In most parts of Colombia, including Medellin, you’ll find two kinds of food, “comida rapida” meaning “fast food” like hot dogs (perros), and shish kebabs (chuzos). You also have the regular restaurants offering all types of local foods as well as international foods.

Whenever traveling you should follow my guidelines on how to eat and not get sick when traveling.

In Parque Lleras you’ll find all sorts of international food including sushi, mexican, and local food. Usually the vendors of fast food are small places, or food carts found on various street corners.

The food in Medellin is based on some core ingredients including beens, eggs, beef or pork, potatoes, plantains, and the famous “arepa”, a corn based bread similar to the Mexican tortilla.

Some of the most well known typical plates that you may want to try include the following:

Bandeja Paisa: Traditional Antioquia dish with beans, ground beef, egg, rice, plantain, chorizo sausage, pork cracklings, arepa and hogao (a sauce based on tomatoes and onions).:

Ajiaco (Soup): Ajiaco is a Colombian Potato soup. It typically contains pieces of chicken, large chunks of corn on the cob, two or three kinds of native potatoes, and guasca (Galinsoga parviflora), a weedy, aromatic herb that lends the dish part of its distinctive flavour.
The soup is typically served with heavy cream, capers and avocado, all mixed in just before eating in the proportions each individual prefers.:

Sancocho (Soup): Sancocho is probably the most famous of all Colombian soups and is a soup based on chicken, potatoes, and plantains. However many places offer sancocho de res (sancocho made with beef):

Mondongo (Soup): In Colombia sopa de mondongo is often eaten as the soup course of a traditional almuerzo. The soup in Colombia, is often made with chicken or beef stock, with a lot of cilantro. Many vegetables such as peas, carrots and onion are used to flavor the chicken or beef stock. Salt and pepper, along with corn, are also thrown into the soup for extra flavoring. The tripe used for this soup is varied. The most typical kind of tripe is beef tripe, but in several other regions across the nation, pork tripe and chicken or turkey tripes are also used in the soup:

I’ve been in Colombia for almost two months now. When I arrived, immigration gave me a 60 day stamp on my passport. This means that I can stay legally for 60 days within the country. Since my 60 days are almost up, I have to renew my Visa.

What happens If I don’t renew my visa? What happens is that I end up staying in the country Illegally, and I’ll have to do a whole bunch of paperwork, get stuff notarized, and pay fines in order to get my proper paperwork to be able to leave the country. It’s too much of a hassle, not to mention more expensive, so I recommend just renewing your visa the proper way which I outline below.

Most likely you’ll also get a 60 day stamp, which means that if you get close to your 60 days in Colombia, you’ll have to go to the D.A.S. which stands for “Departamento Administrativo de Seguridad” which translates to “The Administrative Department of Security.” Most large cities in Colombia have a D.A.S. agency within the city, but if you’re in a smaller city you might have to go to one of the larger ones to get your paperwork done.

If you have a local agency in your city all you need to do is hop in a taxi and tell them to take you to the D.A.S, pronounced “das”. Once you’re at the agency you’ll have to go past security and let them know you want to extend your tourist visa or “extender mi visa de turista”.

The agents in the office will ask you to photocopy a your passport as well as the original entry stamp. You’ll also have to fill out a form which should only take about 5 minutes. You’re going to have to sign the form and also take a few photocopies of it. Finally, you’ll have to go to a bank and pay a fee, based on the details they give you in the D.A.S. agency. Usually this involves going directly to a bank and paying with a certain code that you’ll be assigned.

Once you pay the fee at the bank, you bring the receipt back to the D.A.S. agency and they will process the final paperwork. All in all it took me about an hour and half to complete everything including taxi rides. Unfortunately, after your first initial stamp is up, you’ll have to repeat this process every month.

