What are some safety tips for gays and lesbians traveling through South and Central America?

What are some safety tips for gays and lesbians traveling through South and Central America?

Charlie Rounds (Board Advisor, Gaytravel.com) gives expert video advice on: When is the best time for gays and lesbians to travel to South and Central America?; What are popular gay and lesbian destinations in Mexico?; What are popular gay and lesbian destinations in Argentina? and more...

One of the shocking things when you go into Central and South America - and it will be shocking, and people need to know this - is that most stores, banks or gas stations have armed guards in front of them, because there are places where crime is tough. Guatemala City is a very difficult destination, although you need to go through Guatemala City to get to places. Avoid big cities, if you can. You really don't want to go to Central America. Certainly Central America, you don't want to go to the big cities. You're going to those places to either see the ruins or go out and have your active vacation. When it comes to South America, again you do have to be really careful of the big cities. Lima is a very difficult city, but any of the big Brazilian cities are tough. I don't want you to avoid them, but use common sense. Talk to the people at the hotel, and listen to the local people on what you should do. If you follow that, you're going to be fine.