Essential Checklist - 10 Things You Don't Want To Forget On Your Latin American Vacation

It’s time for your Latin America vacation! Perhaps you’ll be checking out turtles in Costa Rica, or trekking in Patagonia. However you’re spending your vacation, there’s some things that just have to be done. With the useful ten point checklist below, make sure that you’ve remembered to cover the essentials and try and get through the list as soon as possible to avoid any nasty last minute surprises!

[  ] Check the local news for any problems to avoid in your destination country
[  ] Purchase travel insurance that as a minimum covers cancellation, medical costs and repatriation
[  ] Check visa requirements for your destination and any additional paperwork that you may need
[  ] Get a credit or debit card with low overseas withdrawal rates - ask your bank for options
[  ] Purchase local currency in cash - buy a small amount to be covered when you first arrive
[  ] Check airline baggage rules and allowances to avoid big surcharges
[  ] Check vaccination requirements for your destination with your doctor or Travel Clinic
[  ] Purchase a portable phrasebook and learn a few key words before you leave
[  ] Confirm your flights two days before departure to ensure there have been no changes
[  ] Bring different forms of personal identification (and make sure you have copies)

Bonus tip - do your destination research!
Remember that you’ll get as much out of your vacation as you choose to put in. All the above are essentials that will help you avoid problems when you leave home but it doesn’t mean you’ll be any wiser about how to get the most out of your destination.

Check out a website with a good selection of country-specific travel tips, like Escaped to Latin America’s “Travel Info” or "Destinations" sections and put a bit of time into researching the history and customs of your tour destination. Latin America is an incredibly varied place - what works for you in Guatemala may not be very useful in Chile!

Are there any other useful ways that you can prepare for your Latin America vacation? Can you recommend any other good sources of information for vacationers heading to Latin America?

Author: Gary Sargent - Escaped to Peru / Escaped to Latin America

Traveling Checklist - 7 Things To Do Before A Vacation To Colombia

The tickets are booked; you’re finally going to Colombia! Who knows what lies in wait, but make sure you’ve done all those niggling preparations before you leave. Avoid that sinking feeling at the start of your vacation and use this useful checklist with tips to make sure you’ve got everything covered.

Vaccinations ( )
Colombia vaccination requirements may vary from person to person depending on age, allergies and other medical conditions so contact your doctor or travel clinic for the most up to date advice. If visiting the Colombian jungle you will also need a course of medication for malaria prophylaxis.

Visas ( )
Colombia visa requirements can, and do, change at short notice, so check with your National Government’s website after booking and then a couple of weeks before travelling to make sure nothing has changed.

Travel Insurance ( )
This should be included with your Colombia tour operator, but if you are travelling independently your best option is to visit an insurance comparison website to find the best deal that covers your destination and holiday requirements. Check the small print thoroughly to make sure you’ll be covered for all aspects of your holiday for the duration.

Local currency in cash ( )
It is a good idea to carry as many US dollars cash as your insurance limit will allow - it is easier to change into Colombian pesos than travelers checks and you will receive better rates of exchange. Small denominations are easier to change. Don’t get caught out by money changers, and write down or memorize a couple of simple conversions to make sure your transactions are in the right ball park and you aren’t getting ripped off.

Country safety ( )
Colombia is, contrary to popular myth, a very safe country. However, just as for anywhere in the world problems can happen, so stay informed up until your departure date by checking the US State Department or UK Foreign office websites.

Language preparation ( )
A few choice phrases will go a long way in Colombia to providing you with a unique travelling experience, so purchase a phrasebook and memorise a couple of phrases, attend a few weeks of language Spanish courses or search the Internet for a few suggestions.

Confirming your flights ( )
You’re almost ready to leave home, but don’t turn up to the airport without checking the flight to Colombia that you booked months ago! Changes happen all the time, and you can’t expect your airline to notify you. Make sure you call them 48 hours before departure to avoid a disappointed trip to the airport. If you’re travelling on various connecting flights, make sure you get confirmations for all flights to avoid being stranded mid-passage.

Done? Excellent! Pick up those suitcases and head out of the door, confident that you are prepared; next stop Colombia!

Author: Jon Clarke - Escaped to Latin America / Escaped to Peru