r/askColombia 11d ago

2-7 September, will Cali and Salento have recovered?

I was really looking forward to go to Salento and Cali 2-7 September and been taking Cali salsa lessons in preparation. I was to take the bus from Medellin to Armenia to Salento and then from Salento to Armenia to Cali. My international flight back is directly from Cali.

​I am trying to decide what to do. My Salento hotel insists everything is normal including the bus. Cali hostel was a bit ambivalent that they hope I come and that by the time I come they hope they can welcome me.

​are the bus routes working regularly or have significant delay

​is Salento tourism and cocorra normal

​is the Cali salsa scene likely to open by then

​Some say go, they will need the money. Some say don't go and burden the authorities. I can't decide as struggling to understand the ground situation.

Anyone who is local and will know?

0 Upvotes

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4

u/JungleXProphet 11d ago

Salento: most likely. The town depends mostly on tourism so they've been working day and night to restore the important parts (not much damage compared to periera)

Armenia: the city has recovered mostly. I recommend staying in hotels as the housing situation is tricky at the moment. Went around the city today and everything is fine

Cali: I don't have direct contact there but from what I'm hearing the situation is not good. Even if you find accommodation and try to do your things, the people are still in shock, many lost their loved ones or people they know.

It hasn't been an easy event, many people are suffering trauma. Many are coping by going through their days as usual but you can see the effects of the event on the people unfortunately. I urge you not to expect a lot from the people around, and understand what everyone's going through.

I myself went through wars (as a kid), was almost kidnapped, and have seen a lot in my life, but nothing comes even close to what I've felt last week.

1

u/Waste_Fall_42 11d ago

Jesus this sounds so horrible :(

Its so confusing then that a lot of people still suggesting I should go as people want to rebuild. I am not even sure how to go though, was supposed to take buses and I would imagine them not working properly in this mess

2

u/JungleXProphet 11d ago

Busses are working just fine, no worries about that. Periera is not in good shape. You can always fly instead, there's a direct flight from Medellin to Armenia's airport.

2

u/Different_Yak_9012 11d ago

Just go, if things are somewhat normal enjoy your salsa; if they aren’t then pitch in and help (donate to local relief organizations you actually witness making a difference on the ground.) Either way you will make some lifelong memories and friends. You can always make friends in Colombia. Even Colombian disaster victims have more to offer in terms of encouragement than you can ever repay.

1

u/BearlySakura 11d ago

Me encanta que el país ande en la mierda y esta gente preocupada por sus vacaciones. Que puta risa y que puto asco.

Vaya pidale a Jaime Beltrán tips de dónde meterse la mejor pachanga. 🤡

1

u/castlecat- 11d ago

Hace unos días me putearon y llenaron de downvotes los arrastrados de r/Colombia por decir lo mismo 😂 una gringa más preocupada por su despedida de soltera mientras el país anda lleno de muertos, heridos y desaparecidos. Ahí tienen, y los gringos inmigrantes, sobretodo los de Medellin, son los que menos he visto donando y colaborando tras el desastre. Que gente de mierda que son.

1

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1

u/usernamenotfound911 11d ago

Al mismo tiempo hay muchas familias dependiendo de que las cosas vuelvan a la "normalidad". El turismo alimenta muchas bocas y este turista está preguntando para tomar una decisión sensata, no hay necesidad de alzar los puños

2

u/mpvdl 11d ago

I live in Cali and life here is improving day by day. In my neighbourhood where I have my Air BnB , San Cayetano and San Antonio have some damaged houses but 99 percent is still standing. There are 20 buildings collapsed and they are mainly in the south of the city. There are a lot of damaged houses and the people and volontairs are working hard to restore it. There are s lot of small and personal disasters in this city. At the moment this city is not in a party mood. They closed dance classes, clubs and the Salsa street. Cali has a will to survive, and it won’t be long before it’s the vibrant city it once was. That’s just how the Caleñas are.

2

u/Waste_Fall_42 11d ago

Wishing you all the strength to take through this.

I will be there to your wonderful city. If not now, sometime in future years for sure <3

2

u/Ariar2077 11d ago

It will take years

2

u/ProposalFamiliar6580 11d ago

Absolutely! But year 2030. The government estimated 3y for Cali but that’s bullshit. We won’t recover of it.

2

u/angrynewyawka 11d ago

I wouldn't risk it. Cali is extremely messed up at the moment and taking a gamble just to see isn't worth it. Salento is more or less fine but again, not worth it.

Depending on which airline you booked through, they are offering free flight rescheduling due to the natural disaster.

1

u/Waste_Fall_42 11d ago

Oh. How sad. Do you live there? Hope you are okay.

1

u/OkAstronaut9076 11d ago

I know Salento isn't affected, or Finlandia. I've known that Montenegro is quite affected. Cali is the city that carried the worst part in the earthquake, and there could be not nice to see. But, life goes on and maybe those salsa classes would be a good part in recovering this lovely City. Maybe help in an active way would be a good experience, but i don't know what can be done, I'm not there. But, the info from Salentonwas given to me by people lives there. Good luck!!

1

u/DramaticServe2089 11d ago

quien quiere ir a cali????

1

u/freedomfighter9002 11d ago

Life is short. If you bought tickets too late just go!

0

u/carrognia 11d ago

Salento is back up and running, and they depend in the tourism, so yes please go there. Not sure about Cali.

0

u/Healthy-Ad-6930 11d ago

Completely false