BootsnAll Travel Community

unfortunately, the guide books tell you to take cabs in quito for a reason. so do it!!!! 50m is more than enough space to get robbed. fortunately, you werent stabbed.

most of the assialants are just looking for money, but some of them, at certain hours, may be drunk or drugged, and may stab you for no good reason.

not worth it. cab costs a buck or so.

i live in asucnion, and as a rule, i NEVER walk at night. even 2 blocks. a dollar cab ride can save my white shirt from turning dark red...

off to colombia tomorrow... wheeeeee

A friend just got back from Peru last week and has informed me that the cocaine trade is much more prevalent than I remember. She mentioned Cuzco, and Mama Africa's in particular, as hotbeds of the drug trade.

Cuzco, Plaza de Armas: do not eat in restaurants open to the plaza! Wandering musicians, venders, etc. will snatch your cameras, purses, and anything else you set on the bench below or beside you.

A Peru scam I encountered in Huaraz: a older crook walks beside you, then points and gets excited to discovere a wad of shrink-wrapped cash. He offers to split it with you and tries to lead you to an alley. Whereever you stop, he'll stop and about this time a fellow in a black jacket who looks like a security guard. The "security guard" starts asking about the money. The other fellow who has the money denies seeing it, and then takes out his wallet and opens it to show to the "security guard." The guard then demands to see your wallet. WHen you finally get mad and stupid enough to open your wallet, the "guard" will snatch out the money and put it in a little black bag and start shaking it in front of you as if to say the money is in a bag like this. YOu become angry and demand the money back. He gets a nasty look on his face, swings the bag behind his back and then slings a black bag to the ground and angrily stalks off. As you're reaching for the bag with your money in it, the other fellow heads in the opposite direction. Of course, the bag is thoroughly knotted and full of (guess what!) folded newspaper.

Now, this was annoying, but I figure since I wasn't stabbed or shot (and I didn't stab them...I had a knife tucked up my jacket...I probably wouldn't appreciate the glories of Peruvian jail), this $50 dollar lesson I learned was quite cheap in retrospect. I pay ~$800 per credit hour at my university for knowledge, and wisdom is generally more expensive than knowledge, so this was wisdom on sale!

i dont know if this will affect travelers, but i came across this news and wanted to share it. if anyone knows if it will be a potential problem for crossing the border from one country to another, please share.

http://www.plenglish.com/article.asp?ID=%7B7C59A30A-0F9...2E97%7D)&language=EN

This is more of an annoyance than a warning but it seems that the kids in Bolivia have discovered water balloons. In Oruro, Potosi and now worst of all in Sucre, the kids are blasting balloons out car windows, from roof tops, and just from the other side of the street. It does sound funny, and kinda is, but after being hit 10 or 20 times during a 1 hour walk about it can get annoying for sure. It seems that the boys, from the age that they can hold a balloon to about 20, throw them at the girls - and if you are obviously a tourist than you are a big target!! So, until this fad wears off - EXPECT TO GET WET!!

New slogan for Peru:

"Come to the beautiful Andes and Incan ruins and have all your stuff stolen."

Okay I´m bitter because as I was getting on a bus from Puno to Copacabana, Bolivia, I had a friend watch my daybag as I went to the restroom. She took her eye off it for two seconds and it was gone... passport, camera, CD player, etc. What is really troubling is the number of travelers I have met in Peru and Bolivia that have been a victim of theft. I would say about %75. It is almost never violent, and almost always opportunistic. But it is still a HUGE problem that seems to be an accepted way of life here. Be very vigilant with valuables in these countries. If you are in a public place and are being distracted, you are probably being robbed. Take every imaginative precaution you know for protecting your valuables. Not to sound alarmist, but the theives are like magicians... bag slashing, using kids to distract, spitting on the back of the neck to distract, causing huge scenes, working in teams of four or five. Be especially careful during large festivals like Carnaval, locals have told me that thieves flood in from the large cities like Lima.

With that said, I FEEL safe and comfortable here. I haven´t seen or heard about a lot of violence, but it is when you are comfortable that the magicians strike.

Jason
Scootin´Round The World

So about the water balloons being thrown by kids in Bolivia, February is the month of Carnival and during Carnival water balloons are huge! If you are there the three main days of Carnaval you can expect: water balloons thrown at you, maybe rotten eggs (saved exclusively for this purpose), shoe polish smeared on you, paint, paint balloons, etc. It's Carnaval! LOL As my sister just said, "She was lucky it was just water!" And yes, there are some who party a little too soon and a little too late. Oh! One more thing, a week after the main festsivities there is "Carnavalito" which is like the last kiss goodbye to the partying before Lent; as in, kids basically finish up their stashes of water balloons.

DO NOT VOLUNTEER ABROAD!!!

Honestly, I was a sucker for volunteering through Global Crossroads (http://www.globalcrossroad.com/) in the slum city of Recife, Brazil. It is cheap as you get what you paid for, but not-profit so you cannot claim this expense on your tax return. Best to stay in tourist areas with a low profile.

