The biggest adjustment is relaxing. Babies are a full part of society in Latin America, and people are not reluctant to approach them. I have had the waitress at a restaurant ask if she can take our baby across the street to show her mother, or the waiter whisk the baby to the kitchen to show off to the cook. Relax. They are not dangerous criminals seeking to steal your child - they just think babies are cute, and like to share them. If your baby happens to be blonde and blue-eyed (my oldest child had blonde ringlets as an infant), the attention will be twice as intense. Take it as the compliment that it is. Your baby is adorable — of course people want to admire. You don’t have to let people “borrow” the baby, or anything else you don’t feel comfortable with, but don’t be offended or frightened by the attention.

You will also receive lots of unsolicited advice, just like you do at home. I have had little old ladies in Belize assure me that my 4-month-old was freezing and that I needed to put a sweater on her (it was 80 degrees out!). To this day, when I am at a beach in Latin America with my blonde children, every mother who walks by will worriedly ask me if they have sun screen on. Once again, relax and take these comments in the spirit in which they are intended - true, honest concern for the child. They know you are a visitor, and worry that you may not be aware of how strong the sun is, how cold it actually is (yeah, right!), etc. They say something because they really do care. So, smile, reassure them, and thank them for their advice.
Once you have taken a deep breath and relaxed, it’s time to pack. Don’t go overboard - remember, they have babies in Latin America. Lots of them. So anything that you truly need for a baby, you will be able to obtain down there.

For example, disposable diapers are widely available in Latin America. Even if you usually use cloth diapers, consider using disposable diapers for the trip. Washing diapers is a hassle in the best of circumstances, so make it easy on yourself. Baby wipes are also widely available unless you are in really rural areas.

Don’t worry about bringing every possible medicine along for every possible thing that could happen. Children get tummy aches and teething problems down there too - they have medicines available for all of these. Don’t be afraid to venture into a farmacia (pharmacy) and explain what the problem is - you will get lots of sympathy, advice, and whatever medication you need.

The one exception is sunscreen. Good quality sunscreen can be hard to find and very expensive. I strongly suggest you bring sunscreen from home.

I would, however, suggest leaving the Pack-n-Play at home. Hauling a portable crib around is really kind of a hassle. Even if your baby doesn’t usually sleep with you, you might try it on a trip to Latin America. If you truly need one, bring it, but you might instead find out if your hotels can provide one.

It’s a good idea to trim down on extra stuff in general. Latin America is the land of stairs, uneven sidewalks, and broken elevators. So try to resist the urge to bring everything and the kitchen sink. Just bring what you actually need. For example, you don’t need four changes of clothes for every day of the trip - it’s pretty easy to get laundry done in Latin America. Even the cheapest hotel will know someone who does laundry.

Strollers are often not that helpful in Latin America. In many places the sidewalks are either nonexistent or very uneven, making strollers impractical If you do take a stroller, take a lightweight umbrella-type stroller that can easily be picked up and carried, if necessary. Baby carriers such as a Baby Bjorn, Snuggli, or a backpack are more useful.

If your baby is still exclusively breast-fed, congratulations - your trip logistics will be pretty easy. Your baby’s food will always be safe, available, and just the right temperature.

If your baby uses formula, infant formula is widely available. With all the safety issues with formula that have come up recently, though, you might want to take formula along. In big cities you can usually purchase formula made by reputable companies, but you might want to have a supply along with you. Be sure to always use purified water to wash the bottles and mix the formula.

If your baby has started to eat solids, you will find plenty of options. Most restaurants will be happy to bring you plain rice or sliced banana, if it’s for the baby. Bananas and avocados are widely available in markets or stores. Larger grocery stores will also have jars of baby food.

