POST COVID REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S. CITIZENS ENTERING LATIN AMERICA

The rules for each destination continue to evolve, so will probably change by the time you decide to travel and we will be constantly updating the changes as they occur. At a time when mandatory mask use has been dropped in the U.S, as well as Europe in many countries, Latin American destinations are still with obligatory protocols for entrance into the country. 

We recommend travelling with printed proof of your complete vaccination against Covid-19. This will make life a lot easier on the road even in countries where this is not an entrance requirement. You may be asked at touristic sites, internal travel by bus or air, accommodation and restaurants and in-country restrictions could significantly impact your trip.  It is also a good idea to carry a copy of your travel insurance cover which is sometimes obligatory for entering a country. Regulations continue to evolve, particularly for the non-vaccinated, and changes are likely between time of booking and travel. Here is a list of requirements in the Latin American countries where we operate.

 Post-covid relief!

ARGENTINA

Entry requirements

Vaccination is no longer required (as of 7th of April 2022).
A negative PCR test is no longer required to enter the country. You must show a Travel Insurance policy
 That covers for Covid related illnesses and travellers who are not fully vaccinated are ‘recommended’ to take a covid test within 24 hours of arrival in Argentina. Proof of vaccination could still be asked for to enter public venues.
The IATA Travel Centre also provides comprehensive information for travellers arriving from all countries.

Local restrictions

The use of face masks is required for indoor public arenas and on public transport.
A hydrofoil service from Buenos Aires to Montevideo, Uruguay has been reinstated.
Argentina has reopened to visitors arriving via Buenos Aires and most other international airports within Argentina. The land border with Brazil at Iguazú Falls is open, but many others are still closed or subject to restrictions. 

Argentine church-goer

BELIZE

Entry requirements

Vaccination is no longer required 
A negative PCR test is required for all non-vaccinated travellers within 72 hours.  Arrivals by land must test at the border which costs approx. $50 + $19 border fee, payable locally.
 An immigration form will be provided on your flight or on arrival at land borders.
Travel Insurance with Covid cover is a requirement for all travellers and a mandatory Belize Travel Insurance must be purchased for $18 US, prior to arrival.
If you are flying via another country, additional requirements are likely for both your outbound and return flights (see ‘transit’ below).  The IATA Travel Centre provides comprehensive information for travellers arriving from all countries.

Local restrictions

Whilst face masks are generally no longer required indoors, private establishments may still request one.
Arrivals must show proof of a minimum of a 3-night stay in a certified Belize hotel.
From the outset, Belize has taken a proactive approach to ensuring safe travels for visitors.  Travellers must use ‘Gold Standard’ (Belize government covid-secure approved) hotels, excursions and services, within a designated ‘travel corridor’.

Belize face mask

BOLIVIA

Entry requirements

A full vaccination card is required due to local restrictions and to avoid further testing/quarantine on arrival.
A Pre-arrival negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure for Bolivia is also required.
You need to complete a pre-arrival form and present it on arrival. A Bolivian accommodation form must also be completed prior and during travel. 
Travel Insurance with Covid cover is an entrance requirement
If you are flying via another country, additional requirements are likely for both your outbound and return flights.  The IATA Travel Centre provides comprehensive information for travellers arriving from all countries.

Local restrictions

Visitors must register and update their hotel addresses using the Bolivia accommodation reporting online form as they travel within the country, otherwise you risk a fine on departure.
Non-vaccinated travellers must take a further PCR test within 72 hours of arrival and isolate until results are given.
The use of face masks is expected in public areas and on transport.
Vaccination passes are required to enter public buildings and venues, as well as for internal travel.
Land-locked and with limited airlift, Bolivia has always been one of the more difficult countries to access directly. The country combines well with Peru, Argentina and Chile.

La Paz fruit seller

BRAZIL

Entry requirements

Full vaccination card is required over the age of 12, if you enter by air, 5 if entering Brazil by land.
You do not need to produce a negative PCR if vaccinated. 
A pre-arrival form is required within 24 hours of departure 
Travel Insurance with Covid cover is required

If you are flying via another country, additional requirements are likely for both your outbound and return flights (see ‘transit’ below).  The IATA Travel Centre provides comprehensive information for travellers arriving from all countries.

