Argentina Travel Planner First

Argentina Travel Planner  You are here: About > Travel > South America for Visitors Travel Go South America Essentials Plan Your First Trip to South America Photo Gallery Travel Features - Countries and Culture News and Current Events Reader Participation Requested Articles & Resources Most Popular Destinations Countries and Territories Plan Your Trip Getting There Culture Events, Fiestas, Holidays Languages Geography News & Current Events History Archaeology Sports and Recreation Wildlife / Conservation Guides and Gear Cuisine Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Guide and Travel Books History and Culture Books Cookbooks Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the South America for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses   Search South America for Visitors click for more images Cerro Aconcagua Aconcagua.com Stay up to date! click for more images Cerro Aconcagua Aconcagua.com Email to a friend Print this page Suggested Reading Argentina Reservation Help Recent Discussions Great Vegas Site, Great Discounts Great Vegas Site, Great Discounts Help..traveling to South America..... Most Popular All Stars 9 Empanada Iguazu Falls Pictures of Chile South America Photo Gallery What's Hot Cola de Mono - Monkey's Tail Cuzco Pisco Sour Chilean Style Falkland Islands Photos Virtual Tour Related Topics Caribbean for Visitors Mexico / Central America for Visitors Spanish Language Adventure Travel Budget Travel Argentina Travel Planner First Time Visitor Travel Help From Bonnie Hamre , Your Guide to South America for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Geography of Argentina:   "Second in South America only to Brazil in size and population, Argentina is a plain,rising from the Atlantic to the Chilean border and the towering Andes peaks.Aconcagua (23,034 ft.; 7,021 m) is thehighest peak in the world outside Asia.Argentina is also bordered by Bolivia andParaguay on the north, and by Uruguayand Brazil on the east. The northern areais the swampy and partly wooded GranChaco, bordering on Bolivia andParaguay. South of that are the rolling, fertile Pampas, which are rich in agriculture and sheep- and cattle-grazing and support most of the population. Nextsouthward is Patagonia, a region of cool,arid steppes with some wooded and fertilesections." Comments from InfoPlease.com. General Information:   Art and Culture Touring Practical Information Commentaries and Travelogues Holidays History Geography Getting Around Pictures of Argentina Fact Page Major Cities:   Cities of Argentina Map Cities of Argentina - including Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Mendoza, Bariloche and other citues Major Attractions:   Attractions of Argentina - including Iguazu Falls, Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, Nahuel Huapi National Park and more Travel Articles About Argentina Regions of Argentina:   Chaco Cuyo and the Andean Northwest Mesopotamia and the Northeast Pampas Patagonia and the Lake District Tierra del Fuego Getting There and Staying in Argentina:   Compare and select flights from your area. You can also browse for hotels and car rentals.Whenever, or wherever you go in Argentina, tells us about it. Post a "trip report" in the forum. Buen Viaje!        Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Cola de Mono - Monkey's Tail Cuzco Pisco Sour Chilean Style Falkland Islands Photos Virtual Tour

Central America Travel

Guatemala Central America - Travel Tourism Vacation Information  You are here: About > Travel > Mexico / Central America for Visitors > Guatemala > Guatemala Central America - Travel Tourism Vacation Information Travel Go Mexico Essentials Packing List for Travelers to Mexico Health Information Mexico / C. America Safety Considerations Travel Books Mexico and Central America Tourism Offices Mexico/ Central America Articles & Resources Mexico Mexico City Acapulco, Mexico Cancun Yucatan Baja Los Cabos Puerto Vallarta Other Places Photos of Mexico Belize, Central America Costa Rica El Salvador Guatemala Honduras Nicaragua Panama Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Mexico / Central America for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Mexico / Central America for Visitors Map image - Courtesy of CIA Stay up to date! Map image - Courtesy of CIA Email to a friend Print this page Explore More of Guatemala Guatemala Travel Links Guatemala Hotels Guatemala Travel Reservations Recent Discussions Travelling to Central/South