Search Results for Category: South America

Welcome to Peru!

Peru is a fascinating country which boasts both an ancient culture and a striking ambiance. The culture of Peru is one of the most diverse in South America, primarily ingrained in Amerindian and Spanish traditions. African, Asian, and European ethnic groups have influenced Peruvian culture. The ethnic diversity and rugged geography of Peru allowed diverse traditions and customs to coexist. Knowing Peru travel know-how, bear in mind the following Peru travel tips, travel taboo, dos and donts to save time, money and prevent hassles when travelling to Peru. 

Peru Travel Taboo

•  The import of raw ham from Italy and Portugal, and export of artistic or cultural articles, is prohibited.
• Calling someone over using an upward curled first finger in Peru is considered an insult.

Peru Travel Donts 

• Do not carry valuables around or wear expensive jewelry. Crime rates in the cities and villages of Peru are high.
• Do not use the words ‘indio or indios” to refer to natives. These words are considered derogatory.
• Do not go shirtless in Peru. Dress is usually informal, pants and a shirt are fine, but wearing several layers of clothing is always a good idea due to vary temperatures throughout the day.
• Do not drink the tap water, buy bottled water instead.
• Do not eat food from street to avoid becoming the victims of wretched stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhea and worse.
• Do not take pictures of people without their permission, especially when taking photos of indigenous tribes’ people.
• Do not take unlicensed taxis with a red and white taxi sign on the windscreen. Take licensed yellow taxis, especially for a woman travelling alone or at night! Taxis do not have meters and fares should be agreed before departure.
• Do not drive. Road travel in Peru can be hazardous, due to reckless driving and the poor condition of the roads. Traffic in Lima is hectic, unpredictable and drivers tend to be very aggressive.
• Do not be offended by the word “Gringo” (white) said to you in a decidedly derogatory manner while in Peru.
• Do not take ride at the airport. Be sure that the driver is legitimate and ask about rates before getting in the car.
• Do not be alarmed by armed guards. Whether you are in a bank, shopping district or airport, guns will be commonplace.  

Peru Travel Dos 

• Do learn a few words of Spanish before travelling.
• Do shake hands and kiss men and women once in the cheek for greeting.
• Do bring your own toilet paper, and expect to pay to use a restroom. Toilet paper is often not supplied in public restrooms in Peru.
• Do make copies of your travel documents and keep valuables at hotel safe always.
• Do exchange your currency at the airport if you want to save 5-20% or more fees.
• Do get immunizations for Typhoid Fever, Malaria, and Yellow Fever.
• Do have a credit card at hand to avoid the exorbitant fees for transferring money.
• Do carry an international phone card for emergency or unexpected incidents to contact home.
• Do pack light. Elevators and escalators are usually unavailable in Peru.
• Do expect smaller personal space in Peru, people get very close to you when talk to you.
• Do drink from the same glass. Drinking from the same glass for the locals in the mountains is a sign of friendship and trust.
• Do expect to pay higher price than locals. Your lack of Spanish or foreign accent will usually hike up the price, at least, a 15%.
• Do be a responsible traveler, be respectful to locals and local traditions, and protect the nature.

 © 2010 traveltaboo.com

Welcome to Chile!

 Chile is a beautiful country with rich culture, largely influenced by the European heritage. Chileans have remained relatively homogenous with predominance of the Spanish language and the strong influence of Roman Catholicism. The inhabitants of the country are a combination of both indigenous groups and Spanish. The natives are culturally rich and their culture and customs are officially protected by the Indigenous Peoples Law.  Chileans in general, are more formal than others in South America. They are usually well-educated and quite sophisticated. Courtesy and respect are the guiding principles of good etiquette. The following Chile travel tips, taboo, dos and donts will help you to have a safe and wonderful trip to Chile! 

Chile Travel Taboo 

Abortion is illegal.

