South America



Lexingtongue said:
Paris there, Amsterdam way back. Through Air France and KLM.

Did you lot get yellow fever injections before going? I think it's the only recommended one I don't have.
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Lucky you, Madrid Barajas sends you to the dullest terminal whilst waiting for the transfer, both of those are canny.

Hope you got get good seats. I was flying Caracas - Madrid on my return flight in the back row, with no movement in my seat. Before it had even taken off, the person in front of me fully reclined and give me about 2 inches of room. I think I was sat next to @dangermows as the lass next to me just burst out laughing. That was a long 9 hours...

Aye, yellow fever and hepatitis, also malaria tablets. My GP managed to do them for me as I gave them plenty of notice to get the vaccines in.
 
peachbum said:
Don't need but you might need. It's a weird one. We got yellow fever jabs. (Didn't want the hassle of getting to Brazilian border and not being allowed in).
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Yeah they said said you needed it, so I had all my documentation for the vaccines out and ready to show only for the customs offical to just glance at the passport, stamp it and wave me through without even a second thought about vaccines.

Is there a Zika vaccine about yet, might be worht contemplating if so?
 
Oster's Alright said:
Yeah they said said you needed it, so I had all my documentation for the vaccines out and ready to show only for the customs offical to just glance at the passport, stamp it and wave me through without even a second thought about vaccines.

Is there a Zika vaccine about yet, might be worht contemplating if so?
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No. Just got to make sure you don't get bitten much. Take a shit load of spray and a mosquito net and you will be fine. You don't need yellow fever to get into Brasil anymore but it's still highly recommended.
 
Are anti-malarials available freely from pharmacies over there? Most of the places we are planning are malaria free but some have risk. As we don't have set dates I'll struggle to get the correct dose unless I pay for cover for the entire 80 days which will cost me a fortune!
 
Lexingtongue said:
Are anti-malarials available freely from pharmacies over there? Most of the places we are planning are malaria free but some have risk. As we don't have set dates I'll struggle to get the correct dose unless I pay for cover for the entire 80 days which will cost me a fortune!
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Have a look on the fit for travel website as to what areas need anti malarials and which ones. We were out there for four months plus and needed (our choice I guess) them just for the pantanal in brazil. I worked out how long we would be likely be there and just bought enough for there (ie a day before, time in pantanal, and the dose for leaving the area). Probably took 14 days worth. Don't think you need them in argentina and only need them for the jungle /amazonian side of peru and bolivia. This is from memory, use Fitfortravel webbsite for all your up to date info.
http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home.aspx

Asda has a reputation for selling anti malaria tablets at a good price maybe £1.15 each as opposed to £2.20 per tablet (Malarone or it's generic equivalent) , worth enquiring if you need to buy a lot.
 
James said:
No. Just got to make sure you don't get bitten much. Take a shit load of spray and a mosquito net and you will be fine. You don't need yellow fever to get into Brasil anymore but it's still highly recommended.
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Think I'll get the yellow fever injection like, bleeding eyes doesn't sound like much fun.
 
Lexingtongue said:
Are anti-malarials available freely from pharmacies over there? Most of the places we are planning are malaria free but some have risk. As we don't have set dates I'll struggle to get the correct dose unless I pay for cover for the entire 80 days which will cost me a fortune!
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I personally wouldn't bother with that. The good ones are really expensive and can still make you ill. If you're not going to high risk areas I can't see the point. You're probably best to just book yourself in for an appointment with a travel nurse and get them to print off all the vaccinations you'll need and discuss with them the chances of malaria and whatnot. I don't know what it's like up here but in London I got an appointment a few days in advance and went along on my dinner break.
 
peachbum said:
Have a look on the fit for travel website as to what areas need anti malarials and which ones. We were out there for four months plus and needed (our choice I guess) them just for the pantanal in brazil. I worked out how long we would be likely be there and just bought enough for there (ie a day before, time in pantanal, and the dose for leaving the area). Probably took 14 days worth. Don't think you need them in argentina and only need them for the jungle /amazonian side of peru and bolivia. This is from memory, use Fitfortravel webbsite for all your up to date info.
http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home.aspx

Asda has a reputation for selling anti malaria tablets at a good price maybe £1.15 each as opposed to £2.20 per tablet (Malarone or it's generic equivalent) , worth enquiring if you need to buy a lot.
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Checked that site already, our plans are pretty fluid so we could end up going into the 'danger zones' with little notice. I'll ask at Boots when I go down for my yellow fever shot.

James said:
I personally wouldn't bother with that. The good ones are really expensive and can still make you ill. If you're not going to high risk areas I can't see the point. You're probably best to just book yourself in for an appointment with a travel nurse and get them to print off all the vaccinations you'll need and discuss with them the chances of malaria and whatnot. I don't know what it's like up here but in London I got an appointment a few days in advance and went along on my dinner break.
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I used Malarone for Thailand, etc and felt fine. My mate suffered on Doxycycline, mind. I'm covered for all diseases bar yellow fever from SE Asia in August.
 
Lexingtongue said:
Checked that site already, our plans are pretty fluid so we could end up going into the 'danger zones' with little notice. I'll ask at Boots when I go down for my yellow fever shot.
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You only need to take malarone a day (two days?) before you arrive in a high risk area. Some people do go without taking them, it's personal choice. I never took them when near the Panama high risk area as I wasn't there for long and just covered up more.
 
peachbum said:
You only need to take malarone a day (two days?) before you arrive in a high risk area. Some people do go without taking them, it's personal choice. I never took them when near the Panama high risk area as I wasn't there for long and just covered up more.
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I think I might just load up on DEET... I know the lass I'm going with isn't taking any anti-malarials. I'll discuss it at Boots. Thanks for your advice so far!
 
If you manage to get to Bolivia, I'd highly recomment Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Lovely place, lovely cafes and restaurants.

Also, if you enjoy people watching I think just about every town in South America has a central plaza where everyone just congregates.
 
Lexingtongue said:
I think I might just load up on DEET... I know the lass I'm going with isn't taking any anti-malarials. I'll discuss it at Boots. Thanks for your advice so far!
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I had some when I went to Iguassu and it took the varnish off the floor in the hotel bedroom.:lol:
I somehow missed part of my foot and got bitten. This led to a 'stupid Englishman abroad' situation in the pharmacy in Argentina where I was trying to get some antiseptic cream but ended up with some bright red painkilling gel that contained cocaine due to my total lack of foreign language skills.
Worked a treat when I actually needed painkilling gel.

Not sure of other people's views but I paid for a guide at Iguassu. He picked me up from the hotel both days and took me round the park, dealt with the border officials etc. Can't remember how much I paid but I thought it was worth it at the time as I wasn't with an organised tour. He was Brazilian and didn't like football which I found odd.
 

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