America? Multi-Destination Flights Sport Fishing Charters Most Popular Mexican Music La Paz, Mexico Quinceanera Packing List Tijuana, Mexico What's Hot Buying Real Estate in Mexico Puerto Vallarta Cozumel, Mexico Whale Watching Fishing In Mexico Related Topics California for Visitors South America for Visitors Caribbean for Visitors Mexican Cuisine Guatemala, South America From Apply Now , Your Guide to Mexico / Central America for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Guatemala is the northernmost country in Central America. It borders on the Caribbean Sea, between Honduras and Belize, and also borders on the Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico. It has a territory of about 42,000 square miles (slightly smaller than Tennessee) and a population of about 13 million people, the majority of which are Mestizo (Amerindian or mixed Amerindian-Spanish). The official language is Spanish, but many indigenous languages are also spoken. The country enjoys a warm climate throughout the year, with an average temperature above 20 degrees C (75 degrees F). Guatemala is a small country, but it has much to offer visitors. It is a natural paradise offering some truly breathtaking scenery of mountains, lakes, volcanoes and flora and fauna. It has a number of very beautiful tropical volcanic beaches on the Pacific Ocean, and some large coral reefs on the Caribbean side. Guatemala ranks very high in biological diversity, and has numerous tropical low rainforests and mountain cloud forests. Guatemala also has some of the largest and most fascinating Mayan ruins found anywhere in Latin America, together with a friendly, Mayan population with their culture and traditions. Below are some popular venues in Guatemala for visitors: Antigua This beautiful 16th-century city was founded in the early 16th century by the Spaniards. Built 1,500 meters above sea-level in the highlands of Guatemala, it was largely destroyed by an earthquake in 1773, but many of the original monuments are still preserved as ruins. Antigua has some of the most gorgeous Spanish-style colonial architecture found anywhere. Its cobblestone streets, built in the 16th century lead you past dozens of great restaurants, flowered courtyards, and the preserved ruins of numerous churches, monasteries and other structures. Antigua's natural setting is spectacular, with several majestic volcanoes surrounding the city on all sides. The Colonial Museum, located in a building which at one time housed the third university founded on the American continent, is well worth visiting for its vast collection of colonial art. Tikal Tikal, at one time the largest Mayan city in the world, is now a world famous site of Mayan ruins. The ancient Maya began constructing Tikal around 550 B.C., and for many centuries thereafter the city was an important religious, and political center. Today, the largest number of Mayan ruins in the world are to be found in Tikal. The ruins, extending over six square miles, include temples, pyramids, terraces, palaces, ceremonial platforms, plazas, steam baths, and other stone structures. It is estimated that only about 30% of the ruins have been excavated - the remaining 70% lie buried underground. Visitors can visit the Tikal site by taking a short flight from Guatemala City to the rain forest area where Tikal is located. Lake Atitlan Lake Atitlan, which is of volcanic origin, is located about 90 miles from Guatemala City, in the mountainous province of Solola, in the Guatemalan highlands. Aldous Huxley once called this lake "the most beautiful in the world", and many would agree with this statement. The lake is located about 5,000 feet above sea level, has a depth of over 1,500 feet and covers an area of about 50 square miles. It is the deepest lake in Central America. The water of the lake, usually crystal clear and a vivid blue, changes in color as the light varies. The lake is set against a dramatic backdrop of three spectacular 10,000-foot volcanoes - Toliman, Atitlan and San Pedro. Lake Atitlan is a is a great venue for a wide variety of water sports, including swimming, diving, water skiing, hang gliding and boating. It is also a great place for fishing, as the lake is home to numerous species of edible fresh water fish. Along the shores of Lake Atitlan are a number of small Indian villages where the traditional Maya lifestyle is followed. Guatemala City Guatemala City is home to 25% of the country's population and is the capital of Guatemala. The city lies in a deep valley where