For most travelers visiting South America, any health risks are hugely outweighed by the tremendous pleasures and wonders that await you throughout the continent. Most health risks can be dealt with fairly easily, and worrying about them constantly would take away from your enjoyment of such a beautiful place. With that said, it is important to be informed about diseases such as malaria and how to help prevent them. My personal motto is “Always prepared, never scared.”

Some areas of South America have little or no risk of malaria, while other areas have a significant risk of malaria, and travelers to such areas should take drugs for malaria prevention. Note that a malaria vaccination does not yet exist, only malaria prophylaxis drugs that must be taken before, during, and after your trip.

The general picture in South America is that places at high elevations have little or no risk of malaria, while lower altitude rural areas and forested/jungle areas have higher risk of malaria. Non-forested coastal areas are higher risk than high altitude areas, but not as high risk as forested/jungle areas. This is a very general and simple overview. Let’s look at each country on the continent. On the malaria map you can see the highest risk areas of malaria, in and around the Amazon Basin.

• There are three countries in South America with no malaria: Chile, Uruguay, and the Falkland Islands.
• In Argentina there is no risk in most of the country, but a limited risk along the northwestern borders with Bolivia and Paraguay.
• In Bolivia there is malaria risk in rural areas at elevations below 2500 meters, particularly in the Amazon Basin.
• While there is some limited risk of Malaria, Brazil is fairly low risk in most areas. There is significant risk in the Amazon Basin, in Mato Grosso and Maranhao (the legal Amazon). In other areas of Brazil malaria prophylaxis drugs are not necessary and a mosquito repellant should be sufficient.
• In Colombia there is significant risk in all areas below an altitude of 800 meters, particularly in the southern and southeastern areas bordering Peru and Brazil. At high elevations there is little or no risk.
• For Malaria, Ecuador is somewhat risky at altitudes below 1500 meters, especially in Esmeraldas Province which is the highest risk. Galapagos and Guayaquil pose no malarial threat.
• There is some risk of malaria everywhere in French Guiana all year round, but the only high risk areas are the nine municipalities bordering Brazil and Suriname. There other 13 municipalities pose a low risk of malaria.
• In Guyana there is high risk of malaria in all interior regions all year round, and there are cases on the coast from time to time but the coast is largely considered low risk.
• There is malaria risk in the parts of Paraguay near the southeastern border with Brazil, especially in rural and jungle areas.  There is very little risk in other areas.
• In Peru there is malarial risk in rural areas below 1500 meters, east of the Andes Mountains and west of the Amazon Basin.
• In Suriname, there is high risk of malaria throughout the year in the southern and central areas
  
  of the country. But there is little risk in the city of Paramaribo and the coastal areas.
• In Venezuela, the risk of malaria is low in Caracas and nearby coastal areas, as well as on Margarita Island. Risk is high, however, in the inland rainforest areas, including around Angel Falls.

I encourage you to research your medical options and to not rely on this blog for official health advice, but I hope this information is useful for your general planning and for considering your travel options. Many travelers in lower risk areas don’t take malaria prophylaxis drugs, reasoning that the dangers of the prophylaxis drugs outweigh the minor risk of malaria, and that malaria can be treated if and when symptoms develop. Others are more cautious. But in the higher risk areas, most travellers take prophylaxis drugs, as well as use a good mosquito spray and mosqito netting when they sleep.

Malarone Prophylaxis (anti-malarial)

Despite the varying risk levels of malaria, South America is an enchanting and inspiring place of wondrous beauty, and all of your precautions will pay off when you can enjoy your trip with a clear conscience knowing that you are prepared.

No Comments »

No comments yet.

RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URL

Leave a comment

Some of the best beaches in the world are found in coastal South America, with its georgeous tropical climate. What is the best beach in South America?

1. Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro

Ipanema Beach, Brazil

The most famous beach in South America, and one of the most famous in the world, is Ipanema beach in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Lying on the Atlantic coast of Brazil, it features breathtaking emerald waters and white sands. Not a typical South America beach resort, it is frequented mainly by cariocas (locals from Rio de Janeiro), as opposed to tourists. It is a social beach, with designated sporting areas and widely available alcoholic drinks such as beer,  cachaca (a Brazilian rum made from sugar cane), as well as Caipirinha (cachaca or vodka mixed with ice, sugar, and crushed lime).

Ipanema beach is often referred to as “the sexiest beach in the world” where the young and beautiful go to show off their bodies and appreciate others’.

2. Parque Nacional Tayrona, Colombia

Ecohabs en Colombia

If you are looking for something more peaceful and secluded with beach houses, South America’s loveliest place is the Tayrona National Park near Santa Marta, Columbia. It consists of 37,000 acres of beaches, reef, mangroves, and traditional Indian lands with ruins. The views are universally reported to be spectacular.

Accomodation is available for a wide range of tourist budgets, including hammocks for US$5 a night, a room in cabanas (cabins or beach houses) for around $35 per night, or luxury “Ecohabs” for around $200 per night. Aside from the cabanas, mid-range accomodation is decidedly lacking.

3. Gardner Bay, Isla Espanola, Galapagos Islands

There are countless breathtaking Galapagos Islands Beach Resorts, so many that it’s difficult to choose one for inclusion on this list. But just for example, one of them is Gardner Bay, on the Isla Espanola in the Galapagos Islands. In addition to being a gorgeous white sand tropical beach, it is also home to iguanas, turtles, pelicans, sea lions, albatrosses, and other fascinating spiecies to behold.

Because of the presence of such extensive wildlife, entry is only permitted when accompanied by a ranger. But Gardner Bay is well worth the visit if you can arrange it.

4. El Agua, Venezuela

Playa El Agua, Venezuela

Another stunningly beautiful beach in South America is El Agua beach, on Isla Margarita in the Caribbean Sea off the shore of Venezuela. Locals claim that this beach boasts sunshine 11 months of the year. Here you can sea picturesque postcard views, exactly how you imagine a tropical beach to look, white whites sands, palm trees, and emerald ocean.

5. Praia do Forte Eco Resort, Brazil

Another amazing beach lies within Praia do Forte Eco Resort near Salvador (famous for the Salvador Carnaval) in Brazil. One of the best and most luxurious South America beach resorts, Praia do Forte is often called the perfect honeymoon destination. With perfectly manicured resort grounds and wildlife such as iguanas left free to roam, your surroundings are both elegant yet natural. The hotel facilities and restaurant all receive fantastic reviews. It is also known for being one of the most family-friendly beach resorts in South America.

There are literally countless other amazing beaches and beach resorts in South America. These are simply a few recommended highlights to see if you have the chance. But even if you travel somewhere far from the above destinations, you will find gorgeous sand and surf in South America.

No Comments »

No comments yet.

RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URL

Leave a comment