I took a small video here in Barranquilla on the second to last day of Carnavales, which was a Monday night. People were partying outside of my apartment until the sun came up. It’s not uncommon to see block parties like this one, not just in Carnavales but for birthdays, holidays like New Years as well as other festive dates. This isn’t exclusive to Colombia. It’s a common to see block parties all over Latin America especially during New Years and Carnaval season.

This happened a few years ago but I think it’s a story worth telling. It’s a story about the only time I’ve been scammed by a girl in Latin America, and it happened in Colombia. I’m not signaling out Colombia or Colombian women, but I just happen to spend a lot of time in Colombia so it makes sense that here is where I would most likely be scammed for the first time.

Basically what happened is that I met this girl online and we talked for months. I was planning a trip to Medellin, and this was about four years ago. I was really attracted to this girl and I had seen her pictures and chatted with her on a web cam. The only problem was that she didn’t live in Medellin.

When I got to Medellin we kept in contact through phone calls and we flirted on the phone, she seemed like a normal trust worthy woman. I was debating whether or not to go see her in Bucaramanga, the city where she lived. I decided against it because I really didn’t want to take the bus all the way to her city so I suggested she come visit me.

She thought it was a great idea but she told me she didn’t have money. I suggested she try to get the money from someone, even borrow it, and that i would pay her ticket when she got here. Here’s where the story takes a twist. I never send money. But this particular instance I figured, “ahh what the hell it’s only $40 dollars.” That’s approximately what the buss ticket would cost.

I went to a western union and sent her the cash, I called her and gave her the code, everything seemed to be going along fine. She told me she would arrive on the bus about two days later.

Two days passed, I called, I waited. I called I waited, and nothing. I started to get the feeling I had been scammed. She never picked up my phone calls after that and I felt like a real sucker. I knew I shouldn’t have broken my rule of never sending money. Eventually I got her on the Messenger and I asked her what happened, I forgot exactly what she said but basically she said she couldn’t send the money back, and that she couldn’t come visit me either. I erased her from my phone and MSN messenger list and I never heard from here again.

If there’s one lesson to be learned from my story, it’s to: never send money. PERIOD. The second lesson to be learned is to: never break your rules for anyone.

Medellin has the natural setting and weather of various other Latin American and Central American cities. The two things that differentiate Medellin from the rest is the vast transformation it’s had over the past 20 – 30 years, and from a man’s point of view, all the beautiful women.

Once known for being home to arguably the most powerful drug cartel ever known, the Medellin Cartel, lead by Pablo Escobar called this nestled valley city home. Since those times Medellin has seen a renaissance. Safety has improved greatly, the weather is still splendid, yet today you can find hotels, apartments and other accommodations in the city that have all the amenities you would find anywhere else in the world.

Medellin is the type of city that can cater to back backers and businessmen a like. Within the city you can stay at one of the many hostels or rent a luxury apartment with ease. Medellin boasts of good food, good weather, friendly locals, great night life, and many tourist attractions including the “la piedra del penol”.

The Women

Within Colombia, Medellin is known among Colombian men for it’s beautiful and marriage material women. Many Colombians from all over Colombia have been known to say that the when it’s time to settle down, they’ll do it with a “Paisa”, the local term that refers to the women of this region of the country.

Although the culture of the city and the city itself has changed a great deal over the past 15 years, you eyes will not deceive you, when you walk down the Poblado Avenue. The sexy women of Medellin can be seen prancing around the city streets throughout the day. Because of Medellin’s climate, the local women find a local walk refreshing as well as good exercise.

Medellin has become the fashion capital of Colombia and probably one of the hottest fashion focal points in Latin America. Twice a year, Medellin hosts two international fashion events that bring in some of the top fashion names in the world. It’s not surprising that Medellin has become famous for it’s fashion because the women of the city sure know how to dress and look their best.