the dormant Agua volcano dominates the horizon. With a population of about 3 million, it is the country's commercial, financial, and cultural center. It is a city where colonial architecture, sits side by side with modern skyscrapers and shopping malls. For visitors, there is much to see and do in Guatemala City. Worthwhile is a visit to the Zona Viva , the trendy and very modern center of Zona 10 , where numerous upscale restaurants, bars, and clubs stay open long into the night. Those interested in Spanish colonial architecture should visit Zona 1, the city's historic center. Visitors interested in handicraft will find a wide variety of authentic Guatemalan wood carvings, textiles, leather, ceramics, jewelry and basket work in the downtown Central Market. Also worth seeing is the National Palace and the Ixchell Museum.        Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Buying Real Estate in Mexico Puerto Vallarta Cozumel, Mexico Whale Watching Fishing In Mexico

Italy Travel

Italy Hotels, Italy Hotel Reservations in Rome, Venice... Italy Hotels Online Hotel Reservations with Instant Confirmation Milan | Rome | Florence | Venice | Bologna | All destinations | Hotels around the World | About us | Help Hotels in Italy Find Accommodation in Italy: Hotels , Bed & Breakfast , Apartments with real time availability and online direct booking. Quick & easy Hotel Reservation in Italy Why Traveleurope? No deposit! No intermediate fee Instant confirmation Interactive city maps Car Rental Italy Fairs in Italy 1 Where do you like to go? Amalfi Coast Lake Como Naples Sorrento Bologna Lake Maggiore Rimini Turin Florence Mestre Rome Venice Genoa Milan Siena Verona All destinations Choose a destination Abano terme Abbadia san salvatore Abetone Abruzzo coast Aci castello Acquappesa Acqui terme Aeolian islands Agrigento Alassio Alba Alberobello Alessandria Alghero Alps - dolomites Altavilla vicentina Amalfi Amalfi coast Anacapri Ancona Andora Anghiari Anzola emilia Aosta Arabba Arbatax Arborea Arco Arenzano Arese Arezzo Argegno Assago Assisi Avellino Azzate Bacoli Bagni di lucca Baia domizia Baja sardinia Bareggio Bari Basiglio Bassano del grappa Bastardo Bastia umbra Battiferro Baveno Bellagio Belluno Bentivoglio Bergamo Bettona Bibione Biella Binasco Bisceglie Bivigliano Bologna Bologna airport Bolsena lake Bonassola Bordighera Borgomanero Brescia Bressanone Brindisi Brufa di torgiano Brunate Brusimpiano Buonconvento Buscate Bussolengo Cagliari Calcinaia Caldogno Calenzano Caltanisetta Camogli Campi bisenzio Canalicchio di collazzone Candiolo Caorle Capo vaticano Capoliveri Capri Cardano al campo Carimate Carmagnola Carpi Casale monferrato Casale sul sile Casalvelino Casapulla Casciano di murlo Cascina Caselle di sommacampagna Caserta Casier Casorate sempione Casoria Castagnole lanze Castel d'azzano Castel maggiore Castel san giovanni Castel san pietro terme Castel volturno Castellammare di stabia Castelleone Castelli romani Castello di cisterna Castenedolo Castiglioncello Castiglione del lago Castrovillari Catania Cattolica Cavriglia Cecina Cefal Celle ligure Cento Ceriale Cesano maderno Cesena Cesenatico Chianciano terme Chianti Chiavari Chioggia Chiusi Cilento Cinisello balsamo Cinquale Cinque terre Circeo Citt della pieve Citt di castello Citt sant'angelo Cittanova Civitavecchia Claviere Colle val d'elsa Colli sul velino Comerio Como Como lake Contignano Corbara Cortina d'ampezzo Cortona Cosenza Costa marchigiana Costa smeralda Costermano Courmayeur Craveggia Cremona Crotone Deiva marina Desenzano del garda Diacceto Diano marina Dolo Dolomites Donnini Dozza Elba Erba Erice Erice mare Etruscan coast Fabriano Faedo Faenza Falconara marittima Fano Feltre Ferrara Fiano romano Fiesole Fiesso d'artico Fiumicino Fiumicino airport Florence Florence airport Foligno Follina Forl Fossacesia Francavilla di sicilia Frascati Friuli coast Fuipiano valle imagna Furore Gabicce mare Gaeta Gaiole in chianti Gallarate Garda lake Gargano Gela Genoa Genoa airport Gerenzano Giardini naxos Gioiosa marea Giugliano Grado Gravedona Gravina di catania Greve in chianti Grosseto Gualdo cattaneo Gualtieri Guardamiglio Guardia piemontese m.na Gubbio Igea marina Imola Imperia Impruneta Induno olona Ischia Iseo lake Jesi Jesolo La quercia La spezia Lacco ameno Lacona capoliveri Laglio Lamezia terme Langhe Lastra a signa Laterina Latina Lavagna Lavarone Lerici Levanto Levico terme Lezzeno Lido di camaiore Lido di jesolo Lignano pineta Lignano sabbiadoro Linate airport Lipari Livorno Loano Lonate