Colombia: is camping safe?

[hubbike]

Hi, I've about a week of riding before I get to the ecuador/colombia border. I was wondering if anyone has experience cycling in colombia and can give any advice on whether wild camping is still ok as it has been in the rest of S. America...

Also, fco advices against all travel to 80km of the venezuelan border...I was planning to cycle into venezuela but how... is this overkill? what other optins are there. I have to go to venezuela to visit family and also my flight leaves from caracas.

many thanks for your thoughts.

 

[andym]

Wow you've travelled a long way! Hope you're doing OK.

Have you asked on CGOAB?

I must admit though I'd take the Foreign Office advice pretty seriously: it's detailed and specific. At the moment the FARC seem to be releasing hostages, rather than taking them, but who knows, you might have the misfortune to meet up with a group that had gone freelance ...

I guess, as far as wild camping is concerned a basic precaution would be to stay away from the areas indicated by the FCO as centres of cocaine production, and ask locals where it's safe to camp. They should steer you away from coke plantations/processing facilities. But maybe, unless you're really broke, staying with locals rather than camping might be a better idea.

The FCO page gives some advice on crossing points for getting into Venezuela (and routes to avoid). Presumably you could get your bike onto a bus. Otherwise what about flying?

Looking on the bright side: of the 18,000 Brits who visited Colombia in 2009/10 only 3 died (presumably of natural causes).

 

[betty swollocks]

Try asking your question in the 'On Your Bike' section of The Thorntree.
Lots of hardcore world-travelling cyclists on there.

 

[HelenD123]

I think in Alistair Humphreys book he said he avoided wild camping in Colombia and always made sure he was off the road before nightfall. That was a few years ago now though.

 

[Crankarm]

Wow you've travelled a long way! Hope you're doing OK.

Have you asked on CGOAB?

I must admit though I'd take the Foreign Office advice pretty seriously: it's detailed and specific. At the moment the FARC seem to be releasing hostages, rather than taking them, but who knows, you might have the misfortune to meet up with a group that had gone freelance ...

I guess, as far as wild camping is concerned a basic precaution would be to stay away from the areas indicated by the FCO as centres of cocaine production, and ask locals where it's safe to camp. They should steer you away from coke plantations/processing facilities. But maybe, unless you're really broke, staying with locals rather than camping might be a better idea.

The FCO page gives some advice on crossing points for getting into Venezuela (and routes to avoid). Presumably you could get your bike onto a bus. Otherwise what about flying?

Looking on the bright side: of the 18,000 Brits who visited Colombia in 2009/10 only 3 died (presumably of natural causes).

+1.

To the OP - Dave Holmes and Jeff Kruys have both written very comprehensive accounts of travel in this region as have a few others. Maybe check out their travelogues for what to do or contact them through CGOAB?

Andym - good post btw.

LonelyPlanet/Thorntree Forum on Colombia http://www.lonelypla...2&keywordid=235

 

[Brains]

I've done a fair bit of travel in Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Chile.
Caracas Airport.
It's as dodgy as they come.

Arriving there a couple of years ago on a business trip I was told by local reps that under no circumstances was I to leave the airport building until I was collected.
Same on the way back, the driver took me to the check in desk.


PS - You can't change the Venezuelian currency outside the country, which means you have to blow every last cent in the airport duty free ( I got a good deal on a maglite)

 

[panamslam]

I cycled through Colombia last year and did some wild camping. I had no troubles and just tried to be descreet (as in any country). Being an ignorant fool helped.

Not sure about the border problem though, I headed into Ecuador.

Goog luck and enjoy!!!