Is Latin America Really A Dangerous Place To Bike Tour? Posted by El Pedalero on Saturday, July 27, 2013 · 17 Comments

“So, did anything happen?”

It’s the first question most people ask about my tours in Latin America.

Of course, what they mean is, did anything bad happen? They want to hear stories of being robbed, assaulted, arrested; anything that confirms their suspicions of all those dangerous countries down there.

And, although I know exactly what they mean, my answer is always the same:

“Yes, lots of things happened – I rode through some amazing landscapes, I met lots of friendly people, I ate lots of delicious food…”

Sorry, but I refuse to feed fantasies of a lawless Latin America filled with nothing but drug cartels, corrupt governments, poisonous snakes, disasters, and disease. That’s not the Latin America I know.

I’m not saying there’s no danger associated with bike touring in Latin America – there is a little danger. But not the kinds of danger people are thinking of when they ask me if anything “happened.”

So, what are the legitimate dangers?

Before answering that question, let’s reject some popular misconceptions – distorted fears people have about bike touring in “dangerous” Latin America.

TOP FIVE DISTORTED DANGERS OF BIKE TOURING IN LATIN AMERICA

1. Run-ins with drug cartels in Mexico. This is the number-one concern of people who know little or nothing about Latin America. And it’s a bit ridiculous. The idea that a sweaty budget-traveller pedalling along the side of the road is of any interest to a drug cartel whose lowest-ranking members earn more in a week than I spend in half a year of touring is absurd. Unless you’re a rival gang member, a Mexican cop, or a local journalist who writes articles denouncing drug lords you should not be worried about this. True, there have been rare instances of very unlucky tourists caught in the crossfire, but statistically, you’re far more likely to die in a traffic accident in your own hometown than from Mexican drug violence – even in Mexico’s drug-war hot spots (see insert).

2. Getting kidnapped by armed groups in Colombia. This used to be the number one concern until about seven years ago, when the media suddenly became more interested in Mexican drug cartels. Again, it’s ridiculous to think that a bicycle tourist is a target for the FARC, the ELN, or the AUC.

3. Being murdered/stabbed/raped. All nasty crimes, yes, and all avoidable with very little effort. Chances are, your own city has a higher rate of violent crime than ninety percent of the places you’ll be visiting – even the poorest places. It’s false to assume that people are less moral because they’re poor. While it’s true that Latin America has some dangerous slums it’s also true that the disproportionately high crime rate in these areas skews the average for the entire continent. Here’s an idea: stay away from dangerous slums.

4. Being attacked by an animal. Rabid dogs seem to be the animal that people fear most. Snakes are probably next. After that, it’s a whole maligned menagerie of scorpions, piranhas, large spiders, urethra-invading fish, and other hapless critters. But it’s foolish to fear these creatures. Simply be aware of them, give them some space, and remember that they’re not out to get you. They simply go about their business and keep a low profile. Well, not the dogs perhaps, but very few are rabid. Dogs are more of a nuisance than a danger.

5. Receiving improper or unhygienic medical treatment. This one makes me angry because it borders on racist. I’ll never forget a consultation I had with a Canadian dentist who, upon hearing of my plan to receive a follow-up with a dentist in Central America, immediately launched into a rant about how their dental clinics were dirty (he even mimed licking a dental tool). Unsurprisingly, he’d never even been to Central America. Let me make this clear: I have visited dentists and doctors all over Latin America and have always received excellent care. The clinics and hospitals were always clean and the staff were always courteous and competent. The fact that Latin America’s dentists and doctors aren’t overpaid doesn’t make them any less professional.

. . . . .

There’s no need to ruin your trip worrying over every potential danger. The dangers that exist in your daily life back home (heart disease, cancer, falling pianos) will also exist in on your bike tour of Latin America and you already live with these “dangers” worry free.

There is, however, one legitimate danger that should never be far from your mind as you ride: bad drivers.

BAD DRIVERS

If, after all I’ve said, you persist on obsessing over danger, then at least make it this one – bad drivers are a serious menace. There is a lonely, narrow cliff-hugging dirt road in Bolivia known as the World’s Most Dangerous Road. It isn’t. Sure, it’s scary looking, but that’s not what makes a road dangerous. The most dangerous roads are busy highways like Mexico’s Pacific Coast Highway north of Acapulco, where drunk, speeding, sleep-deprived drivers battle for road space without regard for their safety or anyone else’s. I’ve seen the aftermath of some horrific accidents on these roads. Talk to locals to find out which roads are dangerous beforehand and either avoid them completely or ride them with caution (wear your helmet and shoulder-check frequently). If you find yourself stuck on a dangerous road, hitch a ride with the next pickup truck. And avoid riding after dark. Cars drive with their headlights off at night in many areas.

OTHER CONCERNS

The following scenarios should not preoccupy you, but they are worth consideration.