pozzolo Loro ciuffenna Lucca Lugano lake Madonna del sasso Madonna dell'acqua Madonna di campiglio Maggiore lake Maiori Malabergo Malcontenta Malpensa airport Mantova Maratea Marcialla Maremma Marghera Marina di bibbona Marina di campo Marina di pietrasanta Massa lubrense Massa marittima Massa martana Massalombarda Massino visconti Matera Merano Mercatale val di pesa Mesagne Messina Mestre Milan Milano marittima Minerbio Mira Mirano Modena Moena Mogliano veneto Molini di triora Moltrasio Moncalieri Moneglia Monferrato Montaione Montalcino Montecatini terme Montecchio maggiore Montefalco Montefiascone Montemerano Monteporzio catone Montepulciano Monteriggioni Monteroni d'arbia Montesilvano Montesolaro di carimate Montespertoli Monticelli terme Monzuno Mortara Murlo Naples Naples airport Naples gulf Nervi Nola Noli Norcia Noto Noventa di piave Olbia Olmo Opera Oristano Orta lake Orta san giulio Orvieto Oscano Ostia Ostuni Padua Paestum Paganico Palaia Palermo Panicale Paratico franciacorta Parco nazionale del pollino Parghelia Parma Passignano sul trasimeno Pavia Perugia Pesaro Pescara Pettenasco Piacenza Pietra ligure Pietralunga Pieve a nievole Pieve di cento Pignone Pilastro Pilzone d'iseo Pineto Pinzolo Pisa Pisa airport Pistoia Pitigliano Plan de corones Poggibonsi Poggio a caiano Pollein Pomaia Pomezia Pontassieve Ponte san giovanni Pontedera Ponzano veneto Poppi Pordenone Porlezza Porretta terme Porto azzurro Porto recanati Portoferraio Portofino Portoscuso Portovenere Positano Pozzuoli Praiano Prata Prato Predazzo Preganziol Procida Quart Quarto d'altino Quercegrossa Radda in chianti Radicofani Ranco Rapallo Ravello Recco Reggio calabria Reggio emilia Riccione Rieti Rimini Riomaggiore Riva del garda Riviera ligure Riviera romagnola Roccatederighi Rodigo di mantova Rome Roncade Roncadelle Ronchi dei legionari Ronzone Rota d'imagna Rovereto Rubano S. marco evangelista Saint christophe Sale marasino Salice terme Salo Salsomaggiore terme San baronto lamporecchio San bartolomeo al mare San candido San casciano val di pesa San felice circeo San francesco al campo San genesio ed uniti San gimignano San giovanni la punta San giovanni lupatoto San giovanni rotondo San giovanni valdarno San giuliano terme San marino San martino buon albergo San martino in campo San mauro torinese San pantaleo San rocco di piegara San vigilio di marebbe Sanremo Sansepolcro Sant'alessio siculo Sant'angelo Sant'ilario d'enza Santa margherita di pula Santa margherita ligure Santa maria navarrese Santa marinella Santa teresa di gallura Santo stefano di camastra Sardinia southern coast Sassari Sassuolo Savignone Scandicci Selvino Senigallia Senise Serravalle pistoiese Sesto san giovanni Sestri levante Sicily northern coast Siena Siena countryside Signa Sinalunga Siracusa Sirmione Solofra Somma lombardo Sorrento Spello Sperlonga Spoleto Spotorno Stezzano Stresa Subiaco Susa Tabiano bagni Taormina Tavarnelle val di pesa Tavarnuzze Termini imerese Terni Tirrenia Todi Torbole Torgiano Torre annunziata Torre del greco Torrette di fano Tortol Tosi Trapani Trasimeno lake Trento Trescore balneario Trevi Treviso Trieste Tropea Tuoro sul trasimeno Turin Udine Urbino Usmate velate Vagliagli Val di susa Valdaora Valle scrivia Valsugana Varazze Varese Varigotti Vasto Vecchiano Venice Venice airport Ventimiglia Verbania Verona Versilia Viareggio Vibo valentia Vicenza Vico equense Vieste Vietri sul mare Vignale monferrato Villasimius Vimercate Vimodrone Vinci Viterbo Vogogna Volcano Volterra Zambrone Zampogna 2 When will you be travelling? 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South America Travel Tips

South America Travel Tips Book Online or call (800) 682-3333 Europe Asia Americas Caribbean Mediterranean Pacific Cruises Home Hotels Find a Vacation Specials Contact Us Italy & Sicily Spain & Portugal Britain & Ireland France Belgium & Holland Central Europe Scandinavia Greece River Cruises China & Japan Southeast Asia Thailand India South America Brazil Peru Costa Rica Bahamas Caribbean & Mexico Bahamas Cancun Riviera Maya Punta Cana Jamaica Greece & Turkey Israel Egypt Morocco Australia & New Zealand Tahiti China & Japan Southeast Asia Sea Cruises River Cruises South America Travel Tips Climate / Clothing Language Code of Conduct Currency Holidays Travel Insurance Departure Tax Luggage Local Emergency/Phone Health Precautions Passports and Visas Driving Electricity Shopping Tipping Airport Tax - Chile Climate /Clothing Brazil: The weather in Brazil is temperate to hot year round. Bring