Health & Travel: what to bring with you?
In an earlier post we reported about potential health risks when travelling Central America. Today, we put together a list of things you should bring with you to minimize those health risks. This is a list which is valid for all Central America. If you want to visit other places than the Nicoya peninsula, it is worth to consider them:
- To avoid insect bites and stiches, bring a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and a hat to wear whenever possible while outside, to prevent illnesses carried by insects
- Insect repellent; note: best containing DEET.
- If your room is plagued by insects, then treat bed nets with permethrin.
- Where water quality is not guaranteed or suspicious, use Iodine tablets and portable water filters to purify water; the better option: prefer bottled water. Note: we have safe water at our camp!
- This is a must: sunblock and sunglasses; additionally: a hat or baseball cap
- If you need special medications, make sure you have enough to last during your trip, as well as a copy of the prescription(s) or letter (from your health-care provider on office stationery) explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you.
- Due to the latest developments in Air travel, you’re stil allowed to carry medications in your carry-on luggage; but keept them in their original containers. Before travelling by air, please check the TSA website for any changes in transport regulations or contact your Airline.
- Never forget to bring some antidiarrheal medication with you. You never know…
We recommend also a travel first aid kit (as proposed by Lonely Planet):
- Aspirin for pain or fever
- Antihistamine - useful as a decongestant for colds and allergies
- Antibiotics (note: they must be prescribed for you!)
- Imodium as first help in diarrheal situations
- Rehydration mixture
- Bandages for small injuries
- Scissors, tweezers and a thermometer (no mercury thermometers as there are prohibited by airlines!)
- Insect repellent
- and a first aid booklet
Learn more abouth Health & Travel and read these books:
- Reise- und Infektionskrankheiten (german)
- The Travel Doctor (english)
The Nicoya peninsula is still a little remote place, especially in the south. In any medical case, we at Zopilote Surf Camp are just 15 min away from the hospital in Cabano.
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