Local restrictions

Proof of vaccination (from age 12) is becoming a condition of entry to venues and visitor attractions across Brazil.
Proof of a booster is also being required for entrance to venues across Brazil, for those over 40.
You may also be asked for photo ID along with your proof of vaccination.
The use of face masks is officially required in public areas and is mandatory on public transport, including flights.
Face masks ideally should be a surgical mask or N95/PFF2 type or use double masks
Visitors (age 7+) to Fernando de Noronha must also present a negative antigen test made within 24hrs of boarding the flight to the island.
Brazil’s coastlines are once again open to tourists, and thanks to a boom in domestic tourism, it’s as popular as ever. Being a federal republic, rules and regulations often vary from state to state, even between cities and change without notice.

Empty Brazil beach

CHILE

Entry requirements

A full vaccination card is required from over the age of 6. 
A negative PCR within 72 hours of boarding the final flight for Chile is also required. 
Random PCR or antigen tests are carried out upon on arrival at Santiago airport. Entry will be denied and/or quarantine required, if the result is positive.
A Pre-arrival form is required and visitors must register their vaccination details with the Chilean authorities prior to travel to obtain a ‘mobility pass’ which can take up to one month to process. We advise you to get a mobility pass regardless of Chile’s alert level.
A Chile arrival form must also be completed 48 hours before arriving in Chile.
Travel Insurance with Covid cover is required.
If you are flying via another country, additional requirements are likely for both your outbound and return flights (see ‘transit’ below).  The IATA Travel Centre provides comprehensive information for travellers arriving from all countries.

Local restrictions

The use of face masks is expected in public areas and on transport.
Mobility Passes are widely asked for at local venues as well as being required to enter the country.
Easter Island remains closed to tourists.
Chile has reopened to visitors arriving via Santiago airport. All land borders are expected to re-open in May 2022. As approval for travel can take some time, we recommend planning your trip at least 6 weeks in advance.

Santiago police

COLOMBIA

Entry requirements

Over 18-year-olds require a full vaccination card.
No negative PCR test is required for entrance.
A pre-arrival form is required within 24 hours of departure from the US.  This must also be completed within 24 hours of leaving Colombia.
Travel Insurance with Covid cover is required 
If you are flying via another country, additional requirements are likely for both your outbound and return flights (see ‘transit’ below).  The IATA Travel Centre provides comprehensive information for travellers arriving from all countries.

Local restrictions

Proof of being fully vaccinated is currently required to enter most restaurants, bars, museums and National Parks throughout Colombia for over 12-year-olds.
Social distancing and the use of face masks is required in public areas and on transport.
Colombia has remained relatively open throughout the pandemic, with limited regulations for visitors. Proof of full vaccination status is currently needed to fully experience of the country.  

Palenqueras in Medellin

COSTA RICA

Entry requirements

You do not require a full vaccination card to enter Costa Rica, as of 1 April 2022.
A negative PCR test is not required.
The Costa Rica Health Pass Form is no longer required as of 1 April 2022.
Travel Insurance with Covid cover is required to enter. 
If you are flying via another country, additional requirements are likely for both your outbound and return flights (see ‘transit’ below).  The IATA Travel Centre provides comprehensive information for travellers arriving from all countries.

Local restrictions

Since 1 April 2022, proof of being fully is no longer required to access hotels, restaurants and activities throughout Costa Rica.
The use of face masks is expected in public areas and on transport.
Costa Rica opened its borders to international arrivals at a relatively early stage and has been receiving plenty of visitors, mainly from the U.S. and Spain.  Availability is limited, so we recommend booking early to get your preferred itinerary and hotels.

Mother and child

ECUADOR AND GALÁPAGOS

Entry requirements

A full vaccination card is required, due to local restrictions 
A negative PCR test is not required for vaccinated travellers.  Unvaccinated visitors must take a PCR test within 72 hours prior to departure for Ecuador.
A printed pre-arrival form is required and must be presented on arrival (one per family or a digital Ecuador Health Declaration can be completed on line for each person. 
 Travel Insurance is required with covid cover.
If you are flying via another country, additional requirements are likely for both your outbound and return flights (see ‘transit’ below).  The IATA Travel Centre provides comprehensive information for travellers arriving from all countries.

