I'm just looking for some opinions, from those who have more first-hand takes, regarding an upcoming trip (Dec 27-Jan 2) my pregnant wife and i have planned to Nicaragua.
Some background about us: At the time of the trip my wife will be 11 weeks pregnant so the last few weeks of the first trimester. We are not newbie travelers, my wife was born in Idonesia, lived in singapore for 14 years (expat parents), did various study abroads in Europe, Africa, India.
We've been going back-and-forth on how we feel about it. Our main worries are Malaria and troubles that could arise from water-born bacteria, anything we're missing? We don't want to put ourselves into a hermetically-sealed-bubble and freak out about everything, but if something happened b/c of this trip it would obviously be devastating.
Our fertility doctor said that if it were her daughter he would ground her, and he would worry that if something did happen "you're in Nicaragua" (is this just American exceptionalism?). He also admitted he is conservative.
We were invited on this trip by my buddy and his girlfriend, she is a Spanish teacher and has spent a significant amount of time in Nicaragua. She sent us a pretty reassuring letter. Here's a longer excerpt:
"There is not a very high incidence of Malaria in Nicaragua, but the highest reports are not in regions where we will be spending time. We will be in Granada and the surrounding vicinity. Additionally, we are traveling during dry season (less rain = fewer mosquitoes), we are not staying in anyone’s home or on a farm (however, I have done both for years and I’ve been fine) and we are not camping or sleeping outside. Our rooms have AC which also helps limit exposure to mosquitoes. The most “outdoorsy” activity would be the hike on the Mombacho Volcano, but that is a tourist-friendly activity so there are paths. Nevertheless, you guys could always pass up on that activity.
Granada has become exceedingly tourist-driven, so the restaurants are much better equipped to handle the food sanitation needs of foreigners. I can also always ask and double check how the food is being prepared when we go out to eat and request that beverages not be served on ice. However, most places nowadays have ice delivered from plants where it is made with purified water. Bottled water is readily available everywhere. I personally only drink bottled water.
There is a hospital that is very good in Managua that is used by both Nicaraguans and American ex-pats alike. It is called Metropolitano Vivian Pellas. It is about ½ hour from Granada. There are other small clínicas closer but I would recommend Vivian Pellas. I have friends that have had surgeries and many who have used their obstetrics departments."
I guess my question boils down to if this was your daughter or yourself what would you do?
Some background about us: At the time of the trip my wife will be 11 weeks pregnant so the last few weeks of the first trimester. We are not newbie travelers, my wife was born in Idonesia, lived in singapore for 14 years (expat parents), did various study abroads in Europe, Africa, India.
We've been going back-and-forth on how we feel about it. Our main worries are Malaria and troubles that could arise from water-born bacteria, anything we're missing? We don't want to put ourselves into a hermetically-sealed-bubble and freak out about everything, but if something happened b/c of this trip it would obviously be devastating.
Our fertility doctor said that if it were her daughter he would ground her, and he would worry that if something did happen "you're in Nicaragua" (is this just American exceptionalism?). He also admitted he is conservative.
We were invited on this trip by my buddy and his girlfriend, she is a Spanish teacher and has spent a significant amount of time in Nicaragua. She sent us a pretty reassuring letter. Here's a longer excerpt:
"There is not a very high incidence of Malaria in Nicaragua, but the highest reports are not in regions where we will be spending time. We will be in Granada and the surrounding vicinity. Additionally, we are traveling during dry season (less rain = fewer mosquitoes), we are not staying in anyone’s home or on a farm (however, I have done both for years and I’ve been fine) and we are not camping or sleeping outside. Our rooms have AC which also helps limit exposure to mosquitoes. The most “outdoorsy” activity would be the hike on the Mombacho Volcano, but that is a tourist-friendly activity so there are paths. Nevertheless, you guys could always pass up on that activity.
Granada has become exceedingly tourist-driven, so the restaurants are much better equipped to handle the food sanitation needs of foreigners. I can also always ask and double check how the food is being prepared when we go out to eat and request that beverages not be served on ice. However, most places nowadays have ice delivered from plants where it is made with purified water. Bottled water is readily available everywhere. I personally only drink bottled water.
There is a hospital that is very good in Managua that is used by both Nicaraguans and American ex-pats alike. It is called Metropolitano Vivian Pellas. It is about ½ hour from Granada. There are other small clínicas closer but I would recommend Vivian Pellas. I have friends that have had surgeries and many who have used their obstetrics departments."
I guess my question boils down to if this was your daughter or yourself what would you do?
