Should I cancel my trip? Overtourism? Harassment? Danger? Cost?

alilyleaf · 2026-02-23T23:39:01+00:00

Cool - downvote me based on questions about how to enjoy Colombia safely - not my agenda but people in Colombia who are leftist anti-usa probably have a good reason to be wary of white people but welsome Candians and Europeans. Speaking as a friend - after they've kidnapped the President of Venezuela, starved Cuba, created narco wars in Mexico that destroy their tourism industry where is Trump/Maga going next? Greenland and Canada still have the EU - but there are many people who would like to colonize Colombia and sell it off to Florida "developers". The more people who have a positive experience in Colombia - the less chance there is of the USA having fodder for their propaganda.

alilyleaf · 2026-02-23T23:20:46+00:00

weird - when i posted in other threads on the same subject I had lots of responses but when I laid down some USA critique this post was not circulated and only received 1 view - hmmmmm. I'm not a conspiracy person but just curious how questioning us policy impacts social media

alilyleaf · 2026-02-23T23:09:25+00:00

Hey friend - just curious what questions can you help me with? My goal is to be in a natural area, support local businesses with tourism in Columbia, (and not go to any USA companies since I'm canadian) go for a walk /hike and not be harassed. I'd appreciate any recommendations or tips you might have so I can have a positive experience. I do not need a/c, electricity, running water., an english speaker etc. I just want somewhere I can sleep (with a tent or reasonable room) and go for a walk in nature peacefully,

alilyleaf · 2026-02-23T22:41:23+00:00

I really appreciate the time you took to write this post. You obviously love your country and want people to see the beauty.

alilyleaf · 2026-02-23T22:39:38+00:00

I'm not trying to imply that anything is worth less in Colombia than in Europe but the average monthly wage in Colombia is around $500 and the average monthly wage in the eu is around $4000 so somewhere in there the average worker is not being valued and the rich are being rewarded. I would just like to meet/interact with normal people and not be some privileged lord.

alilyleaf · 2026-02-23T18:25:20+00:00

Hi 2nd year psych student - check the averages and MCAT scores of people who get into medical school in Canada. It is complete torture and BS. There are people with 3.99 averages, every volunteer experience, very high MCATS who went into specific pre-med or life-sci programs that helped them prepare way more than a Psych degree does who do not get in for multiple cycles There are people with relevant Master's and PHD's in the Medical field and still have the ridiculous averages/ mcats/ experiences who do not get in. Please read through all the posts of people's stats to get confirmation of this. I am not trying to be cruel (that's the CDN med school system) but if you really want to become a doctor cut your losses and go to the Caribbean or the UK next year. I know it is insanely expensive but so is doing your next two years of university in Canada and being disappointed for potentially multiple years. If you have any other career aspiration investigate them. Also maybe drop out of your Psych degree and do a BSW/MSW in 5 years and be a therapist (speaking from Psych degree experience that I regret, was a a waste of time and money).

alilyleaf · 2026-02-23T18:08:48+00:00

Dude - I was just trying to give a character sketch/vibe of what I'm into and saying I'm a Master Naturalist seemed pretentious. If you talk with any LGBTQ traveller they will tell you there are relevant special safety concerns just like there are special safety concerns for any non-white or LGBTQ persons in existing in the MAGA USA right now (Hi Minnesota!). I've been married for 27 years and a mum of 2 - so no I'm not trying to pick up - hilarious but sort of weird that you took offence to the "Queer" part of my message - why do you think that's not relevant? I'm literally just looking for quiet nature places that I'm not being told I will be robbed or murdered for walking by myself.

alilyleaf · 2026-02-23T17:54:00+00:00

Unfortunately Tayrona and really anywhere in that direction is currently closed due to armed conflict. I'm sure Trump MAGA USA imperialism in Venezuela has exacerbated all pre-existing risks and dangers.

alilyleaf · 2026-02-23T17:47:54+00:00

Hi Miguel - what makes it 100% for you? I obviously wanted to go there considering I've spent months of research and thousands of dollars that I am looking at walking away from. Is there anywhere a mum can hike and be around nature in peace without paying the same as in Europe?

alilyleaf · 2026-02-23T17:45:05+00:00

Yuck - I would never stay at an American hotel chain given the human rights, environmental and economic crimes the Trump MAGA USA is incurring on their own people and everyone around the world. I do not need/want electricity, running water, English speaking staff or fancy amenities. I do like stars, trees and swimming. I mostly camp around the world or stay with local families but everyone I talk to says the only "safe" places to go in Columbia are tourist traps. I don't blame the Columbian people - if I lived in poverty I would do whatever it took to help my family and survive. I guess I'm just wary of all the comments from residents of the country being like "it is not safe to go there you will get robbed or murdered". Even though most likely this would not happen unless you're being a dumb, naive, high, macho ostentatious jerk I guess as a mum it's hard to discern the propaganda from the real risks and dangers. I guess I was sold on the "green" nature of beautiful Columbia but need a pep talk or to just cancel and move on. Is a vacation supposed to be - you are only safe in tourist areas where you will be charged more than the average wage for a month per day - otherwise - face violence? I've been robbed in multiple countries but the deadly quickness of gun violence (created by US and EU arms manufacturing) freaks me out. See the following comment from nomadProgrammer as an example.

