Travel in Latin America is an exciting and often challenging experience. While we step out of our own countries and travel through new ones, we experience new cultural encounters and meet many people from all walks of life. While common sense is the surest approach to dealing with daily situations, we offer the following guidelines to think about while traveling.
Begging
In Latin America you may encounter begging which sometimes may be overwhelming. If you would like to give a contribution, it is better to buy a locally made meal instead of giving money. It is a good idea not to bring anything of great value with you. Dress modestly and do not flash fancy jewelry, wads of cash or expensive electronics. This will invite a situation that can be avoided. Always be polite and firm without rudeness. You can donate to a local foundation that helps street children or other community development projects through Ecolibrium Adventures. If you are interested in visiting and/or participating in any of our projects, arrangements can be made as part of your tour.
Bank Machine Theft
As in any place, ensure that nobody is watching you while you take money out of the bank machine or looking at you while you enter your pin number. It is a good idea to get an extra bank card from your bank in case you loose your card while away. Once you activate the new card the old card will immediately loose its validity.
Night Safety
Stick together, take a taxi and don’t forget to have a card that has the hotel address and telephone number on it with you at all times.
Theft of Luggage
Do not leave your bags alone in airports or bus stations. Bags are generally safe underneath the buses. Keep your valuables in your daypack (credit cards, bank card, money and passport). This daypack should stay on your lap when using public buses (do not let anybody tell you differently).
Altitude Sickness
ACUTE MOUNTAIN SICKNESS (A.M.S.) is the mild form that effects some visitors to High Altitude locations. The symptoms are headache, nausea, vomiting, digestion problems, strange dreams and trouble sleeping. A.M.S. looks and feels like the “flu.” Most people experience the symptoms of acute mountain sickness in the first one to three days after arrival. The symptoms usually go away by the fourth day. It is possible to experience a delayed onset of A.M.S. The incidence and severity of A.M.S. are related to altitude, speed of ascent, physical exertion and prior acclimatization. Some people are particularly susceptible to A.M.S. and experience similar episodes with each exposure. Symptoms of headache, shortness of breath, anorexia or nausea, weakness dyspnea and “Flu-like” malaise may begin 6 to 48 hours after ascent.
Treatment of AMS: Most people with mild A.M.S. get better with no treatment at all. People with moderate or severe symptoms should see a doctor. Things that help:
- Avoid alcohol, sleeping pills or narcotics. They may decrease ventilation, intensify hypoxemia and make symptoms worse.
- Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid heavy exercise; mild exercise is okay.
- You can ask your doctor about medication that helps your body cope with high altitudes.
- Oxygen will relieve symptoms (there will be oxygen on your Inca Trail Hike) Return to lower altitude.
Prevention of AMS: People who get symptoms when ascending to higher elevations can take several preventative steps to avoid becoming ill:
- “Staging” or changing altitude in steps helps.
- Avoid alcohol, sleeping pills and narcotics Medication may be taken one to two days prior to arrival. This will “prepare” your body for altitude.
- Do not over-do on your first day or two
- Physical conditioning at sea level does not help prevent A.M,S (however it is still important to train before you do the Inca Trail)
