Gringo Trail
Photo: chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Gringo trail is a term for places in Latin America visited by gringos, that is, people from North America or Europe. It is the Western Hemisphere's equivalent of tropical Asia's Banana Pancake Trail.
PrepareTips for travel in developing countries and Tropical diseases apply in most countries on this itinerary, with all diseases of the "big mosquito trio" (malaria, yellow fever and dengue) being present in many places.
GoThese are some of the points considered to be on the Gringo trail. Unless you're driving yourself or flying, you will probably be traveling by bus.
BuyGringos seem to hold dear to a myth that their beloved dollar is worshipped in every Spanish speaking country.
DoCoca leaves are legal and widely available in Andean regions, and coca tea is frequently drunk by travelers to alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness.
Stay safeThis corner of the world is infamous for violent street crime and has some of the world's highest murder rates per capita. Some countries, perhaps Colombia in particular, are also associated with drugs — but steer clear!
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Gringo Trail" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons