Travel in developing countries
Travel in low-income countries can be challenging to people used to the higher-income world. Infrastructure for transport, electricity, water, communication and money transfer might be deficient, and there may be problems with food safety, health care, and sanitation. Poverty might induce begging, scams and crime. In some places corruption is also a problem.
PrepareI have a neighbor who knows 200 types of wine.... I only know two types of wine – red and white.But my neighbor only knows two types of countries – industrialized and developing. And I know 200.
Get inThe availability of visas ranges from "no visa needed" or "visa on arrival for (almost) all high-income countries" to "tourists are a nuisance to our glorious leader".
Get aroundInfrastructure in developing countries is generally not up to the standards of more developed countries. Visitors should plan more time to cover the same distance.
TalkTry acquiring some knowledge of the local language.
SleepDo not sleep on a mattress or pad on the ground in areas where you do not know the local fauna. If you are going to camp out, bring a camp cot or hammock to keep you away from snakes, scorpions and such.
Stay safeIf you are from the developed world, your income is likely enormous in relation to that of many people in some developing countries. The UN estimates that nearly a billion people live on under US$2 a day.
Stay healthyDeveloping countries pose health hazards. Many have poor sanitation, poor health care and a hot climate that allows various diseases practically unknown in temperate Western countries to propagate.
CopeFor travel in developing countries, you may need to carry things you would not need nearer home:
See also
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Travel in developing countries" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0