Falling off your bike. This hasn’t happened to me, but I’ve met cyclists who have crashed their touring bikes and had to hitch to the nearest hospital with their broken collarbones, arms, wrists, etc. Extra momentum makes crashing on a loaded touring bike worse than on a regular bike. In parts of the Andes, you can descend for a hundred kilometres in one go – which is fun – but before enjoying that big descent check your brakes and put your helmet on. Stay alert for potholes, stray dogs, children, and landslides as you go.

Contracting a parasite. Parasites have the potential to end your trip and ruin your health – and they’re easier to contract than you might think. It took me three years to rid my body of a giardia infection I picked up in the Amazon. Only drink purified water, even in reportedly pristine areas. When buying street food, try to assess the hygiene standards of the vendor. How is it being prepared and how long has it been sitting out? Don’t get into the habit of walking around barefoot. There are parasites capable of infecting you through the soles of your spongy first-world feet.

Sunburns, sunstroke (heat exhaustion). Symptoms include headaches, nausea, cold or clammy skin, loss of colour, severe fatigue, loss of appetite, cramping, and collapse. Try to avoid riding during the hottest hours of the day and use sunscreen when you’re stuck in direct sunlight for long periods. Heat exhaustion can sneak up on you so drink plenty of water and take regular breaks in the shade. In areas of low traffic a cheap straw hat will protect you more than a helmet. The hottest area I’ve toured (with daytime highs reaching 43ºC/109ºF) was the Paraguayan Chaco. Central America’s lowlands also tested me with steady, intense heat. But even in relatively-cool Patagonia I was getting sunburns through my shirt – the sun is more intense in the southern hemisphere.

Snakebites and insect/arachnid bites or stings. While I maintain that animals aren’t inherently dangerous, it’s worthwhile taking precautions to avoid antagonizing them. If it rains at night while you camp you may unintentionally create an attractive dry spot for a snake. Poke the corners of your tent with a stick each morning to see if a slithery friend has coiled up underneath during the night. Likewise, make a habit of shaking your shoes before putting them on to see if a scorpion falls out. Less dangerous but far more common (and annoying) are all the ants, horseflies, blackflies, sandflies, and mosquitoes that make camping a challenge in some areas. Speaking of mosquitoes, malaria is another great fear of travellers in Latin America. Be aware that the prophylactic (preventative) drugs used in anticipation of a malarial infection often come with serious side effects (photosensitivity, nausea, hallucinations, nightmares, panic attacks, depression, and even psychosis). Only use these drugs if you’re certain you’re in an area of recent malarial outbreak (there aren’t many) and you don’t think you can avoid being bitten.

Tourist hotspots. As a cyclist travelling independently you can avoid places where thieves target tourists (resort towns, famous sites, bus terminals) and instead travel in calm, crime-free areas where locals are friendly to foreigners. That’s not to say you shouldn’t visit Machu Picchu, Atitlán, Titicaca, et cetera, but approach these tourist hotspots with the understanding that they attract muggers, pickpockets, and scam artists who won’t hesitate to rob anyone they perceive as wealthy, naïve, or easy to intimidate. Here again, cyclists have an advantage over regular tourists as most of us come across as the opposite (low-budget, wary, and confident) and not worth the effort. In the case of muggings, most guidebooks recommend you hand over everything. I don’t think this is always the best advice, however, because it creates a climate of opportunity for thieves who can’t believe how easy it is to frighten foreigners. Plus, if a thief were willing to kill you for your money or stuff, it’s unlikely you’d even see him coming. The fact that he approached you face to face probably means he has no intention of killing you. You have options. You can run (no thief wants to be seen chasing a tourist through public areas brandishing an open blade). You can yell and make a scene (again, very uncomfortable for a thief). When a mugger pulled a knife on me in Cartagena, I pulled out my Swiss Army knife and told him I was going to kill him. He immediately turned and ran. I realize this strategy is not for everybody, but remember to keep things in perspective. Thieves are lazy; they don’t want to work too hard to get your money – in fact, they don’t want to work at all, which is why they’re thieves.

I suppose my message is this: keep it in perspective.

Bicycle touring in a place like Latin America will always seem dangerous to mistrustful people. Even Latin Americans mistrust other Latin Americans. And they ask me the “did anything happen” question too…

¿Te pasó algo?

Colombians ask me if anything “happened” while I was in Venezuela and Venezuelans ask me if anything “happened” while I was in Colombia. Chile mistrusts Argentina, Peru mistrusts Bolivia, city folk mistrust campesinos, and vice versa in all instances. No one trusts anyone, it seems.

And there’s always a market for danger.

“In this world there is always danger for those who are afraid of it.” – George Bernard Shaw

accident: accidente m



amoeba: amiba f



collision: choque m



dangerous: peligroso, peligrosa

fall off: caerse

I fell: me caí

parasite: parásito m



sunburn: quemadura f del sol

Feature image (top of page): Flowers for sale in Bolivia – one of the many “dangers” foreigners face in Latin America.

© El Pedalero, 2013.