My Honest Thoughts on Safety After 2 Years in Medellin, Colombia
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ก.ย. 2024
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There's a lot of misinformation about the level of danger in Medellin, Colombia and a lot of that is spread by governments.
In this video I'm explaining exactly what you should be worried about and what you shouldn't be worried about.
Hopefully after this video you'll have a better understanding about the safety levels of Medellin and what you need to look out for.
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G'day, my name's AK and on this channel I explore expat life in Medellin, Colombia. Whether you're considering moving to Medellin or just visiting Colombia, I've got you covered. Join me as I show you exactly what living in Medellin and Colombia as an expat is really like.
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You look South Indian or Sri Lankan
I’m South Indian descent
What did he/she wear is self accountable question. If you (she) don't want to be raped don't walk dressed like a whore in the middle of the night alone. If you (he) don't want to get robbed don't wear golden chain and Rolex. Non accountable victim mentality would be ignoring those facts and realities that there are bad people that will take advantage of you.
Would it be safe for an older sporty woman who has traveled extensively? I am looking to do a Spanish class there.
From what I hear, you have to watch out for men on motorbikes even in the "safe" neighbourhoods. That's way too much stress for me. And the fact that you shouldn't use your phone on the street says something even by Latin American standards. In Mexico City, everyone walks around with their phone out. The culture of criminality in Colombia seems to be on another level. The epidemic of female hustlers on Tinder as well... I've met dozens of women in Mexico City from dating apps and the closest I've been to being "hustled" has involved the two or three cases where the woman has hinted that I pay for her Uber home (which many consider a standard gentlemanly practice here).
You're right, I noticed that in CDMX too. Everybody walking around on their phones, which is a big no-no in Medellin.
Medellin has a reputation for being a contender for the most beautiful women in the world. That fact and the Tinder hustler issue are related. Mexico City does not have such a beauty reputation. So, it is not surprising a similar Tinder hustler issue doesn't show up.
I really don't know about the phone issue you say is so terrible in Colombia. I also hear that claim in other Latin American countries too (I have lived in 4).
I'm not using my phone absent-mindedly all the time, but I do occasionally use it on the streets. Frankly, it is such a crappy phone that if someone wanted to steal it I would just show them how bad it is. If they took it, fine. I would then buy something cheap and probably get an upgrade ;-) If they also see its obvious damage I imagine they would pass on the theft too.
I don't think people should be walking so absent-minded with a cell phone anywhere in the world for lots of reasons. So if the Colombian reputation makes people use their phones less, I think they are doing them a service.
man I say this all the time. When I leave the US I'm not leaving a stressful environment and going straight into another one. It's not that deep.
@@JWinch to each his own. Personally I don't find the overtly sexual silicon bimbo look at all attractive, even for casual hookups. If that's what passes for beauty in Medellin, I know I'm not missing anything.
@@live4yourself_ exactly
I am from Medellin and went to Bello where I was born just to check the church and the president Marco Fide Suarez monument since I was living there during the construction 60 years ago. I feel I was part of the history. I was horrified when I got there. I never could imagine how bad this place was. I could not believe it. I just checked everything at the monument, the poem on the wall still there . I still remember it and I was about 8 year old. I will never go back because I do not need to feel that bad. I live in Mismi because really it is better here
I walked around Calle Dias for a few nights and only got hassled for money from a rapping kid, and then a mime actor. I just put on my Vegas face and kept walking without acknowledging them and they went away quickly enough. Keeping my phone away was an adjustment, but I got used to tucking away from the crowds to check for directions.
As an exotic south Italian i would pass easily for a South Am dude, and good looking too. Still i could get issues that tell how SA is dangerous not especially Colombia i would say.
I spent a lot of time Cuba it's saver then most north America city's all though I've heard places like Havana are getting a little more dangerous people are desperate for basic needs like food and water electricity.
Never been to Cuba but definitely wanna check it out one day!
Digital nomads on laptops at a cafe in 2002? Color me sceptical.
I'm more afraid to go to Chicago, New York,LA, and New Orleans😒
Exactly lol
...so the moral to the story is... always be brown-skinned.
The moral of the story is be aware of your surroundings and don't do stupid things lol
now that youve put this video out , they will know you're not one of them lol
they don't speak English LOL
The 2 people on bikes thing is so true, in the Philippines some cities banned double riders due to robberies. If two people were caught on a bike they would be stopped and questioned or the bike impounded. Reduced crime massively
I remember vaguely hearing something about Colombia trying to make that illegal too - but I'm not sure if the law was ever passed.
Yeah exactly - most PH barangays outlawed two men on a bike (women were ok). But it wasn't just robberies there, the drive-by on a motorbike was the MO of assassinations! Happened all the time.
@@NormDogWoof still goes on , Korean tourist getting robbed in Manila by Motos. Heard In Quezon city guy with camera experienced attempted robbery.
wow lol @harrydatrannychaserloc9245
@johnnyshui that's funny?
I’ve lived here for 3 years and been visiting since 2017. If you live here for a year, someone you know will be robbed. Most likely not harmed but robbed. I’ve lived in 3 buildings in Laureles and ALL have had break-ins. If you’re single and hang out with singles someone you know will be drugged and robbed. Medellin is not for the careless.
Where in Laureles? That's crazy about the break ins. Did the apartments have a portero?
@@AKJoel one yes, but not on Sundays. 2 had camera systems that mysteriously weren’t functioning.
