South America Travel Guide

South America is vast. Within its vastness is contained a diversity unmatched anywhere on the planet. 'Diversity of what?' I hear you ask. The answer is 'just about everything'. It is a continent -the fourth largest- with a population of over 355 million. With the exception of a few remote tribes, the greater part of this population is of mixed descent. The landscape varies wildly. There are mountains, rivers, waterfalls, jungles, deserts, beaches and craggy coastlines.

Contained within its boundaries are 12 countries all of different size, geography, population and personality. There is tiny Surinam or the giant Brazil. There is landlocked Paraguay or the 4,000-km coast of Chile. There are cities, ancient and modern. There is history and mysterious pre history. There is breathtaking scenery and wonderful wildlife. It stretches from the warm Caribbean in the north to the icy oceans of the south. There are glaciers and rain forests, rolling grasslands and islands like no others.

All of this is there for the visitor to explore. Much of the continent is still untamed, although tourist 'routes' are increasingly well trod, there is still a 'wild frontier' element that is only just off the beaten track. That is in those areas where there even is a beaten track!!.

Health

South America is a dangerous place to be if the correct health procedures are not observed both before and during the trip. Check with your local doctor or travel health clinic well in advance to find out about immunisations required. Try to do this at least two months before departure. Disease is not the only thing to be wary of. Many attractions in South America are found at high altitude which can cause problems, allow yourself time to become acclimatised to the rarer atmosphere. Be careful what you eat and drink. Try to stick to bottled water for everything (even teeth cleaning), if not ensure water is thoroughly boiled before consumption. Avoid raw food (it is often cleaned in the aforementioned water) well-cooked food will always be a safer bet. Be careful in the sun. Take care of cuts and grazes. In the kind of climate you will experience infectious bugs multiply at an amazing rate. Cover up and use anti bug ointments and unguents to avoid insect bites.

Most major towns and cities have good medical services but if you are away in the back of beyond you may not be so lucky.

Visas

Most South American countries do not require a visa but in an ever-changing world it is always as well to check this prior to departure (Brazil is one exception to this, US New Zealand and Australian visitors do need visas). Most countries will stamp your passport for ninety days, some places it is very easy to extend beyond this. In some cases however you may need to hop across the border to another country then back again to start all over.

Other paperwork you may require is an international driving permit (from your local automobile association) tickets for your next destination and funds. You may also need a yellow fever vaccination certificate but check this out first.

Beware of...

Despite media attention most of South America is perfectly safe if you use common sense. Petty theft is a possibility anywhere particularly crowded tourist spots. Do not tempt the thieves. Make sure money and paperwork are always safe. Use hotel safe deposit boxes. Report theft immediately to the police that helps with insurance claims if nothing else.

Avoid badly lit areas and don't travel alone. Always tell someone where you are going and how long you expect to be. Don't accept food, drink or cigarettes from anyone you do not know. Do not get involved in any way with any aspect of the trade in drugs.

Check out the destination thoroughly beforehand for information on Guerrilla activity, political unrest, bandit hold up routes and any other local hazards. Heed any advice that is given.

Insurance

Make sure you have more than enough to cover you for any eventuality. Make sure you have comprehensive health cover, having yourself evacuated by air can be costly.


Make sure you are covered for loss of money, tickets, credit cards and all belongings.

Travelling around

South America does not seem to have come to grips with the train. Almost any other form of transport works just fine. Planes are a good fast and comparatively cheap way of going long distances whilst the bus service is comprehensive across the continent.

Cash and Plastic

The US dollar is the easiest form of easily converted cash to carry. The same can be said of traveller's cheques, US dollar ones are more widely recognised. Credit cards are widely accepted in the towns and cities but obviously the further off the beaten track you venture this is less likely to be the case. The same is true of debit/ATM cards, great for withdrawing cash in the city not so useful up the jungle. Care should be taken when withdrawing cash and ensure your PIN number is known only to you. Do not carry any more than you need.