BootsnAll Travel Community

This is a new thread of South America warnings. It is to be used for South America specific warnings only. Warnings include instances of robbery in a certain part of a city, bad hostel experiences, etc. As a content-rich thread, we do not want any back-and-forth or questions. Please direct all questions via Private Messages (Click on "Go" in the left hand corner, select "My Space" and then "Private Messages") to the poster. You can also issue a PM by clicking on the poster's name and selecting "Private Message". Any post that does not contribute relevant information will be deleted. Examples include: responses to previous posts in the thread and questions. The information can be on any city, region or country in South America. When reading these experiences, please remember that there are two sides to every story and warnings should be issued sparingly.

Warning Argentina

All the prices that you see are expressed in PESOS ARGENTINOS, not in Dollars or Euros.

i.e. If you want to buy a t-shirt and the price is "8" don't ask if they are "8 dollars". Unfortunately if they see that you are a tourist thay will try to make to pay in Dollars or Euros. And the product will cost you more than what it really costs.

Gabriela

Warning Aero Continente/Nuevo Continente airlines (Peru)

From the US State Department...

"As of June 1, 2004, it is illegal for any person within the United States, as well as U.S. citizens, nationals, and resident aliens elsewhere, to fly on Aero Continente. Persons who violate this provision are subject to criminal and civil penalties under U.S. law."

Nuevo Continente was formerly known as Aero Continente, so I'm guessing that the same thing goes for Nuevo Continente. Just something to keep in mind if you're in Peru and looking to book a flight...they're a common carrier. However, I have not heard of what the government really does if they catch you flying on this airline...

I flew Aero Continente this summer unaware of any advisories and without problems. I have no idea what the government's position is on this or why the advisory is posted, but it was the cheapest, easiest route to the Amazon. They don't seem to be enforcing this in any active way, though it may be impossible to book through American travel agents.

Otherwise, beware of the bad neighborhoods in which most of the bus station locations in Lima are located. Theft, theft, scams, and theft. Even walking on the street, locals would approach me to make sure I knew what I was doing there, where I was going and to warn me not to wander off of the major streets. Just be on your toes and don't look away from your bags for even a second.

Warning: Bag slashing in Cusco

Yesterday my purse was slashed in Cusco, near the market. I was crowded by a group of people on the sidewalk and couldn´t move. I knew something must be wrong so elbowed and shoved my way out. Someone had slashed my purse open but not gotten away with anything except a plastic bag of tampons...

Even though I didn´t really lose anything it really ruined my day... Be careful!

Kath

About 2 weeks ago my boyfriend had his dayback stolen from an Ormeno bus in the La Victoria section of Lima headed for Huaraz. He had it in the overhead storage and tied it to two bars to secure it. As it was late and we had a long week, we both had our eyes closed for less than 5 minutes and it was gone... probably one of the venders that they allow on the bus during the layover. His prescription glasses were in this bag and as he insisted upon filing a report with the police (the bus actually drove to the police station), the company agreed to replace his glasses, which they actually did do once we reached Huaraz!

Warning: Corcovado Statue (the big Jesus) in Rio de Janeiro

Met about 7 people at my hostel who's cameras of wallets had been ripped off out of their bags at the top. Pay extra attention and make sure to keep it in front.

Also, at the bottom, if a cab driver named Marcelo, (looks typical Brasilian skeej) approaches you at the bottom to take you up to the top for less than the train, you can do it but watch your stuff and if he offers to take you back to your home pass up, it'll cost you much more than it did to take you there.

WARNING! BE CAREFUL IN PERU!

About 6 months ago when I was traveling in Peru, I was heading to Cuzco and some guy tried to steal my snickers bar. I refused and he shot me 13 times in the back and four times in the head. It was scary since I'm allergic to gunshot wounds; they cause me to die!

oh i feel really so sorry by that .. im from LIMA and i know that there are parts of this city where its very dangerous but there are beautiful places where you can enjoy so quiet your visit .. and i would like recommend the follows distrits..
-san isidro
-la molina
-surco
-san borja
-miraflores
-barranco
and i would like recommend too "LOS OLIVOS" its in the north of lima, a place very quiet 15 mins away of lima center i hope this information could helps u and i can tell you that we are trying eliminate the thieves from the city but its a hard work that would take time
regards ..

Rio de Janeiro - Copacabana Beach

The moment you step onto the sand someone may approach and offer a "cadera" (chair). This usually includes a "guarda sol" (umbrella) and a little 2-legged table for drinks, etc, which is attached to the arm of your beach chair. The guys who do this are not official anone. They're just trying to make a living renting chairs and providing service to the turistas. Most are honest and really pleasant but a few are not.

Ask how much "conta costa?" BEFORE you accept anything. It's usually around R$2 (US$0.75) for a chair and umbrella during the off season. A "cerveja" (beer) is about the same. They'll also offer to bring you a sandwich, burger or "coco" (coconut with the top chopped off and a straw inserted) for R$1-2.

