So, I woke up today and checked CNN online to find this ridiuculous headline: “Bush makes quick stop in violence-plagued Colombia”. Has anyone at CNN been to Colombia recently?

Tourists in Colombia will encounter a surprisingly safe place to travel. Yes, there is a massive security presence and military checkpoints along the roads. But Colombia is a safe place to visit and even to live as an expat. Tourists will encounter a beautiful country with very friendly, helpful people. Walking the streets of downtown Bogota is a peaceful, though crowded, experience. People in Colombia go about their normal daily lives just like any place else.

There’s a great potential for tourism to develop in Colombia. It rivals every other South American country in terms of attractions. But people need to get over the negative perspective about safety today in Colombia that is distorted by the media.

Just come to Colombia and see for yourself. It’s safer than you imagine.