@@AKJoel 2 in conquistadores, one in San juaquin. In one case our neighbor (a judge) was robbed when he went out for exactly 30 minutes. The other some Venezuelan computer developers had $15k of computers stolen. Both cases seemed like they knew what they were looking for.
Absolutely true - in fact my building in Estadio as been burglarized twice in the three years I've been here (not counting furniture items also stolen off patios) - and one of those instances was me. I used to stupidly leave my windows on my 2nd floor apartment open at night when I went to bed, and learned the hard way that this is just another way of "giving papaya" that enterprising thieves will be sure to take advantage of eventually...
I looking to stay in Laurles. From what Iv heard/read that it was safer than other places. What place would you recommend then ?
I’m a 27 year old local, and it’s true, basically 99% of the time if you get robbed is because either you show off more than you should and/or you were unlucky. I only been robbed one time, and of course was for being unlucky because I was walking alone in a safe spot of the city, but not unlucky enough since the police was able to capture the guys that steal from me haha so it was an unusual day. Still you have to be careful but no afraid, just be aware of the context on each please
Yes - well said! Sometimes you're just in the wrong spot at the wrong time as in your case but 99% of the time these things can be avoided.
I’d day it’s about 50/50 in Colombia. Not worth it.
Totally not worth it. As a tourist I am willing to spend just don't take something by force@@ceeIoc
it's funny how you think being robbed only one time is an achivement 😂 where I am from, I don't know one singel person that has been robbed. in Colombia everyone knows someone who got robbed or even killed...
A few years ago I was walking with a family in Belen coming from an ice cream shop and two guys on a motorcycle came from behind us as we were walking and eating ice cream. They suddenly stoped, the one on the back jumped off the bike while the driver exposed a sawed off shotgun from under his jacket to us. The guy on the back went through our pockets, took everything while we had a shotgun pointed at us the whole time. They rode off and got away with it. This happened during the day. I wasn't wearing any jewelry, I was wearing jeans and a shirt. The thing is, there are so many motorcycles everywhere, you just have to assume that anyone of these motorcycles could have a gun on them. It's just too easy to get away with crime there, and these guys know it, so to them it's easy money. Even if they get caught, the punishment is so weak that it's still worth it to them because the risk/reward ratio is always in their favor.
Damn sorry that happened to you! This is one of those 1% cases where you weren't doing anything wrong but got caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.
@@AKJoel Man you are just praising your country. Stop that, be biased to the truth. Don't fool people and let them be a victim for crimes, think of tourists that have their family and children. What a very sorrow thing to know that a tourist come to a host country and has been killed. All your stories you blamed the victim and you said earlier in the video that type of ideology is wrong. My best regards to you, but just stop that and appreciate a visitor life.
@@AKJoel You mean one of those 90% cases where people weren't doing anything wrong. Crime in Medellín is out of control while law enforcement is very weak.
@lvovodessa Definitely out of control especially with the latest murder and kidnapping incident.
Even the police will rob you in Medellin 🙄
It's sad because it's the same question that I'm asked whenever I talk about my time in Colombia "Is it safe?". I wish the government would do something because it's a beautiful country with great people. However, just like anywhere no real consequences + poverty and lack of good opportunities = The crime will increase.
It's 99% safe if you're aware of your surroundings and take the necessary precautions. Otherwise it's 110% dangerous
@@AKJoel 99% safe where you have to watch your back all the time because of crime is not the same as %99 safe but you can relax because the culture of crime doesn't exist.
You guys hear about the rising kidnapping, ransom, and murders in Medellin? My friend Tou Ger Xiong was just kidnapped and killed a few days ago. He was lured by a girl who led him to gangsters. Be careful out there everyone. Always have a travel buddy and meet in public places. Don't do dating apps!
That's very sad and I'm sorry for your loss. Unfortunately this has been going on for years in Medellin, it's actually the #1 way that foreigners lose their lives in this city. Medellin is not a city for dating apps - honestly Tinder needs to take action and post some kind of warning before allowing people to use the app in Colombia. Once again sorry for your loss my friend.
@AKJoel Morr like the govt needs to take action to protect its citizens and tourists from crime.
Will never happen, Colombia has bigger problems to worry about unfortunately.
Was it the red hair girl?
a 20 years girl that have already a boyfriend.... 🤔
I have been to Medellìn 3 or 4 times. I love the city so much, but the problem is the crime. I looked at condos there and ultimately I don’t want to have to follow all these rules to not get targeted. Medellìn just isn’t a good deal anymore. Think about it. Even some of the women are predators and drugging and robbing men. Many men are turning up dead by women drugging them. Let’s be honest people are going there for cheaper lives, good weather and to meet more agreeable women that are more attractive than in their home country without the BS attitudes. It’s just too much now.
From what I've seen, if you come here solely to chase women your risk of danger increases x 100
@@AKJoel because if the importance for men to build and then hopefully share with a partner that’s a massive impasse that needs to be addressed. If it’s not addressed soon Medellìn is going to continue to slip down the list of places to visit as a digital nomad.
Men who are coming genuinely seeking a partner aren't victims of druggings and robbings, it's those that come for quick and easy women.
colombia is top coutnry in sex destinations and medelin is one of the major cities for that so what you can expect xd
Facts bro. Like honestly though the big thing is what you said. That the women are literally setting dudes up for death.
