FAQ

Question 1

Passport & visa requirements

Accepted Answer

* This tour visits Brazil and Argentina. In order to enter these countries, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
* We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
* There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens to enter any of the countries on this tour. At this time, Argentina has suspended the reciprocity fee for both U.S. and Canadian travelers. As of June 17, 2019 Brazil no longer requires U.S. or Canadian citizens to obtain a visa for stays under 90 days. 
* If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Question 2

Tour pace

Accepted Answer

*   You will walk for about 2.5 hours daily across uneven terrain, including paved roads, cobblestone streets and slippery walkways, with some hills.
*   Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
*   You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times.
*   If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Question 3

Transportation & arrival information

Accepted Answer

*   Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Rio de Janeiro and depart from Buenos Aires. A representative from Go AheadTours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
*   Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
*   Flights from Rio to Iguazú Fallsand Iguazú Fallsto Buenos Aires are included in the price of your tour. A round-trip flight from Buenos Aires to El Calafate is also included in the price of the tour extension.
*   All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Question 4

Baggage allowance

Accepted Answer

*   Airlines have varying weight restrictions on baggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage; be advised that you are responsible for any such costs.
*   Contact your airline for detailed information regarding baggage size and weight restrictions for your flight, but please note that our travelers are restricted to one checked bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
*   One carry-on bag is also permitted, provided that it does not exceed 45 total inches (length + width + height).
*   Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Question 5

Clothing & packing tips

Accepted Answer

*   We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered. Comfortable, casual clothing and a sturdy pair of walking shoes are a must for sightseeing.
*   A lightweight jacket is recommended, as the temperatures will change with the elevation throughout your tour.
*   A sun hat, sunglasses, and rain gear will help you stay comfortable in all types of weather. You may also wish to pack a swimsuit.
*   Long pants, long-sleeved shirts and insect repellent are recommended for certain activities.
*   Binoculars are handy for a closer look at local wildlife and scenery.
*   You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.

Question 6

Health

Accepted Answer

*   At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at [cdc.gov](https://www.cdc.gov/).
*   The Brazilian government strongly recommends that travelers receive a yellow fever vaccination before visiting certain areas of Brazil. While it is not required by the Brazilian government, Go Ahead Tours requires travelers to either receive the vaccination or provide a written notification that they understand and accept any associated risks if they choose not to be vaccinated. Consult your doctor or healthcare provider with any questions or concerns around receiving the vaccination. Visit [cdc.gov/yellowfever](https://www.cdc.gov/yellowfever)for more information.
*   Take proper care with sun exposure, as the sun can be especially strong in some of the regions on this tour.
*   Drink bottled water only. Refrain from ingesting tap water, including when brushing your teeth.
*   Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they’re cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.
*   If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour and any possible delays encountered.
*   If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.

Question 7

Cuisine

Accepted Answer

*   The cuisine of Brazil varies from region to region. Some staples like beans, coconut, dende oil, codfish, and shrimp, can be found throughout. The caipirinha, Brazil’s national cocktail, is made with cachaça (a clear spirit distilled from sugar cane, like rum) mixed with sugar, mint, and lime.
*   In Argentina, perhaps the most common dish is the asado, a series of salt-rubbed meats, ribs, and chorizo sausages cooked over a fire pit on metal grills and crosses. For dessert, try dulce de leche, a sweet honey-and-milk paste, in pastries.

Question 8

Electricity & air conditioning

Accepted Answer

*   Brazil operates on 110-220 volts and uses Types C or N plugs with two round pins or three round pins, respectively.
*   Argentina operates on 220 volts and use Types C or I plugs with two round pins or three flat pins, respectively.
*   We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
*   The strength of the air conditioning in some South American hotels may not be as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
*   Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Question 9

Connectivity

Accepted Answer

*   Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply. In more remote locations, internet access may be limited and is not guaranteed.
*   There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
*   Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Question 10

Time zones

Accepted Answer

*   Argentina is three hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and two hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET). Argentina currently does not observe Daylight Saving Time, though the country decides on a year-by-year basis.
*   Brazil spans four time zones. Rio de Janeiro is 3 hours behind GMT and two hours ahead of ET.
*   From March through November, when it’s noon in New York City, it’s 2pm in Rio and Buenos Aires. From April through October, when it’s noon in New York City, it’s 1pm in Rio and Buenos Aires.

Question 11

Currency

Accepted Answer

*   You will use the Brazilian real in Brazil and the Argentine peso in Argentina.
*   Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
*   We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
*   You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
*   Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
*   International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Question 12

Tipping

Accepted Answer

*   At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
*   We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
*   If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
*   Tips can only be paid in cash.

Question 13

Purchasing excursions on tour

Accepted Answer

*   Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
*   Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa. or MasterCard as payment for excursions.
*   Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
*   Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.
International travel is, by its very nature, unpredictable. We must therefore reserve the right to change this itinerary, without advance notice, to meet with local conditions at the time of travel. We appreciate your understanding. Please refer to our website for Terms & Conditions, dates, and prices.

Rio, Iguazú Falls & Buenos Aires

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