Where Should I HAPPEN TO BE In South and Central America during the pandemic?

Posted by Christie Ottesen on March 14th, 2021

Little by little Latin American countries have been opening up to travelers again. The tourism industry has had to go through a slow recovery, with steps back to closing again, partial reopens. Here is the story of the ups and downs in Latin American tourism. In General countries that reopen are requiring: Upon arrival, travelers will undoubtedly be asked to complete a passenger information form and undergo medical screenings for infection, and anyone showing symptoms upon arrival will betested for coronavirus. All people to the spot must complete a PCR test from a certified facility around 72 hours before arrival and online immigration forms a day in advance. This is with several variations from one country to some other. Face masks covering both your nose and mouth are compulsory in public places and you can find hefty fines for non-compliance with health protection requirements like breaking quarantine or refusing to take a PCR test. The Global Citizen Concierge Scheme is targeted at long-stay travelers, who can remain there for up to two years. COVID-19 has surged in many parts of South and Central America, where it has spread rapidly among indigenous communities with reduced access to healthcare and in densely populated cities like S?o Paulo, Buenos Aires, and Lima. Borders were closed and most commercial flights to the spot were halted at the beginning of the pandemic and while some countries remain closed indefinitely, others have already reopened for international tourism. In some cases, Latin America Coronavirus travel restrictions are being relaxed to permit for gradual reopenings with summer target dates to welcome visitors. Below is a set of restrictions by country and information on how to travel and obtain in avoiding quarantines or other passage denials. Please be aware that this is constant change and see it as a moving law, so please ensure you check each countries requirements before traveling. We call this the COVID DANCE. Costa Rica Costa Rica has been available to all travelers since November 1, that are no longer necessary to bring a poor PCR test or quarantine upon arrival. Travelers are instead necessary to complete the web Health Pass form within 48 hours of departure, and to have health insurance, or travel insurance from an approved list of Costa Rican companies. Guatemala Half a year after closing them, Guatemala began toreopen its borders with Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, and Mexico starting September 18, 2020. The restrictions allowed Guatemalans to enter from countries on the travel prohibition list but required them to self-quarantine. El Salvador El Salvador is allowing travelers entry with negative PCR test results taken within 72 hours of boarding. In order to explore the lush landscape, beaches and archaeology of El Salvador, you can, providing you can show a poor PCR test taken within 72 hours of one's outbound travel. Nicaragua While Nicaragua never officially imposed any travel restrictions, most airlines have paused flight routes to the country. There's health screening at the airports and people should wear masks, but very few other restrictions are in place presently. The rainforests and ancient Mayan sites are yours to explore providing you show a negative PCR test on arrival. Belize Belize is framed by the Caribbean Sea on one side and dense jungle on the other. This lush Central American country is asking Americans to present a poor PCR test taken 96 hours prior to travel an antigen test taken 48 hours beforehand or have a rapid test on arrival in Belize (). Belize has reopened to all travelers and flights have resumed. Belize reopened to tourists from the united states on October 1, so long as visitors book a hotel compliant with the country?s Tourism Gold Standard Recognition Program. If a passenger tests positive and is notified by the Belize authorities, they must quarantine at a government-approved hotel for 14 days. If you can present a certificate of vaccination against COVID-19, you don?t need to take any tests to enter Belize. Honduras Airports in Honduras are actually open for domestic and international travel. You need to follow the social distancing rules and wear a mask all the time while at the airport. Prior to arrival, you are required to pre-register online with Honduran Immigration. You must also present a negative COVID-19 test result upon arrival from the test that was taken in the previous 72 hours. Panama Panama opened to all or any international tourists, including those from the united states, on October 12. The country requires incoming passengers to fill out an electronic affidavit before checking into their flight and present proof a poor COVID-19 PCR or rapid antigen test taken within 48 hours of departure. You can also elect to take a rapid test upon arrival at your own expense (). If the rapid test is positive, however, you must quarantine for seven days at a hotel in Panama at the federal government?s expense. To start filling in the affidavit, go to the Panama Digital platform. Brazil Land borders are effectively closed to tourists without prior written authorization from the Federal Police, though Brazilian citizens, permanent residents, and members of the family of Brazils are exempt out of this restriction. By Feb. 10, Brazil and South Africa are considered Very High Risk and travelers from both countries must undergo another test upon arrival and must quarantine for 21 days, with tests on days 7 and 14. However, Brazil continues to be allowing U.S. passport holders to enter for stays as high as 90 days, providing they arrive by air. Several states and local governments in Brazil have issued mask mandates and movement restrictions so check locally in order to avoid fines or possible arrest. Some have since added more restrictions during second and third waves of outbreak?Brazil, for instance, is now requesting negative tests upon entry, which it didn't require initially. Paraguay Based on the U.S. Embassy in Paraguay, the united states ended its required quarantine for foreigners on Nov. 16, 2020, but everyone over the age of 10 entering Paraguay must present a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result taken within 72 hours before arrival. Ecuador Commercial flights to Ecuador have resumed and the united states is open for several foreign tourists, but travelers should provide a negative test taken within 10 days before their arrival. Upon arrival in Ecuador, passengers could be randomly selected to undergo antigen testing. In case a traveler tests