One unscrupulous characters who hangs out on Copacabana beach across from the famous Help! disco will try to charge you R$150 for a couple of beers and use of his chair for half an hour. He did this to me on my first day (I must have looked totally gringo) in Rio. I argued him down to about half that much but it kind of spoiled my first day there.

The rest of the month was truly wonderful. Brazilians are extremely friendly people. Everywhere you go someone will strike up a conversation with you. Many speak at least a little English, but if you want to get to know people I suggest you try to learn a little Portuguese.

Hi, I was born in Lima but moved to the U.S when I was very young. I went to Peru last Dec/Jan (Lima/Cuzco/Mancora/Piura) and found it safe. Regardless, one should be careful especially in Lima.

Lima – be careful at night when in the "Centro", which is where the main Cathedral, Presidential Palace, and other old buildings are located. Also, be particularly careful around the outer blocks of the Centro at any time of the day. During the day the Centro is safe.

Also, Callao and La Victoria are not that safe either. If you are in any of the districts that christianito posted above then you are fine. Plus this is where must of the fun stuff for young people and tourist are.

Cusco – the Main Plaza, where the two Cathedrals are, is safe. There is cop on every corner. Cusco is very touristy and you will see more Europeans than locals, especially at night. In Cusco, steer clear of very crowed out in the open markets. Go to the indoor markets, they are not as cool, but the locals will warn you about the open air markets.

In general Peru is an increadibly beautiful and safe country. Like every other country just be aware of your surroundings, trust your instincts and use common sense

quote:

Originally posted by bigmatt:
WARNING! BE CAREFUL IN PERU!

About 6 months ago when I was traveling in Peru, I was heading to Cuzco and some guy tried to steal my snickers bar. I refused and he shot me 13 times in the back and four times in the head. It was scary since I'm allergic to gunshot wounds; they cause me to die!

WOW, you have a great story to tell your grandkids!

Oh, Goku. I wish I could have grandkids one day, but I can't even have children, since that guy who tried still my chocolate bar in Perú also shot off my balls. Now, I have no balls.

quote:

Originally posted by bigmatt:
Oh, Goku. I wish I could have grandkids one day, but I can't even have children, since that guy who tried still my chocolate bar in Perú also shot off my balls. Now, I have no balls.

Yeah, those bar hoping chocolate bar stealing Peruvians are notorious for shooting balls off, it's some type of big ego trip for them. Let me know how everything pans out.

Buenos Aires -- be wary of the sketchy people hanging around the Thinker sculpture at the Plaza de Congresso!!! One of the fuckers stole my camera. Hija de puta!!!

Just a warning in Cusco´s Plaza De Armas...

In the evenings there are guys handing out movie information, free popcorn tickets, and restaurant info (particularly Mama Africa). They generally crowd you and distract you and rob you at the same time. I have been mobbed by these people, but not yet robbed. However a little peruvian boy told me to be careful because those guys always rob people. ALSO, they are rude and disrespectful in general! Girls be careful... one of these guys threatened to ´fuck me´ after the movie was finished.

Warning Argentina - Taxi Drivers
As Gabriela wrote
the price is in PESOS ARGENTINOS, not in Dollars or Euros.

And take care before your trip, If you don`t know the way to go to your destiny.. Many taxi drivers do a long time trip around the city to spend more time.

Is recommendable to call a taxi or remise by telephone instead of the street.

One of my finnish friends it suffered the pesos/euros trick. at the end of the trip, the driver wanted to receive euros.

Heard the one about the Lima taxi scam?

As Lima is such a large city and major transport hub most of the long distance bus companies have two terminals in the city, one heading north, the other erm...south, or something like that. Its common pratice when your changing to a connecting bus and most likely a different bus company for the taxi driver to knowingly take you to the wrong terminal. This is more of a giant pain in the arse than a costly scam but can cause you to miss a connecting bus as well as find yourself a couple of notes lighter. Don't pay the driver until you've confirmed where he's taken you.

Bolivia - Don't eat the reeds !!!!!!!!!

When you visit the floating islands on lake Titicaca you will more than likely be offerred to eat a freshly picked reed, the same as used to construct the islands. It looks like bamboo shoots - leave it well alone as I've met so many travellers who were violently sick for days after or even hospitalised due the reeds containing a live water parasite. Not nice, you've been warned.

Hate to add to "warning" threads in general ... but here goes.

Be careful in Quito, mainly after dark. Robbings were extremely common in the new district (yes, where all the gringo hostels/restaraunts are) -- i think that area is Mariscal.

Anyways, most guide books recommend taking a cab even if it is only a block. I went 50 meters from my hostel to a licqour store and somebody (19 yo guy) with a knife tried to jack me.

I wouldn't post this if it was only that .... I met so many people who had similar experiences that it was mind blowing. I truly hope the cops/gov does something because guarenteed if it continues at this level, Quito will become known for this and this only.

But ... still go to Quito (i guess).
w