Updated September 29, 2023
Our latest update on Peru, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil regarding travel to/from our destinations.
Great news! For entry into Peru, Chile, Brazil, and Argentina, there is no longer a need for vaccination proof, sworn declarations, or PCR tests. However, Bolivia still maintains specific entry regulations, which can be found in the dedicated section below.
PERU
FLIGHTS
- The low cost Sky will connect Lima with Montevideo with direct flights starting from January 2, 2024, with 3 frequencies per week.
- Latam will resume its direct flight from Lima - Foz do Iguazu - Lima on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from November 2023.
- From December 1, 2023, Latam will operate 5 weekly flights from Lima to London Heathrow.
- Avianca & Latam will offer direct flights Cusco - La Paz (Bolivia) from October 2023. Avianca 4x weekly (Mondays, Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday). Latam (Wednesday, Friday & Sunday).
- Direct flights between Cusco and Santiago de Chile will return from October 2023 (3 times weekly) and have been scheduled on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday in both directions.
- The recently reopened Kuelap archaeological site can now be conveniently accessed via the operational Jaen Airport to be re-open in October 2023
- Latam will increase its frequencies between Lima and Mendoza, ramping up from 3 to 5 flights beginning in January 2024. Check out our '7 Insider Tips To Explore Mendoza wine region'
HOTELS
- The following corporate events to be held in Peru will have an impact on hotel availability/rates:
- Extemin in AREQUIPA: September 25 to 29 (hotels apply restrictive policies from September 19 until October 2)
- Cade in the SACRED VALLEY from November 14 to 16.
- Refugio Amazonas Lodge will be closed for maintenance from January to March 2024. The sister lodges Posada Amazons and Tambopata Research Center will remain open.
SITES/ACTIVITIES
- In 2024, the luxury Belmond Hiram Bingham Train to Machu Picchu will resume its daily round-trip journeys (except for the last Sunday of every month).
- Belmond Palacio Nazarenas announced that Peruvian chef and 2021 World’s Best Female Chef, Pia León, has joined them as the Culinary Director of their on-site restaurant, Mauka.
- Cusco has been chosen as the host city for the 2024 APEC summit. Currently, only the month of November has been confirmed for the event.
- Four Lima restaurants made the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2023: Central at No. 1, Maido at No. 6, Kjolle at No. 28 and Mayta at No. 47.
- For enthusiasts of the great outdoors looking for luxurious camping in Colca Valley, a brand new nature-based refuge, Puqio will open the first week of September 2023.
CHILE
FLIGHTS
- Direct flights between Cusco and Santiago de Chile will return from October 2023 (3 times weekly) and have been scheduled on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday in both directions.
- Latam has resumed daily flights between Santiago de Chile and Easter Island from September 2023. Flight schedule and our tips for a 3-day visit in our latest blog article.
- Latam will be resuming direct flights between Santiago de Chile and Sydney, with a convenient frequency of 3x a week starting from September 2023
HOTELS
- Cabo de Hornos Hotel in Punta Arenas is expanding with the construction of a new building of 80 rooms expected to open in 2024.
- Hotel Habitas Atacama (formerly 'Altiplanico') will be temporarily closed for an extensive renovation project with an expected completion date of September 2023 (dates subject to change).
SITES/ACTIVITIES
- Last minute offer by Cruceros Australis (Patagonia) USD 450 OFF! Find conditions in our blog article 'A Voyage Aboard Stella Australis'
- In the 'World's Best Vineyard 2023' awards, 2 outstanding Chilean vineyards made it to the top 10, Vik Chile secured the third position, with Montes ranking at number 7. For valuable insights into exploring the wine regions near Santiago de Chile, delve into our comprehensive guide: 'Discovering the Main Wine Regions Near Santiago de Chile'.
- Virgilio Martinez, the Peruvian owner of 'Central' ( World's Best Restaurant 2023), has designed a gastronomic proposal exclusively for Explora Atacama.
ARGENTINA
IMPORTANT
- The soaring inflation and the Argentine Peso devaluation after the presidential primary election in mid-August (PASO) are leading in some cases to situations where prices of goods in Pesos can change even during the day to reflect the new exchange rate.
- Keep in mind that it will be impossible to withdraw US dollars from your account while in Argentina. Therefore, we strongly advise securing US dollars in physical cash before your trip to Argentina, which you can then exchange locally upon arrival. Find out more on the section 'Currency' of our 'Travel Advice for Argentina'
FLIGHTS
HOTELS
- The former Serena Hotel in Buenos Aires has recently reopened under the new name Libertad Art Palace Buenos Aires.
- Recoleta Grand Hotel in Buenos Aires is currently undergoing an extension project to add 60 more rooms and will be closed from January to April 2024.
SITES/ACTIVITIES
- Catena Zapata has claimed the top spot in the 'World's Best Vineyards 2023', followed by Bodega Salentein at #9, and El Enemigo Wines at #10. Head over to our post 7 Insider Tips To Explore Mendoza Wine Region for more valuable insights into navigating the Mendoza wine region.
- Argentina will be the first Latin American country in the Michelin Guide as a gourmet destination. The selection for Buenos Aires and Mendoza will be announced on November 24th.
BRAZIL
SITE / ACTIVITIES
- Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and Salta (Argentina) in South America were chosen as part of 'The Top Global Destinations for Architecture Lovers' compiled by the British site Buildworld
VISA FOR US, CANADA & AUSTRALIA
- The government has postponed the reinstatement of visa requirements for citizens of the US, Australia, and Canada (originally planned for October 2023). Therefore, the current visa exemption will remain valid until January 09, 2024, for entries for tourist purposes. For entries from January 10, 2024, or later, the visa can be applied for online. The go-live date of the e-visa platform is planned for min. 30 days before visa requirements will be effective. On an exceptional basis Australian citizen may be granted physical visas before the official reinstatement of the visa conditions. Visit visa — Ministério das Relações Exteriores (www.gov.br)
FLIGHTS
- Latam will resume its direct flight from Lima - Foz do Iguazu - Lima on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from November 2023.
- Qatar Airlines will increase its direct flights Doha - Sao Paulo from 14 to 18 weekly frequencies from December 2023.
HOTELS
- The hotel chain Marriott plans to launch three hotels in Rio de Janeiro (Lagos) by 2026; a JW Marriott, with an all-inclusive concept focused on mind and body health, a Ritz Carlton Reserve; and an Autograph Collection, with a Rock in Rio theme.
BOLIVIA
COVID
- It is required to either show proof of complete vaccination (2 doses, completed at least 14 days before entry) or a PCR test result or an antigen test result to enter Bolivia.
FLIGHTS
- Avianca has announced to resume direct flight connection between La Paz and Cusco 4 times weekly (on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays) in both directions. The flights will be resumed from end-October 2023.
- Boliviana de Aviación (BOA) and Ecojet are serving the route La Paz - Uyuni with 6 flights a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from April 2023, the full schedule and other insider tips to enhance your journey to Uyuni can be found in our 6 Tips For An Enhanced Travel Experience in Uyuni blog article.
SITES/ACTIVITIES
- La Paz's restaurants 'Gustu' and 'Ancestral' have made it to the top 100 restaurants in Latin America, ranking 45 and 62 respectively. Check out the complete list here.