Chile Travel Donts

• Do not say “no” in Chile. Chileans dislike saying “no,” particularly in business dealings. Diplomacy is essential.
• Do not be offended by Chileans asking personal questions. Be willing to devote a fair amount of time talking about family, friends and your background.
• Do not go empty-handed to anyone’s home. Gift-giving is a popular custom in all of Latin America. Do not give scissors or knives as a gift which indicates severing the relationship. Open a gift upon receipt. Gifts for children are greatly appreciated.
• Do not sit until told where to sit. Do not begin eating until the hostess invites everyone to start. Do not begin drinking until a toast has been made.
• Do not get upset if you’re called a “gringo”. Chileans tend to call all foreigners that.
• Do not photograph Native American people without permission.
• Do not beckon with the hand which is considered bad form. Yawns should be stifled or covered by the hand.
• Do not pour wine with the left hand while grasping the neck of the bottle which is a big no-no in Chile. 
• Do not hold your fist upright and level to your head which is considered a communist sign and should be avoided.
• Do not make a fist and slapping it against the other hand, or hold the hand as if holding a round object. Both would be misinterpreted as “screw you.”
• Do not be offended if a Chilean stands too close. Like other Latin Americans, Chileans tend to stand much closer to one another than in Europe and North America when conversing.  

Chile Travel Dos

• Do shake hands with eye contact. Handshaking is the customary form of greeting between men and sometimes embellished with a kiss on the right cheek for women.
• Do learn a few Spanish. Many Chileans do not speak English. Common greetings are: “Qui’ubo?”/What’s up?”, “Como esta?/How are you?”, “Gusto de verte/Nice to see you.” 
• Do dress neat and conservatively. Women will usually wear modest skirts or dresses and men will usually wear pants.
• Do be friendly and humble, behave conservatively whenever possible. Chileans by nature are friendly, they dislike arrogance.
• Do bring a gift of a bouquet of flowers or wine for the hostess when invited to a Chilean home, but do not give yellow roses which indicate disrespect, purple and black flowers which used for mourning.
• Do keep both hands above the table throughout the meal and finish everything on your plate. It is considered impolite to ask for or accept second helpings of food. 
• Do understand the habit of using two surnames in Chile. As in other Latin American countries, it is customary to give a child the family names of both parents, and the mother is also known officially retains her maiden name in addition to her husband’s name.
• Do develop personal relationship and understand the phenomenon importance of contacts. In Chile, as in most of Latin America, the personal relationships are the key to success.
• Do avoid talking politics and religion. Center on families, children, history and the arts. Easter Island is a very interesting subject for all. 
• Do tipping. It is customary to tip 10-15% in restaurants. A tip of 20 percent is customary in bars where service has not been added to the bill. 
• Do wear a hat and using sunscreen. Southern Chile lies in a significant ozone hole, the sun rays can be hazardous, also bring warm clothing and rain gear to the south, the weather here is very changeable.

© 2010 traveltaboo.com

Welcome to Colombia!

Colombia is South America’s second most populated country and houses 10% of the world’s biodiversity. After decades of civil conflict, Colombia is now safe to visit and travelers are discovering what they’ve been missing. The diversity of the country with its thrill natural beauty of beaches, coastal lands, mountains, riverbanks, museums, zoo, and botanical garden, as well as the most livable Columbia people will well astonish you, but the travelers should exercise vigilance at all times due to the level of violent crime. Although kidnapping and homicide rates in urban areas have dropped in recent years, they remain high.

Colombians are friendly and very easy going, Spanish style and culture can still be seen in parts of the country, although in Bogotá, North American attitudes and clothes are becoming prevalent. In darker days people used to say, ‘if only it weren’t for the violence and drugs, Colombia would be paradise.’ It is an easy country to fall in love with, but make sure you are aware of the following Colombia travel tips, dos and donts for your safe travel and life time experience in Colombia.

Colombia Travel Taboo

 Homosexuality is not widely accepted or understood, especially by older generations.

Colombia Travel Donts 

• Do not nude at the beaches or in public places. Woman should not walk without the top on the beach.
• Do not carry large amount of cash or expensive stuff in public that would tempt thieves. Put your wallet inside and purse close to your body.
• Do not stay out late at night by yourself and do not get drunk alone, you may wake up without your wallet.
• Do not wear expensive watches and jewellery.
• Do not show the slightest bit of interest in any of the hawkers selling goods on the streets because they’ll just follow you.
• Do not ever say a bad word about the Catholic religion or Colombia. The most Colombians are closely bound up with their identity. To criticize any aspect of Colombia is to criticize them.
• Do not be tempted or over do the drugs. For many travelers Colombia is the place to come and plug up their nostrils with cocaine and party until dawn, but that’s too dangerous.
• Do not use your two fingers to indicate length of something which is an obscene gesture.  Instead, extend your right arm and use your left hand to mark off distance.
• Do not make jokes about drugs or drug consumption. For Colombians it’s not a taboo to talk about this issue, but be sure to approach it as a serious conversation, not as a stereotyped joke.
• Do not whistle to get an attention which is considered rude.
• Do not buy jewellery from people on the street, as you are more likely to get the fake stuff.

