Travel Warning & Consular Information Sheet

U.S. citizens must have a valid U.S. passport to travel to all Central and South American countries with the exception of Panama and short stays in French Guiana. (Panama and French Guiana require proof of U.S. citizenship such as a birth certificate or passport. However, the U.S. Embassy in Panama encourages U.S. citizens to travel to Panama using their U.S. passports.) Visa requirements for U.S. citizens vary from country to country. Certain countries do not require a visa for a short tourist stay. For some, you need to obtain a tourist card from the airline office or at the destination airport. Other countries require you to obtain a visa in advance from that country's embassy or consulate. Some places have additional entry requirements such as proof of sufficient funds and/or onward or return tickets. If you do NOT meet the entry requirements upon arrival in a country, you will not be admitted and will have to leave on the next plane. In addition, most Central and South American countries require a departure tax. If you are departing to a neighboring country, the tax may be small, but if you are returning to the U.S., the tax could be fairly substantial per person, regardless of age. Be sure to have enough money at the end of your trip to be able to pay the departure tax so you can get on the plane! For authoritative information on a country's entry and exit requirements, contact its embassy or consulate (see the list of foreign embassies at the end of this pamphlet). When you make your inquiries, ask about: -- where to obtain a tourist card or visa; -- visa price, length of validity, and number of entries; -- financial requirements: proof of sufficient funds, proof of onward or return ticket; -- special requirements for children traveling alone or with only one parent (see below); -- health requirements; -- currency regulations: how much local or dollar currency can be brought in or out; -- export/import restrictions; and -- departure tax: how much and who must pay.

Many countries impose restrictions on minor children who travel alone, with only one parent, with someone who is not their parent or who are nationals of the country, including dual nationals. A child must present written authorization for travel from the absent parent, parents, or legal guardian. If the parent or guardian traveling with the child is the sole custodian, the court order granting custody may, in some cases, serve as the authorization document. For certain countries, the documentation must be translated into Spanish or Portuguese and/or authenticated at the embassy of the country in question before departure from the U.S. If any of this applies to you, inquire about the following at the embassy or consulate of the country your child plans to visit: -- the age of majority at which the restriction no longer applies (i.e., age 15 in Argentina, age 18 in Brazil); -- the type of document that can overcome the restriction (i.e., court order, statement of absent parent or parents); -- whether notarizing the document is sufficient or if it must also be authenticated by the country's embassy or consulate; -- whether the document must be translated. -- whether the permission of the mother, father or both parents is required.