T&T: Cruising out of Cartagena Columbia

[Truelove39@aol.com]

Hi Curt:
 
FWIW, my boat insurance, which covers the Eastern  Caribbean, specifically 
excludes Columbia and has for the past 9  years. I believe the reason is that 
the US State Dept. has deemed  Columbia unsafe due to tourist kidnappings. 
Columbia has been on the Travel  Warning list for years. 
_http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_941.html_ 
(http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_941.html)   
 
However, I know/have known cruisers who have been there and have not had  
trouble. And, there are no reports on the watchdog site,  
_http://www.caribcruisers.com/_ (http://www.caribcruisers.com/) 
 
OTOH, there are many acts of piracy in Venezuela each year, yet it is not  on 
the State Dept. list. Go figure. 
 
Both of these countries are peopled by millions of "have-nots" and  
unfortunately, regard for human life, especially the lives of those who  "have," is 
very low. Check this out for dos and dont's:  
_http://experts.about.com/q/Colombia-1753/dont-s.htm_ (http://experts.about.com/q/Colombia-1753/dont-s.htm) 
 
You are probably more at risk ashore than afloat.
 
Good sailing,
 
John
"Seahorse"
 
 
>>I have an opportunity to meet friends in Cartagena Columbia  and  
cruise with them on their boat for a couple of weeks.   Thought I  
might seek the advise of list members about places to visit  and areas  
to avoid.  I am concerned about safety.  Is this a  risky area to be  
cruising?