Once you are packed, it’s time for the trip itself. Where you go and how much you do will depend a great deal on your baby. Some babies easily nod off on the bus, making long bus trips a snap. Others sob from the noise, crowds, and smell. You know your baby better than anyone. Don’t be afraid to be a bit adventurous, but at the same time, be realistic. You may have a more relaxing trip if you just go to one or two places, and stay there for several days or even weeks. Many babies like routines, and you can get into a little vacation routine if you stay in one place for a while.

Beach vacations are often a big hit. Just be careful with sun exposure. Mountain trips are a bit more problematic. Some children do great, others have problems with the altitude. Unfortunately it’s hard to know in advance if you child will have trouble with altitude sickness. One of my children has no problems adjusting, and the other one gets horribly sick at high elevations. Which brings me to my final point….

Don’t be afraid to change the plan. If everyone’s miserable, scuttle the current plan and do something different. Maybe your baby is having a horrible time with the heat. Changing hotels to a place with air conditioning is not a sign of moral weakness, and it just may save your sanity. Be flexible, and you will all have a wonderful trip - parents and baby too!

By August 15th, all passengers will be required to provide their date of birth and gender when they make airline reservations.    And eventually, passengers will be required to submit their passport numbers at least 72 hours prior to departure.

The goal of the program is to determine if the passenger is a match to the No Fly or Selectee lists. By providing the additional data elements of gender and date of birth, Secure Flight will more effectively help prevent misidentification of passengers who have similar names to individuals on the watch list and better identify individuals that may pose a known or suspected threat to aviation.

So what does this all really mean to the Latin America-bound traveler?  For now, not much.  Your name on your reservation must already match the name on your passport.  However, in the near future, it means that you will need to have the full names (including middle names) and dates of birth of all travelers before you can make reservations.

It also means that the name on your frequent flier accounts will need to match your passport as well, if you are to get the miles from the flights.  This is most likely to be an issue if you have a middle name which appears on your passport, but which you seldom use.  The middle name will soon be required on your airline ticket, but then the name on the ticket may not match the name on your frequent flier account.   When names don’t match, the airline’s computer rejects the frequent flier number as invalid and does not give you credit for the flight.

To avoid these kinds of hassles, now is the time to verify that the name on your frequent flier account matches you passport exactly.  If not, change it now, and get used to using your full name on all airline tickets.  And finally, start learning the birth dates of anyone you might want to travel with!

But traveling with children also has it’s own challenges and special considerations.  Here are a few of the basics to cover before you depart on your trip.

Passports - Every child, including infants,  must have his/her own passport.  US passports may be obtained through most US post offices.  Apply well in advance, particularly for summer travel - it can take several months to get a passport (you can get a passport in less time, but it is more expensive).

In order to get a passport for a child, both parents must be present when you hand in the application, and give their permission.  If it’s not possible for both parents to apply together, the absent parent can give permission via a notarized statement of authorization.

You will also need a certified copy of your child’s birth certificate ( a simple photocopy will not due, it has to be an official copy), and two passport photos.  Passport photos for an infant can be a bit of a problem, as the baby can’t sit up.  Try going to a portrait studio that specializes in baby pictures.  These are often found in malls or near stores like Sears or Penny’s.  They will have ways to prop the baby up in order to get a proper passport photo.  Their prices are usually quite reasonable, too.

Visas - If you are visiting a country that requires visas, such as Brazil, all children (including infants) will need visas as well.  Most countries charge the same amount for children as for adults, so be prepared - it can be costly.

Permission to Travel -If both parents will not accompany the child on the trip, get a notarized letter from the absent parent giving permission for the child to travel.  Many countries, such as Mexico, absolutely require it - your child will not be allowed to board the plane if you cannot prove that both parents have authorized the trip.   Even if a country does not officially require it, take one along - I was asked for permission to travel for my infant daughter when entering a country that did not officially require any such thing.  Fortunately, being paranoid, I had it.

The letter of permission should include the trip dates and destination.  I usually include a line authorizing the traveling parent to seek medical care for the child if necessary, as well.

