What would you like to know before travelling to Latin America?

[DiegoO]

Ask me anything about the region I live in.

[DryGermanGuy]

Buenas dias! As a visitor preferring to travel alone, how can I be „invisible“ to scammers, thugs and muggers? Does looking poor (old clothing) help? I have dark hair and tan very quickly.

[DiegoO]

Although I wouldn't recommend travelling alone, nowhere in LATAM, if you wish to do so, there are some things I suggest.

1. Learn the language of the country you are visiting. In LATAM you have Spanish, Portuguese, French, etc.

2. Don't travel with an expensive cellphone. With that I don't mean only the price, I am also referring to the brand. Go for the unpopular brands.

3. Don't use fancy clothe in LATAM, unless you are ritch. If you are indeed ritch, better stick with your body guards and don't leave the safe zones.

4. Safe zones: touristic areas and destinations.

5. Don't trust anyone.

*Never ever sit in the front seat of a taxi. You'll make yourself an easy target, if the taxi driver works for an organized crime. In the back seat you'll have more control over any dangerous situation.

*Do not trust those locals who appears to be overly friendly. Maintain distance with the locals and be cautious with other foreigners.

*At all time, even if you're in a hotel, assure your most valuelable possessions. With that I mean: hide them well, under padlock.

6. It doesn't matter of you have dark hair and than skin. People will know you're a foreigner. Been so, remember to be cautious.

7. Get feedbacks from friends and family member who travelled to LATAM. Check online. Learn whatever you need to learn from the region, specially from the countries you'll visit.

That's it.

[Jamie05rhs]

You live in Nicaragua, right? Okay; what are your most important historical sites and natural wonders?

[DiegoO]

In my country: Ciudad de León—colonial city. Another colonial city is: Granada. Beside those colonial cities, if you like surfing: San Juan del Sur, among other beaches in the Pacific are perfect for it.

Other important historical places, are located in the north of the country. The Caribbean part shows another history—for the most part. It was a British protectorate from the 16th century, up till the 17-18th century. If I am not wrong, in the Caribbean side, known as: moskito coast, there are institutions that manage the history of that side of the nation.

There are many historical data and places of the country. Some are public, others remaine undiscovered and unknown.

[DiegoO]

unknown for most***

[Jamie05rhs]

@DiegoO Nice!
And wow- I didn't know that the British were there.

[DiegoO]

As to the natural wonders. Like I said, there are perfect beaches for surfing. In the north there's a place called "selva negra"—german families settled in the north. They invested in the coffee industry. Their descendants still run the business. Selva negra is a natural area.
In the north you can also find a canyon named: canon de somoto. Back to the Pacific, there are volcanoes you can visit. One you can even slide from. The sport is called sand boarding. It's practiced in the surroundings of Momotombo volcanoes.

In the Caribbean there are lot of virgin nature, but is the most underdeveloped and unsafe place of the country. Better limit yourself to the popular destination in the Caribbean regions: Corn Island

[DiegoO]

Yeah, the Pacific was ruled by Spaniards and the British had control over the Caribbean region.

[Jamie05rhs]

@DiegoO This is really cool! Thank you so much, man!

[DiegoO]

No problem

[Jamie05rhs]

@DiegoO Is Momotombo the only active volcano in that area? Are the other ones inactive?

[DiegoO]

Here is a link. Only translate the page.

nicaraguainvestiga.com/.../

[Jamie05rhs]

@DiegoO Cool!

[Jamie05rhs]

@DiegoO Puedo leer en español. Jaja

[DiegoO]

Lol, que bien!

[Jamie05rhs]

@DiegoO ! Gracias!

[DiegoO]

👍...

[NathanDavis]

do you know all of the 40+ different names that are out there, across (Latin) America, for the puma?

so far, I've seen about 20 names...

[DiegoO]

"Tigre, puma, león americano, pantera"—most commonly names for it.

Puma (quichua), león, león americano, leoncito bayo, susuarana, onça parda u onça vermelha (portugués), onza colorada, yaguá-pihtá o dyaguá – pihtá (guaraní), guasuára, trapial (mapuche) y muontain lion (inglés).

It has many others, probably used by different indigenous groups, or even used in rural communities.

[DiegoO]

Rural communities of farmers*

[NathanDavis]

lmao... leoncito bayo

[DiegoO]

Ye 😆

[OlderAndWiser]

Are Americans safe to travel alone in your country?

[DiegoO]

No, not really. Always travel in group and don't trust locals or nationals who are willing to show you the country—or who behaves overly friendly. Neither put your trust in the police. If you are coming to my country, plan everything and don't go off the places you are visiting. Good news: many Americans, Canadians and Europeans, visit my country, so you'll not feel like the only foreigner, specially in San Juan del Sur.

[menina]

1. If I spoke Spanish with a Portuguese accent, would people be upset?

2. Could I travel by myself as a woman?

3. Places where I could have fun and interact with the locals?

4. Are people welcoming when it comes to tourists?