Landcruiser Prado en Colombia

[pillguy]

Hey all, I thought I would provide an update on Landcruiser sightings in Colombia while on Vacation. So far, I have been to 3 major cities, Bogata, Medellín and Bucarramanga and a trip to the country side to see a big rock. Lots of the older cruisers converted to pickup trucks with tall sides made of wood and canvas and quite a few other style 4x4s. Lots of small vehicles.
The most common landcruiser I have seen here is the prado 120 series and some newer versions. We were picked up in Bogota in a prado 120 landcruiser by a cousin that was complete with bullet proof glass grade 6. It was a standard 5 speed 3.4 gas engine. Will try to post some pics soon.

 

[Bluetribal]

I just finished the Netflix series Narcos and there were a lot of sweet LC's in the series. But that series has probably ruined Columbia for me I would be so freaked out going to Medellin the home town of Pablo Escobar.

But traveling the world is great and I am lucky to have a wife with a major travel bug. So who knows Columbia may be a spot we hit one day.

 

[Dharma Dude]

I just finished the Netflix series Narcos and there were a lot of sweet LC's in the series. But that series has probably ruined Columbia for me I would be so freaked out going to Medellin the home town of Pablo Escobar.

But traveling the world is great and I am lucky to have a wife with a major travel bug. So who knows Columbia may be a spot we hit one day.

It's amazing that Toyota sends so many cool LCs to everywhere else but US.

Off topic.....Colombia has changed for the better since the days of Pablo Escobar. My 19 year old daughter and several of her friends went on their own to Bogota, Medellin and the Cartegena for their winter break two years ago. Of the three, she liked Medellin the most. They had a great time and a completely safe, uneventful experience.

The drug trade still goes on but those areas are easy to avoid (Google search will send you to US State department website indicating the areas to avoid). There are bad areas in the cities (just like in American cities) but these are also easy to avoid --- just ask the locals.

 

[pillguy]

I will get more pics up soon, but I felt very safe there. The only caution was not to wear nice watches or show a flashy camera in downtown town Medellín. It was a tourist trap with all the trinket sellers and lots of people. Ithe one picture was from their friends high rise apartment that was very expensive. I would say where ever they filmed Narcos was in Stratos 1 and 2 areas which are poor, lots of them there, but every one is working as there is no real welfare system in Colombia like US and EU.
I was in 9 cities in 8 days.

 

[pillguy]

As promised a few more pictures of Landcruisers.....and a Nissan. We talked to the owner for a few minutes and he showed me the engine....gasolina.... so if you all ever decide to do a trail ride in colombia, you should fit right in...

 

[D21FJ60]

That patrol is pretty cool.

 

[pillguy]

Hi Guys,
Thought I would share a few more pictures. This is the first day in Buccaramanga heading south to Florida Blanca. In a lot of areas, tons of motos who drive between the cars. Another one of a typical gas station

 

[pillguy]

Going into Medellin, it was raining on the way into the city from the airport. Sunny at the airport, rain as we headed up the mountain and then into the city. As one would expect, more landcruisers as we head into the city. This was the view of the city from our friends apartment. As a note about apartments, people own them and this one was really nice and again full of MBs, BMWs, and of course Landcruiser Prados

 

[bernardbar3]

It's amazing that Toyota sends so many cool LCs to everywhere else but US.

Off topic.....Colombia has changed for the better since the days of Pablo Escobar. My 19 year old daughter and several of her friends went on their own to Bogota, Medellin and the Cartegena for their winter break two years ago. Of the three, she liked Medellin the most. They had a great time and a completely safe, uneventful experience.

The drug trade still goes on but those areas are easy to avoid (Google search will send you to US State department website indicating the areas to avoid). There are bad areas in the cities (just like in American cities) but these are also easy to avoid --- just ask the locals.

I approve of this message! I've been living here in Colombia for the last 3 years and it's great. Love your sightings. Cheers