casual, lightweight clothing that can be layered. Sunscreen and a hat are advisable. Bring insect repellent if you plan on a visit to the rainforest. Brazil Average Temperatures: www.gate1travel.com/south-america-travel/weather/Brazil-weather.htm . Peru: Peru's climate can be divided into 2 seasons - wet and dry. The coast and the slopes of the Western Andes are dry with summer falling between December and April. In the Andean highlands, the dry season is from May to September, while the wet season takes up the remainder of the year. Bring casual, lightweight clothes that can be layered and a jacket if you are going up into the mountains. Bring sunscreen and a hat to protect against the strong sun along the coast and in the rainforest. Insect repellent is necessary as well. Peru Average Temperatures: www.gate1travel.com/south-america-travel/weather/Peru-weather.htm . Argentina: The climate of Argentina is mostly temperate; arid in the southeast and sub-Antarctic in the southwest. Bring lightweight clothes you can layer, a sweater and an all-weather coat. Dress is more formal in the city of Buenos Aires and a jacket a tie or cocktail dress may be required at some of the finer restaurants. Casual dress is more appropriate in the countryside. Argentina Average Temperatures: www.gate1travel.com/south-america-travel/weather/Argentina-weather.htm . Chile: Climate varies from subtropical and sunny in the extreme north; dry and arid in the Atacama north desert; mild, pleasant and Mediterranean in the fertile central valley; cool, temperate and rainy in the southern region; and covered with ice and snow in the Antarctic region. Chile Average Temperatures: www.gate1travel.com/south-america-travel/weather/Chile-weather.htm . Ecuador: The climate and geography of Ecuador vary widely. The highlands are cool and dry. Bring lightweight clothes, a jacket and comfortable shoes. Along the coast it's warm and sunny all year round. Sunscreen and a hat are important accessories to have on hand. The Amazon rain forest is tropical and humid. Light, layered clothing and plenty of insect repellent are advisable. Ecuador Average Temperatures: www.gate1travel.com/south-america-travel/weather/Ecuador-weather.htm . Language Brazil: The official language of Brazil is Portuguese. Some English is spoken in the major cities. Peru: Spanish is the official language of Peru. In most tourist center, English is spoken. Argentina: Spanish is the official language of Argentina. English is spoken at hotels and restaurants in Buenos Aires. Chile: Spanish is the official language in Chile, although English is often spoken in hotels, restaurants and shops. Ecuador: Ecuador has two official languages - Spanish and Quechua. English is spoken in the major tourist centers. Passports and Visas Brazil: Passport and visa required. Peru: Passport required. Visa not required for tourist stay of up to 90 days, extendible after arrival. Argentina: Passport required. Visa not required for business/tourist stay of up to 90 days. Chile: Passport required. Visa not required for stay of up to 90 days. Entry fee of $100 (U.S.) charged at airport. Ecuador: (including the Galapagos Islands) - Passport required. Visa not required for a stay of up to 90 days. Columbia: All U.S. citizens must have a valid passport and proof of return ticket to enter Columbia. No visa is required. Uruguay: All U.S. citizens must have a valid passport to enter Uruguay. No visa is required for stays up to 90 days. See http://www.gate1travel.com/visas.htm for more information. Currency Brazil: The currency of Brazil is the Real. U.S. currency can be exchanged at banks, exchanges and hotels. Peru: The official currency is the Peruvian Sol. Most tourist areas accept and exchange U.S. Dollars. Exchange your currency at your hotel or a bank. Argentina: The currency of Argentina is the Pesa. It is not always easy to change money in the interior of the country. Major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops. Chile: The unit of currency is the Chilean peso (CHP$). U.S. dollars and travelers checks are easily changed in banks and exchange bureaus. Major credit cards are widely accepted in shops and hotels. Ecuador: Official currencies are the U.S. Dollar and the Sucre. Tipping Brazil: Most services get tipped a mandatory 10%, often included in the bill. If a waiter is friendly and helpful, you may like to give more. Because of Brazil's high unemployment rate, services that may seem superfluous are customarily tipped. Parking assistants