Travel Weekly Blog

The FCO is right about this one: Colombia's capital is dangerous. It's for this reason I've taken the liberty of devising a list of pointers to ensure you remain safe during a holiday there.

1. Direct your gaze away from the beautiful palaces, lush mountains and bright blue skies certain to cause eye strain.
2. Say no to another helping of chicken, avocado and sour cream soup - even if it is only £1 a dish and served on a rustic rooftop terrace - a minute on the hips...
3. Refuse to stay in one of the many five-star warehouse-conversion arty hotels that are a complete rip off at £50 pounds a night.
4. Avoid the temptation of £1.50 killer martinis or 30p beers served until 3 am by staying indoors.
5. Prevent a twisted ankle or other similarly treacherous injury by passing by the many salsa bars dotted all over the city.
6. Finally, do not - I repeat, do not - meet the wide-smiled twinkly-eyed gaze of the beautiful locals destined to break your heart.

See the rest of Jo's pics in her Colombia photoset on Travel Weekly's flickr pages

Jo Gardner, features reporter