... in response to Safety in Cali, posted by Billt on Oct 17, 2001Hi Billt,
I have been to Cali several times. I have never had any problems. In general the locals are friendly, particularly the chicas! But do not assume it is safe by any means, it is not.
I have some general rules that I always follow:
1) Have someone you know either a lady or an agency person pick you up in a taxi at the airport. Avoid taking that long cab ride from the airport into town with just any taxi if you can. If you have to take one from the airport, pick one of the guys right out front with the yellow cars with all the typical taxi phone numbers and stuff, and the driver usually has an ID badge around his neck. Make sure you have the address and phone number of your destination with you, so if the cabbie doesn’t recognize the address he can call and get directions.
2) After dark, always have the agency or the hotel or the restaurant call you a radio taxi, don't just pick one up from the street, particularly late at night (this applies to most cities in SA). Wait for the taxi to arrive to step outside, don’t wait on the street. If someone assists you in getting a taxi, give them a small tip. Carry an assortment of small bills and coins, the taxis sometimes don’t have change.
3) Carry a "sacrificial wallet” with you. You have only the money you need for the day, a credit card you don’t mind losing too much, and a copy of your passport. If you get pinched, hand it over with a smile and go call your credit card company. Take two credits cards or an ATM with you but don’t carry them in your wallet together. Keep them separate so you don’t lose both at the same time. Guard your passport carefully, they are worth big bucks in Colombia now. Plus it is a major pain in the butt to have to go to Bogota to get it re-issued. I sometimes carry a hidden money belt down my pants or strapped to my leg with extra money, my real passport, and my spare credit card or ATM card. Most of the hotels have a lock box, use it if looks secure. You will need your passport to use your credit card or cash travelers checks.
4) Wear casual clothes and keep a low profile. Most gringos standout like a sore thumb anyway but avoid flashy clothes. Don’t ever wear shorts out in public, wear long pants, yes I know it is hot!. Avoid wearing the baseball type cap because it really says “gringo”.
5) Take a taxi everywhere, avoid walking around town and never after dark. Taxis are dirt cheap anyway.
6) I would not travel outside the city limits (except to the airport), remember the bad guys are very close to Cali on all sides. If you have to go to Bogota, fly and don’t take the bus. One chica asked me to take a bus with her to Buga to visit her sister, I said no.
7) The two big malls Unicentro and Chipichapi are musts to visit. Lots of stuff to do, plus there are ATMs and Internet cafes, and there are lots of chicas to see. The zoo is not too bad. Remember you are not there to site see, you are there to meet Miss Right. Stick with the malls, restaurants, and discos.
Expect to be searched from time to time (like going to the movies or into a disco) so don’t carry any weapons or anything like that.
9) Americans are generally well liked in Cali, I would rather go to Cali than Lima any day.
These guide lines are not that hard to follow. Remember lots of gringos go to Cali without any problem. I had a great time each and every time I went.
In my opinion the women are far more “dangerous” than the bad guys, one might steal your heart.
Take care and have a great time,
mike