 Colombia Travel Dos

• Do buy things from regular stores instead of the expensive specialty stores for tourists, where will charge you more.
•  Do negotiate the price before buying on the street and small stores. Shop more stores for the same item, the differences could be big.
• Do be watchful for thieves and other criminals. Do not trust anyone, not walking alone or be in dark, isolated places. Do not go to cities where you have to go through guerrilla zones.
• Do go to authorised money exchanger store, be careful that you get all the money you exchanged and some of it does not get back into their drawer.
• Do watch out when paying with credit card that they do not add more zeroes later. Do not leave spaces where they could add numbers, write the price in words too.
• Do be alert for fake taxi and be careful not let them take your luggage away.
• Do enjoy the kindness and hospitality of Colombians. It is customary to offer guests black Colombian coffee, well sugared, called tinto.
• Do wear casual clothes, but not shorts if you want to blend in. Formal attire is necessary for exclusive dining and social functions.
• Do be watchful of your surroundings when watch street activities. The street life in Colombia can be fascinating with all kinds of street acts and performances as people try to make a buck.
• Do avoid to talk about homosexuality, as it is not widely accepted or understood, especially by older generations. 

© 2010 traveltaboo.com

Welcome to Argentina!

Argentina, the “Land of Silver” is the second-largest country in South America with a mix of nice and open people of Italian, Spanish, or French decent and their customs and traditions are shaped by the cultures of all those countries. People there are generally very laid-back. The Buenos Aires, the capital, is one of the busiest and most elegant cities in the world which embraces the essence of all that is Argentina. Have an awesome time and wonderful trip to Argentina, but remember to respect the local culture and blend in. The following Argentina travel tips, taboo, dos and donts will help you with any possible culture shock. 

Argentina Travel Taboo

The inverted American “OK” sign is an obscene gesture that means screw you.   

Pouring wine with the left hand while grasping the neck of the bottle is a big no-no. 

Argentina Travel Donts

• Do not make the ‘OK’ sign or give a ‘thumbs up’, which are considered vulgar.
• Do not be offended by Argentines’ open, blunt and direct expressive communication style. That’s just the way they are!
• Do not be offended by Argentine humour which can sometimes be insulting, such as poking fun at your appearance, weight, or attire.
• Do not show up on time to someone’s house for a party in Argentina which is considered rude. Be there 30 to 60 minutes late or even 2 to 3 hours late is normal.
• Do not eat on the street or on public transportation.
• Do not head to a bar until 11.30 pm. The nightlife in Buenos Aires is considered to be among the best in the world.  It’s the city that never sleeps.
• Do not pour wine for others. There is a ritual associated with pouring wine in Argentina.
• Do not expect all banks to cash traveller’s checks. Cash them at your hotel.
• Do not talk about sensitive topics about their relationship with the USA, Brazil or Great Britain, which could evoke strong reactions. Nor discuss the politics or religion.
• Do not yawn which is considered rude. Try to cover your mouth at the very least.
• Do not extend the pinky and index finger while bending the middle and ring finger which means one’s wife is cheating on them.

Argentina Travel Dos

• Do expect a kiss on the cheek for greeting, which is typical greeting form in Argentina, even to a total stranger. The meeting ends with a kiss and a “ciao”.
• Do dress conservative and modest if you want to blend in. Argentina is a very fashion conscious country. Avoid flip-flops.
• Do expect a late dinner in Argentina.  People will usually have dinner at 9pm or 10pm.
• Do tip 10% at restaurants and one peso per bag to hotel porters.
• Do bring a gift for your hosts, such as flowers, candy, pastries, chocolate, or imported liquor. If receive a gift, open it right away and show your gratitude.
• Do show up between thirty to sixty minutes late if invited to a party.  Showing up on time is considered impolite!
• Do try yerba mate, which is a national drink and a cultural ritual as well. The mate is passed clockwise and shared as a sign of friendship and acceptance.
• Do have a coffee at the famous Cafe Tortoni in Buenos Aires which is patronized by celebrities since 1858.
• Do learn to dance the tango or at least watch others dance it. Dress nicely, no jeans, sneakers, or other casual attire.
• Do carry enough one and five-peso notes, as few stores have change for bills over 20, as one and five cent pieces are not in circulation, and taxis never have change for anything over a 10.
• Do go to the post office to mail letters or postcards, not the mail box. And do not mail things that are important as the Argentine postal service is unreliable.
   