The Weather

The city of Medellin has an average annual temperature is 22 °C (72 °F), and because of its proximity to the equator, its temperature is constant year round, with minimal temperature variations. Temperatures range from 15 °C (52 °F) to 30 °C (86 °F). Because of the pleasant springlike climate all year, Medellín is known as ‘La Ciudad de la Eterna Primavera’ or ‘City of the Eternal Spring’. Exercising, walking, pool activities, and other out door activities can be done all year due to the nice constant spring like weather.

EL Poblado

El Poblado is a large section of city that hosts some of the best hotels, malls, restaurants, bars clubs and casinos in town. If you’re going to Medellin you’re most likely going to want to stay here, at least if you’re a first timer. Most of the hostels in Medellin are located in this section of town close to the famous “Parque LLeras” pronounce “Yeras” (seen on the picture to the left). The blocks surrounding this small park have the highest concentration of bars, restaurants and clubs in the entire city. Most of the best hotels, and hostels are also within walking distance of the park.

Colombia has about 4 million of it’s citizens living outside of the country. A vast majority of those Colombian’s live in and around Miami, and the New York Metro area. Although more men then women migrate abroad from Colombia, I’m never disappointed when I attend a Colombia festival in the New York area, even if it’s just to enjoy the view, some good food, and the festive atmosphere. I’m sure it’s no different in Miami and other Colombian communities around the U.S. and around the world.

Colombian’s, like all Latin American’s love to party, and they love to celebrate their independence day. There’s nothing better then celebrating these festivities in Colombia, but this is definitely the next best thing.

A little About Colombian Independence:
If you want to meet some Colombian girls right in your own back yard some of these special dates, like Colombian Independence day are perfect so that you can get your feet wet. I suggest going with some Colombian friends if you have any, but it’s a friendly atmosphere and you can go to any of these places without a problem.

On July 20, 1810, the citizens of Bogota formed the first representative council to withstand Spanish authority, and achieved full independence in 1810. The struggle for independence in Columbia received an impetus led by great freedom fighters Simon Bolivar and Francisco de Paula Santander in New Granada which resulted in the Battle of Boyaca, on August 7, 1819. Bolívar was subsequently elected as the first president of Greater Columbia and Francisco de Paula Santander, as its vice president.

The Independence Day of Colombia is celebrated with unequaled festive fervor throughout Colombia, and throughout the many Colombian communities found in the United States, across Europe, and other locations around the world. The day falls on 20th July every year when all the offices, schools and college establishments remain closed. Various festivals and events are held on this occasion at different cities and towns of the country. It’s also the time to organize events highlighting the traditional folk dances and songs of the region.

Here in the New York area, which holds one of largest Colombian communities, festivals, parties and concerts abound.

Without a doubt if you want to see some Colombian women up close and personal, without having to go all the way to Colombia, you should attend any one of these places. Now if you want to learn how you may be able to date a Colombian girl, or any foreign girl here in States, I’m working on a guide that will give you my top secret tactics that no else is using to meet foreign women right your back yard.

Just to give you an idea of how celebrated these festivals are in New York/New Jersey Area, here are a few fliers I’ve picked up around the area. I know it’s a little late for you guys to take advantage of, but make a note for next year, and you should have my guide by then which will leave you well equipped to dive into these festivals.

Later,

Dan DeLa Cruz

Traveling alone can be a tough decision. Sometimes it’s a little nerve wrecking going to a foreign country by yourself. I’ve had this feeling myself many times when traveling alone, but over the years I’ve found ways to make every trip lots of fun, even when I’m traveling alone.

Step 1: Make some friends online. This is a must do, especially for those shy guys out there. If you don’t think you’ll be able to approach women on the streets or in clubs when you travel, you have to do the dirty work on the Internet before you get there. The good news is that it’s really easy, especially when you’re trying to meet foreign women. So get on the Internet start chatting with some women and start building some trust and friendships. After a few weeks of chatting on a regular basis, you’ll see that these women will warm up to you greatly.