1. Fellow volunteers complained of disorganization and desired a refund (which most did not get from cutting their trip short).
2. It is a DANGEROUS area because it is an urban area with widespread unemployment. Best of being already familiar with the language.
3. You will never know exactly how the children or community benefitted from your money. As for time spent with the children, it was eye-opening to witness their condition, but only the government is responsible for the welfare of them (unless you decide to adopt). These children are exploited much like zoo animals.
4. Some Brasilian MEN and WOMEN will hustle you out of money as you are a foreinger (with a lot of cash). Prostitution, haggling at the market, whatever..be careful and stick only to tourist areas with a smart eye.
5. NEVER, EVER let your sympathy pay someone's way out of any situation. Money is an emotionally driven object.

Please be aware of a tourist scam of false taxis/ false policemen in BOLIVIA (a gang has been or still is operating in several of the major cities)!

Please check my other posting 'Missing in Bolivia' for more information, or directly go to:

http://www.katharinaandpeter.info

Don't go hiking in the hills near Mendoza, Argentina:

My Story

Cusco

Just got robbed in Cusco, they took a camera from a zipped coat pocket while it was being worn. Reported it at the police station with the rest of the tourist crowd and heard bad tales of the night bus from Puno to Cusco (four people had been robbed on the same bus). And Cusco is such a pain to deal with, touts for everything everywhere! Its getting to the point where Peru doesn't feel like its worth the effort. Machu Piccu was hugely expensive to get to and crawling with tourists when you get there. Palenque in Mexico and Tikal in Guatemala were much better.

Aerocontenente
went out of business last year. There are 3 flights daily from Lima to Pulcallpa/Iquitos via TANS (737) Star Peru (737) or LC Busre (Turbo-prop) Of the 3 my personal choice is Star. TANS crashed a plane in Pucallpa late last year due to a lack of maintainence, but nothing happened because they are government subsidised (owners are retired military) If you're in a hurry Busre leaves about 9 am the others around noon.

RIVER PIRATES
The Rio Ucayali is becoming a regular for the pirates, they are working the stretch between Pucallpa and Iquitos, especially in the Tactishea neighborhood. Survivors have told me that some are armed with FN-FAL rifles which tells me they are Army deserters and/or ex-Sendero. If planning a trip downriver to the Amazon be careful.

From Cris Speers -
A few weeks ago, it seems that in Natal , there was a revolution!!!

Yes, simply because the police had decided to stop prostitution in Ponta Negra. You might say WOW that's fine.

Unfortunately, they also decided to bother strangers without passports. You're walking on the street, and ZAP, a policeman asks for your passport.

"I am just walking", you say and you are brought to the federal police.

When you're having fun, you shouldn't have to bring your passport too. My advice is to go first to the federal police, make a copy of your passport and keep it in your hands.

I am hearing from friends in Peru that it really is getting dicey there, and that tourists--especially US tourists-are being targeted. They think it is an outgrowth of the anti-American views of their new President (who is very chummy with Chavez).

Well, Humala isn't president yet--the run-off is Sunday June 4th. Garcia is ahead 10 points in the polls so it looks like the (not much) lesser of the 2 evils might win. At least he's pro-free market which won't hurt foreign investment. I haven't heard anything about anti-American sentiment from the wife, of course we live in the Selva and I'm the only gringo in town. If it's happening at all it's probably in the Humala barrios, and there's nothing there that would attract a tourist anyway. I have a friend who lives in Miraflores and anti-Humala sentiment runs deep in that part of town.

quote:

Originally posted by Micaela22:
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.

lmfao...oh mama africa! i love that place! alex the flyer guy and the ubercool mute coat guy.

shit i miss that place.

but come on. its south america for fuck sakes..they only rob you if your stupid.

Warning Careful using ATM's in foreign branches of your bank

I was in Lima, Peru recently and while there, I took care of my money needs by making withdrawals from my Citibank account at an ATM located in a Citibank branch (it was the branch on Jose Pardo in Miraflores to be exact). I thought this would save me money on ATM fees, because my account allows me to make withdrawals from Citibank ATMs worldwide for free. Well, I just reviewed my bank statement and found out that the ATM I was using was considered a non-Citibank ATM, even though it was located in a Citibank branch (albeit set off in a separate chamber) and was only accessible by entering the branch (there was also a separate door leading directly to the ATM from the street, but that door was locked and didn't unlock when I swiped my card through the slot thingy). I was charged a freaking $1.50 each time I used it, and I used it A LOT, since I didn't want to carry around a lot of money and I thought it wasn't costing me anything.

I still have the receipts and it says "Red Unicard" on them, not "Citibank", but I didn't think anything of it at the time, because why the hell would Citibank have a third party ATM in one of its branches?

This lesson cost me $10.50. I'm so mad I could cheeit! Good thing I'm a flashpacker and not a backpacker!

A lovely word of warning. Normaly I would have said it was just me being tired and ill but this has happened to so many people at the hostel I think its worth pointing out...

Santiago, Chile.