Vaccinations.  Infants are often too young for many vaccinations, but be sure your child receives any that he/she is able to get.  Remember, vaccinations are not widespread in many parts of Latin America, so there is no “herd immunity” - diseases spread faster and are more serious.  Infants who are still breast-feeding will get some immunity from their mothers, but vaccinations are still the most effective deterrent.  Check with a travel clinic to find out what vaccinations are recommended for the countries you will be visiting - the usual US vaccinations may not be sufficient.

When to travel - it’s always nice to travel on off days, but even more important when flying with children.   Statistically, Tuesday and Wednesday tend to be the lightest travel days.  Try to avoid travel on Fridays and Sundays - flights tend to be packed, and tensions flare more easily.

Where to go - Anywhere!   Don’t be afraid to take children away from resort areas.  Children can have fun at the beach, in the mountains, or in the city.  Markets, ruins, and bus rides are all an adventure for them.  Don’t be nervous - buy your tickets and start traveling again!

Some airlines are allowing ticketed passengers to Mexico, with scheduled departures prior to  May 6th, to reschedule their trips without a change fee.  If you already have purchased a ticket, departing by May 6th, and are interested in delaying your trip, contact Exito to expore your options.

There is no one right answer to that question.  There are pros and cons to be weighed out before you decide whether or not to rent a car during your trip.

The reasons in favor of it are familiar ones - you have complete freedom to go where you want, when you want.  Public transportation in Latin America can be unpredictable - the train that usually goes on Wednesday just may have left on Tuesday this week.  Public transportation can also be inconvenient - there may not be a direct bus to Chugchilan today, you may have to go to Sigchos and wait for a connecting bus.  By renting a car, you may avoid a fair amount of inconvenience and discomfort.   Often, this may be enough of a plus to outweigh all the arguments against it.

There are, however, a number of problems with renting a car to consider, before you take the plunge.

The first consideration is, once you have rented a car, you then have a very expensive thing that you are responsible for.  You will have to be careful of where you park, and what hotels you stay in - you will generally need to stay at hotels that offer secure parking.  The responsibility of a car will certainly affect your trip - you must be comfortable with the trade-offs you may have to make in order to look after the car.

Secondly, a car isolates you.  Yes, you have the convenience of going where you want, when you want, but you no longer have the possibility of human interactions and connections that you have on public transportation.  You will not make any new friends or learn new things in the isolation of your own car.

Third, if you rent a car, you then have to drive in Latin America.  This may or may not be a disadvantage to you, depending on your experience and comfort level.  While driving in Latin America is nowhere near as bad as people try to tell you, it’s certainly a lot more anarchic than driving in the US.  If driving on a busy freeway in the US makes you nervous, you might not feel comfortable driving in Mexico City.  And if you do get into trouble, you will have to deal with the authorities of that country.  If you have an accident in Mexico, you have to deal with the Mexican authorities.  An encounter of this kind can be anything from confusing to downright frightening.  (Don’t get too freaked out by this, though - I have dealt with police in a number of different countries, and have lived to tell the tale).

Finally, it’s often expensive.  The basic rental may not be particularly costly, but many countries in Latin American require mandatory insurance.  In the US, car rental insurance is often covered either by your own auto insurance or by your credit card company.  In Latin America, often neither of those apply.  You may be required to purchase a collision damage waiver that can add another 50% on to the cost of your rental.

Before making the decision of whether to rent a car or not, it often makes sense to investigate alternatives.  In Latin America, many people do not own cars, so there are more different options available than there might be in the US.

Public buses and trains are, of course, always an option.  There are a wide variety of public buses in Latin America, from the famed third-class chicken buses to quite elegant first-class buses with movies and stewardesses.  Trains are less common, but can be an interesting alternative.