Local restrictions

Galapagos: Proof of full vaccination or a negative PCR taken within 72 hours of departure for the Galapagos. Testing is available locally, if needed.
The use of face masks is required in all public areas and on transport.
Proof of vaccination status is required for restaurants, shops, banks, local transport and airports.
Throughout the pandemic, Ecuador has been extremely proactive with its Covid requirements.  The entire adult population of Galapagos, as well as everyone on the mainland working in tourism, were vaccinated as an initial priority. 

Social distancing seal

GUATEMALA

Entry requirements

A full vaccination card is required to avoid testing on arrival
Non-vaccinated travellers must take a PCR within 72 hours of departure for Guatemala, over 10 years old.
Travel Insurance with Covid cover is required
If you are flying via another country, additional requirements are likely for both your outbound and return flights (see ‘transit’ below).  The IATA Travel Centre provides comprehensive information for travellers arriving from all countries.

Local restrictions

The use of face masks is expected in public areas and on transport
Land borders to Belize, El Salvador, Honduras and Mexico are open
Guatemala closed its borders early in the pandemic and has since cautiously reopened them.  Travel around the country has become possible again and flights have resumed, with regular connections via Madrid and the US.

Guatemalan student

MEXICO

Entry requirements

No vaccination card is required
No PCR test is required
Since March 2022 registration on the Mexico pre-flight security platform is no longer required.
Travel Insurance with Covid cover is required.
If you are flying via another country, The IATA Travel Centre provides comprehensive information for travellers arriving from all countries.

Local restrictions

The use of face masks is required in some public areas and on public transport
Land borders are reopening, though may be subject to restrictions.
Mexico has not had the strict lockdowns and closures seen elsewhere in the world, indeed many of the more popular tourist destinations along the Riviera Maya have remained busy throughout the pandemic.  Throughout this period, Mexico has been one of the least restrictive countries for travellers, although local rules are occasionally enforced.

PANAMA

Entry requirements

A full vaccination card is not required 
You do not require a negative PCR test if vaccinated, otherwise a PCR or antigen test within 72 hours of arrival in Panama. 
A pre-arrival form should be completed within 72 hours.
Travel Insurance with Covid cover is required.
If you are flying via another country, additional requirements are likely for both your outbound and return flights (see ‘transit’ below).  The IATA Travel Centre provides comprehensive information for travellers arriving from all countries.

Local restrictions

The use of face masks is required in some public areas and on public transport
Land borders with Costa Rica have reopened, with some limitations, and may be subject to restrictions.
Panama’s previously strict arrival measures are slowly being relaxed, making it much easier for visitors to return and discover the  biodiverse and beautiful country of Panama.

Empty Panama Airport

Entry requirements

A Full vaccination card is required due to local restrictions.
A negative PCR test is not required if fully vaccinated.  Otherwise, a PCR test is required within 48 hours of departure for Peru or local travel will be restricted.
A pre-arrival form from the Peruvian Immigration should be completed within 72 hours of departure.
Travel Insurance with covid cover is required.
All passengers must wear two face masks on flights bound for Peru
If you are flying via another country, additional requirements are likely for both your outbound and return flights (see ‘transit’ below).  The IATA Travel Centre provides comprehensive information for all travellers.

Local restrictions

The use of two face masks is required in all public areas (or one KN95) and on local transport.
A full vaccination card is required to access indoor venues, to board transport between provinces, to travel by train and for entry to Lima airport when leaving Peru.
Peru, due to its strong covid-safety measures in place throughout the county, is once more open and Machu Picchu and other places of interest have been welcoming guests at a reduced capacity.  These numbers are likely to return to their normal levels again soon
Our Flexible Booking Policy allows you to make long term plans with complete confidence, whilst our Safe Journey guidelines ensure we will not operate your holiday unless we are confident, we can do so with your safety and enjoyment at the heart of our planning.

Peruvian chilli seller

TRANSIT

If you are flying via another country, such as changing planes in Europe, Latin America or the US, additional requirements are likely for both your outbound and return flights.

See the IATA Travel Centre for details of current transit rules.

The U.S. currently demands an antigen test taken within 24 hours of departure, which must be administered by a health professional. Self-administered tests are not permitted, unless done through a medically-supervised video-link. 
For full details of current entry requirements check the IATA Travel Centre which provides comprehensive information for travellers worldwide https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/travelinformation.php
Check with the US embassy for any updated travel restrictions to any of the above-mentioned countries prior to travel as travel restrictions are always subject to change!

Safe and happy travels!