are the most notable as they receive no wages, but petrol-station attendants, shoe shiners and barbers are also frequently tipped. Taxi drivers are an exception: most people round the price up, but a tip is not expected. Peru: A combination of taxes and service charges are added to bills in the best hotels and restaurants and can total as much as 28%. The cheaper hotels and restaurants don't add taxes. Tipping is not expected in budget restaurants. A tip of 10-15% is fine in upmarket restaurants if a service charge has not already been added to the bill. Taxi drivers are not tipped - bargain hard beforehand and stick to your price. Local guides should be tipped US$3-5 per day. Argentina: Tipping around 10% is customary in restaurants. Chile: In restaurants, it is customary to tip about 10% of the bill. In general, waiters and waitresses are poorly paid, so if you can afford to eat out, you can afford to tip. Taxi drivers do not require tips, although you may round off the fare for convenience. Ecuador: Tipping is expected by tour guides, porters and other tourist industry workers, though not by taxi drivers. Quality restaurants add 10% tax and a 10% service charge to their bills; cheaper restaurants usually don't. If you want to tip your server, give the money to them directly - don't just leave it on the table. Please refer to our main brochure under www.gate1travel.com/tipping.htm for additional tipping suggestions. Electricity Brazil: Brazil's voltage is 110, however some hotels operate on 220. Peru, Argentina & Chile: The voltage used is 220. Ecuador: Ecuador's voltage is 110. *Note: The U.S. uses 120 volts and you can purchase a converter and transformer at most hardware stores for your 120V appliances. Shopping Brazil: Shops are open from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. Brazil has a rich array of native crafts from Afro-Brazilian textiles to Bahian pottery and delicate lace tablecloths. Peru: Duty-free shops and artisan's shops offer tourists the opportunity to purchase Peruvian handicrafts such as pottery, carvings, and weavings. Argentina: Business hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Banking hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The shops open at 9 a.m. and generally close at 7 p.m. Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Good buys include leather goods, jewelry and furs. Chile: Good shopping can be found in the streets of Providencia and Santiago. There are also a few big shopping malls. Handicrafts in Chile are the best bargains. Local jewelry made of lapis lazuli, found only in Chile and Afghanistan, makes a beautiful souvenir. Ecuador: Duty-free shops and artisan's shops offer visitors the opportunity to buy Ecuadorian handcrafts such as ponchos, tapestries, ceramics, jewelry. Health Precautions Brazil: No vaccinations are required to enter Brazil. However, it may be advisable to get inoculated against yellow fever, malaria and typhoid. Be sure to consult your doctor before your trip, especially if you are planning to go up the Amazon River. Drink only bottled water and do not eat raw fruits and vegetables. Peru: A yellow fever vaccination is recommended if you are going into the Amazon rain forest. Travelers with heart conditions or high blood pressure should check with their doctor about high-altitude travel if you will be visiting the mountainous regions. Avoid the tap water and raw fruits and vegetables. Bottled water is widely available Argentina: No inoculations are necessary when arriving in Argentina from the U.S. Chile: Tap water is fairly safe to drink, but it is advisable to drink bottled water. Consult with your doctor if you are planning to visit the higher altitudes. English speaking doctors are easy to find in all major cities. Ecuador: No inoculations are required for entry. Travelers with heart conditions or high blood pressure who plan to visit the highlands should check with their doctor about high-altitude travel. Bottled water is advisable and is available everywhere. *To prevent "Montezuma's Revenge," avoid the tap water, including raw fruits and vegetables washed in tap water. Your stomach may still become upset due to the change in diet. Bring anti-diarrhea medicine just in case. *For the latest overseas travel health information, call the Center for Disease Control's traveler's hotline at 404-332-4559. Or visit their web site at www.cdc.gov Conservation/Code of Conduct Brazil: Handshaking is customary on meeting and taking ones leave, and normal European