Security

Violent crime is a significant problem in a number of South American countries.  "Express kidnappings", where people are abducted and forced to withdraw money from ATMs, occur in many countries.  Illegal armed groups and criminals involved in drug-related activity have a presence in a range of South American countries, including Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela.  Drug cartels and criminal gangs also have a major presence across parts of Central America and violence associated with these groups can occur without warning.

Several Central American countries have very high levels of violent crime.  Honduras, El Salvador, Belize and Guatemala consistently have some of the highest homicide rates in the world.  Much of this violence is drug and gang-related and tourists and foreigners are rarely involved, although there is the potential to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Travellers are more likely to be affected by petty crime, which is common in most Central and South American countries.

Criminal and terrorist groups have in the past been linked with terrorist attacks, kidnapping and other serious violence.  Foreigners have been caught up in kidnappings and bombings in a number of Central and South American countries, most notably in Colombia and Peru.

Health

Medical facilities in Central and South America vary widely in quality. In large cities and tourist areas, clinics often provide high quality care for routine and emergency issues.  In smaller centres or rural areas access to supplies and a standard of medical care similar to New Zealand is likely to be more difficult to find. New Zealanders travelling or resident in Central or South America should hold a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes provision for medical evacuation by air.

A number of mosquito-borne illnesses, including Dengue fever, Chikungunya, Malaria and Zika virus, are common throughout parts of Central and South America. Travellers are advised to use insect repellent, wear protective clothing, and stay in lodgings where there are mosquito screens on windows and doors. The Ministry of Health website contains more advice on avoiding mosquito bites while travelling. 

In some South American countries, especially Peru and Ecuador, shamans and other individuals offer ‘spiritual cleansing’ rituals which involve serving Ayahuasca tea. This tea contains dimethyltryptamine (DMT), which is a hallucinogen. While not illegal, ayahuasca tourism is not regulated and consumption of the tea does present certain risks. Although deaths from ayahuasca remain uncommon, there have been reports of psychological damage, and assault, theft and rape of people under the influence.

Altitude sickness

The Andes mountain range is a prominent feature of South American geography and many parts of the continent are above 2500m. This includes some urban areas, such as Bogotá (2640m), Quito (2850m), Cuzco (3399) and La Paz (3690m). Additionally many tourist attractions, like Macchu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and Colca Canyon are found above this altitude. Travellers who ascend to altitudes greater than 2500m, especially if the ascent is rapid, are at risk of developing altitude sickness.

Altitude sickness can affect anyone, even those who are physically fit, and in certain circumstances can be life-threatening. Those more at risk may have had altitude sickness before, have health problems that affect their breathing or who exercise or drink alcohol before adjusting to the altitude. If you plan to travel to high altitude areas, you should consult your doctor prior to travel and get advice specific to your medical situation.

Local laws

A number of countries in South America are large producers of cocaine and other narcotics.  There are severe penalties for drug trafficking and you should make sure that you are aware of the contents of all of your bags, particularly when crossing international borders. You should also never agree to carry items or luggage for others or become involved in the trafficking of drugs of any kind.  Harsh penalties apply for those convicted of drug related crimes and the standard of prisons is very different to what you’d find in New Zealand and they are often very over crowded.  New Zealand does not have prisoner transfer agreements so if convicted you will have to serve your sentence in a foreign prison in difficult conditions.

Hurricane season

Each year the Caribbean region experiences hurricanes and these storms have the potential to create high winds, heavy rains and flooding, resulting in widespread damage to countries on the Caribbean coast.  The hurricane season normally runs from June to November and the risk level varies between countries, as well as from season to season. 

New Zealanders are advised to monitor local and international weather reports to keep up to date with developments. If you are staying in a hotel, you should follow the guidance of hotel management or your tour operator. Otherwise, heed any instructions issued by the local authorities. Do not go outdoors during a hurricane and remain well away from the sea.  For further information, including on the likely path of a hurricane, visit http://www.nhc.noaa.gov.

Do not travel

Destinations in Central/South America where we advise against all travel.

Colombia

Do not travel to the following departments and border areas due to high levels of criminal activity and the threat of kidnapping (level 4 of 4):

• cities of Buenaventura and Tumaco,
• the border areas with Ecuador (except the Santuario de las Lajas), Panama (ie the Darien Gap within Chocó, except the town of Capurgana) and Venezuela.

Ecuador

Do not travel within 20 kilometres of the border with Colombia, except for the official crossing town of Tulcan in the province of Carchi, due to the threat from kidnapping and organised and drug-related crime (level 4 of 4).

Do not travel to the northern provinces of Esmeraldas and Sucumbios due to the threat from kidnapping and organised and drug-related crime (level 4 of 4).