You can get my book if you want the nitty gritty details about meeting foreign women online: Meet Foreign Women Online: The Complete Guide

I’ll give you one example. I was headed for Barranquilla, Colombia, and on this particular trip, I was going to head down on my own. I started sending out emails and making friends a month before I got to Barranquilla. By the time the final day of travel arrived, I had already made about 15 new female friends in that city. I have all of their email addresses and out of those 15, I’ve chatted consistently without about five of them, and I have those five ladies phone numbers. Two of them offered to pick me up at the airport; I opted for the one that I like more… So when I got to Barranquilla I had this beautiful girl, waiting there to give me a warm welcome! The moral of this story is that you need to get your butt online.

Step 2: Make friends on the plane, and in the airport. One of the best places to make friends and meet people, both men and women, is on the plane ride over. Plane rides are long and boring, and it’s the perfect place to start up a conversation with a stranger. A simple “where are you headed?”, can start up a conversation that could last the entire flight. I’ve met many male and female friends on the airplane and at airport gates while waiting for my flight.

Step 3: Approach and make friends! If you haven’t done step 1 and 2, then you’re last and only choice is step three. Some good people to befriend are taxi drivers, hotel personnel, waitresses, and cashiers. This approach is probably the toughest out of all three, and one of the main reasons is because of the time limitations you will most likely have on your trip. You’re also going to need some conversational abilities in the local language. This is why I strongly recommend going online first.

However, if you decide to take this route only, once you meet a girl in town, it’s going to take some time to build some trust, and if the girl works or goes to school you might not have enough time to make something happen. The benefit of meeting women online before you get there is that you will already have a certain amount of trust with the girl when you finally meet in person.

Approaching people on the streets is not easy for everyone but look at this way, if you’re in the lower tiers, there’s no easier place to approach women and people in general in the entire world.

But here’s a tip that will work in just about any location you travel too. If you see someone interesting, just ask them a question about the city. These are questions that should park YOUR genuine interest. Some questions can be:

• Do you know a good place to eat?
• Do you know a good place to get a drink?
• Can you tell me how to get to so and so? (park, court, hotel)

After you ask your question, you can add. “The reason I ask, is because I’m not from here, I’m visiting”

Those are some of my tips for traveling alone! Remember, you don’t have to be alone for the entire trip, most likely the only place you’ll be alone is on the ride the airport when you’re leaving because after that, it’s time to meet the women you met online and make more friends on the plane.

Talk soon,

Live in direct form Barranquilla, Colombia!

It’s been five weeks since I touched down in Barranquilla, and it’s been a hell of a time. Carnavales, good food, friendly caramel skinned ladies, and lots of sun… I can’t complain and I hope some of you guys can someday make the lifestyle change I’m in the process of making now. As the author of The Global Dating Revolution, I felt I really had to lead by example. I had a good, high paying, comfortable job back in New York but I left all that, including my apartment, and my girlfriend (I have a new girlfriend in Barranquilla, and a new apartment ), in order to prove to myself as well my readers that I don’t just talk the talk, I’m really walking the walk and am now living in Latin America. I don’t know if I’ll stay in Colombia longer then 6 months, I’ll play it by ear, but all I know is that I’ll be living somewhere in Latin America for the foreseeable future. So, I now give you part 1 of my recap of my five weeks here in Barranquilla Colombia.

First a little about Barranquilla:

Barranquilla is a coastal, port city, located on the north coast of Colombia. The capital of the Atlántico Department, it is the largest industrial city and port in the Colombian Caribbean region, and the fourth largest city in Colombia. It lies strategically by the delta of the Magdalena River, serving as port for river and maritime transportation. It is also known as the cradle of Colombian aviation and for its carnival.

Barranquilla’s Carnival (Spanish: Carnaval de Barranquilla) is celebrated for four days before Ash Wednesday. It is broadly recognized as one of the world’s largest carnivals; it is second only to the carnival of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. In November 2003, UNESCO proclaimed it as one of 28 different “masterpieces of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity.”

