Dos and Dont’s of Traveling in Latin America Post COVID
By ~ Eric-Sheets
Due to the ongoing (yet dwindling) global pandemic, it’s likely been a longer time than usual since you last traveled. New travel regulations and protocols have been put in place to ensure your safety as well as that of every other traveler —but those are not the only things that have changed. Worldwide we have entered a new era of travel that has brought to the surface the responsibilities of modern-day travelers, including smart and safe choices, circular economy and cultural as well as environmental sensitivity.
By using the following do’s and don’t of traveling in Latin America post COVID—recommended by our team members, who just happen to be experts in their field as well as passionate explorers—you can ensure that your next travel experience is not only memorable but impactful in all the right ways.
Stay Up to Date and Aware for the Greater Good
Make sure you’re aware of and willing to abide by the health and safety protocols set in place by the country (or countries) that you are visiting—not just for your safety but for the safety of your fellow travelers, locals, and members of the tourism industry as well as their families.
This begins with abiding to the entrance requirements for your travel destination and doesn’t end until upon your return when you are safely home and brimming with memories. When planning a trip to Latin America, we are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information regarding your travel destination. We know it can be stressful to keep up with the ever-changing regulations, especially as they vary from country to country.
Once you arrive at your vacation spot, however, it is the responsibility of each traveler to uphold the aforementioned health and hygiene protocols. As our guest, your health safety is just as important to us as is that of the hotel staff, tour operators, and local guides with whom we hold a close relationship.
Support Locally-Owned, Family-Run Establishments
It is no secret that the travel and tourism industry has struggled to survive during the past year and a half due to COVID-19. As a result, many of our peers have lost their jobs—and those who were lucky enough to hang in there are seemingly beginning at square one. What has not been lost is the love for travel and a passion for excellence that we share with our connections throughout Latin America.
For that reason, it is vital to support small, local businesses while traveling in Latin America post-COVID. Don’t try to score lower rates from hotels, tour guides, etc.—they’ve had no clients for over a year yet had to pay expenses nonetheless. You will also find that the quality of service and experience at a bespoke hotel or artisan boutique is far greater than that of a chain business.
As well, by supporting locally-owned, family-owned businesses, we are taking part in a circular economy that greatly benefits the local community as a whole.
Travel During Low Season
The high and low seasons were usual for those working in the tourism sector; however, in this so-called new normal, we need to do our best to help keep travel alive year-round. As previously mentioned, hotels, restaurants, and tour companies have had to cover costs without income for some time, all in the hope that travelers would be returning sooner than later.
We also can’t forget the key yet unofficial members of the tourism industry that have felt the harsh impact of life without tourists: street vendors, local artisans, and urban artists. In the absence of other travelers, you are able to interact with the vibrant locals on a deeper level.
Traveling during low season has plenty of perks for you as a traveler as well: added privacy, exclusive access to popular local haunts, fewer crowds, personalized attention from staff, and more. Be sure to ask us for optimal times to visit a destination based on the aforementioned points.
Hire Local Guides to Go Deeper
If we get to the core of why we travel, more likely than not, it is based on connecting to people and experiencing something new.
We can not emphasize enough how important the local people of our Latin American destinations are. Their vibrancy, insider knowledge, and passion for their home radiates when interacting with curious travelers, making the experience that much more transformational.
To learn more about local culture than just surface level, visit unusual places that go unlisted in typical guidebooks and gastronomical secrets, a local is always the best guide. At Latin Excursions, we work with local experts—fishermen, chefs, artists, athletes, and eco-visionaries— to provide our guests with added value and to support the ones who do it best.
For more information regarding a customized journey to Latin America,
