Tips for Travel Page
LANGUAGE English is not widely spoken in South America; Spanish is the official language of the majority of the countries in South America, with Portuguese the official language of Brazil. We suggest you obtain a small phrase book or dictionary in both Portuguese and Spanish, and also recommend that, if you are planning to undertake a sojourn in South America, you book yourself into a Spanish language course or borrow language tapes from the local library. With a little bit of preparation and a few Spanish words you can go a long way. Often, it is these little things that make the difference between a good holiday and a great experience. For further information, please call your travel agent or Destination Holidays.
MEALS Meals included are specified in the itineraries as follows:-
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Meals marked with asterisks (*) indicate meals in flight. All meals indicated are subject to change without notice. One of the better reasons for visiting South America are that continent's gastronomic qualities: contrary to popular perception, South America is not hot bubbly Mexican style food, your basic fare is steak, chips and salad. However, although regional dishes vary greatly from country to country, meals in better restaurants are based on international cuisine adapted to South American tastes. Dining here is an interesting adventure.
Remember the main meal of the day is usually lunch, and quite often dinner is not begun until late in the evening. When ordering drinks in a lot of these countries, locally produced whiskeys, rums and brandys in most areas are very good and about a quarter the price of their extremely expensive imported counterparts. Countries such as Argentina, Chile, Peru and Brazil have excellent national wines. Great beers are available and don't forget to try the local favourites in each country: Caiparinga in Brazil, Pisco Sours in Chile and Peru, Shoofly in Bolivia, and Aguardiente in Ecuador and Colombia, You won't forget the power of some of these in a hurry.
WHAT ABOUT TIPPING? You are visiting the America's (South and North) - two continents where tipping is a way of life. Waiter's chambermaids and others in the tourist/hospitality industry are paid minimum wages as it is expected their income will be subsidised by tips. It is normal practice to tip 10-15% in restaurants in the United States or Mexico. In most South American countries, the service charge is added to the bill; so it is only necessary to leave the small change, however, please check your bill prior to paying.
Note: In some countries in South America the price on the menu does not include a service fee of up to 16% or Government Taxes of up to 24%, so be prepared for the extra cost.
ELECTRICITY The current varies from country to country, so we suggest you obtain dual voltage hairdryers and shavers if you require them. Basically Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela have 110V AC whilst most others have 220V AC. However, always check before using any appliance. If unsure, set voltage to 240 and avoid burnouts.
SINGLES WISHING TO SHARE We will do our best to match single persons prepared to share with another tour member. However, if at 45 days prior to departure we are unable to find another person of the same sex wishing to share, you may be required to pay a single room supplement.
SECURITY A wise precaution is to carry a record of your passport number and the numbers of your travellers cheques, in some place quite apart from your tickets, documents and money. For a couple it is a good idea for each to carry the other's records.
As in most Third World countries where there is a large difference between the lifestyles of the rich and the poor, one tends to find the pickpocket syndrome prevalent; these precautions could avoid a lot of problems in case of loss or theft.
SHOPPING HINTS South America is a mecca for bargain hunters. Leather goods, gold and silver work and precious stones are perhaps the best buys. Bartering in large department stores is normally not acceptable, but one should certainly bargain in the smaller shops and stalls. Match the seller's ridiculously high price with your ridiculously low price and then haggle a compromise.
Peru and Bolivia are well known for Alpaca rugs, sweaters and blankets and handicrafts of all kinds, just as Ecuador and Guatemala are known for their colourful textiles. For these purchases you can use US dollars or local currency (often dollars will give you an advantage). Do not expect to use personal cheques; credit cards will only be accepted in larger cities and better stores.
AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAXES Apart from the mandatory Airport Taxes not already collected on ticket. In South America it is common for even domestic air sectors to impose Airport Departure Tax and some need to be paid locally for the airport departure tax, for both domestic and international departure. EG: Peru, Bolivia & some in Argentina to name a few. It is recommended that for this reason you hold on to some local currency prior to your flight, in most cases US dollars will also be accepted, however, you may not received the best exchange rate. If on a tour your local tour host should advise you upon arrival of the Departure Tax amount and to hold this aside for your departure, and in the currency required. JUNGLE VISITSThese warrant some special advice with regard to things to take. Wear long-sleeved light coloured clothing with athletic shoes and socks. Remember to tuck pants into socks. Take a plastic raincoat/poncho, swimming costume, binoculars, small flashlight, camera and dark glasses. During your visit to the jungle it is advisable to carry a small overnight bag having stored your big luggage at the hotel. Insect repellent will keep the bugs away and carrying your own favourite liquor will ensure that you have it in case it is not available at the lodge.
PHOTOGRAPHY Carry a good supply of film as it may not be available. The film and your camera should be inspected manually at security checks, as x-ray equipment may damage the film. At high altitudes, in the Andes, there are more ultra-violet rays which are not read by your light meter. As a result your pictures are likely to be overexposed and you should compensate for this by setting your camera lens or using appropriate UV filters.
PLANNING YOUR TRIP This site is designed so you can get the best out of this unique continent. You select the modules that you want, but bear in mind that air schedules in some areas are not frequent, which may mean slight alterations to the proposed travel plans. If what you require is not covered on this site or you have your own ideas, please call your local travel agent or Destination Holidays for hints and ideas, as it is a good chance that we have been there and done it before and can offer the best advice for your situation.
BEFORE YOU GO Before you leave home be sure to photocopy airline tickets, passport identification pages, credit cards and other identification which are being taken with you. Leave one set at home with a relative/friend; and do the same with travellers cheques serial numbers. Leave a detailed itinerary of where to address mail and for those who may wish to get in touch with you. Pay current bills and arrange for payment of those falling due while you are away. Take security precautions to protect your home: advise the Post Office what to do with mail, cancel daily newspaper deliveries, turn off gas pilots, unplug TV and electrical appliances and possibly utilise a time switch on certain lights in the house. Leave some old washing on the line. Advise Police/Neighbourhood Watch and your insurance company.
