18 year old traveling to Colombia?

the dangers in the cities are just like any other city in the world, depends on the area and if you're there past midnight, but as for guerrilla activities and that stuff don't worry just as long as you stay within the cities, no rural area trips unless someone you trust tells you it's fine, don't take trips that take longer than 1 or 2 hours away from any major city, and when traveling from one city to another always by plane. The democratic security policies of the current president allow colombians to travel the roads freely for the most part, but being an american and if you have foreigner written all over your face it might not be a good idea, take the plane. As for money it depends on how long you'll be staying and what your plans are, my suggestion is to prepare as if you were going to an inexpensive city in the US, you'll have some money left to bring aguardiente to your parents ;) ... Barranquilla is probably the city with the biggest gap in social cles, you'll see very wealthy people and very poor within two blocks... be sure to visit Cartagena (a little more expensive) and if you can, Medell�n and Bogot�, they are beautiful cities... enjoy, have fun and take care..