Week 1 (carnavales):
I arrived in Barranquilla with two lists. A list of phone numbers of the women I had met online, using my strategies for meeting women online, and a list of phone numbers and addresses to the apartments I had looked up through the Internet. The first step was finding a furnished apartment here in Barranquilla. These apartments are called “amoblados” and they are cheaper then hotels and they can be rented for the long term. I arrived a few days before the official start of carnavales, so I knew prices would be a little steep, by Colombian standards. Luckily for me I had met a nice girl named Vanessa online. Her cousin was a taxi driver and she picked me up at the airport with her cousin. Together with my little posse, we drove all over Barranquilla and called up every apartment on my list (with Vanessa’s cell phone). After an exhausting day of searching I finally found a decent apartment at a decent price. I paid about $450 for the whole month in a decent furnished apartment with Internet access. After I got all settled down I started getting ready for carnavales.

Although I have traveled extensively through Latin America, I’ve never been to any of it’s Carnavales and all I can say is WOW was I missing out! I’ve never been to the Brazilian Carnival, but it’s hard to imagine it being any better than the ones in Barranquilla. Rather than write about how great they were, I’d rather show you some pictures so you can see for yourself.

I’ve never been in a city where the entire population (1.2 million people) is in party mode. Think New Orleans Burbon Street on Mardi Gras, except that it’s not just Burbon Street, it’s the entire city! It was four days of drinking, parties, dancing, good food, and just plain old fun. I really wish they had something like this back in the United States, but the sad fact is that with all the rules and regulations back in the states, there’s no way in hell that something like this could ever take place.

Week 2:
I spent the second week meeting some of the women I had met online and also hanging out with some of the girls that I met during Carnavales. Towards the end of the second week, I ended up going to my first introduction agency event. Through a series of events I ended up attending Sam Smith’s I love Latins introduction tour. Sam was a great host and spending some time with Sam, his staff, and the guys who attended his tour really gave me a different view of introduction agencies, how they operate, and what they have to offer.

Over the years, I had heard a lot horror stories about some of the bad agencies/tours out there. But, Sam’s tour helped me gain a new perspective. Here’s the two main things that I took from Sam’s event and the time I spent at his event:

1. Introduction tours can be great for men who are a little hesitant to take their first trip, either because they’ve never traveled to Latin American country, don’t know the language, or are worried about the negative press and safety issues. When you go through an agency like Sam’s you get picked up at the airport, they provide translators for you, and they host events in hotel where you will most likely be staying. These events are places where you will be surrounded by hundreds of single local women, who are looking to meet an interesting foreign guy just like yourself.

2. It takes a long time, sometimes years, to convince a guy to take his first trip. But 90% of the time, after they take their first trip, they get hooked, they never regret it, and they never look back! Sam has noticed this through his agency, and I’ve noticed it through my website as well.

I spent the whole weekend at the I Love Latins events and I made a ton of friends, guys and girls throughout that entire weekend. That took me into the start of the third week. I’ll get into the next three weeks of my trip in part 2 of my Barranquilla summary.

To be continued…

I’m back! And this time live and direct from Barranquilla Colombia… It’s been a crazy few weeks for me. I’m finally settled down in Colombia with my own apartment.

Here is the first video from the two weeks that I’ve been here in Colombia.

To watch it in High Definition, Click on the link below and then when the video comes up, click on the “watch in HD” link on the bottom right of the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MuTFtgCH1g

Talk soon,

Latin America has been a bargain for many years and it just got even cheaper!

Let’s face it. It’s been a tough year for the economy. So why not take a break? Get away from the cold and travel to Latin America – a place that excites, thrills, challenges and offers plenty of chances to spark up some romance. The good news, about all of the recent bad news, is that Latin America just got even cheaper! So grab your bags and let’s check out the 5 best destinations in Latin America, plus an added little bonus for all of the single men out there.

