Becoming a victim of crime is a possibility no matter where you travel nowadays – even when you stay at home! However, being aware of some of the popular scams and tricks that criminals and opportunists use to victimize tourists can help avoid problems that could ruin a good trip.

South America is a popular destination for world travellers and especially for backpackers, adventure enthusiasts and those taking a gap year. The country certainly has plenty to offer and a wonderful variety of landscapes from tropical beaches to the spectacular Andes Mountains, Amazon rainforest, Iguazu Falls, active volcanoes, and fascinating wildlife of the Galapagos Islands. Many travellers choose to take in the exciting and colourful fiestas and carnivals, or visit the sites of ancient civilizations. (Tip: To avoid disappointment, tickets to visit the Inca Trail and ruins at Machu Picchu should be purchased in advance).

The best travel advice is to do lots of research and set off armed with as much knowledge as possible. Take a quality guide book and Spanish and Portuguese phrase books. Chances are that nothing bad will happen but, unfortunately, travellers are vulnerable and criminals know it. They will take any opportunity to separate you from your money and possessions! The most common crimes anywhere in the world involve theft and pickpockets and theft of passports is a huge problem worldwide. Care should be taken in places where it is easy to be distracted and forget to watch your belongings, such as airports, internet cafes, on public transport or while renting a car. Avoid using public transport at night or walking alone at night in isolated areas.

Thieves have been known to target tourists by pretending to be police officers, tour operators, taxi drivers, or other officials (for example, a real police officer will never ask to see your wallet!) Taxis should be booked in advance with a reputable company, when possible. So called ‘express kidnappings’ are a problem in some areas where victims have been held captive and their bank accounts emptied before they are released. Female travellers should be especially cautious, especially when walking alone at night, on public transport, and in isolated areas, as rapes have been reported. Be on guard also for spiking of drinks – a problem which has become more prevalent. Avoid accepting drinks from strangers, leaving drinks unattended, and make sure that they are poured in plain view.

Be aware that many shops, bars, restaurants, and hotels may not accept credit cards in South American countries. Watch for counterfeit money and bogus ATM machines. In Peru, in particular, some ATM machines do not release credit and debit cards automatically unless a button is pushed – and instructions are not always written in English! It goes without saying that travellers should avoid all contact with illegal drugs or drug trafficking as the penalties are severe, involving imprisonment for long periods in extremely unpleasant conditions.

All travellers, especially those with pre-existing medical conditions, should have a thorough check-up and necessary vaccinations before leaving home. Diseases like yellow fever, dengue fever, cholera, and malaria are problematic in many areas. Evidence of valid inoculations may be required to travel between some countries in South America.

The above tips are just a sample of the knowledge travellers should be armed with before setting off. The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office ‘Know before You Go’ campaign is an excellent resource for travellers. Their ‘Travel Advice by Country’ section contains current travel updates and advisories and the Travellers Checklist is another useful tool. Young travellers should pay attention to their Gap Year information. Avoid attracting the attention of police, keep the locals happy, and impress your travel companions with your awareness of local customs, laws and expected etiquette for each country.

Adventure travellers and adrenalin junkies will find plenty of outdoor activities and thrills. Activities like kayaking, white water rafting, surfing, hiking, mountain biking and mountaineering are popular. Care should be taken to ensure that the correct travel insurance policy is purchased which will provide cover for any potentially hazardous sports activities. Chile and Argentina are popular destinations for downhill skiing during the UK summer months and, again; don’t forget that additional insurance coverage may be needed.

Many areas in South America are remote with limited access to good emergency medical facilities. If a medical emergency should arise, medical care or evacuation and repatriation may be necessary. Without comprehensive travel insurance the costs could be astronomical and mean the end of any further world travel plans for a very long time!

South America is a continent of extremes, and there is not just one, but thousands of reasons to explore the human and natural wonders of this remarkable landmass. South America’s expansive human history is visible through some of the best preserved ruins in the world. The fusion of Spanish, Portuguese and native cultures is evident in the distinctive art, food and music of the 12 independent countries.

Though it was the last continent to be inhabited, South America has a long and delicate history of flourishing indigenous cultures before European arrival in the 16th century. Archeological sites in Peru reveal the practice of human sacrifice and other perplexing traditions by the Moche people who lived there 2000 years ago. South America’s most illustrious ancient people, the Inca, held their capital in modern day Cusco and sprinkled the Andes with remnants of their terraced farming and architecture. Machu Picchu, at 7,710 feet, is the best preserved and most breathtaking Inca town, well worth the 4 day hike along the Inca Trail (the less eager can opt for the train ride).

