Frequently Asked Travel Questions
FAQ: Health & Safety
There are currently no required immunizations for travelers from the United States into Kenya or Guatemala, however, the CDC does recommend a handful of vaccines. Proof of immunization for yellow fever is required for Kenya, if you are traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever (this does not include the U.S.).
A list of recommendations can be found on the Center for Disease Control’s website, www.CDC.gov. Please contact your local healthcare provider or public health department to determine the best options for you. Note: Regarding malaria, please see the CDC website to determine the relative risk for U.S. travelers for your destination. We suggest you carry a copy of your immunization card as an extra precaution.
There will always be a 410 Bridge staff member or translator who will assist your group. Don’t be afraid, however, to try your best to speak the local language. Our community members will appreciate your attempts to communicate in their language.
FAQ: Food & Water
It is important when traveling in a developing nation to use caution in the food and drink you consume. The 410 Bridge works diligently to select hotels and guesthouses where food is prepared in a safe manner. Having said that, make sure all meat is well cooked. Depending on the community where you serve three meals a day will be provided. Therefore, we suggest that you pack snacks for lunch or to supplement your diet.
Bottled water will be provided for you each day, however, you may find that there is a nominal fee for sodas and bottled water ordered from the hotel or guesthouse at mealtime.
It is recommended that you only consume drinks such as bottled sodas and water, drinks made with boiled water such as coffee or tea, or drinks served at our trusted hotels and guesthouses. It is recommended that you do not drink tap water, or use tap water to brush your teeth, or open your mouth in the shower.
If you have certain allergies or dietary restrictions/preferences please make sure we know.
Our in-country staff will do their best to accommodate these but you may want to pack snacks to supplement your diet.
FAQ: Packing & Travel
We highly recommend that you only take a carry-on and a personal item.
If you do need to check a bag you will want to check with your Airline on guidelines and pricing.
Please do not pack gifts or items of clothing to be left (see participant covenant for our policy on individual giving).
All electrical items in Kenya run on 210/220v plug. An adapter will be needed to plug in your accessories. Many of the newer rechargeable cameras, laptops, etc will operate on both 110 and 220.
Some items such as hair dryers can be changed from one voltage to the other. If not, a converter will also be needed to change the voltage. Hairdryers are not provided in the hotels, so please plan accordingly.
The weather in Africa is generally warm, however, it varies significantly depending on community location, season, and elevation. It can be rainy, and the evenings can be cool so please be prepared with a light sweater or jacket. Africa’s seasons are the reverse of our seasons in the U.S. Our summer is their winter.
The weather in Guatemala is a tropical climate, hot all year round in the lowlands, while in mountainous areas like the Western Highlands, it becomes cooler with increasing altitude. It is best to be prepared by wearing layers. Rainy season is May through November.
Actual flight time to Kenya will be approximately 20 hours, typically with a layover in Europe.
Actual flight time from south Florida to Guatemala will be approximately three hours. Total travel time varies depending on connecting flights for your area of the country. Once in country, travel time will depend on the location of your community.
From Nairobi it will initially take 3 – 5 hours to get to the hotel you will be staying in. Depending on which community you serve in each day it will take 1 -2 hours depending on traffic to travel to the community.
If you are serving in the Western Highlands it will take 6-9 hours to make it to your first stop and 3 -6 hours the following day to make it to the community. Depending on the community and traffic it will take about 1 hour each day to get to the community.
If you are serving in San Martin it will take 3-5 hours to get there from the airport and about 1 hour to travel to the community each day.
FAQ: Itinerary
A 410 Bridge staff member and a driver will be outside the airport, just after baggage claim. They will be wearing a shirt with “The 410 Bridge” embroidered logo or will be holding a 410 Bridge sign.
Once you have connected with our staff, your group will be transported to your lodging for the night. Your driver and 410 Bridge staff member will be with you for the duration of your trip.
410 teams stay in hotels selected by 410 staff in country. We have chosen lodging that offers the services we need and are as close as possible to your service destination. You may have to travel some distance each day to reach the 410 Bridge community.
Teams arriving late will spend their first night in a hotel or guesthouse near the airport, then travel to the service community the following morning.
This is downtime for the team to relax and process what you have experienced during the day. The team will have dinner together, debrief, and regroup for the following day. You will be tired so plenty of rest is suggested.
FAQ: Money & Costs
The 410 Bridge is a registered 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization so we are unable to give refunds . Any cancellation will incur the loss of your deposit and/or additional cancellation fees, based on The 410 Bridge Cancellation Policy.
The ground cost of the trip includes indigenous team leader, international medical insurance, lodging, meals, and bottled water, translators, and private ground transportation in-country. A safari is included at the end of our Kenya trips.
Optional round-trip airfare is also available upon request.
Visas are required for Kenya and must be purchased prior to arrival in Kenya. A single entry eVisa can be purchased for $51.00. Contact your team leader for additional information. This is not included in the cost of your trip.
That is up to each individual. Credit cards are not widely accepted, so we suggest $100-$200 in cash. U.S. Bills must be exchanged into the local currency in Kenya and U.S. bills must be 2003 or newer.
U.S. bills in denominations of $10 or less are accepted in Guatemala so no exchange is necessary for shopping in Antigua. However, if you want to tithe or purchase snacks during the drive you will need to have the local currency.
Shopping time is planned into each itinerary. Souvenirs can also be purchased at the airport upon departure.
FAQ: Giving Personal Information & Gifts
We prohibit giving in order to protect the health of the relationships in our communities. The 410 Bridge has a strict policy of NO individual giving of any kind. Adherence to this policy is crucial to the success of our communities.
Personal contact information including connecting on social media should not be given to anyone including our 410 in-country staff, translators, and drivers.
We do encourage building relationships; so if you would like to communicate with individuals you meet, please send letters to The 410 Bridge office and we will deliver them for you.
It is important to understand that once your personal contact information is exchanged, it may be distributed to others in the community in search of unhealthy Western support.