The Good News About The Bad News…

The dollar just got stronger, and it packs a decent punch in Latin America…

2008-2009 been years most investors would like to forget. For most of us, it’s two stress filled years, with one horrible news story following another. All of this just means you need a vacation more then ever – and good news about the bad news is that the financial crisis has made destinations in Latin America, even more affordable then they already were before the crisis.

The U.S. dollar – which has been in a steady decline for past seven years has found it’s second wind and worked it’s way back up during the past four months giving, your purchasing power in Latin America, that much more of a punch. As investors fear a global recession, they see the U.S. and the dollar as a safe haven for the near term.

For Americans, that means these Latin American destinations have effectively become 25%, 30%, even 50% cheaper than they were just a few months ago. Even though places like Canada, Australia and parts of Europe have also gotten cheaper, you won’t get a better bang for your buck anywhere else in the world. Not to mention that when it’s winter in the North, it’s summer over there, so why not get away from the cold?

BRAZIL
Ahhh Brazil – Are you ready for Brazil? One trip and you might get hooked! Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Brazil is the biggest country in South America. It borders every other country of the continent except Chile and Ecuador.

Brazil is very much a country of contrasts. When someone hears the word Brazil, one thinks of the great Amazon forest, fantastic beaches, great soccer players, Carnival time, tiny bikinis – among other things. Well, Brazil, the most important country in South America, certainly has MUCH more to offer – warm people, great cities with everything from slums to high technology, a wide range of weather patterns, an awesome mixture of cultures and races – and much more!

The Brazilian currency, the Real, has declined more than 30 percent since its early August peak, as wary investors pull their money from emerging markets including Brazil amid the current global financial crisis. Carnival is coming up in February, and preparations will begin soon, all over Brazil. Why not enjoy the upside of the downturn in Brazil?

COSTA RICA

“Pura Vida!” As they say in Costa Rica

If you love nature, beaches, mountains, volcanoes, then Costa Rica is the perfect place for you. It has everything every other country has packed into one small peaceful nation. From the dry tropical forest along the Pacific coast to the misty cloud forest at higher altitudes, this wildlife wonderland is just a few hours away. More than 27% of the country’s area is protected, creating a haven for countless species of flora and fauna.

This tiny Central American nation boasts one of the largest tourism industries in all of Latin America, attracting more then one million visitors eager to catch a wave, bathe under a waterfall, spot a sloth or otherwise partake of paradise. Tourism is the country’s top source of employment and investment. For this reason, Costa Rica’s tourism industry is very mature, and offers just about every type of thrill seeking adventure you can think of.

From the cost perspective, not only is it cheap, but for most American’s a flight to Costa Rica will take less time then a New York to Los Angeles flight. Since Costa Rica is so close, typical tickets only cost about $300 – $400 round-trip. What’s not to like about that?

ECUADOR:
Probably the most affordable destination of all…

Ecuador is the undiscovered Costa Rica. Ecuador uses the dollar as their national currency but everything in Ecuador is 50% -70% off. Ecuador boasts some of most pristine landscapes with the Amazon to it’s east and the Pacific lining it’s west coast.

Nowhere else on earth will you find so much natural diversity – and all the fun that accompanies it – in so tiny a place (Except Costa Rica). Ecuador is the second-smallest country in South America, but its range of offerings is no less than astounding. In one day’s drive you can journey from the Amazon Basin, across glaciated Andean volcanoes, down through tropical cloud forest and sputter into the sunset for a dinner of ceviche on the Pacific coast, where – yes indeed – the water is warm. One day you’ll pick through hand-woven wool sweaters at a chilly indigenous market in the Andes, and the next day you’ll sweat all over your binoculars while spying on howler monkeys from a canopy tower in the Amazon rain forest.

