Travelling offers the opportunity to learn about the world: If
going international BE OPEN, RECEPTIVE and ACCEPTING OF THE DIFFERENCES
BETWEEN YOUR COUNTRY AND THE HOST COUNTRY.
Share with us other suggestions you may have upon returning to
your country.
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Bring a passport with at least 6 months validity beyond
your date of return. Please complete the information regarding
who to contact in case of emergency. Keep one photocopy of
your passport at home or office and travel with an extra photocopy.
Check with the nearest consulate or with BTR/*M*I*L*A*
regarding visa requirements.
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Please make sure you are fully protected with health and/or
accident insurance. Some policies do not cover you while abroad.
BTR/*M*I*L*A* recommends flight
insurance and trip cancellation or interruption insurance.
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Be sure to use the luggage tags and stickers provided by
your travel agent or BTR/*M*I*L*A*
in order to facilitate identification of luggage at airports
and hotels.
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Immunizations: Conditions vary from time to time and
regulations between Latin American countries differ. Example:
no immunizations needed from the U.S. to Colombia or to Brazil;
but you do need immunization if you go from Colombia to Brazil!
Please check with the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta,
with the consulate of the countries of your itinerary, and
with your personal physician.
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If you are on prescribed medication, make sure to
bring an adequate supply. Keep your medicine in its original
container. Carry a copy of your doctor’s prescription for
all medicines and eyeglasses or contact lenses.
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It is a good idea to have a small first aid kit with you
when you travel — it should include Band-Aids, medicated cream
for cuts or antiseptic spray, aspirin or aspirin substitute,
antacids and/or upset stomach reliever (i.e. Pepto Bismol,
Imodium AD), and a cold reliever.
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Do not pack medicine, eyeglasses, important documents and/or
jewelry in your check-in luggage.
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Bring plenty of film as in some places it may be costly
or unavailable for your needs. It is also wise to bring an
extra camera battery because the exact one needed is
often difficult to locate in foreign countries.
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Bring an extra bag! An expandable one is ideal. There
are a variety of handicrafts and buying them becomes a temptation
during the entire trip. Plan your Christmas shopping in Latin
America — some items make unique gifts.
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At the International Airport Duty Free Shops in the U.S.,
you will find very reasonable prices on items for individual
consumption and/or gifts which may be very expensive in the
Latin American country you plan to visit.
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Bring layered clothing — you will find it very convenient
if your itinerary includes mountain, desert, and jungle.
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Bring a converter and adapter when travelling with
electrical appliances; however some destinations (i.e. Amazon
Jungle) do not have electricity.
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Carry tissues or pre-moisturized wash-up cleansing tissues.
Some public facilities may not be fully equipped.
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Credit cards — most hotels, shops and restaurants
accept all major credit cards (except Discover). Make sure
to keep records of your credit card numbers in case of loss.
Leave all your U.S. store credit cards at home. It’s a good
idea to have more than one credit card.
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Exchange of currency — all major hotels have an exchange
service. Some shopping and dining facilities will also exchange.
Consult with your guide. Please do NOT exchange money in the
street. This makes you too vulnerable to pickpockets.
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ATM cards can be very helpful when travelling abroad
to get cash, but it is very important to check with your local
bank or credit card company to ensure that your card is accepted
in that country and your personal identification number (PIN)
will work. You should also ask if any charges will be applied
for using a foreign ATM.
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Leave your good jewelry at home! Do not wear dangling
earrings. Be alert.
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Be sure to reconfirm your domestic and international flight
reservations as soon as you arrive in each country. If you
have arranged for transfer services with a local ground operator,
they will reconfirm the flights for you and advise you of
any changes. When a flight in the U.S. is cancelled, go to
a phone booth and call the airline’s toll-free number to make
a confirmed reservation on another flight. At that point you
can line up at the counter to have your ticket changed.
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On flights within a foreign country (non-U.S.), when a flight
is cancelled or delayed beyond a reasonable time while you
are waiting for the plane — if you leave the airport, be sure
to get your ticket back from the counter agent. This will
help with any refunds or exchanges.
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Always check your airline tickets when you receive
them and after you have checked in with the airline to ensure
your return tickets are still intact. Ticket agents have pulled
the wrong tickets by mistake. If you notice a problem, go
back to the ticket agent who helped you.
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Do not wait for the rush hour hotel departure time. Try to
settle your account prior to your scheduled hotel departure.
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MEALS — Be aware that some countrys have different
meal schedules than your own.
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Greetings — Be aware of the common form of greetings
in the host country. In many countrys, the common form of
greeting for women is a handshake and a kiss on the cheek.
For men a handshake and/or an abrazo (hug).
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Entrance to any facility on a tour may require a short wait
and standing in line, depending on the size of the group.
Be patient.
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On tipping children — children love to have their
pictures taken. Please do not give them money as a token.
Instead, be prepared and take pencils, crayons, chewing gum,
candies, etc.
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Side trips — Mountains? Jungle? Ski resorts? Pack
only pertinent items for the duration of the excursion. Most
hotels have facilities available which are safe for your remaining
luggage.
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Visiting high altitude destinations —
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Have a light meal prior to departure and for the first
24 hours.
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Rest for an hour or two after arrival to help your body
adapt to the effects of high altitude.
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Drink more fluids, avoid alcohol and refrain from smoking.
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Bring sunscreen. Both the altitude and in some cities the
nearness to the equator make sunburn a real possibility.
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Temperatures may be quite cool in the early morning and
in the evening, with significant warming during the day.
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Visiting the jungle and other adventure destinations
—
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Mosquito repellent is a must.
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Closed shoes and a lightweight windbreaker with hood can
be indispensable.
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Bring a flashlight for occasional tours at night.
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Used clothing in good condition make marvelous bargaining
tools in the jungle. Other popular items are fishing hooks,
sewing supplies, flashlights and batteries, pencils, drawing
books, candies, etc.
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The jungle is "dark" under the tall trees. Plan
on using at least ASA400 film.
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Have a plastic bag available to protect your camera from
splashing water or rain.
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Always, please write down the name of your guide on each
portion of your trip. We should congratulate him/her if the
service your received met all of your expectations. But, most
important, we should let his/her company know immediately
if you have any complaints. These and any other significant
observations should be communicated to BTR/*M*I*L*A*
— in writing — within thirty days of your return. Sorry, no
refunds if claims are received after this period.
A U.S. resident travelling overseas may bring back to the United
States items worth up to $400.00 without paying duty. However,
if you have to pay customs duty, the U.S. Customs Service accepts
certain credit cards. There are many items from underdeveloped
countries which are not included in the limit. Please check with
your nearest Customs office or call BTR/*M*I*L*A*.
It is much cheaper and more convenient if you arrange with your
family to call you. Otherwise, you must make reservations to place
an international call: it is time consuming and taxes are usually
high.