It would be different if it was just hustling or something but it's your actual life and health. I've seen so many videos of men being drugged and roofied
When I went last month I carried a cheap phone around with me and left my primary phone in the hotel room. I also carried only as much cash as I needed for my destination. More advice if you're ever on the road aways make sure the vehicle you're in has the doors locked and the windows completely rolled up. Never let someone on the street approach your personal space. I will return to Colombia but I have connections on the ground. Always do your research first
Yeah people definitely need to do their research first - that's probably the most important point. Anyone who has watched 1 or 2 videos on safety knows that you shouldn't walk around with gold chains - but every week I hear of people getting robbed because of this.
Great info for everyone. I was born in Medellin and left during the Escobar final years. I go often to Medellin. It’s safe when you follow those rules. It’s a beautiful city but just be mindful of your surroundings
Yes you're completely right! Following the safety rules was a bit irritating for the first couple of months but now that I'm used to it I don't even think twice, it's just habit.
Is the coffee triangle safer?
You dint look like a latin man
You look from India or Pakistan.
I agree, but Colombians and Brazilians have both thought I was a local.
So I live in Guatemala City, and I know how dangerous Latin American cities can be. Guatemala City is just like you're explaining in this video, except we don't have problems with people getting drugged and robbed. Maybe it happens, but it's certainly not as common. There are also not as many tourists here. Anyway, I went to Bogota, and I took one of those free historical walking tours. The guide said it was safe to take out my phone and use it during the tour because we were in a group, and Bogota was safer than it used to be. Unfortunately, I was robbed during that tour. A guy got off the back of the motorcycle, assaulted me, stole my phone, and then he rode off with it. A woman came up to me as I was lying down in the street and wagged in finger in front of me and was scolding me. I was shocked because I didn't think I did anything wrong but now I can understand from your video that there is a culture of victim blaming. I also had problems in Cartagena as the ATM at the bank gave me counterfeit money. The police and the locals there told me it's a common problem. Does that happen in Medellin too? I didn't go to Medellin on that trip.
That country is not beautiful enough for me to risk my life,😂. No thank you.
Of all the people that have lost their lives this year, it comes down to 2 things.
1. Meeting up with women from dating apps
2. Resisting armed robberies
If you don't do those 2 those, you increase your chances of staying safe 100000 X
Not my opinion, just the facts.
Great video man different from other videos talking about the same topic...you forgot to mention not to fight the criminals if they try to rob you, especially when you see there is a gun.
I traveled a lot because I work in the airline industry. I have Been to Colombia many times and never had any issues. I am black and American so I get harassed by vendors, but my family is Jamaican and I have been there many times too and I know how to move around without having problems. I always dress down when I am in a third-world country and I always know about the places I am going to before I go there. I don't end up in bad areas and always listen to locals.
As far as the victim-blaming thing I believe that is to teach self-responsibility. In America and other first-world countries, people are used to not taking self-responsibility, and instead blame others.
It's so true what you say about not resisting robberies - a guy just got shot last week because he resisted. This is definitely a horrible idea and something nobody should ever do.
Ive found blame gamers more pernicious and consistent among Colombians. Than others. but still a universal problem
Bottom line: If you do normal western activities, you increase your chances of being robbed 10-fold. Got it. Heres the deal, I am a man with means. I can live comfortably in any country I choose. I choose to only live in countries where I can still do normal western activities without "no dar papaya" mindset.
That's fair enough, you're completely right. You definitely can't do many "normal western activities" in Medellin like walking around with your phone on the street not paying attention to your surroundings or inviting random women to your house. I just gave those examples because those are amongst the most common dangers for foreigners. You definitely have to make some behavioral changes if you want to be safe here.
Well a few days ago an Australian was shot in the stomach at the Oviedo mall which i go to alot. There is no denying that if your in Medellin, you just increased your chances of getting robbed, and the Oviedo incident is a perfect example. It had nothing to do with women or anything like that.
An incident this year i was at a gringo restaurant for breakfast when shots rang out. Everyone got up and hid behind a wall. So yeah it's not always about the women robbing you. Security has gotten worse in Colombia and will continue to trend worse. The people and govt are lax about it with the attitude of "yeah its Colombia". 🤷♂️
I just read about this and it says:
"An Australian citizen was shot in his abdomen when he apparently resisted the robbery of several subjects at the entrance of the Oviedo Shopping Center in the El Poblado neighborhood of the city."
Resisting is a huge mistake and will almost always end up getting you hurt.
@AKJoel Definitely agree, don't resist ever! But that area has a lot of security, so even the attempt to rob someone there is quite brazen and an eye opener.
@@Dividenddream You are correct. The assumption is that everyone goes to Colombia perfectly aware of all these DO NOT DO THIS OR THAT.
People go to many countries and use their phones so until someone tells them it’s a no no then they could be an unwitting victim.
The last part is that assuming one was not aware of the overall insecurity then how one handles elevated Adrenalin depends on the moment especially if you are not aware you could be gunned down for something as simple as a phone.
I saw that too, and I’m wondering if he got robbed on the street, and not the mall itself. Also, what time was he there? During the day, it’s really crowded, and plenty of security, but at night, there’s much less foot traffic, and the mall entrance at the street is kind of far from the actual stores, unlike Santa Fe.
It's funny I rarely hear of restaurants being robbed as u eat in Mexico,yet TH-camrs and Americans in general believe mexico is more dangerous than Colombia 🤣
I just got back from a week in Cartagena, I’m pale, blue eyes, got harassed constantly on the streets. Still had decent time though…but not sure I’ll be back.
Blonde, blue eyes solo female traveler wanting to go birding in Santa Marta Mts but will feel very stupid if something bad happens! Don't need my family being extorted.
