Colombia is often stereotyped as a very dangerous country and an unpleasant place to visit. While Colombia does have a history of civil unrest and violence, things are much better now. A Peace Deal was signed in 2016 between the country's main rebel group and the government, ending the civil conflict and most of the violence. Of course, no country is perfect, and there is still some violence, just like in the U.S. and every other country. In fact, after moving to Colombia, I was shocked to learn that the rate of gun violence is 15% higher in the US than it is in Colombia. This is why it is important to do your research--stereotypes are often false and can be harmful.
Colombia is actually a lovely place to visit! The people are very kind, the culture is lively (full of dancing, music, and traditions), and the environment is very diverse. There are fun cities, beautiful mountains, gorgeous lakes and rivers, pretty beaches, plenty of parks, many hiking trails, canyons, and of course, the Amazon Rainforest. It is even better than I expected! Unfortunately, because of stereotypes, many people don't know these things about Colombia.
