Bogotá, not as dangerous as you think

Bogotá is not the place your parents want you to be, and telling other travelers you´re heading for the capital of Colombia is a guaranteed recipe for terrified reactions. For many, the city is synonymous with violence, like the whole country.

True, Colombia only seems to hit the headlines when bad stuff is happening. But does it really live up to its bloody image? Strolling down the streets of Bogotá, the answer is clearly ´no´.

To be sure, there is still a conflict in Colombia. But the fighting between leftist guerrilla, paramilitary groups and the army mostly takes place in remote jungle regions and rural areas. As for most of the (decreasing number of) assassinations and kidnappings.

Bogotá, in the beginning of the 1990´s still considered as one of the world´s most violent cities, is no longer for the brave, as the New York Times stated a while ago. For a metropole with such a bad name, it´s indeed surprisingly easy-going. Bogotá has a nice colonial quarter, a lively cultural scene, several options for a good ´rumba´ and lots of friendly people. The capital of Colombia is certainly not the dirty little jungle town that Hollywood wants you to believe.

The statistics support the feeling you get on the streets of the city centre. Between 1995 and 2005, the homicide rate dropped with a sheer 71 percent to 23 per 100,000 inhabitants. Washington D.C. has a higher murder rate, as have Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro and Chicago, among others.

How did a notoriously dangerous place like Bogotá transform into a relatively safe and well-run city?

To be continued…