Welcome to Austral Tours latinamerica.co.uk Specialists in travel to Latin America

For additional information and tour quotes for travelling to Latin America please contact us on info@latinamerica.co.uk

You will be advised at the time of booking as to the health requirements for your specific itinerary and some precautions, such as those against malaria and yellow fever if travelling to a jungle region, will be recommended. In all cases you should seek professional advice from your doctor well in advance of your intended date of travel and carry medical insurance. Below you will have some general information on what is currently recommended for travelling to the countries that we feature. These recommendations are not complete and you should seek advice from your GP/Doctor for any mandatory or recommended health requirements for travelling to the places in your itinerary. Additional information can also be found on the Department of Health website at www.doh.gov.uk and also at the following NHS website www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk

Always discuss your travel plans with a healthcare professional when travelling to areas in which a yellow fever vaccine is mandatory or recommended as this vaccine is not suitable for everyone (ie pregnant travellers and those with impaired immune systems). Similarly for other vaccinations.

We also recommend that you check the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office for travel safety advice.

Argentina
There are no mandatory health requirements for visitors to Argentina. Please ensure that primary courses and boosters are up to date as recommended for life in Britain. Courses or boosters usually advised include Tetanus and Hepatitis A. The risk of malaria is small and is confined to rural areas along the borders with Bolivia and with Paraguay. In these areas malaria precautions are essential (please check with your doctor about suitable antimalarial tablets). Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents and when necessary sleeping under a mosquito net.

The Ministry of Health for Argentina have extended their recommendations for yellow fever vaccination. Due to ongoing outbreaks in humans being reported in Brazil and Paraguay and monkey cases being reported in Argentina, vaccination is now being recommended for all travellers over the age of 9 months to the regions of Argentina bordering Paraguay and Brazil in the provinces of Chaco, Corrientes, Formosa, Jujuy, Salta and all areas of Misiones including Iguazu Falls.

Water is drinkable in Buenos Aires and in the South but for the North we recommend that you only drink bottled water or drinks and that you only eat cooked food. Only fruit that can be peeled should be eaten.

Acclimatisation: please note that some people might be affected by 'puna' or altitude sickness when travelling at high altitudes. This is characterised by a heavy headache and difficulties in breathing. If travelling to high altitude, we recommend that you take a couple of hours to adapt to the environment, rest, take plenty of fluids, do not smoke and do not drink alcoholic beverages. We also suggest that you check your blood pressure before travelling and that you check with your doctor for any recommendations/advice.

Bolivia
There are no mandatory health requirements for visitors to Bolivia unless arriving from areas with risk of yellow fever transmission in which case a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is mandatory. Please ensure that primary courses and boosters are up to date as recommended for life in Britain. Courses or boosters usually advised include Tetanus, Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Yellow Fever (east of the Andes such as the departments of Beni, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz and the sub-tropical part of La Paz Department). Other vaccines sometimes advised are Hepatitis B, rabies, diphtheria and tuberculosis.

The risk of malaria exists throughout the year in the whole country below 2500 metres above sea level. Most malaria risk occurs in Santa Cruz and in the Northern departments of Beni and Pando, especially in the localities of Guayaramerin and Riberalta. In these areas malaria precautions are essential (please check with your doctor about suitable antimalarial tablets). Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents and when necessary sleeping under a mosquito net.

Water is not potable throughout Bolivia. We recommend that you only drink bottled water or drinks and that you only eat cooked food. Only fruit that can be peeled should be eaten.

Acclimatisation: please note that some people might be affected by 'puna' or altitude sickness when travelling at high altitudes. This is characterised by a heavy headache and difficulties in breathing. If travelling to high altitude, we recommend that you take a couple of hours to adapt to the environment, rest, take plenty of fluids, do not smoke and do not drink alcoholic beverages. We also suggest that you check your blood pressure before travelling and that you check with your doctor for any recommendations/advice.

Brazil
There are no mandatory health requirements for visitors to Brazil unless travelling to the Amazon in which case a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is mandatory. This is also the case if you are arriving from areas with risk of yellow fever transmission. Please ensure that primary courses and boosters are up to date as recommended for life in Britain. Courses or boosters usually advised include Diphtheria, Tetanus, Hepatitis A and Yellow Fever (mainly for Western and Amazonian area, the Pantanal and for Iguacu Falls). Other vaccines sometimes advised are Typhoid, Hepatitis B, rabies and tuberculosis.

