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INFORMATION ON SPECIFIC COUNTRIES
Argentina
Argentina is a medium income nation with a developing economy.
The quality of facilities for tourism varies according to price
and area. U.S. citizens who are also citizens of Argentina (dual
nationals) should call the Argentine Embassy or nearest consulate
to clarify their status and to obtain the latest information and
requirements for travel.
Belize
Belize is a developing country. Facilities for tourism vary
in quality.
Bolivia
Bolivia is a developing nation with a slowly growing economy.
Facilities for tourism are adequate but vary greatly in quality.
Roads outside the major cities are frequently unpaved. Rail transportation
is below standard. In addition to the American Embassy in La Paz,
you may also seek assistance at two consular agencies, one located
in Santa Cruz and the other in Cochabamba.
Brazil
Brazil has a developing economy. Facilities for tourism are
good in the major cities, but vary in quality in remote areas.
Those arriving in Brazil without a visa are usually required to
depart on the next available flight. Minors (under 18) traveling
alone, with one parent or with a third party must present written
authorization by the absent parent(s) or legal guardian, specifically
granting permission to travel alone, with one parent or with a
third party. This authorization must be notarized, authenticated
by the Brazilian Embassy or nearest consulate, and translated
into Portuguese.
Street crime is a problem in Brazil, especially in areas surrounding
hotels, bars, nightclubs, discotheques and other establishments
where visitors tend to gather, including locations adjacent to
the main beach areas in Rio. In addition to the American Embassy
in Brasilia, you may seek assistance at the Consulates General
located in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, the Consulate in Recife
and the Consular Agencies in Belem, Manaus and Salvador de Bahia.
Chile
Chile has a stable government and a strong economy. Civil disorder
is rare. Tourist facilities vary according to price and area.
American citizens are required to pay a "processing fee" of $20
in U.S. currency (exact change) at the international airport check
in point. Those considering scientific, technical or mountaineering
activities in areas classified as frontier areas are required
to obtain authorization from the Chilean government. Requests
for authorization must be presented to Chilean authorities at
least 90 days prior to the beginning of the expedition. The portions
of Antarctica claimed by Chile are exempt from these pre-approval
requirements.
Colombia
There is a Travel Warning in effect for Colombia. Colombia is
one of the most dangerous countries in the world. Violence affects
a significant portion of the country. As a result, all in-country
travel, both official and private, to all destinations by U.S.
government employees is restricted. Kidnapping for ransom and
political purposes is increasing in Colombia. In recent years,
several U.S. citizens have been kidnapped, and two U.S. citizen
kidnap victims were killed.
If you must travel to Colombia, a valid U.S. passport and a
return or onward ticket are required. U.S. citizens do not require
entry visas for stays of less than 30 days. Stiff fines are imposed
if passports are not stamped on arrival and if stays exceeding
30 days are not authorized by the Colombian Immigration Agency
(DAS Extranjeria). Minors under 18 traveling alone, with one parent
or with a third party must present written authorization from
the absent parent or legal guardian. The authorization must be
notarized, authenticated and translated into Spanish. Minors must
also present a notarized copy of their birth certificate. If the
child was born in the United States, the birth certificate must
be notarized by a Colombian consulate within the U.S. If the child
was born in Colombia, the birth certificate must have been issued
by a Colombian notary.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a developing country. Tourist facilities, particularly
in the capital, are generally adequate. It is strongly recommended
that U.S. citizens use a valid U.S. passport to enter Costa Rica.
U.S. citizens must have an onward or return ticket. Kidnapping
of foreigners is on the increase. Money exchangers on the street
pass off counterfeit U.S. dollars and local currency. Credit card
fraud is growing.
Ecuador
Ecuador has a developing economy. Tourist facilities are adequate
but vary in quality. Avoid the areas within approximately 30 miles
of the Colombian border because of criminal and Colombian guerrilla
violence. Refer to the Consular Information Sheet for further
details. There are numberous traffic accidents involving buses.
Bus travel throughout Ecuador can be particularly dangerous because
of the frequency of crimes perpetrated against bus travelers.
Kidnappings of foreigners, including Americans, is on the rise.
Maritime safety standards on some tour vessels to the Galapagos
Islands are deficient. It may be useful to verify the credentials
of tour vessels in advance. Under provision of Ecuadorian law,
a business dispute that would normally be handled by civil litigation
in the U.S. may be converted into a criminal proceeding. This
provision of law has been used to impose travel prohibitions against
resident Americans and has resulted in U.S. businesspersons being
arrested.
El Salvador
El Salvador has a developing economy. Tourist facilities are
not fully developed. Credit cards are widely accepted. The Salvadoran
constitution prohibits foreigners from participating in domestic
political activities, including public demonstrations. The government
of El Salvador considers such involvement to be a violation of
the participant's tourist visa status. Mine removal efforts have
ended, but land mines and unexploded ammunition in back country
regions still pose a threat to off-the-road tourists, backpackers
and campers. Currently, it is extremely difficult for prospective
adoptive parents to begin adoption proceedings in El Salvador.
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