Medellin Colombia Just Got Worse... 

In this video, i discuss 3 main topics 1. What has happened in Medellin, Colombia 2. How to stay safe while visiting Medellin (I have learned from my mistakes) 3. Why I think Medellin worth visiting as long as you make sure to take care of your personal safety

Crime is out of control. I witnessed 3 armed robberies in my short time there and didn't experience an armed robbery anywhere else in my worldwide travels. Thanks for telling the truth as many RU-vidrs exaggerate the positives and don't even voice the negatives.

Great video Tah! I definitely felt Medellin has gotten worse, I sure hope it changes, as I've been there 3 times now and always had amazing experiences!

Hello Tah! Thank you for another well made and informative video. I totally agree that you needed to do what was right and safe for you when you left Colombia. Some people may criticize... but maybe they didn't experience what you experienced. Always stay the way you are and do what is right for you. Looking forward to your next video and your next adventure that you will share with all of us. Stay healthy and safe. 🙏

Medellin experienced a golden age in its history from the early 2000's until the Venezuelan refugee crisis started. There will eventually be a brutal crackdown on crime because I can promise you that the economic powers that be will want those good times to come back. Too much money was invested by powerful people who are more than willing to make certain problems disappear by any means necessary, if necessary. There are already numerous cases of muggers being chased down by local merchants and beaten so badly they had to hospitalized. Colombia has it's own way of taking care of business when things get bad enough, and honestly, I have to respect them for that. .

I was thinking of travelling to Medellin in July. I haven't been in Colombia for more than 15 years and never been in Medellin. Then I've started to do some research and there are so many stories, from horror stories to minor robberies that I've changed my mind. When I travel I like to walk around, go for jogs, take pictures and sit outside on a cafe. Also I prefer when possible solo travel and not to be on a tourist group. Even if nothing happens the feeling of having to be extremely cautious all the time kills the vibe and makes it not worth it. A shame because Colombians are great people and Colombia is a beautiful country with so many destinations.

I was living in Medellín for 2 months as a solo female. I just left yesterday. Was in Colombia a total of 3 months. Really enjoyed it there. Thankfully nothing happened to me but a lot of my foreign friends have gotten robbed there. Even the locals have gotten robbed. I never had my mobile phone on my hand when out in public and even hid my I watch with a bandana. They have a saying, “No Dar Papaya” in Colombia. I always had my purse in front of me and at night I had a jacket on to cover/hide my purse. Also, I left my I phone at home when I went out at night and carried out a cheap android phone with me. Had extra cash in my shoes when I went out at night and had an expired credit card as well in an old destroyed wallet in case of robbery so I can give it to them. The smaller pueblos/towns are extremely safe by the way. Like Jardin or Jerico. The smaller the towns are, the safer it gets.

Thank you for making this video Tah, it's very helpful. I'm happy you're good now. I'll go to Colombia in June and I think I'll go to Medellin for a few weeks.

You are so sweet. The level of love and respect carried trough out this video, regardless of the fact that you are communicating something so tough and dark. My video would've been FULL BLOWN ANGER, tbh, and I'm Colombian - born and raised. Yet there you are, finding the most positive side.

It's important to tell stories like this. Travel isn't always glamorous, things happen and people need to know. BTW, had a great 6 weeks in beautiful Thailand. I met up with a content creator in Bangkok, and he gave me the best food tour ever 😆

Ive been to Colombia 3 times. It has got worse there. Just recently I was walking down Calle 10 in El Poblado and some guy pushed me into a girl and tried to grab my phone. I punched him in the face and he hit up against the side of a building.

Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. I think we should all be reminded when we travel we get shown so much love from the locals of a respective country that we put our guards down but “those” (everywhere in this world) try to take advantage and mark (easy) targets. This is a reminder to always stay vigilant because you don’t know whose watching.

It's so sad to hear all of this. So much desperation that is making things worse for people there. I'm glad you left, and I hope things can improve for the Colombians and Venezuelans in these tough situations.

Thanks for sharing your story & these tips

Thanks for sharing this wonderful video. Stay safe while traveling.

I am currently in Bogota, I went to Medellin to visit a friend so it was OK. But being in Colombia for over a month, the fear I hear from people from the hotel to the Uber, to the stranger warnings, it takes a toll. I did not do the things I usually do when traveling. It's been disappointing. This is not a country for a solo traveler.