A risk of serious malaria is present throughout the year in forested areas below 900 metres within the nine states of Amazonia (Acre, Amapa, Amazonas, Maranhhao (west), Mato Grosso (north), Para (except Belém City on the coast), Rondonia, Roraima and Tocantins). Transmission is high in rain forest areas and occurs less commonly in urban areas in Amazonia such as Porto Velho, Boa Vista, Macapa, Manaus, Maraba, Rio Branco and Santarem. There is usually only minimal risk in the tourist resort of Iguaçu Falls but those exploring outside the resort itself into rural or jungle areas, especially into Paraguay, should consider antimalarial tablets. There is a risk for those going on cruises up the Amazon, especially as boats enter populated parts of the rain forest where infected mosquitoes may be taken on board. Most cruises up the Amazon river end up/or start at the city of Manaus where there is a risk of malaria. Risk is minimal in all states outside Amazonia including the populated eastern coast from Fortazela south to Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.

For the areas in which there is a risk of malaria, precautions are essential (please check with your doctor about suitable antimalarial tablets). Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents and when necessary sleeping under a mosquito net.

Outbreaks of dengue are common in some areas and often occur after the rainy seasons where mosquitoes breed more actively. It causes a feverish illness with headache and muscle pains like a bad, prolonged, attack of influenza.

Water is not potable throughout Brazil. We recommend that you only drink bottled water or drinks and that you only eat cooked food. Only fruit that can be peeled should be eaten.

Chile
There are no mandatory health requirements for visitors to Chile. Please ensure that primary courses and boosters are up to date as recommended for life in Britain. Courses or boosters usually advised include Tetanus and Hepatitis A. Additional vaccines sometimes advised include Typhoid, rabies, Hepatitis B and diphtheria. Please note that a Yellow Fever Certificate is required if entering from an endemic area and travelling to Easter Island.

Water is not potable around the area of San Pedro de Atacama.

Acclimatisation: please note that some people might be affected by 'puna' or altitude sickness when travelling at high altitudes. This is characterised by a heavy headache and difficulties in breathing. If travelling to high altitude, we recommend that you take a couple of hours to adapt to the environment, rest, take plenty of fluids, do not smoke and do not drink alcoholic beverages. We also suggest that you check your blood pressure before travelling and that you check with your doctor for any recommendations/advice.

Colombia
There are no mandatory health requirements for visitors to Colombia. Please ensure that primary courses and boosters are up to date as recommended for life in Britain. Courses or boosters usually advised include Tetanus, Hepatitis A and Yellow Fever. Additional vaccines sometimes advised include Typhoid, rabies, Hepatitis B, tuberculosis, cholera and diphtheria. Vaccination is recommended for travellers who may visit the following areas considered to be endemic for yellow fever: middle valley of the Magdalena river, eastern and western foothills of the Cordillera Oriental from the frontier with Ecuador to that with Venezuela, Uraba, foothills of the Sierra Nevada, eastern plains (Orinoquia) and Amazonia.

There is a substantial risk of malaria throughout the year in the inland rain forest parts of the Amazon basin, along the border with Panama and along the Pacific coast. Transmission intensity varies but the highest risk in the Amazonas, Antoquia, Arauca, Chocó, Córdoba, Guaviare, Meta, Nariño, Putumayo, Valle del Cauca and Vichada 'departments'. The risk is minimal in and around the capital Bogotá and in other areas above 800 metres but may be present in the mountain valleys.

For the areas in which there is a risk of malaria, precautions are essential (please check with your doctor about suitable antimalarial tablets). Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents and when necessary sleeping under a mosquito net.

Water is not potable throughout Colombia. We recommend that you only drink bottled water or drinks and that you only eat cooked food. Only fruit that can be peeled should be eaten.

Acclimatisation: please note that some people might be affected by 'puna' or altitude sickness when travelling at high altitudes. This is characterised by a heavy headache and difficulties in breathing. If travelling to high altitude, we recommend that you take a couple of hours to adapt to the environment, rest, take plenty of fluids, do not smoke and do not drink alcoholic beverages. We also suggest that you check your blood pressure before travelling and that you check with your doctor for any recommendations/advice.

Costa Rica
A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers coming from areas with risk of yellow fever transmission. Please ensure that primary courses and boosters are up to date as recommended for life in Britain. Courses or boosters usually advised include Tetanus and Hepatitis A. Additional vaccines sometimes advised include Typhoid, Hepatitis B, rabies and diphtheria.

