A Guide to the World’s Drug Capital
What I wish I had known before travelling to the world’s most misjudged country…
People are accustomed to the image of South America as the home of kidnapping and drugs, and so I had no idea what to expect. With a hefty travel insurance policy and a Guide to South America handbook, I embarked on my two month travels to this supposed menacing land…
- Safety
The first thing that comes to mind when people think about going to Colombia is danger. In the past, the country gained notoriety for kidnappings through the civil war (you can find out more here). Nowadays, this has become more and more uncommon and generally, Colombia is a safe place to travel so don’t be put off.
Like with any unknown country, be mindful of your surroundings and you won’t have a problem. There is a saying used by Colombians, “Don’t Give Papaya” which means don’t make yourself a target by flashing expensive gadgets or leaving things unattended. With common sense, you and your belongings are safe here.
2. Biodiversity
What surprised me the most from my time in Colombia was its diverse climate. It has the Tatacoa Desert at the most northern point of South America, the beautiful green landscapes of the coffee region, the bustling cities of Medellin and Bogotá, and the incredible Caribbean beaches of Cartagena and Santa Marta.
(If you don’t mind taking six cold showers a day and still sweating 24/7 in 40-degree heat then Cartagena and Tayrona are a must.)
3. Food
Colombia is home to the BEST street food. Admittedly, some things were less enjoyable (the giant roasted ants, for example) but you cannot go to Colombia without eating your bodyweight in Empanadas — essentially a deep-fried Cornish pasty but the best tasting pasty you will ever eat.
There are lots of cool restaurants and cafes that serve the less-than-adventurous burger and chips, but eating like a local will introduce you to a whole new level of amazing Latin American cuisine. If you’re up for a challenge, try a Bandeja Paisa.
4. Coffee
Coffee in Colombia has ruined coffee for me forever. Nothing will beat it — especially when it costs about 20p for a cup.
Visiting the regions where coffee is grown is a must-see. Salento is a beautiful town popular among tourists for its location in the coffee valley, Valle de Cocora. It is home to the wax palms, the tallest palm trees in the world at around 200ft. Be sure to take a few extra layers as it is a lot cooler in this area.
Alongside coffee, the traditional hot drink of choice here is hot chocolate served with a lump of cheese…
5. Drugs
The one thing everyone associates with Colombia is its turbulent history with drugs — no thanks to the popular Netflix season, Narcos. The seemingly lax drug laws of the country are often attractive to young, partying travellers but the laws are incredibly strict for tourists.
There are all kinds of tours available for those who want to retrace the steps of Pablo Escobar or find out how cocaine is made (really…), but it only takes a short conversation with a local to realise the devastating effects the drug trade has had on this country.
One piece of advice, though — don’t talk about Narcos. Colombians do not like Narcos…
6. Nightlife
The vibrancy of Colombian cities and towns in the day does not even scratch the surface of what you can expect on a typical evening here. There are street performers, bars, clubs galore.
Wherever you go, you will find the famous Aguardiente, also known as ‘firewater’ (with good reason). If you fancy drinking like the locals, give this try.
So, in a nutshell, next time you are considering somewhere exciting to travel that may be a bit further afield, make sure Colombia is at the top of your list!