For nature lovers Ecuador is a dream, with exotic orchids and birds, bizarre jungle plants, strange insects, windswept paramo (Andean grasslands), dripping tropical forests and the fearless animals that hop, wobble and swim around the Galapagos Islands. For the adrenaline junky, the choices are outrageous: mountaineering, trekking and white-water rafting are world class. Toss in some horseback riding and surfing and you’ll go home with a happily aching body. And for the culture vulture, Ecuador is a labyrinth of indigenous heritage of traditional costumes and highland markets, where a constant rhythm of sound and movement envelops you. As for colonial architecture, few cities top the beauty of Cuenca and Quito, both of which are Unesco World Heritage Sites.

If you’re on a very tight budget, then Ecuador will be your best friend. You’ll have a hard time finding better bargains then what you’ll get in Ecuador.

ARGENTINA
Where good food meets good times…

Argentina is a country of Gauchos, Mate, Asado, Tango, Pampas, and Dulce de leche. The name immediately conjures up the image of big steaks, passionate men and women and long night of eating the best meat of the world and sipping mate, afterwards. Buenos Aires, the capital, is the center of the country in all ways except its geographical location. With the Río de la Plata, in the east of the country, it is actually the city that is closest to the Old Continent, and probably the most European city in South America. If you’re longing for a taste of Europe, you know where to go.

Behind Buenos Aires, the land of the Pampas begins. Many towns with historical centers that go back to colonial are worth visiting. In the west, the Andes mountains offer great outdoor opportunities: hiking, skiing and much more. Patagonia, the far south of Argentina is a rugged and cold land. The area around Ushuaia, southern most city of the country, is mild in October to May. It is great for the lovers of nature and wildlife; big glaciers that go directly into the Barney, birds, seals and other arctic animals abound.

In the northwestern corner of this dreamed land, deserts and steppes are the most common geographical sites; and in the northeastern part of the country, Iguazu Falls, complete all kinds of climate existing on the Earth… all in one beautiful country.

The people are awesome, full of kindness, and the weather is mostly pleasant all the year. Many people call this the Paris of the Americas.

COLOMBIA:
Are you ready for a “rumba”? This is Colombia…

Vibrant cities with streaking metros and soaring skyscrapers. Elegant port towns cut by cobbled alleys and graced with bougainvillea-shrouded balconies. Spectacular national parks ranging from Garden-of-Eden-tropical to heavenly-high-alpine. Cruise boats, party buses, late night salsa dancing and shopping glory. Yes, this is Colombia. Get ready for shattered expectations. While media reports still speak of coca fields, violent crime, rebel shoot-ups and kidnappings, travelers are often left to wonder how so many troubles can plague a country that appears so, well, normal.

Beyond the headlines is a thriving country with a rising middle class, some of the best health care and universities in South America, and an improved level of security. It’s true that Colombia also faces massive challenges in dealing with poverty, rebels and the long-standing Drug War, but security improvements have made many tourist destinations accessible to travelers.

Now is the time to go. Costs are low, the welcome is warm and Colombia’s sour reputation has kept it off the ‘gringo trail.’ Many travelers consider Colombia a way station between better known overland destinations, such as Peru and Costa Rica. But once you’ve explored its wealth of colonial-era towns, swam over its pristine reefs and trekked in its mountains, the land of myths, emeralds and El Dorado may become a highlight of your South American sojourn.

So pack a pair of dancing shoes next to your hiking boots, throw in a mask, snorkel and sunscreen and tell your friends not to worry. They don’t know what they’re missing!

ADDED BONUS:
The icing on the cake…

Finally, I’d like to point out a little added bonus for all of the single men reading this article. Traveling to these great Latin American destinations is not only affordable, exciting and memorable. It’s also a great way to spark some romance. The women of Latin America are diverse, very attractive, and amazingly friendly.

If your a single guy and have never been to Latin America, you really don’t know what you’re missing. Any one of these destinations would offer a great combination of good times at affordable prices. So get those passports ready and I’ll see you down south!

Have A Great Trip,