Mini Rough Guide to South America - Background

• How to get there
• Safety
• Dress code/behaviour
• What to eat
• Currency
• Wildlife

How to get there

• Flights to major South American cities are fairly accessible from most major international airports and daily flights are available with leading carriers such as BA and Air France. Discounted charter flights are also available to many popular South American destinations.
• Before booking any flight it is important to check all visa information and entry requirements and check for any travel advisories regarding the country you plan on visiting. It is also advisable to check that visa specification hasn't changed a few weeks before you leave by contacting the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). Log onto www.fco.gov.uk/travel or dial 0845 850 2829.

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Safety

• Due to the changing socio-political situations in many South American countries, the Foreign Office has advised against travelling to certain regions in South America.
• Your best bet is to bookmark the Foreign Office website and check it regularly for updates on the country you're planning to visit: www.fco.gov.uk/travel.
• If you choose to visit a country against the advice of the Foreign Office, it is essential that you check your insurance policy, as this could affect whether or not you are covered.
• Current safety concerns as of February 2007:
  (This is not an exhaustive list, rather a brief snapshot of some of the current safety risks. Contact the FCO for specific advice on the country you are visiting)
• Brazil: Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo have both seen an increase in gang related violent crime. A high level of caution is advised, especially on public transport. Travellers should monitor the media for any developments and once there, follow any local advice regarding areas to avoid.
  
• Argentina: The most common crimes involve distraction theft, bag snatching and armed robberies in the street, in taxis and in restaurants. Kidnappings and so-called 'express kidnappings' - short-term opportunistic abductions, aimed at extracting cash from the victim - do occur in Argentina and although tourists are not often targeted, you should remain aware at all times.
  
• Colombia: Politically-driven criminal violence is a serious problem in Colombia. There is a high risk of terrorism and kidnapping in Colombia and as of February 2007, the FCO advises against all travel to certain regions of the country.
  
• Venezuela: The incidence of street crime in Venezuela is high. There have been muggings and kidnappings by bogus taxi drivers and express kidnappings are on the increase. Penalties for handling illicit drugs are amongst the most severe in the Americas and the main incident for which British nationals require assistance from the British Consulate involves drug trafficking.
  
• Chile: Around 50,000 British nationals visit Chile every year and most visits are trouble-free. The main reason British nationals may require consular assistance is replacing lost or stolen passports. Pick-pocketing and other muggings are becoming increasingly popular.
  

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Dress code/behaviour

• When it comes to dress code and behaviour, you should probably do a bit of research on the location before you travel and once you get there, take your cues from the locals.
• In particularly conservative cultures, it's important that you don't flaunt your skin and that you are neat and clean - it's only respectful.
• Religion can also play an important role in what is expected in terms of dress code and behaviour:
  • Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion across the continent; however, Protestantism is growing steadily
  • Guyana and Suriname have significant Muslim communities
• In most parts of South America, casual dress (similar to what we wear in the UK) would be acceptable.
• Another key piece of advice is to go with the flow. Different cultures often have very different concepts of time, personal space and socially acceptable behaviour. You'll find it a lot less stressful - and a lot more enlightening - if you just chill out. Who knows? You may actually reassess your own ideas of what's 'normal' and realise that we're not that different after all.

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What to eat

• One of the best parts of any trip is sampling the local culinary specialities and travelling in South America is no exception.
• Thanks to South America's broad ethnic mix, its cuisine takes on African, American Indian, Asian and European influences.
• Bahia, Brazil, is especially well-known for its West African-influenced cuisine.
• Argentina and Chile are both becoming very well-known for their delicious wines and dedicated wine tours are available throughout these countries.
• If you're travelling through Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay or southern Chile or Brazil, perhaps you'll want to try a sip of Mate, a regional gourd cultivated for its drink.
• If you're still thirsty, why not try 'Pisco' - a liquor distilled from a grapevine produced in Peru and Chile (although there is a recurring dispute between this countries regarding its origins)
• Although it is encouraged to sample new and exciting dishes it is also important to keep yourself safe from harmful bacteria and diseases when eating out. Lots of travellers get diarrhoea from eating or drinking something contaminated. You can also get diseases like cholera, typhoid and hepatitis A from contaminated food and water. You can reduce the risk by taking these simple precautions from the Department of Health :
• Always wash your hands after going to the toilet and before handling food or eating.
• If you're not sure whether the water is safe, sterilise it by boiling it or using purification tablets, or use bottled water (preferably fizzy) instead. Always use clean water for washing food and cleaning your teeth as well as drinking.
• Avoid ice unless you're sure it's made from treated, chlorinated water. This includes ice used to keep food cool as well as ice in drinks.
• Make sure food has been freshly and thoroughly cooked and is still piping hot - avoid food that has been kept warm.
• Avoid uncooked food, unless you can peel or shell it yourself.
• Avoid food that is likely to have been exposed to flies.
• Avoid - or boil - unpasteurised milk.
• Fish and shellfish can be suspect in some countries. Uncooked shellfish, such as oysters, are especially risky.
• While you're on holiday, try to eat a healthy balanced diet. A healthy diet contains lots of fruit and vegetables; is based on starchy foods such as wholegrain bread, pasta and rice; and is low in fat (especially saturated fat), salt and sugar.

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Currency

• In January 2007, the Peruvian president called for a single South American Currency, as part of the South American Community of Nations. Until this becomes a reality, American dollars are widely accepted, as are credit and debit cards in most major cities.
• The following is a list of local currencies across South America (more info):
  • Argentina - Argentine Peso (ARS)
  • Bolivia - Bolivian Boliviano (BOB)
  • Brazil - Brazilian Real (BRL)
  • Chile & Easter Islands - Chilean Peso (CLP)
  • Colombia - Colombian Peso (COP)
  • Ecuador & the Galapagos - US Dollar (USD)
  • Falkland Islands - Falkland Islands Pound (FKP)
  • French Guiana
  • Guyana - Guyanese Dollar (GYD)
  • Paraguay - Paraguay Guarani (PYG)
  • Peru - Peruvian Nuevo Sol (PEN)
  • Suriname - Suriname Dollar (SRD)
  • Uruguay - Uruguayan Peso (UYU)
  • Venezuela - Venezuelan Bolivar (VEB)

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Wildlife

• Amazon jungle safaris are becoming increasingly popular and adventurous travellers can expect to see colourful birds like toucans and parrots, pink dolphins frolicking in the water and a green carpet of ferns under towering trees covered with orchids and bromeliads.
• To keep yourself safe on safari, it's important to remember to always listen to the tour guide and to never wander off by yourself. Don't forget: These animals aren't tame - they are potentially very dangerous!
• Central and South America have some of the world's most unique species of wildlife :
  • The meat-eating Amazon dolphin and the plant eating manatee both reside in the rivers of the Amazon.
  • Different species of fish, including the air-breathing lungfish, electric fish 'four-eyed' anableps and the piranha can also be found in the Amazon.
  • The Amazon Rain Forest is home to an incredible number of species of birds: In one valley alone, over 450 species of birds can be observed!
  • There are more unique insects in South America than anywhere else in the world.
  • There are more butterflies on this continent than on any other.
• The pantanal of southern Brazil and Paraguay is a huge swamp - a wildlife lover's prime destination.
• The jungles and rain forests of Amazonia and the Guianas host a tremendously varied wildlife. Various countries have established huge wildlife reserves to protect & conserve their wildlife populations.