Latin Am/Caribbean Travel


Feature Writer: Megan Lyles
Megan Lyles, Michael Simon

The Latin America/Caribbean region is a gorgeous chunk of the world, and lucky enough to have a taste of everything. Check out a lucha libre match in Mexico City, learn Spanish in Guatemala, or find a rustic paradise on Little Corn Island, Nicaragua.

Over in the warm Caribbean Sea, relax at an all-inclusive resort at Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic or go outlet shopping in Puerto Rico. And almost everywhere, there’s diving, snorkeling, fresh seafood and gorgeous warm temperatures.

If you can bear to leave, take a sailboat from Panama to Colombia, and experience the San Blas Islands along the way.

This section covers everything you need to prepare for a trip to Central America and the Caribbean Islands.

E-mail with comments, questions or suggestions or post in the discussion forum.

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Antigua, Guatemala, Michael Simon (msimonphoto.com)
feature articles
Megan Lyles

Shopping in Guatemala's Markets

In: Guatemala Travel

Whether you're looking for souvenirs, mementos, handicrafts, textiles, or artesanĂ­as, the markets of Guatemala are a great place to shop for them. more...

Sailing from Panama to Colombia

In: Panama Travel

For the same price as flying, you can travel from Portobelo, Panama to Cartagena, Colombia by sailboat and visit the incredible San Blas Islands in the bargain. more...

Lucha Libre in Mexico City

In: Mexican Travel

Literally "free fight," lucha libre is fun both for serious fans and curious tourists to Mexico. Matches are held weekly at Arena Coliseo and Arena Mexico in Mexico City. more...

La Virgen de Suyapa, Honduras

In: Honduras Travel

Celebrations of the Feria de la Virgen de Suyapa begin on February 2nd, at the Basilica de Suyapa outside Tegucigalpa, capital of Honduras. more...

Visiting Livingston, Guatemala

In: Guatemala Travel

Caribbean in feel, Livingston is unique among Guatemala's towns and cities, and the food is a true Guatemalan highlight. more...

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Megan Lyles

May 5, 2008

Getting the Pill in Latin America

I'm often asked by people planning long term backpacking trips, "Do I need a prescription to buy birth control pills in Central America?"


You can buy oral contraceptives, aka "the pill" in Central America very easily. Walk into any pharmacy, or farmacia, and pick them up for about $5 US per pack. No prescription or doctor visit needed.

The pharmacy might not have the brand that was prescribed to you by your doctor at home, so be sure to make a note of the hormone levels in your pills or save a sample of the packaging, so you can see if you can match them up with another brand or a generic.

Many pharmacists in Latin America speak some English, but be prepared to ask for “contraceptivos orales” in Spanish and/or show them the labeling from your last pack.

You might find it convenient to stock up a big supply of birth control pill packs at once, but you should note that if you’ll be traveling around with your pills in your backpack, you will most likely be exposing them to temperature extremes, which can lessen their efficacy (i.e. make them stop working). Also note that doxycycline, a common malaria prophylactic, can cause oral contraceptives to fail.

So you'll want to be careful with when you get them and how you store them, but don't worry about finding them. Every city and town has at least one farmacia that will be happy to sell you the pill.



Disclaimer
– I am not a doctor. I’m just a person who’s been lucky enough to have spent bunch of time in Central America and often gets asked about whether you can get bc pills there. These are just tips to point you in the right direction as you make your plans. You should never depend on medical advice from a stranger’s blog, especially if that stranger is not a doctor or nurse. Always, always consult a medical professional!

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