FAQs

• A modular trip means fellow travellers will join and leave at various locations. There’ll be some goodbyes, sure, but there’ll also be plenty of hellos with new like-minded travellers.

• Flexibility is key when you’re travelling in Latin America. The itinerary will give you a good idea of what your trip is going to look like. But routes, schedules, hotels & modes of transportation may be subject to change without prior notice because of local circumstances or events beyond Contiki’s control. 

• You’ll need to bring USD cash with you, as it’s the only way to pay for the Free Time Add-Ons on this trip. You’ll receive the cost of each option in your Welcome Email. Plus, we recommend you bring Visa and/or Master Card (American Express or Discover cards aren’t widely accepted).  

• You’ll usually receive a 10% service charge on your restaurant bill. But tipping isn’t a requirement. Either way, if you’re pleased with your service, a tip will always be appreciated! We recommend tipping 12% of the total bill. 

• It depends on where you’re travelling to. Cities in Argentina and Brazil have lots of ATMs (just be careful of those sneaky fees). But you’re better off carrying cash when visiting rural places.

• You’ll be able to buy a lot of things at an affordable price once you arrive. But we’d suggest you bring: 

  • Summer clothes: shorts and lightweight tops are essential for keeping cool. 
  • Warm overcoat: there’ll be colder parts of your trip, even in summertime. 
  • Good walking socks & shoes: keep comfy on any terrain. 
  • Sturdy backpack: one you don’t mind getting dusty too! 

• You can bring 1 hand luggage + 1 suitcase or backpack per person. 
   
  Internal flights are included in this trip (your Trip Manager will have your tickets ready for you). Each traveller is allowed 1 checked bag & 1 carry-on bag/personal item (eg: small backpack/handbag or laptop bag). Our suitcase restriction above means that the checked bag will be within the limitation for this flight. The carry-on bag must not exceed 114 cm (45”). Extra or overweight bags will incur a fee by the airline which is the traveller’s responsibility. Fees range from US$25.00-US$100.00. 

• Argentina’s climate is wildly diverse - think warm, moderate, arid, and cold zones. Buenos Aires has hot, humid summers (up to 100°F) and mild winters (rarely below 40°F). Brazil? Equatorial in the north, tropical in the center, and subtropical down south. Rio stays warm year-round, with a hot, muggy season from December to March. Pack accordingly!  

• Drinking tap water isn’t recommend. So, please stick to bottled water (even when brushing your teeth). There will be plenty of opportunities to purchase bottled water during the trip. 

• Please check the latest travel info from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention if you're travelling to Argentina and Brazil. We also recommend that you consult your local health clinic or doctor for more details.

• Contiki sometimes uses ground handlers or third parties to assist with the full or partial operation of our products. The ground handler for this trip is Encounter Latin America.

• Your Trip Manager brings the group together with all the info, fun facts and food recommendations you'll ever need. Plus, they’ll ensure everything runs smoothly and address any issues. They’ll be there with you throughout the trip and will be your go-to person if you need anything. They’ll also fill you in on the cultural and historical context of the places you visit with some informal talks when relevant. 

• Most places use similar plugs to the US and Europe, but it’s a good idea to bring a circular two-prong adapter just in case. No voltage converter is needed for devices like phones and laptops, but you may need one for high-powered devices (e.g., hairdryers).