The Sky is the Limit

When it comes to breaking records, South America is the place to see. The massive north-south continent is spread through nearly every climate zone imaginable, which makes for very dynamic travel. The world’s highest water fall, Angels Falls, cascades over 3,200 feet in Venezuela’s Canaima National Park. The Amazon River, which winds across the north through Brazil, is the largest river in the world by volume while the Amazon Rainforest is the largest existing rainforest. Travel along the Andes, the world’s longest mountain range but make sure not to lose your way in Chile or you might end up in the driest place on earth, the Atacama Desert. Catch your breath at 3,600 meters while visiting the highest capital city of La Paz, Bolivia. Then, gather your arctic gear and head south to Ushuaia in Argentina, which is – you guessed it – the world’s southernmost city! Along the way, stop by the steppes of Patagonia, which happens to be the cleanest place on earth aside from Antarctica. South America is also home to the stunning diversity of Darwin’s Galapagos Islands (Ecuador) and the most remote island on earth, Easter Island (Chile) with its mysterious stone head sculptures and an inexplicably large population of Pacific Islanders.

South America also offers the comforts and luxuries of modern metropolitan life in any of the countries you choose to explore. Pick up the pace in Brazil’s bustling Rio de Janeiro or immerse yourself in the cosmopolitan chic of Buenos Aires, Argentina, while still gaining an appreciation for the past in these remarkable historic cities. From big city life and resort towns to tropical rainforests and mountain peaks, there is no better place to embark on your world travels than South America, a true melting pot of culture, history and geographic phenomena.

Do you travel less often? In that case you might decide to purchase your travel insurance from the tour agency that is conveying you. However, if you travel frequently it will be cheaper if you can afford an insurance that will cover you for a long time than to keep picking one whenever you are traveling.

With annual travel insurance you stand to be highly compensated in the event of any of the following: sickness, stolen or damaged belongings and several other situations that might require reimbursements.

Do you know that credit card companies provide annual travel insurance? What’s more, they also offer additional benefits such that in the event of loss or theft of a customer’s credit card, the customer stands to be furnished with another one in no time.

If there are readily available agencies that offer annual travel insurance then it is insurance companies. Once you have taken one or multiple policy insurance from an insurance company you are already a client and will be eligible for discounts.

Are you considering working with a new insurance company for a good annual travel insurance? Then don’t waste time to inform them about the other properties you have, which you might be willing to insure with them. This will produce great discounts for you.

If you plan to travel to South America or Africa or any other place outside your home country, be sure to look into travel insurance. All the various options for insurance are listed above, so I hope you make use of that information to find the best protection possible for you and your family.

One of the best countries to visit is South America, full of rich culture and a complete world away from the European lifestyle South America is home to many stand out countries such as Mexico, Brazil and Peru.  The thing is that for every article you read on the (very considerable) wonders of Manchu Picchu there are a thousand other equally amazing sights to see in this immense continent.  This article will cover ten secret holiday locations that you should consider if you want to see South America this year.

10. Panama City, Panama
This city is likely to see an increase in tourism this year especially for two reasons; firstly since April of this year flight company KLM has new routes going to Panama City making it easier to travel there this year.  The second reason may be that the popular US TV show Prison Break was based there recently and helped showcase the relaxed city with its attractive mix of jungles and beaches.

The beaches can provide the perfect retreat from working life back home. Panama boasts over 900 species of birds, an amazing 1,500 species of trees and well over 7000 breeds of vascular plants.  This makes for the perfect holiday if you are a nature buff and don’t fancy bird watching in a damp field in the rain back home.

9.    Puebla & Oaxaca, Mexico
Mexico is a popular tourist spot for many Americans looking to venture outside their own borders. It is also popular amongst American college students during the summer and spring breaks.  But whilst it’s got a great party atmosphere if that isn’t quite your thing then there are plenty of other reasons to visit Mexico.

The main one that springs to mind is the cuisine, at some point chances are you’ll have encountered some derivative of Mexican cooking here in the UK but as with all specialist cuisine you can’t beat the taste at the source.  If you’re not content with simply eating the local food then there are local cookery courses that you can partake in if you prefer a hands on approach.  Cities like Puebla and Oaxaca have many cookery classes that can teach you the skills to impress family and friends upon your return from your holiday.

Mexico is also home to Cancun which has become popular in recent years and with many cheap flights to Cancun available now may be the best time to take advantage of this delightful country’s food.

8.    San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
The Atacama Desert in Chile may not sound like the most inviting destination but there are a surprising amount of activities to do in Chile; one specialist hotel even offers an adventure holiday and spa out in the middle of the Desert.  The Tierra Atacama Adventure and Spa is a boutique hotel that can offer tours of the terracotta coloured sands and neighbouring lagoons. 

There are even areas that are so untouched by man, due to being protected areas, that they have earned the name Moon Valley as it resembles the moon’s surface with small but sharp crested hills.

The next part of this article will cover the many other locations in South America that you should visit this year.  cheap flights to Mexico and other South American locations have seen many UK tourists spreading their wings and getting flights to see this wonderful corner of the world for themselves