It sounds like Medillin needs vengeance in the night.
I'm Batman
This culture of blaming the victim is not unique to Colombians, I believe it applies to most Latin countries. As a Brazilian, when I go to the beach I don't take anything unnecessary, and I usually bury my cell phone and wallet in the sand.
I think these Latin American countries have developed this as a form of self defense.
Great video. I am hoping to visit Medellin in 2024 and this is very helpful. Good information on how to stay safe in a city that can be dangerous.
Glad I could help mate, you're gonna love it here!
I hate that "no Dar papaya" phrase - activities one would consider normal in the US being considered dangerous in Colombia. I was going to give some nieces & nephews collectible coins worth less than $10 each. My wife said not a good idea as that could invite trouble because neighboring children would inquire where they got them from.
"Activities one would consider normal in the US being considered dangerous in Colombia."
You are completely right and the problem is that people who find themselves in trouble don't realize or accept that Colombia isn't the US.
So basically look broke and act broke at all times and anything that is of an expense, keep it at home and work from and never out in the open, got it and thanks for the tip, that lets me know ill never visit there, ill stick to the D.R.
You summed it up pretty well actually lol
I wouldn't describe it as a culture of victim blaming. There are some clear things you can do to prevent being a victim, and if you don't do them, you are being stupid.
Congrats on being well traveled. I agree 90%. I like exploring and walking. I like going places I've never been. If I can't do that, what's the point in going there. Thailand is generally safe so I've done just that. In Mexico one can't. I only went places after getting some info on safety, etc. I only recently learned of Columbia's "blame the victim" culture. It's unfair and sick. I know one way to avoid becoming a victim in Columbia. That's by not going to Columbia. I've been to Thailand, Cambodia, Australia and NZ. Where I never felt I was being watched or had a target on my back. Columbia is a "no go".
I get your point that it's nice to not worry where you can go. I'm from Australia where basically everything is safe. You can go anywhere with your phone and camera and laptop out in the open and nothing's gonna happen. But can you walk wherever you want without thinking about it in the US?
U r damn right,by emotion to go there I bought copa ticket in august,postponed 3 times &paid penalty ,this time I am asking air line ,let me get off in Panama City or do not go to Medellin ,he says u have to buy another ticket or must continue ur trip.I can not cut the trip.every where is safe except Colombia.
I am from Croatia and i came in Medellin 2 days ago...relax guys...😂
Standing in a packed crowded metro train, I was pickpocketed. Now when on metro; nothing in my pockets. Items in crowded train now on my chest in small backpack or neck wallet. Bello has excellent shopping mall next to Oceana apartments . When going to unfamiliar area I have a svelte fit vetted girlfriend guide me in Colombia. I don’t hike Tre Cruces when the steep wet clay is slippery.
In Bello I stayed at the excellent Oceana apartments (has several swimming pools); and is adjacent to Parque Fabricato centro comercial. Many architectural features are similar to Arkadia centro comercial. One of my girlfriends travelled with me in Bello because I’m unfamiliar with personal risk safety traveling to / from the Bello metro station.
Didn’t realize wearing a shitty iwatch was considered giving papaya, thanks for the tip.
Probs not on the papaya level of wearing a huge gold chain, but definitely up there haha
Calls out victim blaming….. proceeds to blame victims
As most Colombians will tell you, all these guys coming to Medellin desperately chasing women and ignoring all the advice given to them need to take some of the blame for what's happening.
@ChurchOfSantaMuerte Exactly what I was thinking within the first 2 minutes of watching this!!
192 cm white guy here 🙋🏼♂️
Just an observation.. like your friends from Seattle, I can't escape the incessant stares and haggling in tourist places like Cartagena. If you plan to live here long term, this is just something to get used to (though after 2.5 years here it's still slightly unsettling at times). I recommend people coming try to make connections quick, be it a local partner or friend, since this will help you blend in automatically when you're on the streets. I get haggled much less when out with a local speaking Spanish, albeit the number of stares is inevitable.
I should add.. I've been victim of scamming (threatened basically) two times during my time here. Both involved someone demanding money in a threatening manner to the point where I just give in. E.g. an Uber driver saying he's owed 200 mil and not opening the trunk to give me my luggage until I do so.
Yeah, it's still the wild west in some ways.
Yeah great tip - learning Spanish and making local connections will also greatly increase your chance of staying safe. I also understand what you mean with the staring. I got this a lot in some European countries where there's hardly and dark skinned people and it's very unsettling until you just realize they're curious and don't mean any harm by it.
the historic center of Cartagena is the worst place in all of Colombia for getting hassled by vendors.
+1 to Indians. Finally somewhere our skin Color helps 😂😂😂
For the first time ever it's an advantage! lol
South East Asia bro, millions times better, cheaper, safer and so much fun here, Phuket, Bangkok, Bali all those world class places , restaurants cafes , gyms and Resorts for super affordable price. Paradise on earth.
Are you 'REALLY" asking that? smh...
Cool video. Very helpful tips. I was pretty much writing off Medellin, Colombia after hearing so many tourists getting harmed recently.
You only hear the bad stories, but they're a very very small % of the total visitors that come to Medellin. Think about how many bad stories you've heard, then realise that Medellin had 1.4 million international arrivals last year. The overwhelming percentage of people that come here are having a great time, then going home safe. I hope that helps put it in context!