Taxis are also a great option.  In Latin America, it’s not unusual to hire a taxi for a day, to take you around while you shop or sightsee.  Negotiate the fare in advance with the driver, and you then have a private car for the day.  Actually, it’s better than a private car - you never have to hunt for a parking space.  Your hotel can often help you arrange this, and can give you an idea of the price.

Private transfers can also be a good compromise.  Even remote hotels usually work with someone to provide transfers, often to a city or airport many hours away.  While it may seem expensive for one day, if it saves you a week of car rental, it may work out to be the most economical option.  Ask your hotel if they can arrange transfers for you.

Having said all this, there are still times when renting a car makes sense.  You can stop in that cute little town, buy bulky souveniers, and have some privacy while traveling.

If you do decide to rent a car, here are a few tips:

1.  Get an International Driver’s Permit.  This is essentially a translation of your driver’s license into 10 different languages.  While these are not strictly required in most places, they can save time - all your information is already listed in Spanish and Portuguese.

2.  Check the fine print with your credit card company before you go.  Yes, many credit card companies do provide insurance for car rentals, but there are often many exclusions for Latin America. Check before you go.

3.  Find out the requirements for insurance coverage for the country you will be visiting.  Some countries will not accept credit card coverage as sufficient insurance.  Research this before you go, so you don’t have to figure it out while standing at the rental car counter.

4.  Rent with a company that has offices in the US.  If you do end up having a problem, it is much easier if there is a US office you can work with after your return home.  It is worth spending a bit more money on your rental to have some recourse later on with any problems that might arise.

Finally, if you do rent a car - don’t stress too much about it.  With a good map and a sense of adventure, you can have a wonderful trip to remember for years afterward.

Quito, Ecuador, does offer one oasis for the weary and thirsty wanderer, however. It goes by the name of La Santa Espuma, and you can find it tucked away in a quiet residential neighborhood at the cross streets of Orellana and Whimper just outside of the Mariscal Sucre district. As a brewpub and restaurant, they offer not only various styles of beer brewed in-house, but also some delectable eats to enjoy while sipping a few cold ones. Their repertoire of cervezas consists of a Scottish, a porter, a golden, a heffeweizen, and a periodic seasonal, and they are all a very welcome break from the “Big 2” of Ecuadorian beers. The establishment itself is very stylishly decorated and provides a warm atmosphere for all, especially seated next to the fireplace.

Microbreweries are just as scarce in Peru as they are in Ecuador. Despite online evidence of their existence, finding Peruvian craft beers in person is another matter all together. While in Cuzco one might stumble upon “Cerveza Perkas”. This is actually quite an interesting and innovative brew. It is made with coca leaf, which is a common cure given to anyone suffering from altitude sickness.  Not only is the flavor undeniably distinct, but the medicinal value is a good excuse for pounding back a couple to help yourself acclimatize to the almost 11,000 feet elevation of Cuzco.

Colombia is starting to get on board of the craft beer bandwagon with great examples such as Bogotá Beer Company and Tres Cordilleras. Bogotá Beer Company is responsible for a classic blonde, a red, a black, a porter, and a few seasonals such as a heiffewiezen and a stout. Tres Cordilleras offers three styles: “La Blanca”, which is similar to a heiffeweizen, “La Mestiza”, which is similar to an American Pale Ale, and “La Mulata”, which is a dark more syrupy malted beverage.

Further south in southern Brazil and Argentina, microbreweries are quite numerous and much more accessible.  Some even produce beers that fall into the “Big Beer” category, having breached the 8.0% alcohol content level. Perhaps with the influence and popularity of craft beers from these two countries and interest coming from North America we’ll see more Cervezarias Artesenalas sprout up on the northern part of South America in the near future.

Regardless though, experiencing local cuisine while abroad should be a cornerstone of one’s travels and adding the search for local beverages will greatly enhance the overall experience. Although sparse in certain regions, a brewery tour of South America is most definitely possible and would make for a fun time. A multi city ticket with the partnering airlines Taca and Lacsa would facilitate such a tour in a convenient and inexpensive manner. Contact an Exito Travel agent for questions, comments, and concerns.

