Travel to South America

A magnet for backpackers, escorted groups, and adventure holidays.

South America is a magnet for backpackers, escorted groups and independent adventure seekers alike.

From the snow-capped peaks of the Andes to the Amazon rainforests, the magical Inca ruins of Machu Picchu to the golden beaches of the Atlantic, there is no place on earth like it.

South / Latin American Countries:

• Argentina
• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Chile
• Colombia
• Ecuador
• Guyana
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Suriname
• Uruguay
• Venezuela

Holiday Activities

• Rafting
• Kayaking
• White water rafting
• Sea kayaking
• Biking
• Horse riding
• Hiking
• Skiing and snowboarding in Chile or Argentina

Business Trips

For business trips to South America travel insurance can be a minefield.

Say, for example, that a neighbour of yours with a heart condition is heading off to Peru on a week-long business trip.

Faaantastic. But in reality, there is a big, big hill for her to climb to ensure that all goes well.

So, what should she do?

• Firstly, as it's a business trip standard holiday travel insurance cover won't do - she'll need specialist business travel insurance cover.
• Secondly, her destination has to be taken into consideration. Although most visits to Peru are trouble-free, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office classifies certain parts of the country as difficult and dangerous to visit.
• It's in an earthquake zone and tremors are frequent.
• Landslides can occur - in 2004 tourists were stranded when a landslide damaged the rail link between Cuzco and the tourist magnet of Machu Picchu.
• The threat of catching a tropical disease - cholera or yellow fever - is real and could complicate her current medical condition
• Another health factor is the high altitudes - Cusco (11,000 feet), Machu Picchu (8,000 feet), or Lake Titicaca (13,000 feet) - and the danger that poses to an already dodgy ticker. Plus the possible danger of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)

Even the healthiest of us will feel symptoms of hypoxia (lack of oxygen) at high-altitude, resulting in increased respiration and heart rate.

Kidnap

On the personal safety front, thanks to the odd outburst of domestic terrorist activity in certain areas of Peru, her bosses may want to cover her against kidnap.

Inter-city buses have been hijacked and passengers robbed of their possessions.

Violent Crime

Violent crime is not unknown especially in popular British haunts such as Lima and Cusco, so cover against personal injury is a must.

Lastly there will be higher repatriation costs from an underdeveloped country such as Peru.

Medical treatment is expensive and not always on tap.

In a nutshell, she'll need to ensure that she's covered for

• medical treatment
• local hospitalisation and medical evacuation if necessary
• unexpected losses (e.g. cancelled flights, lost luggage, stolen cash and credit cards)

As part of the conditions of her travel health insurance policy, she'll probably need to undergo a medical examination before travelling.

Considering the high number of risk factors attached to the trip, her best bet is to find an insurance broker to hunt down the best business travel cover for her particular situation.