Great video - this and the comments has crossed it off my list. Dont mind needing to be aware but sounds like you have to be assumptove there every time you hear the sound of a motorcycle !
That's true - the city isn't for everyone - especially if it's going to make you anxious.
I'm not a tourist, so many of my activities are just necessary daily activities. Perhaps not all, but most crime takes place at night. Even criminals have to sleep, right? I do most of my errands in the morning. I usually don't even take my phone with me. I have NEVER felt unsafe. At night, I generally take a taxi to where I am meeting friends and then I take a taxi home. If you are walking at night in a location where there are not crowds, you are probably at risk, and in crowds there are also pickpockets so protect things accordingly. Just like the guy who went to Bello, most people who are robbed made themselves available to be robbed. Use good sense and you will never have a problem. BTW, Tinder is often used like flypaper to trap Gringos for robbery.
What about the guy that got shot in broad daylight in front of the mall 🤔
@@julian2524There are always exceptions
I just read that news report and it said that guy resisted the robbery. That's why he was shot. I've heard of a few other cases of this happening, where people were killed and honestly could've avoided it all if they just gave up their stuff. You can always buy new stuff.
@@julian2524 I never leave home with stuff on me so valuable that I wouldn't give it up to save my life.
you are brave taking taxis at night. Ubers/Didis are much safer.
Very helpful advice. I really like the way you talk and tell the stories.
Thank you ! 😊
There are legit Brothels, speeking about the scope angle. I seriousely doubt they would allow girls scoping there customers. Terrible for business.
Thanks for the infos! The only time we got robbed so far was in CDMX. We were two white guys, clearly foreigners, walking home from a restaurant back to airbnb at around 10PM, it was like 300 meter walk we thought its silly to call a cab. I was also wearing a pretty nice white shirt. Well, we got robbed by the police, they were actually pretty "nice" saying we are not wearing our masks (this was directly after covid) and we have to pay, we did so, and they left. I think we were lucky. We do travel a lot, and except for this nothing happened, this was just this one time we did so much wrong. The street felt so safe in the daytime. We learned our lesson i guess.
Great video, Id say for the most part if you are a tourist or obviously stand out for being any other race than its a big NO fly zone. Its not called the Murder Capital City for nothing, poverty and gangs run the city.
Who calls it the murder capital city? Maybe 20 years ago lol
Outta ALL the countries in the world why would sex tourist keep going here…I don’t get it 😆
Don’t come to Medellin trying to be a different person because you have money. Even if it a little, show respect carry yourself accordingly
Well said Andrew 👏
there is no where on planet has so much bad reputation 4 tourist as medelllin ,Colombia.no body talks about horrible feeling of been robbed or drugged by organized group or motor bike or girls.
Many travelers that come here make themselves easy targets. When desperate guys come in search of easy women and organized crime syndicates realise this, it's not gonna end well.
Thank you for your videos, and its nice how you respond to people's comments in, what i think, is a very reasonable manner! Cheers, and i am stoked to see more of your colombian/medellin content
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoying the videos :)
Medallin was never on my list and I probably will never go. I speak fluent Spanish but look totally gringo and I am in my early 60's. I've been to Rio twice and loved it. Felt safe but was very careful and aware of my surroundings. Plus after dinner, I made my way back to my Airbnb. No problems whatsoever. Loved Brazil!
I've been to Cartagena. Colombia and enjoyed it although the heat was too much for me. I really don't have any desire to return to Colombia even though there are probably some positive aspects of the country; people and culture.
Overall Medellin is much safer than Rio. Check this out:
www.numbeo.com/crime/compare_cities.jsp?country1=Colombia&city1=Medellin&country2=Brazil&city2=Rio+de+Janeiro
Simón I do not blame you for not wanting to go to Medellin. I am from Colombia but always hate the peddlers, the noise, the loud music all over like if you were at a disco place at all time day and night. I was afraid to go out at night, never felt safe at night. I was not able to use any jewelry, keeping my purse in front of me , etc etc. Thank God I had the opportunity to go to USA a on vacations and loved. Got my Permanent Visa because it was easy to get it. Later I marry and had been living in Mismi for 54 years. My son is almost your age. He is 53 and you are in your 60. I am 82 and feel sorry to realized how society in general is going down . I travel in my imagination all over the world watching TH-cam’s videos in Spanish snd English .
if you want to blend in go to Buenos Aires or Montevideo.
Yh man it's hard to visit Colombia when you constantly have to move around quickly a lot and pace up to avoid being robbed, and stolen and hustle and bustle is very often there. And even the locals said to me that it's the same as anywhere which is not really the case but some places are safe and some places are not wherenver you go, so I just put Colombia as whatever list that I just don't care if I go or not.
I think conflating things by saying stuff like “it can happen anywhere” isn’t really fair. Yes technically it could happen anywhere but it’s more likely to happen in Colombia. That place just isn’t that safe.
There’s plenty of places in Europe or the US you can walk around anytime of day without problems.
Great video. Thanks for sharing. Yes, Colombia has great people, and a great culture, but it is not America and Americans need to learn to be safe.
Well, Colombia is not the US but it is most definitely America. It's a distinction that many Latin AMERICANS are touchy about.
hahahaha I've had so many arguments with my girlfriend about this
Yeah - I love living here. Colombia is an incredible country with so many positives but you definitely need to change your behaviours if you're coming from a safer country. I'm from Australia which is more or less one of the safest countries in the world, so when I first got here I had to rethink the way I approached safety - but it's 100% worth it in my opinion.
