Category Archives: Travel

Health, Travel

Vaccines for travel to Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paolo and the Amazon

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I was lucky enough to travel recently for the first time to Brazil and the Amazon. After negotiating the complex travel visa process, I learned from the Brazilian Consulate that I also need a vaccine for yellow fever, which is a virus endemic to most of South American and Africa, according to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Do I have to get vaccinated for yellow fever?

Without the yellow fever vaccine, I could have been denied entry into Brazil, according to the Brazilian Consulate. However, vaccination is not a requirement to enter any country, according to the CDC, so denied entry was unlikely, especially to modern cities like Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paolo. Further, I received my tourist Visa from the Brazilian Consulate without proof of vaccination.

In short, no, a vaccine is not required to enter Rio, Sao Paolo or other major cities in Brazil. However, it is recommended.

Map of yellow fever zone in South America

What are the risks of skipping the vaccine?

The risk of actually contracting the yellow fever virus is lower in South American than Africa, according to the CDC. However, unvaccinated travelers risk developing the horrible skin disease marked by pussy yellow, blistering boils spread by mosquito bites in infected areas. Somewhere between 10% to 90% of US travelers don’t get the vaccine. All of the cases of yellow fever in the US are brought back by these people. I didn’t want to be one of them.

Since we planned to visit the Amazon, vaccination seemed like a sensible preventive measure. So I made some calls to local health care clinics to set an appointment. Of the five major health care clinics on Maui, only two offer international travel vaccines: Kaiser Permanente and Dr. Chad Meyer. Kaiser only treats members. Fortunately, Dr. Meyer sees everyone else.

You might have to call around to find a doctor that specializes in travel medicine in order to get vaccinated for yellow fever.

What else do I need to know about the yellow fever vaccine?

Here’s a summary of what my doctor told me about the vaccine for the yellow fever virus:

  • Vaccine against the yellow fever virus must be given 3 weeks before travel to affected areas in order to be effective.
  • The vaccine is a single injection of 0.5 mL of reconstituted virus. In other words, it’s a live virus vaccine.
  • Side effects could include fever, pain, swelling and yellow fever. (Yuck!) But immunity, once developed, is lifelong.(Yay!)
Yellow fever virus transmitted through mosquitos producing pussy boils

Dr. Meyer also recommended that I receive vaccinations for additional diserases:

The total cost for these vaccines, plus the office visit to review traveler’s health tips, cost about $500 cash.

Have you been vaccinated? If so, please reply and tell us about your experience with the vaccine, yellow fever or travel to endemic areas.

Hawaii resources for international travel vaccines:

  • Kaiser Permanente, Travel Medicine Department — (808) 243-6000
  • Dr. Chad Meyer, Maui Travel Medicine — (808) 573-5088
  • O’ahu has more resources than Maui, including Kaiser, Queen’s and Straub clinics.
  • On Kauai and the Big Island, area hospital clinics have the vaccines.
Dining, maui, Travel

What to do in Lahaina

Question: My brother is currently hanging out on Maui for a week vacation.  He’s on his own and I told him I would ask you for any recommendations of your favorite restaurants and activities.  Would you mind sharing any not-to-be-missed places/things for him to do/see in between his moments of relaxing on the beach? He doesn’t have a car. Thanks!

 

Maui’s bus service expanded recently to cover more of the island for $2 per leg

Getting Around

Maui finally offers a reasonable bus service (see schedule). It costs $2 each leg. If he plans a little, he can probably avoid renting a car, which can run up to $100 per day on Maui during peak season.

Sights/Activities

He can ride from Lahaina to Wailuku, where I recommend a walk into Iao Valley State Park. He should bring a hat, a light rain jacket and good walking shoes that can get muddy. If he’s up for a longer hike, there’s a lush trail that leads into the back of the valley. He can dip into a pool anywhere along the trail for probably the most refreshing swim he’ll ever take.

After the hike, stop for lunch at Saeng’s Thai. The hot pots, satay and green papaya salad can’t be beat. Lunch with a beer will cost about $20.

He can also ride from Lahaina Upcountry to Makawao, which is one of my most favorite small towns in all of Hawaii. It’s a Main street kind of layout, with many art galleries and unique shops to browse and a few good eateries. I personally like the cafe tucked behind Viewpoints Gallery. It used to be called Cafe O’Lei, not sure if it’s changed names. But they serve delicious locally grown fare for lunch at reasonable prices.

Dining

In Lahaina, my favorite chef is Mark Ellman. He runs two quality restuarants, one very casual and one a tad fancier. For dinner in Lahaina, Ellman’s Mala Ocean Tavern tops my list. He serves mostly local produce, and the flavors are amazing. Great for dinner, but your brother will need a reservation for one of the oceanside tables. He can also sit at the bar, which may be more comfortable if he’s traveling alone. An appetizer, entree and a drink will cost about $50.

For lunch in Lahaina, I like Ellman’s Penne Pasta Cafe. Mark owns it, too, and it shows in the quality. But it’s casual, affordable and delicious Italian fare. The daily special and beer will cost about $15.

There’s also a quality Thai restaurant, called Thai Chef, tucked into a strip mall near the Old Lahaina Shopping Center. They serve a fresh coconut vegetable soup and a green papaya salad that will make him hate Mainland Thai food. Soup, salad and a beer to wash it down will run about $25.

Travel

Maui vacation advice: snorkeling, hiking, cheap places to stay

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We are coming to Maui in a few weeks for 4 days. What is your advice on places to visit and stay, as well as websites to consult? We would like to find a good spot for snorkeling, as well as do some hiking (preferably away from crowds of tourists).

South (Kihei, Wailea and Makenna) and West Maui (Lahaina, Ka’anapali and Napili) are the best snorkeling areas this time of year because the waves are generally smaller on south-facing shores in the winter. The Maui Snorkeling Guide is a good source for advice about snorkel spots. They include maps. Winter is an amazing time to be in the water here because you can often hear the calls of humpback whales here on their annual visit. Hawaiian green sea turtles (called “honu”) also abound. Avoid the north shores because of big surf (unless you want the thrill of watching the pros ride big waves!).

For hiking, consult the Maui Hiker’s Guide (also with maps and preview videos). Waihee Ridge, Waikamoi and the Haleakala Summit trails are among my favorites. You’ll do well to bring along a solid pair of hiking boots that can handle mud and sand, a broad-rimmed hat, sunglasses, a canteen, lightweight clothes with built-in UV protection, and a fully charged cell phone. Hiking conditions can change quickly here. Also make sure that you always tell someone where you are going before you go.

You’ll find great hikes, snorkeling, diving and other activity advice in the book “Maui Revealed“. It’s a great book written by a horrible author, who betrayed the trust of all he interviewed. There remains an unofficial bounty on his head state wide. Still you can pick up a copy at Costco when you land in Kahului.

Kihei and Wailuku are two of the cheaper areas to stay. Check out the website vrbo.com for vacation rentals that will cost less than hotels. You can also try the new Paia Inn located in the town of Paia. Their published rates are less than the fancy resorts elsewhere on the island.