My girlfriend’s sister (Colombian native who has been in Medellin most her life) was recently held at knifepoint by one man while two other men made her give her phone. The two other men left while the one with the knife started trying to kiss and touch her saying he wanted to take her with him. It happened in the afternoon, on a quiet street, outside a school. She managed to run away though the guy didn’t try to chase her.

I think you made the safest decision that you could make for yourself in the situation that you had just experienced in real life. If your senses told you to leave for your safety, no one should question it. I see others have been having different experiences, but in the end, your peace of mind was unsettled & your fight or flight response kicked in. Also, you've had like 4+ years of traveling experience already and never had to endure multiple events within such a short period of time. Stick with your decisions because anyone looking from the outside looking in can ultimately judge you after the fact with precision points and rebuttals, but they weren't there with you in that situation to know how much it affected you.

Australian here. Stayed around El Centro. Dressed like locals and hang out with locals. ZERO issues

Hi Tah. It is too bad about your bad experience there but you are right it can happen anywhere in the world but people don't realize that. They just hear about bad things that happen somewhere and decide they don't want to go there. You just have to be aware of your surrounding and if possible travel with friends. I had my wallet stolen in Manila but I have been back there since then and felt comfortable where I was and I learned how to keep that from happening again. I know this will not deter you from travelling. Just need to be careful. Would love to meet up with you if we happen to be in the same place and maybe have dinner and share travel stories. Looking forward to your next video. Keep smiling and stay safe

As always, the way you convey your message, camera work and editing is spot on. Interesting take on the clothing, for years we could always spot the tourist and guess the country by the way people dressed. Runners and jeans nearly always meant American. Keep the videos coming Tah, miss you my friend.

The tip to sit in the front of the Uber to look like you are friends with the driver is really really smart. This was a well presented overview of this history and current situation in Medellin.

Some of y’all are saying “I was in Poblado and nothing happened” LOL. That’s like saying “I was in Beverley Hills”. You were in an area with some of the wealthiest people. Some of you Americans are tremendously ignorant.

As a Colombian it's nice that you bring light to some issues facing the country, but you are also spreading some misinformation as well for example, Colombia does not have the highest poverty rate in latin america.. You do bring up some good points but it is important that people know that they must also fact check. Thank you

I went on my own to Medellin back in 2019. I made contact with a friend who had family there and they offered to be my guide for some occasions. From day one when we met at the hotel on my arrival they mentioned where NOT to go. I took their advice serious and avoided go to the city center on my own. I didn't felt safe there, to expose and its impossible for me to "blend" in...... I have good memories from my visit. It's sad that things have changed.

When half of people start with "they have a saying..papaya," you know you shouldn't be there unless there is an absolute necessity to be there.

Thank you for sharing the information.

Man, great info!

I've lived here for 8 months. I've been visiting here for 5+ years. The crime has increased. The locals are less patient than they use to be. Still very nice to visit. Ask me in 6 months, my mind might change

It's cool when I'm searching for a certain topic and a familiar face shows up. Glad to see you're doing well Tay! Also, I remember your video from Bogota a while back. Maybe you could do a comparison video between the two. Did you feel safer in Bogota?

Hope you are feeling better after your experience..❤

Hi Tah, I am so sorry you got robbed in Medellin especially with a knife that must have been so traumatic! I have been living in Medellin since 2019 and never had anything happen to me before but I am very cautious. Crime has been going up like crazy due to the Pandemic and the Mayor is absolutely useless. He is more interested in propaganda and promoting his own image than improving safety. He took several measures supposedly but these were basically just press ops and had absolutely zero effect. I really hope the next Mayor will be much better and will be able to improve things to the point where one day it becomes like Madrid where you can walk around at 4AM without any fear of anything happening.

Shame that Medellin is having more issues right now. We loved it when we visited back in 2016, but things can always change.