"My captors are telling me now that I should smile more.."
I’m about to head there for a month! Single gringa heading out tomorrow to stay in a 1br apartment and work remotely….. what’s the best way to go around town in the evening? Are taxis or Ubers the best bet? I may have been lucky in my previous travels to have not encountered trouble, glad to have a reality check on my false sense of security!
Id recommend Ubers to get around. Also Medellin is one of the rare places in the world where it's much much safer for women than men. Just exercise common sense and you'll be fine 😊
I am going to visit Medellin next february for 4 weeks. I had a colleague from work who once was there and told me that he got robbed. I asked him how and where. He began his sentence with I walked at 3 am in the morning and I immediatley stopped listening and directly thought no wonder you got robbed.
yeah that could've easily been avoided if he took an Uber home which would've cost him no more than $5!
ignorance of people is crazy lmao
Becareful my friend just got kidnapped and murdered
Yes, that was not smart, but do know that such crimes also happen at 3 pm. It’s a lottery in Medellin.
@@dthor6922really ?
Work from home with your laptop, we don't need to go to a cafe for internet access anymore. From my personal experience with my family in Medellin is that the triple lens Iphone is a big target, even though Colombians regard possession of such devices as some kind of status thing. Me personally, I use a Samsung and nobody seems to care. I have relatives who had their iphones snatched at gunpoint by ladrones en motos, quick tip, don't be a cheapskate, use your air conditioning and roll up your windows. Problem solved. All of my family wants to save a peso or two and not use the air conditioning. I always insist to use it when I am there.
TH-cam Medellin vids of late def making me think twice about visit anytime soon
Honestly it's not bad at all, as I said 99% of all safety related issues can be avoided with some education.
I've been going since 2010 and am married to a Paisa. My Spanish stinks and I'm as white as they come
I've never felt unsafe because I'm not an idiot and don't go to dumb places
If you are smart about what you do and where you go, it is paradise
@@AKJoel I have travelled to many different countries. Sometimes with friends and sometimes alone. I was thinking of travelling alone to Medellin this year but I am not so sure now 😂. Usually when I have travelled alone to a foreign country I have been able to meet and get involved in a relationship with a woman in that country. I was almost living life like James Bond at one time lol. From watching this and other videos though it sounds like this would be too risky in Columbia and if I came here I would have to keep a very low profile. I think I would be too scared to even go out anywhere and would probably end up just staying in the hotel 🤣
hahaha James Bond part cracked me up. To be honest with you man, most of the issues I see with safety stem from guys coming here to chase women. That's the unfortunately truth.
I’m black with dreads I had no problems in cartegena
Ok, so leave the Apple watch at home. Is it okay to buy a cheaper watch to wear there? and is it okay to use an iPhone but keep it inside clothing (not a pocket) and hold tight when taking a photo or looking up an address? or better not to travel in Columbia with a good phone at all, and buy much cheaper phone to use there?
There's plenty of people who have good phones that live here, you just need to not be using it in public. No need to buy a cheap phone and use it - some do - but it's not necessary.
I went to Medellin once last year for 1 week and met 2 people who got robbed at gunpoint. One guy was hiking and had a group ambush him, he spent the rest of the trip on the phone in the hotel lobby trying to cancel his cards etc.. Another guy was walking alone in parque lleras at night and got robbed with a toy gun but he said he still gave up all his things
going anywhere at night can be risky in medellin. i got the impression locals dont really just go out and about at night. not all but generally probably best just to chill out and be safe.
Going out at night is safe if you don't get wasted and don't walk around - take Ubers to and from wherever you're going - and obviously stick to the tourist zones.
Good informative video thank you. Seeme like you left some things out though. Papaya doesnt just mean you cant walk around with gold chains. Ppaya is anything!
True! But if I listed every way foreigners give papaya the video would be 5 hours long 😅😅😅
It's safe when you look "Colombian". So your experience will be very different from someone elses.
I'm extreeeemly pale (skin type 1), orange / blond hairs and 6.3 ft tall.
I have written "target" over me no matter what precaution I take.
I don't think so - I have mates here with the same profile as you who've never had a problem.
I got my drink spiked by the club owner just 3 months ago in the El Poblado Bars. They were trying to set me up.
Sorry to hear that
I just bought a brand new apartment in bello on the north of the city and I LOVE IT. medellin is beautiful but be aware around the city. But after that medellin is fine.
Congrats on the apartment! Which part of Bello? I heard that one area is nice but the rest is pretty sketchy.
@@AKJoel I get mine on PARQUE FABRICATO. the unit name is OCEANIA. the whole complex is brand new, and my mortgage is $450usd a month.
@@AKJoel thank you.
Still alive?
I think the dangers of Medellin goes beyond a lack of common sense. Anything in hindsight might seem like a bad idea…life is full of mistakes, bad ideas, but the risk of making a wrong choice seems heightened in Medellin, it shouldn’t be that way. Why travel somewhere to be on 24/7 guard…I already live as such in NYC…adding beautiful women to that makes the risk even greater.
Yeah you're right, for that reason Medellin isn't for everyone.
Ive been to Colombia, because I dated a girl there for a couple years, but usually went to non touristy cities and areas in Bogota, Ibague, few smaller towns. You just have to be smart, aware and at least a little street wise. Blend in if you can, no jewelry or expensive watches, bring only the money you need until you get back to where youre staying and a photocopy of your passport instead of your passport. Know where youre going, before you leave hotel or apartment. Using goggle maps or an actual map on a street corner or looking lost on the streets makes you an instant target. When in traffic, even sitting as pessanger, keep your phone put away - a bike ca pull up on passenger side and yank it out of your hand. if two dudes on a bike pull up, give up the $20 you have in your pocket and keep your life.
