Amenities Make Life Smoother for International Travelers.

In the hit U.S. television show "Survivor," contestants travel to a remote location where they must endure hunger and thirst, build primitive shelters and avoid dangers like crocodiles and poisonous snakes. Fortunately, real-life travel in Latin America doesn't have to take the tack of "survival of the fittest." If anything, they'll find more luxuries and amenities than ever.

Instead of playing the game of "survival," Latin American travelers can enjoy time-saving services and a host of personalized amenities that once were available only to the rich and famous. Relaxing massages, gourmet cuisine and top-name entertainment are among the attractions at hotels that cater to business and leisure travelers.

For vacationers, resorts throughout Latin America and the Caribbean offer every conceivable form of recreation, from relaxing on the beach to adventure treks through the rain forest. Business travelers can stay in touch with office and home through fax and copying services, available in major Latin hotels, and dataports on in-room telephones to allow easy access to the Internet and e-mail.

Even patients traveling to the United States for medical reasons can receive well-coordinated services, such as airline and hotel reservations, translation assistance, and even personal shopping expeditions for family members.

At the same time, Latin airlines are also helping to make life on the road smoother for travelers, by offering paperless ticketing, frequent flyer programs and member "clubs" at high-volume terminals.

COPA AIRLINES

Airline passengers traveling on business or for pleasure want comfort and convenience, particularly with international travel. Copa Airlines (www.copaair.com), offering service to 30 destinations and 19 countries throughout the Americas on the youngest fleet in the region, was the first Central American airline to institute Business Class service.

Clase Ejecutiva passengers have designated check-in lines at the airports. On board, they enjoy the same OnePass frequent flyer privileges as do Continental Airlines customers, comfortable seats with ample legroom, personal attention from bilingual flight attendants, and fine dining and wine selections.

Copa operates many of its flights under a code-share agreement with Continental, meaning that Copa customers connecting on Continental flights enjoy streamlined passenger and baggage check-in and coordinated flight schedules. Clase Ejecutiva customers may also use the new Presidents Club operated jointly by Copa and Continental at Panama's 'Hub of the Americas."

Its modern Tocumen International Airport also offers rapid connection time, duty-free shopping, and minimal customs and immigration hassles for customers flying between Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, South America and the United States. For reservations, call 1-800-FLYCOPA.

SALUD MIAMI: A MAGNET FOR HEALTH CARE

Conventional thinking is that Miami is a destination for sun and fun, as well as a center of international business. That's true, of course, but an increasing number of sophisticated Latin Americans are visiting Miami for their health care needs.

Through Salud Miami, a consortium of eight Miami hospitals, a growing number of Latin patients are accessing medical consultations, diagnostic and treatment procedures. "We've seen more than 1,000 patients since launching this service in 1999," says Victoria Brewer-Anderson, executive director of the organization, also known as the Miami Medical Alliance and Saude Miami. "Our hospitals and physicians are trained in the latest technologies and treatments and deliver excellent care."

Miami's reputation as a first-class medical resource is growing. For example, three patients under age 40 from Mexico, Ecuador and Puerto Rico recently turned to Salud Miami for consultations on brain cancer. A Brazilian father scheduled heart surgery for his daughter, and a Mexican businessman inquired about prostate cancer treatments.

Participating hospitals include Aventura Hospital and Medical Center, Baptist Hospital of Miami, Cedars Medical Center, Mercy Hospital, Miami Children's Hospital, Mount Sinai Medical Center & Miami Heart Institute, South Miami Hospital, and The University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center.

The Internet plays an important role. Salud Miami recently enhanced its web site and is also using the Internet to connect Latin physicians directly with Miami specialists. "Adult children are using the Internet to contact us on behalf of their parents, and physicians are e-mailing us about their cases," says Brewer-Anderson.

Salud Miami is serving a growing volume of patients from Argentina. Cardiology consultations are on the rise, as are requests for kidney and liver transplants. However, a shortage of organs means that only a small percentage of transplant requests can be accommodated.