© 2010 traveltaboo.com

Welcome to Brazil!

Brazil is the 5th largest and 5th most populous country in the world. Great forest, beaches, carnival, warm people, great cities with everything from slums to high technology, an awesome mixture of cultures and races, making Brazil one of the best travel destination choices. However, petty crime is a fact of life in metropolitan areas. Rio in particular is regarded as one of the most crime-ridden cities in the world.

Gather some information about Brazil before you leave, inquire about the safety of the areas you are about to visit are crucial. Like any other places Brazil has rules to follow, have an awesome time while on your trip but remember to respect the local culture in Brazil to keep out of trouble. For yourself and local people’s sake, bear in mind the following Brazil travel tips of dos and donts to ensure a safer, unforgettable Brazilian adventure.

Brazil Travel Taboo

The inverted American “OK” sign is an obscene gesture.

Brazil donts

• Do not ever bring excessive valuables and show it to public. Leave your necklaces, rings, expensive watches, bracelets, and other jewelries in a safe place as much as possible.
• Do not carry money and credit card for pickpocketers attack. Take just enough cash for the day as well as a Credit Card with you, and try to keep everything in your front pocket. Leave the rest in you hotel safe box.
• Do not eat street foods, drink only bottled water. Do not handle any animals.
• Do not bring any strangers you meet outside to your hotel room. The easiest way to become a victim of theft or violence is to take someone you do not know back to your room.
• Do not take public transportation. Take taxi instead of busses, and make sure the taxi driver turns the meter on. Bring money pouches strap around your neck. If you are driving, always keep the door locked.
• Do not walk around with your camcorder or your camera swinging from your limp hand. Wear shoulder straps. If you bring along expensive cameras or camcorders, consider an insurance plan.
• Do not do anything you would not do back home. You will not be tolerated if you breach the law.
• Do not leave your drink unattended at the bar or accept drinks from strangers.
• Do not make the ok sign with your hand which is considered a very rude gesture in Brazil. So unless you really want to make someone angry, avoid it!

Brazil dos

• Do dress down and conceal cameras, and avoid wearing jewellery and expensive watches.
• Do purchase the option of a safety deposit box, and do deposit valuables in hotel safes.
• Do aware of unofficial taxis and those with blacked-out windows and be particularly careful on public transport in Rio, Recife and Salvador, particularly at night.
• Do purchase the optional travel insurance. It is better to be safe than sorry.
• Do try to learn some Portuguese as you can, which will make your vacation more memorable. Although you can survive with English in large cities, most people living in rural areas would not be able to understand you.
• Do shake hands for man, while women tend to kiss each other in greeting. Greetings are carried out with handshakes accompanied with touching of the forearm, elbows, and pats on the back.
• Do avoid dark and isolated places especially if you are alone. Where you do not see a single soul at night, such as the Flamengo Park or the Financial District, also, avoid going to the beach in the middle of night by yourself. Do not wander off by yourself. Anywhere around the mountains or hills should be avoided.
• Do carry only the basics to avoid the eyes of petty criminals. Keep anything valuable (cash, credit cards, passport, etc.) inside your safety deposit box.
• Do keep a map, and don’t let anyone know you are lost if you’re ever caught in such a situation.
• Do keep pursues close to your body. Watch out street kids, although they look cute and innocent, they are some of Rio’s most elusive pickpocketers.
• Do bring long pants, long-sleeved shirt, eyeglasses, cap or hat to avoid mosquito bites. Do bring insect repellant for illnesses from dengue, leishmaniasis, and malaria. If you are planning to stay out overnight, do bring mosquito nets, insect sprays, and necessary prescription medications.
• Do act the same way as Brazilians in beach. Brazilian beachwear tends to be brief, but topless sunbathing tends to be foreigners act rather than the Brazilians. Brazilian males tend to wear Speedos or the equally figure-hugging hot pants so do the same if you want to fit in.

© 2010 traveltaboo.com