[wwkayaker]

I’m sorry to hear about your dad. I’ve been to South America several times. Always drink bottled water. Most of the atms have an English option to help you out for cash. Credit cards are good to go but nice if you have one without foreign transaction fees. Google translate is excellent. You could get an eSIM through Airalo or such which should be cheaper.

Regarding the water which several people have noted is important, it might be overkill but use bottled water for brushing your teeth/rinsing your toothbrush.