There is a variable malaria risk in Limón Province. Low risk in the northern canton of Pococci and the city of Limón. Low to no risk in all other parts of the country. For the areas in which there is a risk of malaria, precautions are essential (please check with your doctor about suitable antimalarial tablets). Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents and when necessary sleeping under a mosquito net.

The Costa Rican Ministry of Health has announced that travellers entering Costa Rica from the following countries will now require to have an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis documenting vaccination against yellow fever.

Africa: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo (DRC), Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan. America Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guyana, Peru, Venezuela.

Tap water is normally drinkable except outside the main cities where water sterilisation or bottled water is advisable.

Ecuador
A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers coming from areas with risk of yellow fever transmission. Please ensure that primary courses and boosters are up to date as recommended for life in Britain. Courses or boosters usually advised include Diphtheria, Tetanus, Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Yellow Fever.. Additional vaccines sometimes advised include Rabies, Hepatitis B and Tuberculosis.

Malaria is widespread throughout the year below 1500 metres, particularly in smaller towns and rural areas in the north and east of the country. Serious malaria occurs to the east of the Andes in the Napo and Pastaza river valleys and also to the west of the Andes in the river plains of Esmeraldas and neighbouring Manabi provinces. There is very low to no risk in Guayaquil, Quito or Galapagos Islands.

For the areas in which there is a risk of malaria, precautions are essential (please check with your doctor about suitable antimalarial tablets). Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents and when necessary sleeping under a mosquito net.

Water is not potable throughout Ecuador & Galapagos. We recommend that you only drink bottled water or drinks and that you only eat cooked food. Only fruit that can be peeled should be eaten.

Acclimatisation: please note that some people might be affected by 'puna' or altitude sickness when travelling at high altitudes. This is characterised by a heavy headache and difficulties in breathing. If travelling to high altitude, we recommend that you take a couple of hours to adapt to the environment, rest, take plenty of fluids, do not smoke and do not drink alcoholic beverages. We also suggest that you check your blood pressure before travelling and that you check with your doctor for any recommendations/advice.

Falkland Islands/Malvinas
No vaccine certificate required but yellow fever vaccination certificatemay be required if landing in Africa en route.

Guatemala
There are no mandatory health requirements for visitors to Guatemala unless arriving from areas with risk of yellow fever transmission in which case a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is mandatory. Please ensure that primary courses and boosters are up to date as recommended for life in Britain. Courses or boosters usually advised include Tetanus and Hepatitis A. Additional vaccines sometimes advised include Typhoid, rabies, Hepatitis B, tuberculosis, cholera and diphtheria.

Malaria risk is mainly of the benign form and is present in throughout the country in areas below 1500 metres. There is a higher risk in the northern and western regions of Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chiquimala, Escuintla, Huehuetenango, Izabal, Petén, Quiché (Ixcan) and Retalhuleu.

For the areas in which there is a risk of malaria, precautions are essential (please check with your doctor about suitable antimalarial tablets). Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents and when necessary sleeping under a mosquito net.

Water is not potable throughout Guatemala. We recommend that you only drink bottled water or drinks and that you only eat cooked food. Only fruit that can be peeled should be eaten.

Acclimatisation: please note that some people might be affected by 'puna' or altitude sickness when travelling at high altitudes. This is characterised by a heavy headache and difficulties in breathing. If travelling to high altitude, we recommend that you take a couple of hours to adapt to the environment, rest, take plenty of fluids, do not smoke and do not drink alcoholic beverages. We also suggest that you check your blood pressure before travelling and that you check with your doctor for any recommendations/advice.

Guyana
There are no mandatory health requirements for visitors to Guyana unless arriving from areas with risk of yellow fever transmission in which case a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is mandatory. Please ensure that primary courses and boosters are up to date as recommended for life in Britain. Courses or boosters usually advised include Tetanus, Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Yellow Fever. Additional vaccines sometimes advised include rabies, Hepatitis B, tuberculosis and diphtheria.

Malaria risk is high in all areas below 900 metres, particularly rural areas in the interior of the country. The risk is low in coastal cities, including the capital Georgetown.

For the areas in which there is a risk of malaria, precautions are essential (please check with your doctor about suitable antimalarial tablets). Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents and when necessary sleeping under a mosquito net.

Water is not potable throughout Guyana. We recommend that you only drink bottled water or drinks and that you only eat cooked food. Only fruit that can be peeled should be eaten.

Mexico
There are no mandatory health requirements for visitors to Mexico. Please ensure that primary courses and boosters are up to date as recommended for life in Britain. Courses or boosters usually advised include Tetanus, Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Additional vaccines sometimes advised include rabies, Hepatitis B and diphtheria.

There is a malaria risk in rural areas of some southern states bordering Guatemala and Belize. In the rest of the country there is a low to no risk, including along the United States and Mexico border and along the Pacific and Gulf coastlines.

For the areas in which there is a risk of malaria, precautions are essential (please check with your doctor about suitable antimalarial tablets). Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents and when necessary sleeping under a mosquito net.

Acclimatisation: please note that some people might be affected by 'puna' or altitude sickness when travelling at high altitudes. This is characterised by a heavy headache and difficulties in breathing. If travelling to high altitude, we recommend that you take a couple of hours to adapt to the environment, rest, take plenty of fluids, do not smoke and do not drink alcoholic beverages. We also suggest that you check your blood pressure before travelling and that you check with your doctor for any recommendations/advice.

Paraguay
There are no mandatory health requirements for visitors to Paraguay unless arriving from areas with risk of yellow fever transmission in which case a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is mandatory. On the basis of yellow fever cases currently being reported in Paraguay and the vaccination campaign underway amongst the local population, vaccination recommendations have been expanded. Until further notice, yellow fever vaccination is recommended for all travellers aged 9 months and over visiting any area of Paraguay.

Please ensure that primary courses and boosters are up to date as recommended for life in Britain. Courses or boosters usually advised include Tetanus, Hepatitis A and Yellow Fever. Additional vaccines sometimes advised include rabies, Hepatitis B, tuberculosis, Typhoid and diphtheria.

There is a risk mainly from benign malaria in the Alto Parana, Caaguazu and Canendiyu departments (along the south eastern border with Brazil) and the risk is greater in rural and jungle areas.

For the areas in which there is a risk of malaria, precautions are essential (please check with your doctor about suitable antimalarial tablets). Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents and when necessary sleeping under a mosquito net.

Water is not potable throughout Paraguay. We recommend that you only drink bottled water or drinks and that you only eat cooked food. Only fruit that can be peeled should be eaten.

Peru
There are no mandatory health requirements for visitors to Peru unless travelling to the jungle and areas East of the Andes below 2300 metres or arriving from areas with risk of yellow fever transmission in which case a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is mandatory. Please ensure that primary courses and boosters are up to date as recommended for life in Britain. Courses or boosters usually advised include Tetanus, Typhoid and Hepatitis A. Additional vaccines sometimes advised include rabies, Hepatitis B, tuberculosis, cholera and diphtheria.

The malaria risk is high in the north and east of the country, in some states along the Amazon river tributaries. There is variable risk in other low-lying areas below 2000m. The risk along the Pacific coast to the west of the Andes is very small except in the plains in the far north of the country. There is virtually no risk at high altitude in the Andes - this includes the Inca trail routes taken by trekkers to Cuzco, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca.

For the areas in which there is a risk of malaria, precautions are essential (please check with your doctor about suitable antimalarial tablets). Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents and when necessary sleeping under a mosquito net.

Water is not potable throughout Peru. We recommend that you only drink bottled water or drinks and that you only eat cooked food. Only fruit that can be peeled should be eaten.

Acclimatisation: please note that some people might be affected by 'puna' or altitude sickness when travelling at high altitudes. This is characterised by a heavy headache and difficulties in breathing. If travelling to high altitude, we recommend that you take a couple of hours to adapt to the environment, rest, take plenty of fluids, do not smoke and do not drink alcoholic beverages. We also suggest that you check your blood pressure before travelling and that you check with your doctor for any recommendations/advice.

Uruguay
There are no mandatory health requirements for visitors to Uruguay unless arriving from areas with risk of yellow fever transmission in which case a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is mandatory. Please ensure that primary courses and boosters are up to date as recommended for life in Britain. Courses or boosters usually advised include Tetanus and Hepatitis A. Additional vaccines sometimes advised include Hepatitis B and diphtheria. Although Uruguay has been declared rabies free, please note that the country borders with Argentina and Brazil where rabies is considered a risk. Animal or bat bites should always be assessed carefully.

Water is usually potable in Uruguay.

Austral Tours Ltd: 20 Upper Tachbrook Street
London SW1V 1SH - United Kingdom
Tel. +44(0)20-7233 5384 / Fax +44(0)20-7233 5385
Email: info@latinamerica.co.uk

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