Do I need yellow fever vaccination?

Required if traveling to/through certain regions like Amazon areas of Brazil, Colombia, or Peru. Not needed for major business cities. Check CDC requirements 4-6 weeks before travel.

Can I use US credit cards everywhere?

Major cards work in business hotels and upscale restaurants. Carry cash for taxis, tips, and smaller venues. Notify your bank of travel plans. ATMs are widely available but use bank-affiliated machines.

How far in advance should I schedule meetings?

Book key meetings 4-6 weeks ahead. Local contacts often schedule closer to the date. Build flexibility into your schedule - meetings may start late or run long, especially over lunch.

Is it safe to drink tap water?

Stick to bottled water except in Chile and parts of Argentina where tap water is generally safe. Hotels and restaurants in business areas serve safe ice and filtered water.

How to Plan a Business Trip to South America

Plan 2-3 weeks minimum for multi-country business travel in South America. Book flights 6-8 weeks ahead, arrange visas early (especially for Brazil), and budget $150-250 per day including hotels, meals, and local transport. Focus on major business hubs: São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Santiago, Lima, and Bogotá.

Choose your business hubs. Focus on 2-4 major cities maximum. São Paulo and Buenos Aires are essential for most industries. Add Santiago for mining/finance, Lima for regional headquarters, or Bogotá for northern access. Flying between countries takes 2-6 hours plus airport time.
Handle visas first. US citizens need visas for Brazil (apply 2-4 weeks ahead, $160 fee). Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru allow 90-day tourist entry. Check if your business activities require work permits - some countries restrict business meetings on tourist visas.
Book flights strategically. Fly into São Paulo (GRU) or Buenos Aires (EZE) as your hub. LATAM and Avianca have the best regional networks. Book 6-8 weeks ahead for better prices. Expect $800-1500 from major US cities to primary destinations.
Arrange business-grade accommodations. Stay in financial districts: Faria Lima (São Paulo), Puerto Madero (Buenos Aires), Las Condes (Santiago), San Isidro (Lima), Zona Rosa (Bogotá). Book hotels with reliable WiFi and business centers. Expect $120-300 per night.
Plan for longer meeting cycles. Schedule 25% fewer meetings than you would in North America. Business lunches are standard and can last 2-3 hours. Avoid January-February (vacation season) and plan around local holidays like Carnival.
Secure ground transportation. Use hotel transfers or pre-arranged services in all cities. Uber works well in São Paulo, Buenos Aires, and Santiago. In Lima and Bogotá, stick to registered taxis or hotel recommendations for safety.

Do I need yellow fever vaccination?: Required if traveling to/through certain regions like Amazon areas of Brazil, Colombia, or Peru. Not needed for major business cities. Check CDC requirements 4-6 weeks before travel.
Can I use US credit cards everywhere?: Major cards work in business hotels and upscale restaurants. Carry cash for taxis, tips, and smaller venues. Notify your bank of travel plans. ATMs are widely available but use bank-affiliated machines.
How far in advance should I schedule meetings?: Book key meetings 4-6 weeks ahead. Local contacts often schedule closer to the date. Build flexibility into your schedule - meetings may start late or run long, especially over lunch.
Is it safe to drink tap water?: Stick to bottled water except in Chile and parts of Argentina where tap water is generally safe. Hotels and restaurants in business areas serve safe ice and filtered water.