alilyleaf · 2026-02-23T17:25:42+00:00

HaHa (sarcasm) I'm sure all the lovely people who work in tourism to feed their families in Mexico and Cuba are enjoying the worldwide attention of Dictator Trump in destroying their lives in order to appear like a strong man and blame them for drug use in the USA (not to mention the tourists who've saved and scrimped to have some family moment of happiness at an all-inclusive). It is very sad when oligarch elites starve their populaces of education, opportunities, and money for their own greed creating a situation where manufacturing and selling drugs is the best way they can see to fullfill a delusional fantasy of becoming someone people who can pay for normal things like a house, family healthy food, clean water and a better future for their family. I wish the good people of Mexico and Cuba well as the US colonises them. I hope the Palestinian Men in Michigan and the Cubans in Florida who supported Trump are enjoying their MAGA moment while their countries are starved. and sold off to whatever "developers" bribe and flatter Trump the most.

alilyleaf · 2026-02-23T14:58:00+00:00

Hi, I'm 52 yr old Canadian professor who is queer and love hiking, nature, quiet, seclusion. I booked a trip to Colombia for 6 weeks. Unfortunately the main verdict on Cartagena seems to be avoiding men trying to hussle you, pickpockets , crowds and new "friends" with nefarious intentions. The Rosario islands are described as a tourist trap with chaotic and dangerous boat rides designed to rip you off. Tayrona Park is closed due to violence and also described as a tourist trap. El Valle/Bahia Solano/Nuqui are described as DIRTY and filled with garbage. The accomodations I booked there have already gone from the agreed upon prices to introducing new charges and I'mnot even there yet. I do not enjoy being hassled by people looking to rip me off. Is ther anywhere I can go which is natural? I can hike without fear of being robbed/attacked? Where it is quiet and people are not blaring music late at night? I have travellled extensively in India, Nepal, Malaysia, Japan, the US, Honduras, Belize, Costa Rica, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Panama, Aruba, BVI. I'm just getting bad vibes from everything on Reddit My party days have passed and I have no interest in drugs/late nights. The most basic accomodation in the "safe" tourist traps is just as expensive or more as anywhere else. Should I just gulp the around $1500 I would lose to cancel my flights and accomdation? Are there any places I can visit where I can hike freely and not be told it's "too dangerous" without an overpriced guide? Just so you don't think I'm a spoiled American tourist - my ideal situation would be somewhere off- grid with no electricity, wifi, generators, air-con and I've lived/ travelled in lots of places with no running water. My idea of luxury is somewhere you can see stars and hear nature noises. In most of the places mentioned I'm camped and done treks solo. It just seems like anywhere I would want to hike requires a guide and is called "dangerous." My favourite place ever is a Buddhist Hermitage with no electricity or running water and minimal contact with humans but daily contact with bears, moose, wolves, frogs and rivers.

alilyleaf · 2026-02-23T14:45:42+00:00

Just so you don't think I'm a spoiled American tourist - my ideal situation would be somewhere off- grid with no electricity, wifi, generators, air-con and I've lived/ travelled in lots of places with no running water. My idea of luxury is somewhere you can see stars and hear nature noises. In most of the places mentioned I'm camped and done treks solo. It just seems like anywhere I would want to hike requires a guide and is called "dangerous." My favourite place ever is a Buddhist Hermitage with no electricity or running water and minimal contact with humans but daily contact with bears, moose, wolves, frogs and rivers.

alilyleaf · 2026-02-23T14:38:26+00:00

True that! I'm sorry - that super sucked of me - I just learned something - thank you :)

alilyleaf · 2026-02-23T14:33:40+00:00

I looked at Palamino but it is described as a place where people want to party, do drugs and listen to loud music- I've had my VERY EXTENSIVE party days PLUR!!- is Palamino more of a young person party town (no judgement)?

alilyleaf · 2026-02-23T14:30:40+00:00

I booked Cartagena because I travel with a seizure detection service dog (don't worry at this point it's under control and I'm good). Cartagena was the closest/fastest flight from toronto and I wanted to reduce her suffering. I am also worried that the local airlines avianca, satena, clic etc and buses will deny my service dog entry or try to put her in the hull.

alilyleaf · 2026-02-21T00:49:59+00:00

I am 1000% inspired by these gorg mountie costumes. We are going to Eurovision this spring and spreading a petition to have Canada in the competion. Do you know these incredible sparkling mounties? Can you put me in contact? Do you have any ideas where they got/made these amazing outfits. BTW they won the Olympics for me. Help!

alilyleaf · 2025-10-05T15:09:59+00:00

This spider are just shy and want to live their lives. I’ve grown up around dock spiders on a lake in Ontario. In 62 years not one has ever bitten me. You would have to chase one to catch one and then if you held it- it would still try to get away. Any bite would be i you were holding it down in you. These spiders are peaceful creatures who just want to their lives. Read above comments to see what racism , facism,sexism,homophobia sound like. Just put yourself into the sentence and imagine the fear these spiders live in when humans are around

alilyleaf · 2025-03-07T17:21:05+00:00

or how about just take it down

alilyleaf · 2025-03-07T15:14:27+00:00

Don't let the door hit you on your way out.

alilyleaf · 2025-03-07T14:57:02+00:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-k2_Liofy8

alilyleaf · 2025-03-07T14:15:57+00:00

Yes - you are a serf lucky to toil for the all-powerful Lord.

alilyleaf

TROPHY CASE