Maripasoula Warnings or Dangers
Maripasoula travel tips posted by real travelers and Maripasoula locals.
Local Time 12:17 am Sunday, September 7, 2008
Maripasoula Map
Maripasoula Map
on April 11, 2007In Maripasoula, there is a large underground network of gold smugglers, drugs, prostitutes and illegal immigrants working in illegal gold mines, it is a cut throat world and it is no exaggeration that at one time Maripasoula was a dangerous place to be. It has calmed down a lot but you should maintain awareness at all times of where you are in the town, keep away from areas with no-one in them, keep away from bars or areas that look a bit dodgy. Most of the time any violence that happens will be inter-group and will not involve tourists, but its easy to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Night-time, try not to go out alone, same as everywhere in the world nowadays, the more of you there are the better, especially if you're female, any aggression you experience is likely to be drunken, and can easily be avoided by staying in bars where there are a few people around.
Above all, if you're not comfortable with an area or bar, walk away, don't let yourself be coerced into going anywhere, bar, dancehall or otherwise that you don't want to go to or are not comfortable with, the local taking you there maybe 100% well intentioned and know the place like the back of his hand, but you're not local and you will attract attention, if you like the idea but aren't sure, check the place out in the day time and ask the local taxi guy what he thinks.