MEALS Meals included are specified in the itineraries as follows:-
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Meals marked with asterisks (*) indicate meals in flight. All meals indicated are subject to change without notice. One of the better reasons for visiting South America are that continent's gastronomic qualities: contrary to popular perception, South America is not hot bubbly Mexican style food, your basic fare is steak, chips and salad. However, although regional dishes vary greatly from country to country, meals in better restaurants are based on international cuisine adapted to South American tastes. Dining here is an interesting adventure.
Remember the main meal of the day is usually lunch, and quite often dinner is not begun until late in the evening. When ordering drinks in a lot of these countries, locally produced whiskeys, rums and brandys in most areas are very good and about a quarter the price of their extremely expensive imported counterparts. Countries such as Argentina, Chile, Peru and Brazil have excellent national wines. Great beers are available and don't forget to try the local favourites in each country: Caiparinga in Brazil, Pisco Sours in Chile and Peru, Shoofly in Bolivia, and Aguardiente in Ecuador and Colombia, You won't forget the power of some of these in a hurry.
WHAT ABOUT TIPPING? You are visiting the America's (South and North) - two continents where tipping is a way of life. Waiter's chambermaids and others in the tourist/hospitality industry are paid minimum wages as it is expected their income will be subsidised by tips. It is normal practice to tip 10-15% in restaurants in the United States or Mexico. In most South American countries, the service charge is added to the bill; so it is only necessary to leave the small change, however, please check your bill prior to paying.
Note: In some countries in South America the price on the menu does not include a service fee of up to 16% or Government Taxes of up to 24%, so be prepared for the extra cost.
ELECTRICITY The current varies from country to country, so we suggest you obtain dual voltage hairdryers and shavers if you require them. Basically Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela have 110V AC whilst most others have 220V AC. However, always check before using any appliance. If unsure, set voltage to 240 and avoid burnouts.
SINGLES WISHING TO SHARE We will do our best to match single persons prepared to share with another tour member. However, if at 45 days prior to departure we are unable to find another person of the same sex wishing to share, you may be required to pay a single room supplement.
SECURITY A wise precaution is to carry a record of your passport number and the numbers of your travellers cheques, in some place quite apart from your tickets, documents and money. For a couple it is a good idea for each to carry the other's records.
As in most Third World countries where there is a large difference between the lifestyles of the rich and the poor, one tends to find the pickpocket syndrome prevalent; these precautions could avoid a lot of problems in case of loss or theft.
SHOPPING HINTS South America is a mecca for bargain hunters. Leather goods, gold and silver work and precious stones are perhaps the best buys. Bartering in large department stores is normally not acceptable, but one should certainly bargain in the smaller shops and stalls. Match the seller's ridiculously high price with your ridiculously low price and then haggle a compromise.
Peru and Bolivia are well known for Alpaca rugs, sweaters and blankets and handicrafts of all kinds, just as Ecuador and Guatemala are known for their colourful textiles. For these purchases you can use US dollars or local currency (often dollars will give you an advantage). Do not expect to use personal cheques; credit cards will only be accepted in larger cities and better stores.
AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAXES Apart from the mandatory Airport Taxes not already collected on ticket. In South America it is common for even domestic air sectors to impose Airport Departure Tax and some need to be paid locally for the airport departure tax, for both domestic and international departure. EG: Peru, Bolivia & some in Argentina to name a few. It is recommended that for this reason you hold on to some local currency prior to your flight, in most cases US dollars will also be accepted, however, you may not received the best exchange rate. If on a tour your local tour host should advise you upon arrival of the Departure Tax amount and to hold this aside for your departure, and in the currency required. JUNGLE VISITSThese warrant some special advice with regard to things to take. Wear long-sleeved light coloured clothing with athletic shoes and socks. Remember to tuck pants into socks. Take a plastic raincoat/poncho, swimming costume, binoculars, small flashlight, camera and dark glasses. During your visit to the jungle it is advisable to carry a small overnight bag having stored your big luggage at the hotel. Insect repellent will keep the bugs away and carrying your own favourite liquor will ensure that you have it in case it is not available at the lodge.
PHOTOGRAPHY Carry a good supply of film as it may not be available. The film and your camera should be inspected manually at security checks, as x-ray equipment may damage the film. At high altitudes, in the Andes, there are more ultra-violet rays which are not read by your light meter. As a result your pictures are likely to be overexposed and you should compensate for this by setting your camera lens or using appropriate UV filters.
PLANNING YOUR TRIP This site is designed so you can get the best out of this unique continent. You select the modules that you want, but bear in mind that air schedules in some areas are not frequent, which may mean slight alterations to the proposed travel plans. If what you require is not covered on this site or you have your own ideas, please call your local travel agent or Destination Holidays for hints and ideas, as it is a good chance that we have been there and done it before and can offer the best advice for your situation.
BEFORE YOU GO Before you leave home be sure to photocopy airline tickets, passport identification pages, credit cards and other identification which are being taken with you. Leave one set at home with a relative/friend; and do the same with travellers cheques serial numbers. Leave a detailed itinerary of where to address mail and for those who may wish to get in touch with you. Pay current bills and arrange for payment of those falling due while you are away. Take security precautions to protect your home: advise the Post Office what to do with mail, cancel daily newspaper deliveries, turn off gas pilots, unplug TV and electrical appliances and possibly utilise a time switch on certain lights in the house. Leave some old washing on the line. Advise Police/Neighbourhood Watch and your insurance company.