Medellín, Colombia Gets Thumbs Up From Gray Lady
Travel Blog • Michael Yessis • 08.15.07 | 11:24 AM ET
In the ongoing debate over whether its safe to travel to Colombia, the New York Times has weighed in with a yes, at least for the city of Medellín. “[I]n the last decade, this city of two million, with its beautiful colonial architecture and year-round spring-like weather, has awakened from its drug nightmare,” writes Grace Bastidas. “Mr. [Pablo] Escobar and his minions are gone and the cocaine trade has been largely dispersed. Bullet-riddled neighborhoods are coming to life with art museums and well-designed parks. And the constant rumble of construction—new shopping malls, flashy casinos and luxury hotels—can be heard throughout the city.”
The U.S. Government last updated its travel warning for Colombia June 4, saying, “Violence has continued to decrease markedly in most urban areas, including Bogotá, Medellin, Barranquilla, and Cartagena.” However, it still warns “U.S. citizens of the dangers of travel to Colombia. Violence by narcoterrorist groups and other criminals continues to affect all parts of the country, urban and rural.”
Related on World Hum:
* Colombia: Besieged By Narcoterrorists or Emerging Hot Destination?
* Trouble in Cartagena
Photo of Medellín by el DVD, via Flickr (Creative Commons).
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Michael Yessis is the cofounder and coeditor-in-chief of World Hum.
Living in Colombia 10.12.07 | 1:23 PM ET
It’s true - it’s safe. I used to live in Shepherds Bush in London, that was a real dump of a dodgy place. Now I live in Medellin in Colombia, and I feel way way safer here than I did in London.
Medellin is actually one of the safest cities in Latin America (or so I read in the LP). I believe it. It’s green, pleasant, nowhere near as chaotic as many other Latin American cities, the people are friendly (and beautiful) and the climate is perfect. There’s still an image problem with Medellin and Colombia as a whole, but that will pass in time I’m sure…..