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Health
Information on health precautions for travelers can be obtained
from local health departments, private doctors, or travel clinics.
You may also call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's
24-hour hotline on (404) 332-4559 or check the Internet at http://www.cdc.gov
for information on immunizations and health risks worldwide.
Review your health insurance policy. U.S. medical insurance
is often not valid outside the United States. Medicare/Medicaid
does not provide payment for medical services obtained outside
the U.S. In addition to medical insurance, consider obtaining
insurance to cover evacuation in the event of an accident or serious
illness. Considering air evacuation to the United States can easily
cost $15,000 if you are not insured, insurance to cover a medical
evacuation is relatively inexpensive. There are short-term health
and emergency assistance policies designed for travelers. Ask
your travel agent about them or look for ads in travel publications.
If you need medical attention during your trip, your hotel may
be able to recommend the nearest clinic, hospital or doctor, or
you can obtain a list of local medical services from the nearest
U.S. embassy or consulate. In a medical emergency, a U.S. consul
can help you locate medical treatment.
The most prevalent health hazard in the Caribbean is one you
can avoid -- overexposure to the sun. Use sunscreen and bring
a shirt to wear over your bathing suit, especially if you plan
to snorkel.
Where the quality of drinking water is questionable, bottled
water is recommended. Travelers to remote areas should boil or
chemically treat drinking water.
Safety Tips
Crime Information. Most visitors to the Caribbean have
a relatively safe trip. However, thievery, purse snatching, and
pick pocketing do happen, particularly in cities and at beaches.
There has also been an increase in violent crimes, such as rape
and assault against tourists. In some places, U.S. passports and
identity documents are especially attractive to thieves. Robbery
of yachts is a problem in some marinas.
Here are some precautions to keep in mind:
-- Safety begins when you pack. Leave expensive jewelry, unnecessary
credit cards, and anything you would hate to lose at home.
-- Use a concealed money pouch or belt for passports, cash,
and other valuables.
-- To facilitate replacing a lost or stolen passport, carry
two extra passport photos and a photocopy of your passport information
page and other identity documents with you in a separate place
from those items.
-- Do not take valuables to the beach. When possible, use the
hotel safe when you go to the beach or into town.
-- When you enter a marina, register with the local government
authorities.
Water Safety. Make certain that sports equipment, including
scuba equipment, that you rent or buy meets international safety
standards.
If you use a beach without a lifeguard, exercise extreme caution.
Drowning is one of the leading causes of death for Americans in
the Caribbean.
Do not dive into unknown bodies of water because hidden rocks
or shallow depths can cause serious injury or death. In some places,
you may need to wear sneakers in the water for protection against
sea urchins.
Civil Aviation Oversight. This information applies only
to foreign flag carriers, not U.S. flag carriers who travel to
the following countries: At the time of publication, an assessment
conducted by The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) concluded
that the Dominican Republic's, Haiti's, Jamaica's, and Trinidad
& Tobago's civil aviation authorities were not in compliance
with international aviation safety standards for oversight of
air carrier operations. The same applies to the civil aviation
authorities of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (Anguilla,
Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Lucia,
St. Vincent & the Grenadines, and St. Kitts & Nevis).
For further information, travelers may contact the Department
of Transportation's travel advisory line at (1-800) 322-7873.
Drug Offenses
Most countries in the Caribbean have strict laws against the
use, possession, or sale of narcotics. Foreigners arrested for
possession of even small amounts of marijuana, cocaine or other
illegal drugs are often charged and tried as international traffickers.
The penalty for carrying narcotics into or out of the country
can be 20 years imprisonment. There are usually expensive fines
as well. In some places, there is no bail and there are long judicial
delays where you can spend more than two years awaiting trial.
Conditions in most Caribbean prisons do not meet even minimum
U.S. standards.
If you carry prescription drugs, keep them in their original
container, clearly labeled with the doctor's name, pharmacy, and
contents.
Judicial Systems
When you travel abroad, you are subject to the laws of the country
you are in. If you find yourself in serious difficulty while abroad,
contact a consular officer at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
U.S. consuls cannot serve as attorneys or give legal assistance,
and they cannot get you out of jail. They can, however, provide
lists of local attorneys and advise you of your rights under local
law. If you are detained, a consul can monitor your case to assure
your treatment is in accordance with local law.
Driving in the Caribbean
If you plan to rent a car, be aware that most jurisdictions
of the Caribbean drive on the left. The only places where you
drive on the right are Aruba, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe,
Haiti, Martinique, and the Netherlands Antilles. In other places,
if you are not used to driving on the left, proceed slowly and
with utmost caution. You may wish to ride as a passenger for a
while before trying to drive yourself.
Driving conditions and local driving patterns are different
from the U.S. Many roads are narrow or winding, signs may not
be in English, and in some places, domestic animals roam freely.
Defensive driving is a must.
Shopping: Avoid Wildlife Products
Beware of purchasing a live animal or plant or an item made
from one. Many such items are prohibited from international traffic.
You risk confiscation and a possible fine by U.S. Customs if you
attempt to import certain wildlife or wildlife products. In particular,
watch out for and avoid:
-- All products made from sea turtles, including turtle leather
boots, tortoiseshell jewelry, and sea turtle oil cosmetics.
-- Fur from spotted cats.
-- Feathers and feather products from wild birds.
-- Birds, stuffed or alive, such as parrots or parakeets.
-- Crocodile and caiman leather.
-- Black coral and most other coral, whether in chunks or in
jewelry.
Residence or Investments in the Caribbean
You will need a passport and visas to reside in or to conduct
or start a business in the Caribbean. Although some Caribbean
countries welcome retirees or others of independent means as long-term
residents, requests for work permits are rarely granted. Before
you travel, apply to the country's embassy or consulate in the
United States to obtain a visa if you wish to reside, go into
business, or work in the country.
U.S. citizens who wish to invest in the Caribbean, such as in
real estate or a business, should first thoroughly investigate
the company making the offer and, in addition, learn about the
investment climate in the country. A good resource is the Trade
Information Center of the U.S. Department of Commerce, telephone
1-800-USA-TRADE. The Center can tell you how to access the National
Trade Data Bank. Among the things you can learn are how to find
out if the company is registered with local authorities and how
to get in touch with local trade associations. Before signing
a contract for a timeshare or other real estate, you may wish
to consult with a lawyer. You will need to check whether the contract
contains the same safeguards as do similar contracts in the U.S.,
such as the retention of timeshare rights if the property is sold.
You should also determine whether the builder or seller has a
clear title.
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