I am so sorry this happen to you. I am very cautious of where I go in the world and I have so much anxiety going to different parts of the world. I want to travel to Japan, Columbia, Brazil, China but I am so fearful of being put in to position where I have to defend myself in then be in a foreign country trying to deal with a even more corrupt system than in the US. I am glad you were able to get out safely everything considered and that you are ok physically. I have been robbed at gunpoint twice in the US in my own City and its a horrible feeling but you will bounce back just make sure to express your feelings about the situation just as you are doing in this video all the time no matter what other people have to say. And ppl need to also get rid of this notion that going to a safe neighborhood anywhere means you are going to be safe. It is not a bubble separated from its surroundings. Ppl that are set on doing crime, and violence will and can go anywhere to do it. So you have to stay aware of your surroundings at all times and even more when you are in a different place outside where you live and know the best. And watch EVERYONE like a hawk, no matter what they look like. And when I mean everyone, everyone. Little kids to the Elderly get the same scrutiny in my book.

Thank you, I think your analysis of the causes of the increase in crime there is spot-on. Another factor are the tourists who treat the city like their personal Las Vegas or Disneyland, where anything goes. That's bound to attract even more predators.

You did well to blendin, that was a key strategy. I would recommend it to all tourist tho.

This is very sad as I was looking at moving to Columbia. I think what you see happening in Columbia is starting to happen Globally the pandemic changed are worl. Thank you for this so well done video. I love your open mind to the people of Columbia

It’s not just Medellin crime has gone up in a lot places around the world. I’m in California it’s gotten ridiculous here. Places near me like West Hollywood crime is up 130%

Soon to travel take your advice tah thanks and God bless

Just cause you feel privileged around the world dont mean you cant get “got”

I love Colombia and Colombians but the place has been changing a lot. Sadly, it’s not only Medellin it’s a lot of countries in Latin America. I’m Dominican so it’s easy for me to move around but even tho… after COVID things have been crazy…

I just came back to Canada from Medellin a month ago I stayed there for month and honestly I felt very unsafe the Colombian culture is to be aware of their surroundings therefore the always keep an eye on you I was so close to abort my trip due that I felt unsafe...and taxi drivers in Provenza and Lleras are on the hunt for drunk Tourist and robe them I got my cell phone stolen for one of them is the second time they steal my cell phone in my prior trip I got picked pocketed my phone I love Colombia but now I am hesitant if I should go back

Excellent video editing

I was drugged (likely with Scopolamine) and robbed in August 2022 while visiting Bogotá. Super scary experience.

Sorry for your misfortune. I love Colombia and visit frequently. I agree with your decision to leave. We all have our own experiences as travelers. I was recently In Europe and bad things kept happening. I tried to stick it out,but things got even worse. I should have went with my gut instinct, and left in the beginning.

wow was thinking of going solo but not sure now but good information dont want to travel all that way to feel paranoid can do that here in uk

Medellin has definitely gone downhill compared to a few years ago. We typically recommend other Colombian cities (or better yet Panama, Mexico, Brasil etc) for travelers

I was low on money by the time it was time to head back to the US so I stayed at a cheap hotel at Avenida Venezuela and 19th. This is the Santa Fe region of Bogota. They say it is not safe there but I stayed there two weeks, one week with no money but the owner of the hotel agreed that I pay back the final week of rent when I get my money in five days or so. It worked out.

Pandemic hit the entire world economy and I can imaging that lead to more crime especially in the developing countries. Just look what happened in Indonesia especially in Bali. We get the same message during the last two years what you described.

Hello Tah! Thank you for zanother

Guy on a moto snatched my cell Phone right out of my hands. Be very careful and I was in Laureles.

this is the reason why i cancelled my travel plan to colombia and went to peru instead. it was the best decision ever. not because colombia is getting worse, but because peru is so underrated.

l love Colombia but I do agree with the Dangreous part is the biggest aspect in Colombia that I hate the most but economically Colombia isn't that bad investing in Colombia is actully a good Idea.

We are having the exact same problem with crime here in the Dominican Republic. Yes the AI Resorts are fantastic but read any local news online (in Spanish) and you may be blown away but it's nowhere near as bad as it is in the USA.

I got massages today went to bathroom woman stole all my money a lot of crooks in Medellin now

A buddy of mine moved there in 2016. He stayed there for about two years with his two teenage daughters and his wife. He said it was safe and he had no problems. Not sure I believed him then and I know I would not go there now.