So a guy gets told the day before not to go to Bello and still goes the next day and gets stabbed and robbed??? Wow!! I went to Mede this year for almost two months and Tres Cruces is definitely sketch can feel like a trap. Im a tall, half black/mex from the US and speak decent Spanish and I felt on edge the whole time. Eyes on me it felt. Im pretty low key and always was more of a Barranquilla guy and Im even more of one now. Mede is definitely getting is bad reputation back. Sad to see
You'd be surprised at how many people directly go against advice from locals and find themselves in trouble here.
Interesting 25 homicides for 1.4 million visitors. That's a rate of 1.78 per 100000. Compare that to Canada where the homicide rate in 2022 was 2.25 per 100000. So, it's not that different from what I already experience here at home. Sure, you have to be more aware about not making yourself an easy target, and that is true when travelling even to an unfamilliar city within my home country. Use common sense and you reduce the risk you will become a victim by a large margin. Unfortunately, common sense is not so common anymore it seems.
If you looker deeper into those 25 homicides, none of the victims used common sense. Very sad regardless, but the saddest part is that these deaths could've easily been avoided.
My friend who’s Asian, Hmong to be exact. An activist, promoter of human rights, was just kidnapped and murdered in Medellin 12/10/23…. Sad situation.
Yes I read about that - sorry for your loss.
Do they target Asians for robbery more?
Definitely not. He was unfortunately targeted because he went to a strangers apartment in an unsafe area.
There have been a few stories where Asian men have been robbed and killed. I don't think many Asian men go to Medellin, and of course they presume they have more money and more compliant to make them easier target
Surgery and prostitution haven
Unfortunately that's correct
You right it depends on what you look like we always overlook this point same thing in Rio and other places For instance if you have Scandinavian/asian features you stick out like sore thumb or if you really tall .
Asians not so much , especially if they look tan like Thai ppl , alot Latinos look like that in Colombia,even some light skin girls I met had asian eyes in Colombia (from their native American blood obviously).
Yeah,I've never seen my height that way before but now I have to because I'm in South America, I'm from Croatia and I'm 1.95m...
Point #1 is so true…. I am tan skinned like Colombians, wear regular clothes.. blend in so nicely.. !! Visiting Medellín 7 years now, never had any issues, god forbid..
It's hilarious these jaded Colombia obsessed tricks always say weird things, I swear I keep seeing passport bros refer to Colombians as snowbunnies and many on here seem to like to pretend paisas are white,when it's obvious Colombians do not look Caucasian,they are obviously Mestizos for most part, much different than for example Argentina which are more European tall and whiter, Colombian are darker,tan,shorter
Wear regular clothes is a big reason you've been safe!
I speak Spanish because I was an exchange student in Mexico years ago. I will not be able to afford to live in Portland, Oregon on social security and my pension, because of the cost of living here. I am thinking of moving to Santiago de Cali Colombia when I retire. Can someone please provide more information about what it is like in the city of Santiago de Cali?
If you think Medellin is dangerous, Cali is a whole other level of unsafe. The problem there is that many of the nicest neighborhoods are right next to the worst ones, like a 10 minute walk away. The public transit is in a constant state of chaos, and there is now guerrilla activity to the south in Jamundi, along with occasional destructive protests in Cali itself. Having said that, it still has its fans, and is much cheaper than Medellin, and not so flooded with tourists, so if your Spanish is decent, maybe take a couple of days to see for yourself.
Plus I'm told that when compared to Medellin the climate is hot and humid all the time.@@andresmontgomery5368
Yeah last I checked, Cali was the most dangerous city in Colombia.
find another country and stop being a statistic. I prefer Peru
Love from ireland 🇮🇪
love your videos let me come work for you I want to come to Columbia I want a start
Glad you enjoy the videos!
lol, none of the stuff AK Joel has said is not stuff that the average man isn't aware of. If you come from Australia and have lived near Sydney.. its a mixing pot of wealth and bad people a lot like going to Detroit city.. easy people will always get hustled.. I mean hells bells men go to Medellin to make women their bitch and use them cheaply so its all a weird situation.. the nice locals are wising up around Columbia and they are starting to not want the call girls and street hookers because of the bad men they encourage.
Exactly!! Some people act like you completely gotta change your behavior and sacrifice your whole way of living to be safe here, but it's all basically just common sense lol
I went to Medellin last week and loved it. I had a body guard at all times though. It wasn’t expensive so I felt extra safe everywhere with an armed bodyguard. Im a pretty broke latina so there really wasn’t anything to rob anyway 🤷🏻♀️
How much is a body guard?
hi which service provider did you use?
I think a bodyguard really isn't necessary but if it makes you feel comfortable and enjoy the place better, then definitely worth the investment!
@@sidny0426I had a package deal with hotel, tours, transportation and security so I don’t know the price individually. But let me tell it’s been the most inexpensive vacation I have taken in my life (including staycations in the island where I live)
@@TheSimaralynn can you please share the bodyguard info so we can use the same services please?
Please make more videos like this I need to be more educated when I go to Colombia 🇨🇴
Will do 👍🏾👍🏾
A friend of mine met a girl on social media and he was kidnapped and murdered when he went there. How safe is that place?
