In order to avoid the most usual stomach upset you have to be careful with the water you drink.

It is not recommended to drink water directly from the tap. It is advisable to drink only bottled or boiled water.

You have to be very cautious of where you eat. Making sure they adhere basic hygienic standards. If not it will be advisable to consume canned food.

When visiting cities in high regions, do not have carbonized drinks, eat fresh fruits and lemon flavor candies to avoid altitude sickness (soroche), also have tablets of "coramina" handy, these pills are ideal to avoid soroche.

You should also try to avoid heavy foods because digestion is much slower than in the coast.

In case you suffer a great pain, you should call your insurance doctor.

The principal international travel insurance companies are:

AIG Assist	440-7373
Assist Card Perú	446-0710
Pan American Assistance	445-9039 446-6113

Vaccines in Peru

It is suggested for the people who are travelling to the jungle in Peru, have a vaccine against yellow fever. (According to information given by the Health Minister, there have not been any case of this illness registered in this area for 15 years).

Have a vaccine, at least, 10 days before arriving at the jungle. It is necessary to carry your vaccine certificate with you, as you will be demanded to show it along the excursion to Puerto Maldonado.

In case you arrive to our country without having taken this vaccine, you may be shot at the Jorge Chávez International Airport, the Hospital 2 de Mayo or next to the Hospital del Niño. Prices are less than US$20.00.

You may also ask your doctor about the possibilities of taking a vaccine against diphteria, tetanus, typhoid, polio or hepatitis