Before your trip I recommend you access your ‘Travel Advice & Warnings’ information bulletin. This is usually provided via a Government Website service where nations update their citizens with travel recommendations to a particular country or region. Government advice is invariably 'always on the safer side' but is worth reading through.

If your nation issues a Travel Warning, advising its citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to a certain South American country, it is important to take this advice seriously.

Politically the South American region is stable. However, at any given time an individual country may encounter internal issues.

Recent examples of unrest include Colombia (ongoing guerilla activity), Argentina (economic crisis 2001), Venezuela (civil unrest 2002) and Bolivia (strikes & protests 2003). During these times of unrest Tourists were not directly in danger of personal harm. But travel to & within these countries became inconvenient due to airport closures and road blocks.

Nicks Travel Notes: “Anywhere you travel in the world today will have discussion on 'Travel Warnings'. Don't be put off by the term. Please rest assure that South America is a very tourist friendly continent! Ensure you take the usual travel precautions (see my Safety Tips) and your trip should run smoothly. I have never encountered any major concerns or dangers in my extensive travel around the continent."

Please research your own nations latest Travel Advisory information. Some website examples include:

United States Citizens
http://travel.state.gov

United Kingdom Citizens
www.fco.gov.uk

Australian citizens
www.smartraveller.gov.au

Canadian Citizens
www.voyage.gc.ca

New Zeland Citizens
safetravel.govt.nz

2007 South America Travel Advice