Health
Vaccinations and Preventative Medicine
All travelers are encouraged to consult a physician to ensure that any unique healthcare needs can be met. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes recommendations for citizens traveling abroad. Travelers should take these recommendations seriously and follow the CDC’s guidelines. Visit CDC's Travelers' Health to find general information about health precautions and world travel. To research health issues specific to Nicaragua visit CDC's Health Information for Travelers to Nicaragua. And for Ecuador visit CDC’s Health Information for Travelers to Ecuador (Including the Galapagos Islands).
Food and Water
The CDC advises international travelers to "Make sure food and water is safe. Food and waterborne diseases are the primary cause of illness in travelers." The CDC provides recommendations for preparing and eating safe food and drinking water. Travel Alive host families provide purified water for drinking and brushing your teeth.
Insurance
Travel Alive provides international medical and accident insurance coverage during your program. Detailed insurance information will be provided after you register or can be provided upon request. If you are traveling before or after your program, or you plan to participate in “extreme sports,” you may want to purchase supplemental or extended insurance coverage. We can provide information regarding supplemental and extended insurance; however this is not included in the cost of any Travel Alive programs and is the responsibility of each traveler.
Safety
As is the case in any unfamiliar environment, international travelers are advised to remain aware of their surroundings and personal safety. In Latin America simple common sense precautions should be enough to keep your visit pleasant and safe. For example, when traveling at night in a larger city, you may want to consider taking a taxi rather than riding a bus or walking. In smaller cities you may likely feel comfortable walking alone on familiar streets at night. As is the case when traveling anywhere, carry only small amounts of cash, keep personal items in pockets and bags, avoid dark streets, walk with others, and stay in populated areas.
Sometimes travelers ask, "Is Nicaragua a safe place to visit?" The perception that Nicaragua is unsafe traces back to the country's civil war, which ended in 1990. Since then Nicaraguans have returned to a peaceful existence and have held five undisputed democratic presidential elections. Today Nicaragua is considered one of the safest destinations in Central America! Tourism is one of the best economic opportunities for Nicaragua and great effort is made to make visitors feel safe and at home. Since tourism is not yet highly commercialized this is an ideal time to visit and experience Nicaragua’s simplicity and beauty.
Ecuador has held peaceful and consistent democratic elections since 1979 and as in Nicaragua, the Ecuadorians see tourism as an important opportunity for economic development and every effort is made to make visitors feel safe and welcome.
When you participate in a Travel Alive program to Ecuador or Nicaragua you will meet Latin Americans who are genuinely happy to host your visit and welcome you into their daily lives, knowing that when your stay is pleasant, you will send others.