Vaccination is not mandatory for the border crossing of Puerto Iguazu to Foz Iguacu, or entry to Argentina, but the Argentinian Health Ministry is now suggesting that all passengers going to the following areas be vaccinated against yellow fever:
- Misiones: all the province which includes Iguazu Falls and the city of Posadas.
- Salta: the eastern region of San Martin, Rivadavia, Anta & Oran.
- Jujuy: the border with Bolivia the eastern regions of Ledesma, Santa Barbara and San Pedro.
- Corrientes: the northern regions of San Cosme, Itati, Beron de Astrada, San Miguel, Ituzaingo, Santo Tome, Gral Alvear, San Martin & Paso de los Libres.
- Chaco: the region of Bermejo
- Formosa: the whole province.

Vaccination should be done 10 days before traveling for people aged 1 to 60 years old.

Beyond applauding innovations in aircraft fuel efficiency and lower emissions, there are things air travelers can do to trim the net environmental effect of their travel activities. Here are a few practical ideas:

Smart Trip Planning
Choose flights that make the journey efficiently. Less take offs and landings, and flights that are shorter and more direct will automatically save fuel, resulting in lower emissions. Consider taking one longer trip per year, including multiple stops in the same region or stopping over at a mid point “on the way”. Even if getting to each destination requires a short flight, it’s still more efficient than booking a series of round trip flights all the way from home and back again, and it’s usually cheaper. Taking a slightly longer trip is almost guaranteed to have it’s own bonus in terms of mental health - the “shift and lift” that can result from disconnecting from a daily home/work routine for more than a week at a time.

Carbon Offsets, Where You Want Them
By now, almost everyone has encountered an online “calculator” that approximates the “carbon footprint” , or adverse environmental effect, of certain activities, including air travel. There’s a growing array of organizations selling carbon offset “credits” which contribute to “offsetting” damage done by CO2 emmissions, by contributing to some form of repair. The money mainly supports  things like planting trees, or projects pertaining to clean and/or renewable energy. Whether or not the calculators or credits are truly accurate in ultimately “neutralizing” the emissions, it’s an opportunity to give something back.

With so many “offset” choices, it’s natural to question just what is happens with the credits. Some organizations undergo verification by third parties, others published extensive reports on the web or upon request.  What’s particularly exciting is that it’s possible to apply credits toward particular projects that are right under your, well, wings. Flying to Central America? You can “Buy American” and purchase offsets that benefit projects that lie right along your path. For example, the Maya Nut tree Programme. Ecuador?  CanopyCo focuses on environmental projects specifically in rural Ecuador.

“Recycle” Your Stuff
The concept: Donate things like wearable clothes, eyeglasses, and school supplies to local non-profit organizations. Over packers can lighten their loads to give back to local communities, possibly making room for souvenirs at the same time.

Resources:
http://www.happygringo.com/happy-gringo-ecuador/responsible-tourism/volunteer-ecuador.html
http://www.islacozumel.net/services/donations/#
http://www.learningcentercostarica.org/support-sclc/material-donations.html
http://www.soles4souls.org/areas/trips_schedule.html
http://www.mayanfamilies.org/SendSupplies

With a little bit of research, it gets easier to make travel choices that can make a good trip a trip to feel good about.

The Sionas are a group of indigenous people living in the “Oriente”, or eastern portion of Ecuador, sharing territory with the Secoya people along the Aguarico, Shushufindi, and Cuyabeno Rivers. They cultivate many crops, among which is manioc, or “cassava” as they refer to it. Manioc is probably one of the most effortlessly grown crops, if grown in the right climate. To start a new plant all one has to do is take a branch from another plant and stick it in the ground. This is how Berta, one of the Sionas that I met during my visit, taught me.