positive, they need to quarantine at a government facility in Quito or Guayaquil. It is not possible to self-isolate in the home and all quarantines will be managed by the government. Also, entry into the Galapagos Islands takes a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 96 hours of arrival, and medical health insurance as well as a health declaration form are required. Chile As a way to enter Chile you will need to present a poor PCR test result for covid19 taken within 72 hours of your flight to Chile. This long strip of land between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean recently featured in Ewan McGregor?s motorcycle travelogue, GOOD WAY Up. If that whet your appetite to go to you?re in luck because Chile is allowing American visitors in ? with a few conditions of course. After keeping borders closed longer than their neighbors, Chile is currently allowing travelers to enter. You?ll have to complete an affidavit within 48 hours before you leave for Chile. You also need to show a PCR test on arrival taken up to 72 hours beforehand (the clock starts ticking when it?s taken, not once you get the results) and show proof of insurance covering COVID-19. There?s a 10 day quarantine, which ends after you take another PCR test , and you also have to report your health condition daily to the health ministry. You also need to apply for a ?health passport? to visit around within Chile (it?s only allowed using regions, depending on their COVID-19 infection rates).There?s a 11p.m. Peru In the initial week of Peru opening, its international borders a lot more than 4,000 people traveled in and from the country. The flights resumed thanks to a coordinated effort between Promper?, Mincetur, and the international airlines flying in and from several destinations. Passengers onboard all of the flights will be required to wear a face shield and mask and present a poor COVID test taken only 72 hours prior to travel to enter Peru. Peruvian airports have reopened for international travel between Peru and the U.S. and American travelers over the age of 12 should show a poor test taken within 72 hours of these flight. For anyone coming from a country with confirmed cases of the new strand of Covid-19, it?s necessary to have a test upon arrival in Lima. If someone tests positive. It?s mandated that quarantine takes place either, at home, the Pan American Village (which has been changed into a Covid-19 ward through the pandemic), or at a hotel that has been coordinated with the health authorities. Visits to Machu Picchu will undoubtedly be limited to 1116 people a day compared to over 5000 each day previously, however the site is operating as normal. Group sizes will be only 8 people and they will be staggered during the day. Interprovincial travel is stopped however there are still domestic flights running through Lima except for the flights between Lima and Huanuco and Jauja. Peru is a place to visit in search of nature and getting from all this busyness madness, Peru has 72 million hectares of natural-growth forests -- 70% in the Amazon jungle region -- that comprise nearly 60% of the national territory. Peru did a slightly better job of setting aside tracts of rainforest as national park reserves and regulating industry than involve some other Latin American and Asian countries. The Manu Biosphere Reserve, the Tambopata National Reserve, and the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve are three of the largest protected rainforest areas on the globe, and the government regulates entry of tour groups. Peru recently augmented the Bahuaja-Sonene National Park, which was created in 1996, by 809,000 hectares in 2001. Venezuela The U.S. State Department, which includes been operating its embassy in Venezuela virtually because of unrest in the united kingdom, strongly advises against travel to Venezuela. Colombia Foreign nationals, including U.S. citizens, are allowed to enter Colombia but international flights are limited. perfectdailygrind.com/2017/05/galapagos-island-coffee-why-altitude-isnt-everything/ As of November 18, Avianca was the only international airline making trips to the united states, which requires travelers to take PCR tests within 72 hours after arrival. Since Jan. 7, all travelers to Colombia are required to show proof of a poor COVID-19 PCR test taken within 96 hours of arrival. Alternatively, in the event that you sign a document claiming you were unable to get tested within that point frame, it is possible to take one on arrival then quarantine for as long as the country?s health department instructs . A 10-day quarantine is only required for those who are unable to obtain a test. You also must fill out an application before departure and agree to contact tracing while in Colombia. Uruguay Generally, U.S. citizens are just starting to be permitted to enter Uruguay. Uruguay has been credited with acting swiftly to mitigate the outbreak, with the president announcing a health emergency ealier than other people in the region. Similar restrictions and the need of a poor PCR test are reqquired to enter the united states. Bolivia Bolivia restarted international flights on September 1, with only some categories of foreigners currently permitted to enter, including those with dual citizenship, diplomatic status, or Bolivian spouses. Adventure Travel Bolivia?s quarantine and travel restrictions vary from city to city, even though air borders have reopened for returning Bolivian residents and citizens, the country's land and water borders remain closed. There's no requirement to quarantine for many who show no symptoms through the health screening, but all travelers have to have a negative PCR test taken within three to 10 days before their flight, depending on the traveler's origin. From the Andes and the Atacama Desert to the Amazon, Bolivia has a lot to offer adventure travelers. Argentina Visitors must present a poor PCR test for covid19 taken within 72 hours of these flight to Argentina. They need to also hold adequate insurance to cover hospitalization and isolation due to covid. So long as these conditions are met you will see no quarantine required on arrival. LATAM airlines won't be operating domestic flights in Argentina, leaving Aerolineas Argentinas because the only operator of domestic flights. Please stay tuned as we continue steadily to update this document with the most recent travel information for South and Central America through the pademic.

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Christie Ottesen

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Christie Ottesen
Joined: March 13th, 2021
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