Do not travel to the following neighbourhoods in the city of Guayaquil due to crime: Durán, Monte Sinaí, Socio Vivienda, Entrada de la 8, El Fortín, Flor de Bastión, Ciudad de Dios and Paraíso de la Flor (level 4 of 4).

Honduras

Do not travel to Chamelecón, Choloma, and Cofradía in the department of Cortés, and the Department of Gracias a Dios due to high levels of violent crime (level 4 of 4).

Panama

Do not travel to the Darién Gap, south of the town of Yaviza, due to high levels of violent crime and the presence of drug traffickers and armed guerrilla forces. This includes the Darién National Park, nature reserves and tourist resorts (level 4 of 4).

Do not travel to the Mosquito Gulf, from Boca de Río Chiriquí to Coclé del Norte, due to high levels of crime, particularly drug and human trafficking (level 4 of 4).

Venezuela

Do not travel to Venezuela due to the unstable political and economic situation, ongoing high levels of violent crime, the potential for violent civil unrest, and shortages of food, medicine and other basic supplies (level 4 of 4).

There is a risk of kidnapping due to drug traffickers and illegal armed groups operating within 80 kilometres of the border with Colombia, particularly in the States of Zulia, Tachira and Apure.

Avoid non-essential travel

Destinations in Central/South America where we advise against tourist and other non-essential travel.

Belize

Avoid non-essential travel to the Southside of Belize City (south of Haulover Creek Canal) due to high levels of gang-related violence (level 3 of 4).

Colombia

Avoid non-essential travel to the following departments and cities due to the presence of illegal armed groups, and drug-related criminal activity (level 3 of 4):

• Arauca,
• Caquetá (except the city of Florencia),
• Casanare (except the city of Yopal),
• Cauca (except the city of Popayán),
• Chocó (except Quibdó, Nuquí and Bahía Solano, and Capurganá),
• Guainía,
• Guaviare,
• Meta (except Villavicencio and Caño Cristales),
• Nariño (except the city of Pasto and the Santuario de las Lajas),
• Norte de Santander,
• Putumayo,
• Vichada,
• Rural areas of northern Antioquia,
• southern Bolívar,
• southern Cordoba,
• the San Jorge and La Mojana subregions of Sucre, and
• Valle del Cauca (except Cali, Buga and Palmira). 

Ecuador

Avoid non-essential travel elsewhere in Guayaquil (except airside transit including travel to the Galapagos Islands) due to crime (level 3 of 4).

Guatemala

Avoid non-essential travel to the following areas due to violent crime (level 3 of 4):

• within 5km of the Mexican border from the Pacific Coast up to and including the Gracias a Dios crossing

• to the towns of Santa Ana Huista, San Antonio Huista and La Democracia in the department of Huehuetenangodue.

Peru

Avoid non-essential travel to within 20 kilometres of the border with Colombia and Ecuador due to the presence of drug traffickers, the occasional presence of armed guerrilla forces, and landmines. Avoid crossing the border with Colombia by land. (Level 3 of 4).

Avoid non-essential travel to the Valley of the Apurimac, Ene and Mantaro rivers (VRAEM) due to terrorism and crime (level 3 of 4).

Exercise increased caution

Destinations in Central/South America where we advise caution.

Argentina

Exercise increased caution in Rosario due to high levels of crime and violence (level 2 of 4).

Belize

Exercise increased caution in Belize due to violent crime (level 2 of 4).

Bolivia

Exercise increased caution in Bolivia due to the potential for civil unrest and violent crime (level 2 of 4).

Brazil

Exercise increased caution in Brazil due to high crime rates (level 2 of 4).

Chile

Exercise increased caution in Chile due to crime and the potential for violent civil unrest (level 2 of 4).

Colombia

Exercise increased caution elsewhere in Colombia due to violent crime and the threat of terrorism (level 2 of 4). 

Costa Rica

Exercise increased caution in Costa Rica due to violent crime (level 2 of 4).

Ecuador

Exercise increased caution elsewhere in Ecuador due to violent crime and civil unrest (level 2 of 4).

El Salvador

Exercise increased caution in El Salvador due to violent crime (level 2 of 4).

Guatemala

Exercise increased caution elsewhere in Guatemala due to violent crime and civil unrest (level 2 of 4).

Guyana

Exercise increased caution in Guyana due to high levels of crime (level 2 of 4).

Honduras

Exercise increased caution elsewhere in Honduras due to violent crime and the potential for civil unrest (level 2 of 4).

Nicaragua

Exercise increased caution in Nicaragua due to violent crime and potential for civil unrest (level 2 of 4).

Panama

Exercise increased caution elsewhere in Panama due to crime and the potential for civil unrest (level 2 of 4).

Peru

Exercise increased caution elsewhere in Peru due to violent crime (level 2 of 4).

Exercise normal safety and security precautions

Destinations in Central/South America where we advise normal.

Argentina

Exercise normal safety and security precautions in Argentina (level 1 of 4).