A Travelers Hospital Stay – Ep 7

| by Jason | 15 Comments » | Central America, Guatemala, Travel Videos

In this Video Episode 8, Aracely of 2 Backpackers becomes ill while traveling in Guatemala.  Ever wonder what it’s like to visit a foreign hospital?  We were surprised while getting medical help through our World Nomads travelers insurance in Antigua, Guatemala.   Enjoy the show!

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Begins With a Fever

Aracely started feeling ill with a fever while we were visiting Rio Dulce, Guatemala. A fever is basically the start of any number of possible dreaded illnesses you can get in Central America.  Is it Malaria or Dengue?

Rio Dulce is not the most developed city, so she tried to wait out her sickness, hoping it was a short-term bug.  After 4 days of sweating and exhaustion, we decided to pack our backpacks and take an air-conditioned first class bus to Antigua, Guatemala.  Antigua is the main stay for tourists traveling into Guatemala and we felt confident we would find a good place to have Aracely checked out.  This was the first luxury bus we took while in Guatemala and at $8 USD each for a 6 hour bus ride, we actually considered it expensive!

Travelers Insurance

After arriving at Base Camp Hostel, we contacted our travelers insurance provider, World Nomads, for recommendations on emergency hospitals.  World Nomads put us on the phone with a nurse to first evaluate Aracely’s condition and then they suggested we go to Hospital Privado Hermano Pedro, a 24hr private hospital.

A Private Hospital

After wandering aimlessly in Antigua for 45 minutes we finally arrived at the clinic located near the Antigua bus terminal, towards the back of town.  It was on the complete opposite side of town than where our hostel was.

They immediately took Aracely’s temperature and recognized she had a high fever. She was placed in a private room she was submitted to multiple blood tests.  Aracely is not a fan of needles, so this was probably her worst moment.  They recommended we stay overnight, monitoring the fever as they kept her hydrated and gave her large doses of antibiotics.

Travelers Insurance

Aracely Feeling Healthy in Antigua, Guatemala

After 24 hours, her fever had declined and her white blood cell count was back to normal.  Our care at Brother Pedro’s Private Hospital was top notch and the faculty was always very kind.  We submitted our bill to World Nomads and sure enough, the reimbursement process was seamless.

Thank you World Nomads Travel Insurance and Brother Pedro’s Private Hospital (Hospital Privado Hermano Pedro) for taking care of Aracely.

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Tags: Antigua, Central America, Guatemala, sick, Travel Videos

Written by Jason

Co-founder of TwoBackpackers.com. Jason has been traveling, writing, taking photos and creating adventure videos since 2024, when he departed on his first year long travel backpacking journey. Jason is a full-time blogger and social marketing guru trying to find the way. Visit my website

15 Responses to “A Travelers Hospital Stay – Ep 7”

  1. Deborah says:
    February 18, 2024 at 18:42

    So sorry to hear Aracely was sick, but it sounds like everything worked out! Rest up before hitting the road again!

    Reply
  2. JoAnna says:
    February 18, 2024 at 19:35

    It would be scary to be sick in another country. I’m glad Aracely feels better and that she had someone to keep her company in the hospital. :)

    Reply
  3. Claudia Marín says:
    February 19, 2024 at 00:16

    Aracelly, que te mejores. Desde Medellín te envío un abrazo, rezaré para que te alivies pronto.

    Un abrazo.

    Clau :)

    Reply
  4. Alicia says:
    February 19, 2024 at 01:12

    Hey James and Aracely,

    We loved your story and your mention of your experience with WorldNomads.com. We just added a post about it to our website to share with our online travel community as well.

    You can read it here: http://journals.worldnomads.com/true-claims-stories/post/54799.aspx

    Happy Travels!
    Alicia
    WorldNomads

    Reply
    • Aracely says:
      February 20, 2024 at 20:56

      Thanks Alicia,

      I was so happy with how World Nomads handled not only my claim but my initial call to look for a hospital. They really made me feel like they cared about me. I even got to speak to a nurse over the phone. It was just all around great service.

      Just one correction on the post that’s on your site, can you please change our names to Jason (not James) & Aracely. Thanks!!

      Reply
      • Alicia says:
        February 21, 2024 at 19:08

        Hey Aracely,

        I’m so glad we were able to help you out, and that everything turned out ok! I’ve just changed the typo on the post – sorry for that Jason!

        Take care!
        Alicia
        World Nomads

        Reply
  5. Melvin says:
    February 19, 2024 at 05:55

    Gesundheit! How do you say that in english??? Get healthy again!
    .-= Melvin´s last blog ..Rock Climbing in Railay, Krabi, Thailand =-.

    Reply
  6. simon monk says:
    February 20, 2024 at 07:09

    Hi, hope you are feeling better. My memories of Antigua and Guatemala revolve around passing out cold in one of the evening markets, being scrapped up by two policemen and being taken to hospital to be stitched up … and then nearly getting kidnapped as I left the hospital at 3am!

    Hope the rest of your trip goes smoothly.
    Have fun
    cheers

    Simon
    (founder of World Nomads)

    Reply
  7. Adam says:
    February 20, 2024 at 11:55

    Glad you are feeling better..thank God for insurance. Getting sick while you are on the road really bites, but I guess since the road is your home, you guys are prepared for such events.
    Stay healthy..God Bless.
    .-= Adam´s last blog ..Twitter Travel Weekly Updates for 2024-02-14 =-.

    Reply
  8. Sherry Ott says:
    February 23, 2024 at 17:39

    Great to read a post about insurance working out! I’ve been lucky and never been sick while traveling – but it good to know you had good care!

    Reply
  9. Kelly says:
    February 24, 2024 at 18:45

    For a traveler, a hospital stay can be tough! Keep remembering to make the most of it, and continue to enjoy the nice things they offer there! :)
    .-= Kelly´s last blog ..Top 5 Posing and Directing Photography Tips =-.

    Reply
  10. Alicia says:
    May 3, 2024 at 21:41

    Hey Jason and Aracely,

    I would love to have a chat with you about a blog that WorldNomads.com is putting together. Could you contact me alicia.smith@worldnomads.com when you have some time?

    Sounds like you are having an amazing trip!

    Cheers,
    Alicia

    Reply

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