it beside South Sudan, Indonesia or Irak. Politically, linguistically, religiously, culturally, and as a whole, Colombia is western. Most of its traits come from Europe’s heritage.
@comrade9163 жыл бұрын
@@sebasty1800 The term "West" is often referred to the "Rich" areas of the world.. Western Europe, etc. Yes, Colombia is in the America's, however it is situated in the shit hole continent of South America.
@sebasty18003 жыл бұрын
@@comrade916 That’s a very interesting point! However, I’m afraid that whilst some scholars do mention that such a perspective exists among people like you (whatever that may be) it does not affect the compound social/historical makeup of what the definition of The West is. In fewer words, people all round the world that study social development do know of the existence of your opinion, but they haven’t cared use it as a part that constructs knowledge, because it is otherwise a backwards way of thinking. Just as you wouldn’t exclude Ukraine or Montenegro from “The West”, just because they’re the shit hole of Europe, but I’m assuming your knowledge about geography is not sufficient as to cover that extent of landmass (and knowledge, clearly).
@fatmanslim45922 жыл бұрын
this video is outdated...course with covid lockdown theres going to be less crime cause less people are out. I wanna know how much crime will spike the moment we are back to normal. With every depression there is an ascent, and crime is no exception. Anyone who goes to colombia within the next 2 years....you better know what you're doing
@TheWildponys3 жыл бұрын
people are constantly ON alert 🚨 they are always On and worried - it's not healthy living and causes stress
@eminem09612 жыл бұрын
you're just a spoiled gringo kid who was taught to carry things of value on the street, in your country you can be sure, but not here
@TheScarletCord3 жыл бұрын
They are protesting for a cause.
@macman96892 жыл бұрын
so in other words use common sense
@stevenjustice82583 жыл бұрын
If your a Haitian leader....maybe not so much.
@jehg823 жыл бұрын
Laughing in Colombian 😂
@TravelTherapy0223 жыл бұрын
Colombians mercenaires kill the Haitian leader 😥
@ChrisBCartagena3 жыл бұрын
Just the covid!
@davidcooper1772 жыл бұрын
Instead spending their time doing on constructive and positive deeds to build their country to become developed and rich, they spent their time on evil deeds. Switzerland is small, but very developed and rich because Swiss people are honest, positive, and the people spent their time on and doing constructive and positive deeds.
@TheWildponys3 жыл бұрын
it's dangerous
@jehg823 жыл бұрын
Are you there ? Have you been? Or are you just jealous of this guys successful Chanel ? Sabotage reeks of envy my friend. Get a life.
@renoplamorales39113 жыл бұрын
@@jehg82 Good answer
@amyparker98163 жыл бұрын
@@jehg82 I'm here, have been for two years. Colombia IS a dangerous country, whether you want to admit it or not. Having to constantly be on alert every minute you're not in your house is stressful, especially as a woman.
@jehg823 жыл бұрын
@@amyparker9816 oh so you mean like anywhere else in the world, for example here in Florida, Orlando and Miami are shit holes . Not to mention Chicago. Anywhere in the world is like that. I’ve been in Europe in a so-called “first world countries “and I got robed in the tourist area. My point is the world is not a safe bubble but you can take measures to make sure you are safe while you travel
@jehg823 жыл бұрын
@@rednose1966 yeah and have you seen the news about “Florida man”? It is always something crazy about people here, might have something to do with the fact that Florida is infested by junkies.