I recently got back to Medellin and really loved it. The culture, the people, the weather, the mountains, etc. However, I did have one bad night there, I won’t get too much into the details unless someone in the comments wants me to, but I did fall victim to getting drugged/scoped one night and it was really a smack in the face, that this is a city that I need to be cautious in and that I should have my guard up more.

I was there for 40 days, so I feel like one bad experience shouldn’t deter me from somewhere. Just need to learn from the experience. But I have heard of a lot of scoping/drugging cases in Medellin. Also, in the r/medellin subreddit there are numerous posts of people being pickpocketed on the streets. And there’s always at least a couple comments saying “welcome to Colombia”.

So the first part of my question is: for the people that live/lived in Medellin, do you feel that it’s safe if you take the correct precautions (stay of tinder, don’t invite people you don’t know well to your home, don’t go out alone late, etc.)? Or do you feel this is a place where things can and do happen anytime anywhere?

My second question: Are there any countries near that people would recommend? I’m looking for an inexpensive city that is lively. A place with a beach and areas to scuba dive is a plus, but not completely necessary. A couple places I am thinking about are Lima, Peru and Panama City.

Happy travels!

Edit: I should also add that I’m a solo traveler from the U.S. and work remotely.

  • martej@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    One place that never seems to be mentioned but should is LaPaz, Bolivia. Beautiful city, relatively cheap, great mountain climate and nice people.

    • D0nath@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      What’s beautiful about it? I felt it’s one of the saddest and poorest capitals in the world. And the altitude doesn’t help.

      If Bolivia, I found Sucre way more liveable. Even my second choice would be Potosi. Unless you’re a climber, because La Paz can serve this hobby for sure.

    • SargeUnited@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      Dm me any details or recommendations you feel comfortable sharing. Especially if you have a neighborhood that you stayed in or an Airbnb that you recommend.

      I’ve always wanted to visit Bolivia, but I don’t know anybody who’s gone there

      • jackowako18298@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        10 months ago

        I used to live there and have recommendations. It would probably want to stay in Calacoto.

        Take a weekend trip to the Eco lodge at Sajama and check out Lake Titicaca. You could also go to the salt flats. They were really cool carnival Mardi Gras type thing as well in February I believe.

    • hopeforthebest7@alien.topOPBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      I haven’t heard much besides being either rhetorical highest elevation or one of them. I will look more into it

      • martej@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        10 months ago

        Yeah it takes a few days to get used to the thin air. Add to that a lot of hilly streets and you’ll definitely get winded easily. Even the locals take the hills slower. But the teleferico/cable car system is awesome and very cheap to ride.

    • ngw@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      I really want to visit, but the internet looks very slow there for working.

      • martej@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        10 months ago

        Depends where you stay. I was at Hotel Vivenzo which costs about $300 US on a monthly deal including breakfast. Each floor has a repeater and if you get one of the rooms closer to it then you’ll be fine. Also the cafeteria and lounge have good internet.