Not safe if you're going to strange womens' places - that's the #1 way foreigners are being killed here.
Social media is the worse place
who? the asian-american guy?
the question is:Why go live in a place where you can't enjoy a sunrise on a mountain at 5am without risking being killed or robbed?
And it's not because it's surrounded by dangerous neighborhoods,robbing hikers has become a trend in Medellin:Parque ARVI,Cerro el volador, mountains near envigago.they've understood that we're easy targets in these relatively isolated places with no police protection.it happens every week,the criminals alternate between these different locations.
I actually just learned that that the victim was actually going to meet a Tinder girl up there.
Ty for this honest info! I've been wanting to go birding for years,up in the mountains! Santa Marta has greatest biodiversity I guess! So many places lie however, the brochures look amazing, the review's & then you go only to find out, don't believe the hype! I read about a woman that operates bird tours, Dora! I was hoping to retire in a quiet mountain village with beautiful birds I could rehab, if needed! 💙😓
Colombia needs to pass the same law Ecuador did limiting 2 people on a motorcycle.
There's been a lot of talk about it lately, not sure if it was ever passed though
Just wondering how you are able to quantify it at 99%? The majority of robberies happen to locals not foreigners.
My channel solely caters to foreigners visiting or living in Medellin - I'm not teaching locals how to be safe.
Last time I was in Medellin was 2010, and I didn’t have any problems. Has it gotten much worse since then?
For most people I don't think its changed that much. But for men looking to meet women for quick exchanges on dating apps it's 100 X worse.
I was on the live stream the other day and made a comment about how I was down there and haven't had anything happen to me but in Denver I had someone want to pull a gun on me so they can be the good guy with a gun. I didn't mean to make it sound like Denver was less safe than Medellin, I just ran out of characters. I was trying to say that one big factor is the poverty and I can understand that and if you understand it you can help protect yourself from it and also know what to do if it happens. I am a tall white guy and I know I don't fit in there and I did notice I get a lot of looks. I carry a little money on my jeans and a t-shirt and no bling.
Yeah no bling is a big thing that will keep you safe - I still can't believe people don't understand that lol
I've been drogged and robbed in Poblado last June...was terrible
Sorry to hear that 😞
how did this happened?
Stay away from the poor people. It will not be seen as solidarity but rather a money show off, even if it's not the case.
I watch your videos and you discuss only Medellin. Why not other cities such as Faca. I have an apartment there and the cost of living is much cheaper than the bigger cities. Also it is much safer there.
I've never even heard of Faca lol
@@AKJoelfaca' is how a British person says the f word 😅
Id rather not risk being in a place where there is a 50 / 50 chance of being robbed lol
8:37 is why citizens should be able to carry
Chance is not 50/50. If you don't "give papaya" the chance is like 1%
Plain stupid. Just because you own or have a gun doesnt mean you’ll use it
White gringo hack: walk your dogs on Calle 10 and they assume you’re local 😂 works every time
I need to get you on my channel for the white gringo inside tips to safety 🤣
Not if they are tall blondes,most Colombian are short with dark hair
great video, just a suggestion, when your taking about the importmant bullet points, show them in steps on the screen. will help out those with ADHD. lol
Thanks, will keep that in mind!
@@AKJoelYes, please do,many of us are visional learners & viewers tend to be tired, lazy! A big board would really help, it did in Uni
We are a recently retired couple, thinking about Manizales as a possible retirement city. We lived in Costa Rica and currently live in Nicaragua ( my wife’s home country )….heading to Guatemala next.
I also worked in Miami for years….stayed out of the wrong neighborhoods.
I am not a small guy and continue to do strength training for the sole purpose of not looking like a target, BUT I am 61 and can’t stay jacked forever.
We are not stupid and don’t flash any tech stuff or jewelry, etc.
Should we cross Colombia off our list ?
Thx !
The majority of people I've met here (granted I don't meet them in bars and clubs) have never faced any sort of crime. If you're educated to the dangers and don't act like a fool taking unnecessary risks (which it seems like you won't) - there's a 99% chance you'll be safe in Medellin. The 1% is just wrong place wrong time.
@@AKJoel
Thanks ! And I think if we end up in Colombia, it would be in Manizales….a little smaller, safer, and cooler temps.
Great video !
Thinking about moving to Manizales from Medellín myself after spending the last three years living here. Was really impressed with Manizales over the five nights at Christmastime I spent there two years ago, and felt substantially safer there as well - in fact, I believe statistics show it's the safest city in Colombia.@@therehastobesomethingmoore
If your wife is nicaraguan trust me shell love you more for taking her to el salvador mejor, dont take her to colombia
Manizales is a great city and the crime rate is lower than medellin. Manizales is safe, Armenia too.
Another great video. Thanks for sharing the ground truth. Well done!
Glad you enjoyed it!
i went on my own to
Valle de Cauca
Bogota
Villa de Leyva
Cartagena
Santa Marta
Minca
Cabo de la Vela
Tayrona
No issues and I wish I had stayed longer. Beautiful country but I would not go unless can speak Spanish.
I am European but small, dark hair so I did not get harrassed UNLIKE the Dutch girls I met while travelling so looks do make a difference.
Thank you ! I am going in February… good information to know
Glad it was helpful!
Did you have a safe trip? 😊
@@FouriousBearI canceled due to safety concerns
.......this actually happened in 2002...........C'mon mate, thats just irrelevant.
Thanks for investing in our country, but be ware that you are part of the gentrification that is harming our local communities.