The edible portion of the plant is the root, which can range in length and is covered in a rough, brown, waxy skin. One of the Sionas’ main uses for the plant is a tortilla-like food that they simply refer to as “cassava”. Berta was kind enough to show me and the rest of the group how to make this food having all of us join in on the preparation. Here is a step-by-step list of how to prepare your own manioc tortilla.

1. Gather and skin manioc root.
2. Grate skinned root over container.
3. Remove excess moisture from root. You will want to leave it somewhat moist, as that is how it binds together.
4. Depending on the size that you desire for your manioc tortilla you can spread it evenly on a pizza sheet or in a pan. The residual moisture should ensure that it does not stick to any surface so grease or oil is not necessary.
5. Cook it at a medium heat being sure that both sides reach a light brownness in color. (Berta cooked hers on a piece of metal similar to a pizza sheet over an open fire.)
6. Let it cool and enjoy.

In my mind the uses for the manioc tortilla are limitless. At first taste I thought of pizza dough, but one could obviously use it for any kind of wrap as well. The only recommendation that I have would be to add salt because it is a bit bland on its own. The root should be available in most grocery stores and may range in price depending upon how far from the tropics you are. The finished product is not quite as pliable as the corn and flour tortillas that most are accustomed to, but it can provide for a fun and interesting variation on many everyday meals. Buen provecho!

Fast forward to 2007, when 100 million votes were collected by internet, SMS and phone, as part of the “New 7 Wonders of the World” campaign, culminating in a list of seven monuments valued for their significance to the globe’s diverse cultural heritage. The goal: bring awareness and appreciation to these treasures, in hopes of conserving them.  Among the “winners” are the awe-inspiring sites of of Machu Picchu in Peru, and the pyramids of Chichenitza in Mexico.

The same non-profit group is behind the current “New 7 Wonders of Nature” campaign. The world is now being called upon to nominate and vote on the most treasured natural, rather than man-made, sites of the globe. Hundreds of places, from the Amazon Basin to K2 Mountain to the Red Sea, have been nominated, and the voting will continue through mid 2009. (Yes, YOU can vote! Check out: http://www.new7wonders.com )

Meanwhile, in Costa Rica, the newspaper La Nacion, perhaps as a kind of marketing ploy and hopefully at least out of curiosity, has already conducted a similar project of it’s own, collecting almost 30,000 votes to arrive at what it calls the “Seven Wonders of Costa Rica”. With so many stunning natural sites to choose from, it wasn’t difficult to come up with an impressive list:

* Isla del Coco, a Unesco World Heritage site known for clear waters and abundant marine life
* Arenal Volcano , providing amazement with an almost daily pyroclastic show, at close-enough range.
* Cerro Chirripo, a 3820 meter peak containing incredible biodiversity, and even a bit of snow.
* Rio Celeste, a clear-turned-bright-blue river containing waterfalls and hot springs, winding through the rainforest
* Tortuguero, a network of dense waterways, including the coastal nesting grounds of several sea turtle species.
* Poas Volcano, the largest active crater in the world with molten sulfur bubbling under huge crater lakes.
* Monteverde,  a cloud forest and wildlife refuge, housing hundreds of species, including the colorful Quetzal

Consider that many of these diverse, breathtakingly gorgeous, and often remote places are still located within a day’s drive of Costa Rica’s international airport, and of each other, albeit on a sometimes rough and windy road. No need to buy an around the world ticket or take the summer off to see all seven of these “wonders”. Technically, one could see all seven of them in seven days, but to really do them justice it would be better to (at least) double that.

Regardless of exactly who voted, or whether these are all really “wonders” or just wonderful places, the value of these sites is hard to question. Bringing attention to them can serve as a source of inspiration to learn a bit more, perhaps enough more to warrant exploring them in person. Hopefully if we can all manange to do so responsibly, we can hope to keep them around for a while, and let them disappear like the ones from the first list.