S
afety in Minca
It can't be denied that Colombia has one of the highest crime rates in the
world. However, statistics have to be put into proper perspective. Most
violent crimes here in Colombia are the results of gang wars in the poor
 neighborhoods of urban centers like Bogota, Cali, and Medellin. Any common sense would suggest to avoid these
neighborhoods, especially at night. Civil War related activities are
limited to a few well known areas that can easily be avoided with proper
research of local conditions
The specific situation in Minca as of
September
2006
In the early 90's, Minca was a primary tourist attraction in the Sierra
Nevada de Santa Marta. For a brief time in the mid 90's, the Minca area
suffered from the effects of the civil war. Due to these events, Minca
lost its tourism status and many residents suffered economic hardship long after
the fighting has ended. Now that peace has returned to Minca and the
surrounding mountains for more than seven years, the area has again become a
favorite destination for many mountain bikers, bird enthusiasts, hikers, and
nature lovers in general.
Until recently the Minca area was controlled by
the Colombian
Paramilitary Forces without any noteworthy incidents. In March 2006 the
paramilitary forces demobilized in a deal with the Colombian government. These
paramilitary forces are now receiving a temporal government pension and
retraining opportunities to again become productive members of society.
 When you visit Minca you will immediately notice very few houses with iron
bars over the windows as is typically seen throughout the rest of Colombia. In
Minca you also won't experience any of the petty theft crimes, beggars, and
street vendors that are rampant and a constant nuisance in the urban centers
like Cartagena, Barranquilla, and Santa Marta. Residents here have a habit of
leaving their doors open and their belongings on the porch.
You will be perfectly safe strolling through town and hike the main
roads on your own during the day and evening hours. For hikes higher up
the mountains or for treks on small mountain paths we do advise that you hire a
local teenager as a guide. For a few pesos a day you will have peace of mind,
and a local companion eager to explain the history, flora and fauna of this
wonderfully diverse area.
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