Leaving the airport I had aranged a pickup with Bellavista Hostel. A nice guy approaches me and asks me if I'm looking for the shared ride to the hostel. thinking bingo, this is it I go off with him to get in the minibus to take mem to the hostel.

Things suddenly seem a little odd when he wont take American $s as payment and insists on Pesos, but wants 40,000. Tells me and keeps telling me its teh $7 agreed. I'm trying to get my head around teh currency but know this is way too much. In the end he settles for 30,000 which is actually well over $50US.

The same thing has happened to 3 people I have soken to in th elast 24 hours hich makes me believe they are interceping people who they can see are looking for a signboard and hoping they are going to that hostel or that the hostel are in a little deal with them! Either way I got off lightly compared to others!

The price should be 4,000 not 40,000!!!

Just curious (since I'm heading to Peru and Bolivia for a few months and most of the postings on this thread seem related to those countries)...

How is it like in the non-major cities (i.e. outside La Paz, Lima, and Cusco)? Easy to get taken advantage of, robbed, etc. by locals? I know it depends on a lot of things, not the least your common sense, but generally speaking...how is it?

Oh, and I take it then that most of you store your valuables at the hostel/hotel (accomodation)? Do most of them have lockers/safes? It's weird 'cause in some places I've traveled, I got more used to keeping valuables on me in fear of my stuff being stolen back in the hostel.

Thanks! Regardless of all the horror stories, still very excited to go to SA!

I hear a lot about theft in SA. I have been a couple times, first with my daughter when she was just nine. She is adopted and of Bolivian heritage. I took her to see her culture. We started in La Paz and traveled to Lake Titicaka. We always traveled by "collectivo" (small van meant to seat 8 but can actually accommodate 20, as we found out.) We travel so light and dress as though we have nothing of value (true to an extent.) WE didn't have any issues there in Titicaka, did the island tour on the lake, amazing!!
We then went to the San Pedro de Atacama and got into a tour of the geysers higher up. I was the only white girl, all the rest were holidayers from Santiago there for their Semana Santos (Holy week). I ended up looking up one of the men I met on that trip some days later, (gay, no problem, really wonderful guy) who showed me a lot of Santiago. We then went to the coast and toured Neruda's homes. Fantastic!
I never, ever had any trouble or felt unsafe in any way. Maybe it was because of my daughter. I always keep my passport, money, cards in a money wallet around my neck stuffed inside the front of my shirt. Best place. the only time I felt violated was at the airport in La Paz when I was singled out to a room for a cavity check. I told my daughter and she opened her mouth and asked my woman attendent if she could have a cavity check, as well. That was pretty funny.
The next trip I went with my husband, Peru and Bolivia (Dec. 05 - Jan. 06) without Hannah and I must admit, we were confronted a lot more by locals, mainly young boys trying to sell postcards. We managed to be in Cusco during the huge open air market on Christmas eve, the most remarkable colorful sight. I bought all my gifts for family there. Again, always aware of the crowd. Money stuffed in front under my clothes in my money thingie.
We stayed at a hostel, Casa de la Gringa, owned by Leslie in the San Blas area, just a few blocks from the Plaza de Armas. Room locked we had no problem keeping stuff there.
We did Machu Picchu, of course, and climbed that back peak, but more spectacular was the mountain outside of Aquas Caliente, just about a couple hundred meters down the railroad tracks, called something starting with a "P", I think. The climb is a bit longer, mostly rugged ladders up mountain sides, not for the weak hearted, lots of sheer drops, etc. Takes about an hour, but you can view the ruins from across the canyon and you are higher, so it is really something. The best part was there were only 7 of us on that mountain that day, a young Peruvian soccer player, two men: a crazy Cuban and his French friend ,and a couple from Minnesota (?). Anyway, fabulous trip.
On our way next to Indonesia.
Anyone been to Borobudur?? Mt. Bromo???

Take cabs in Rio!

I was in South America for two months, often traveling alone and spending some time in areas that are supposedly prone to crimes against tourists, and never had a single problem or felt unsafe anywhere except in Rio de Janeiro.

Our first night in Rio, my husband and I were staying in a hotel 2 blocks off Copacabana Beach. From our hotel, we could see a restaurant on the beach with a crowded patio, and the streets were well-lit in between. We asked the hotel staff if it would be safe to walk to the restaurant, and they assured us that it would be. Fifty yards from the restaurant, in sight of dozens of people, four men surrounded us and held knives to our throats. They searched our pockets and patted us down to check for money belts. Thankfully, all that we had with us was about $30 in cash - no credit cards or passports. We turned around to walk back to the hotel, and before we could even get back, we were approached by another man with a knife who demanded our money. We showed him our empty pockets, and he left us alone.

On the bright side, these guys had no intention of hurting us if we gave them what they wanted. But it definitely soured me on Rio, as we heard several similar stories from other travelers during our time there.

So if you go to Rio, it's worth it to spend the money to take cabs - even if it's only a few blocks and especially after dark!!!

Also we heard that most Brazilians don't wear wristwatches, so wearing a watch is a dead giveaway that you're a tourist. So leave the watch behind when you travel there.