Colombia 🇨🇴 is scary, very scary. If you don’t keep your head on a swivel

Medellin has a big scopolamine problem also

I was there in 2017 right before the massive immigration and well before Covid. It still wasn't the safest city even then. The average Colombian makes under the equivalent of $500 USD a month, and many women there still want nice things and to be wined and dined, so foreigners get targeted by both women and men. Some of the women may just want a better life, but others are involved with male criminals. That's the underbelly of the city few people pay attention to. Great city, friendly people, but there's also the criminal element, and the people looking for easy money. If you're a foreigner, locals will think you have lots of money, and compared to them, you do. Unlike the United States and even neighboring Brazil, there's no social net or welfare programs in Colombia, and Covid hit them really hard. El Poblado and Laureles really get hyped up, so that's where most foreigners go, including expats who essentially pay as much for housing there as they would in their home countries, thus driving up the cost of living for everybody. I speak Spanish, and even back in 2017 I heard locals complain about all the gringos in their city. Sometimes when I had casual conversations with women, husbands and male co-workers would literally pull them away from me. In a lot of ways I don't blame them because it's long been popular as a city with very beautiful women and known for attracting the kind of male tourists who are there for partying, drugs, and women.

i went there 6 years ago and certainly had to be careful. there are not a lot of asians and i stuck out even though i wore simple things. i did navigate w my phone during the day and noticed people staring at me and tracking me. however i am a smart traveler and do more day time things and get home early. i went dancing one night. i paraglided. did a mural tour. i miss bird watching the most in the carribean coast . its a lovely country. perhaps pandemic has made all in this world more desperate. be careful anywhere in these streets.

Dont walk around with new Iphone in hand for starters

I have been here for one year and zero problems in Medellin

It’s looks pretty safe for me especially that I’m a boy, but I hear Nigeria is worst even Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland doesn’t Recommend it, but challenge accept

God Bless U!

Unfortunately after the pandemic and events going on everywhere like the war, inflation and shortage of supplies... there will be a lot of places in the world that will become very unsafe. Be very careful where you go and stay safe Tah.

As a solo female traveler and doesn’t speak the local language like Spanish, there are certain part of the world that you shouldn’t visit like Medellin as of 2022. Maybe it will change in the future, but not now

I had a place in Cali, Colombia for six months and at the time my girlfriend had her cell phone robbed twice, so she said but maybe she just wanted a new cell phone.

Hey every where is bad now, New York City got worst, I think the two years lack down has caused too much poverty every where, because of so much crime I left the Big Apple, a city where i used to live most of my life, and a city that I have loved so much! But it's going down the hill!

Worse than what? When? If you have to provide so many cautions to visit a place, is it even worth visiting? What significant art, culture can be derived from Colombia? I guess fine to visit, perhaps not worth the effort?

Use Uber rather than taxis. Sit in the front as she said because Uber is illegal in the country.

Capital of Antioquia province, a fertile region famous for its coffee plantations and its flower farms, for its orchids and butterflies, it is known as the City of Eternal Spring for its idyllic climate. Everywhere you turn there seem to be new things happening.

Do you need a covid vaccine to get into Columbia?

Is Envigado or Sabaneta more safe?

"No dar Papaya" has always been the case in Medellin. Travellers need to get acquainted with the basic safety protocols before they go there. It is not like your Home Country.

Talking truth! But crime is at all-time high in all Latam countries after the pandemic, even in the US...

You are really pretty, I am happy you are okay.

Hi Tah! Do you still want to visit Costa Rica? We are right now in dry season that is the one perfect to explore part of the country and in May it starts the rainy season that actually you can enjoy as well but definitely you can take a much more advantage of the dry season 😊 I hope you can visit us and enjoy the Pura vida ✌🏻🇨🇷

I will never ever visit any country in South America! I enjoy travelling I have visited over 30 countries but my personal safety is priority number 1!

TAH SAFEST ADVISE STAY AWAY FROM COLUMBIA FOR AWHILE, STAY SAFE AND BE WELL LOVE ♥

👍👍👍

If you are man that looks like you can handle themselves, you’ll be fine.