courtesies are observed. Frequent offers of coffee and tea are customary. Flowers are acceptable as a gift on arrival or following a visit for a meal. A souvenir from the visitors home country will be well received as a gift of appreciation. Casual wear is normal, particularly during hot weather. In nightclubs smart-casual (eg blazer, no tie) is acceptable. For more formal occasions the mode of dress will be indicated on invitations. Smoking is acceptable unless notified otherwise. The Catholic Church is highly respected in the community, something which should be kept in mind by the visitor. Peru: Shaking hands is the customary form of greeting. Visitors should follow normal social courtesies and the atmosphere is generally informal. A small gift from a company or home country is sufficient. Dress is usually informal, although for some business meetings and social occasions men wear a jacket and tie. Life is conducted at a leisurely pace. Argentina: The most common form of greeting between friends is kissing cheeks. When invited to somebodys house it is quite common to take a homemade dish or dessert. Dinner is usually served between 7pm - 10pm. Avoid casual discussion of the Falklands/Malvinas war. Dress is not usually formal, though clothes should be conservative away from the beach. Formal wear is worn for official functions and dinners, particularly in exclusive restaurants. Smoking is prohibited on public transport, in cinemas and theatres. Chile: Handshaking is the customary form of greeting. Most Chileans use a double surname and only the first part should be used in addressing them. Normal courtesies should be observed when visiting local people. It is very common to entertain at home and it is acceptable for invitees to give small presents as a token of thanks. Informal, conservative clothes are acceptable in most places but women should not wear shorts outside resort areas. Ecuador: Casual wear is widely acceptable, but businesspeople are expected to dress smartly. It is important to be punctual when arriving for meetings. Smart clothes are often required when visiting hotel dining rooms and better restaurants. Beachwear should only be worn on the beach and revealing clothes should not be worn in towns. Smoking is widely accepted. A tip may be requested if you wish to take someones photograph and it is better to seek permission first. Luggage *Gate 1 tour packages allow one piece of luggage per person, plus carry-on bag. Additional baggage will be subject to handling charges of up to $100 per piece. As Gate 1 will not be responsible for loss or damage to luggage and personal belongings, you MUST report any loss or damage immediately at the time of the incident and obtain a written report from the local authority for submission to your insurance provider. If you luggage is lost or damaged by the airlines, a baggage claim form MUST be filed with the carrier before leaving the airport. See www.gate1travel.com/destinations/luggage.htm for Important Baggage Information for U.S. Travelers. Departure Tax There is no Departure tax levied in Brazil. Please see www.gate1travel.com/Destinations/departure_tax.htm for more information. Travel Insurance We strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance as additional security in the case of cancellation or interruption of travel plans, lost or damaged luggage, travel delays, illness, or accident. Keep all boarding passes, ticket copies and receipts for expenses paid during your trip if it later becomes necessary to file a claim. Local Emergency Phone # Brazil: general emergency: 911 Peru: general emergency: 011 or 5114 Argentina: ambulance/medical: 101 fire: 107 police: 101 Chile: ambulance/medical: 131 fire: 132 police: 133 Ecuador: ambulance/medical: 131 Holidays Brazil : Public Holidays Jan 1 New Years Day Jan 20 *Founding of Rio de Janeiro Jan 25 *Founding of So Paulo Feb 19-23 Carnival Mar 25 Good Friday Apr 21 Tiradentes May 1 St of Brazil May 26 Corpus Christi Sep 7 Independence Day Oct 12 Our Lady Aparecida, Patron St of Brazil. Nov 2 All Souls Day Nov 15 Republic Day Dec 24 Christmas Eve (half day) Dec 25 Christmas Day Dec 31 New Years Eve (half day) *Note: Regional observances only. Argentina : Public Holidays Jan 1 New Years Day Mar 24 Maundy Thursday Mar 25 Good Friday Apr 4 Malvinas Day May 1 Labor Day May 25 National Day (Anniversary of the 1810 Revolution) June 20 National Flag Day Jul 9 Independence Day Aug 17 Death of General Jos de San Martn Oct 12 Day of the Americas (Columbus Day). Dec 