Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
are approached and feel uncomfortable, try to avoid
antagonizing the guy, but make it clear that you're
not interested (in Spanish “no estoy interesada” or
“não estou interessada” in Portuguese). It's sometimes
easier to invent a boyfriend or husband than to get
into a protracted dispute. Watch how the local
women behave and where they go, and never be
afraid to ask for help if you feel lost or threatened.
Solo women travellers should also avoid going to
remote locations alone, and if you go as part of an
organized visit, check the credentials of the tour
company. There are emergency numbers given in
individual chapters of this topic. However, if you are
attacked, you should not only get medical attention
and go to the regular police, but also contact the
tourist police and your country's embassy.
PRICES
At the beginning of each country chapter
you'll find a guide to “ rough costs ”,
including food, accommodation and travel.
These costs are quoted in US$ to make
comparison easy; within the chapter itself
prices are quoted in local currency. Note
that prices and exchange rates change all
the time, which may affect the accuracy of
those figures we have quoted.
and Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo in Brazil. For the
most part plug sockets are flat two-pin (as in the US),
but three-pin sockets are sometimes found. Your
best bet if visiting several countries is to travel with
a universal adaptor and make sure you check
appliances' compatibility before plugging them in to
South American sockets.
The South American attitude to safety may be
a little more lax than you are used to, and it is not
unusual to see plugs that obviously don't fit, forcibly
pushed into sockets. Take particular care with elect-
rical showers, common in the poorer countries.
Travel essentials
Costs
South America is not as cheap as it used to be, but,
if approached in the right way, you can still travel for
less here than you would on other continents. French
Guiana, Suriname, Argentina, Chile and Brazil are the
most expensive countries, with prices often compa-
rable to North America, Europe and Australia. Bolivia,
Peru and Ecuador still remain budget destinations
but the highlights such as the Galápagos Islands,
the Amazon jungle and mountain climbing can add
a lot of expense to the trip.
Gay and lesbian travellers
Rural, Catholic South America is not overly
welcoming towards homosexuality but there is
more acceptance in urban areas. Gay and lesbian
travellers would probably be safest following locals'
example - public displays of affection between two
men or two women could invite trouble on much
of the continent.
Things are generally easier in the big cities, though,
and there are a couple of major destinations where
anything goes. Brazil boasts most of them - Rio de
Janeiro, Salvador and São Paulo provide safe and
welcoming havens for any sexual orientation, as
do Buenos Aires and Santiago. If you are looking for
thumping nightlife and a very “out” scene, then these
cities are the best on the continent.
Electricity
The standard electrical current in most South
American countries is 220V, 50/60Hz. The main excep-
tions are Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela, where
a 110/120V, 50/60Hz current is used, and Suriname,
where 127V is standard. Some major tourist cities
also use a 110V, 50Hz current, at odds with the rest
of their country, including La Paz and Potosí in Bolivia
BUDGET TIPS
Take local transport, which means buses and colectivos instead of taxis or tourist shuttles.
Avoid the most touristy destinations. Get off the beaten track and you'll notice the price difference.
Eat and drink as the locals do. Eat street food from popular vendors and in restaurants
choose local staples over the tourist menu. Buy from stores and markets as opposed to
hostels or hotels.
You can make big savings on bottled water, which many hostels will refill for free or a small fee.
Be prepared to barter - bargaining can be fun. Don't be afraid to confront taxi drivers or
chancers who you suspect are trying to rip you off. However, don't be too ruthless - bargaining
over a few cents is not cool.
 
 
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