Sorry to hear about your scary situation. I hope it doesn't deter you from travel experiences in the future. I will point out a couple of things though. You appear to be traveling to the more dangerous parts of Medellin(not sure intentionally or not). You took some video shots between the 6:00 and 8:00 minute mark in Veracruz, Centro de Medellin. This area is full of drugs, gangsters and prostitution. Taking values and a camera here is putting yourself at risk. Please research the areas you are going to before taking video's there. No likes are worth the experience you went through. Tips for anyone traveling to Medellin - Laureles area is mostly safe - day or night Milla De Oro area is mostly safe - day or night Provenza(Eating area) is mostly safe - day or night Parque Lleras Area is safe before 8:00PM In General, Don't wear Jewelry, shorts(for men) or anything fancy.

Why would u go there? Taking pics….etc….haven’t you seen and heard the dangers? Why would u put yourself in a situation where there’s probabilities?…..it’s like going ski diving with a parachute that may or may not open!…it’s common sense….I guess it’s not so common anymore….

I just left Colombia. I was in Cartagena and Medellin for over a week. Nothing happened to me and my friends. Granted, we are all Latinos and speak Spanish (some better then others). After the global lockdowns, everyone is traveling again and bringing lots of money to spend. Colombians, who make on a average of $200-$300USD are taking note of all the tourists who are coming to their country and are coming with their expensive iPhones and thousands of dollars to spend. It sad that some are stealing or robbing, but don't be an idiot and show off your wealth or you will be robbed very quickly. In Los Angeles, people are getting robbed just as frequently.

Crime is up everywhere in the world..maybe you should mention that also in the video before singling out Medellin

👍😎

❤️❤️❤️💪💪💪

this si way too dramatic. As someone from another third world country this is just the bread and butter of every third world country. If you are having issues ona third world country it's because your own expectations. It's called third world country for a reason and there's even a saying in english that goes "You get what you pay for". Of course there's gonna be a language barrier, you put yourself in that position. EVERYONE knows not to pull out an expensive phone in a dangerous area. This doens't apply to an specific country

It's funny how you pronounce "Spanish" 😁 The "sh" should sound like how you pronounce "shoot" or "shit"

Colombia has NOT the highest poverty in Latin America, don’t say things that are not true. You haven’t gone to any other Latin American countries yet. Be fair with your subscribers.

Yeah good info great city but there have been too many tourists there making it ripe for crime

Tah I thought you went back home after NY

don´t cry

Why people are going to Medellin ? I am in Bogota it is pretty safe, a lot of Police, I am walking alone at night no problem.

-Medellin #1 en calidad de vida 2022 (COLOMBIA COMO VAMOS -Medellin #1 en el indice de ciudades modernas (DNP) -Medellin es la ciudad #1 que mas tributa por cada 10 mil habitantes (DANE) -Medellin ya es Distrito especial de ciencia, tecnologia e innovacion -Medellin ya supero a cartagena en turistas internacionales (MIGRACION COLOMBIA) -Medellin designada como la unica sede de latam para la cuarta revolucion industrial (FORO ECONOMICO MUNDIAL) -Medellin y new york son las 2 unicas ciudades americanas en ganar un "WORLD CITY PRIZE" que es el nobel del urbsnismo mundial (premio que se entrega cada 2 años por el gobierno de singapur) - 8 de las 10 empresas mas grandes del pais provienen de medellin. - medellin en 2013 fue elegida entre 180 ciudades del mundo como la ciudad mas innovadora del planeta (premio entregado por el citi bank group y wall street journal de new york) - medellin es sede de las 2 ferias de moda, insumos y textiles mas grandes de latinoamerica COLOMBIATEX Y COLOMBIAMODA - los alumbrados navideños de medellin son los mas grandes de colombia y estan entre los 10 mejores del mundo - medellin es la ciudad con mas tuneles, puentes, deprimidos, intercanvios viales, soterrados y tuneles del pais. - Medellin y Miami son las 2 mecas de la industria musical latinoamericana. - "TIMEOUT" declaro a Medellin como la tercer mejor ciudad del planeta para visitar en 2022. - los WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS premiaron a Medellin como DESTINO LIDER EMERGENTE DE SURAMERICA 2022. - los años 2020, 2021 y 2022 son los 3 años con menor indice de homicidios en medellin en 40 años.

bogota has been a dangerous city since way back when .....

Does it really matter how you dress if you're an obvious gringo?

sooooooooooooooo what happened to you?

Not good anymore

Blend in and dont have expensive watches, jewelry, or phones!