8 Immaculate Conception Dec 25 Christmas Day Dec 31 New Years Eve Dec 25 Christmas Day Dec 31 New Years Eve (half day) Peru : Public Holidays Jan 1 New Years Day Mar 24 Maundy Thursday (half day) Mar 25 Good Friday May 1 Labor Day Jun 29 St Peters and St Pauls Day Jul 28-29 Independence Day Celebrations Aug 30 St Rosa of Lima Day Oct 8 Angamos Battle Nov 1 All Saints Day Dec 8 Immaculate Conception Dec 24 Christmas Eve (half day) Dec 25 Christmas Day Chile : Public Holidays Jan 1 New Years Day Mar 25 Good Friday Mar 26 Holy Saturday May 1 Labor Day May 21 Navy Day May 23 *Corpus Christi Jun 29 St Peter and St Paul Aug 15 Assumption Sep 5 Reconciliation Day Sep 18 Independence Day Sep 19 Army Day Oct 12 Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day) Nov 1 All Saints Day Dec 8 Immaculate Conception Dec 25 Christmas Day *Note: Corpus Christi dates for 2004 and 2005 are actually Jun 10 and May 26 respectively, however, the holiday is observed on the Monday closest to these dates. Ecuador : Public Holidays Jan 1 New Years Day Feb 7-8 *Carnival Mar 24 Maundy Thursday Mar 25 Good Friday May 1 Labor Day May 24 Battle of Pichincha May 26 Corpus Christi Jul 24 Simon Bolivar Day Aug 10 Independence Day Oct 9 *Foundation of Guayaquil Nov 2 All Souls Day Nov 3 *Foundation of Cuenca Dec 6 *Foundation of Quito Dec 25 Christmas Day Dec 31 New Years Eve *Note: These holidays are not official public holidays, but are widely observed. Other holidays, in addition to the above, may be marked locally. Driving Brazil: Brazil has 1,940,400km (1,202,800 miles) of roads. Traffic drives on the right. Peru: The Central Highway connects Lima with La Oroya and Huancayo. From La Oroya there is a road connecting Cerro de Pasco, Hunuco, Tingo Mara and Pucallpa on the Ucayali River. Landslides are frequent in the rainy season (December to March), making for slow travel. The Touring y Automvil Club del Per and the Instituto Geogrfico Nacional sell maps. Travel guides like Gua Toyota and Gua Inca del Per include good road maps. Traffic drives on the right. Argentina: Major privatization programmes have resulted in many trunk roads being upgraded, and roads are generally in good condition. Expect tolls on motorways. Rural roads, composed of packed dirt, become impassable after rain. Nonetheless, buses are considered to be a more reliable form of long-distance transport than trains. Traffic drives on the right. Car hire: There are a number of agencies in Buenos Aires (including Avis , Dollar and Hertz ). Drivers must be at least 21 years of age (sometimes up to 25 years of age). International Driving Permit is required and this must be stamped at the offices of the Automvil Club Argentino (website: www.aca.org.ar ). These documents must be carried at all times whilst driving: proof of ownership, proof of insurance and receipt for last tax payment. Chile: Chile has about 80,000km (49,460 miles) of good roads. The Pan American Highway crosses the country from north to south (a total of 3455km or 2147 miles) from the Peruvian border to Puerto Montt. It is advisable in remoter areas to carry spare petrol and an additional spare tyre. Tires should be hard-wearing. Traffic drives on the right. Ecuador: Traffic drives on the right. An extensive network of roads spreads out from the main northsouth axis of the Pan-American Highway. The Government and PetroEcuador are developing highways into the Oriente. In general, road improvements are being put into effect rapidly but, due to the effect of earthquakes and flooding (in the south) during the last 10 years, conditions remain variable; potholes and cracks in the road are sometimes sizable.The roads between Quito and Guayaquil and between Quito, Latacunga, Ambato and Riobamba are completely paved. A road connects Quito, Otavalo, Ibarra and Tulcn, the frontier with Colombia. Airport Tax - Chile There is an entry fee of $45 per passenger that must be paid before proceeding through Immigration. Return to the South America brochure More TravelInformation Email This Page to a Friend © 2005 Gate 1 Travel Home | About Us | Travel Agent | Free Brochure | Help | Site Map | (800) 682-3333 Read our privacy policy . Contact Us . This site can be best viewed using Internet Explorer 4.0, or higher. The browser software can be downloaded, free of charge, from the Microsoft website at http://www.microsoft.com . All external sites will open in a new browser. Gate1travel.com does not endorse external sites.

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