Updated May 06, 2025
Our latest update on Peru, Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Brazil regarding travel to/from our destinations.
Peru, Argentina, and Brazil are currently grappling with a notable surge in dengue cases. These outbreaks predominantly affect underprivileged areas and are exacerbated by moderate temperatures. If you intend to travel to any of these destinations in the near future, we strongly advise consulting with your general practitioner whether a Dengue vaccination should be considered.
PERU
IMPORTANT
- The new terminal at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima will officially open on 1 June 2025. During the twelve-hour transition phase, flight operations will be suspended from 00:00. Passengers departing or arriving on this day will be informed of any changes to their flights in due course. In preparation, test runs with limited air traffic will take place from 15 May to 1 June.
- Hotel Miraflores Park in Lima has been undergoing extensive renovations since April 21, 2025, with completion expected by November 2025. During this period, some areas of the hotel may be unavailable or only partially accessible.
- Costa del Sol is constructing a 5-star hotel with 249 rooms at the new terminal expected to open in May 2025, although some unofficial sources suggest it may be delayed until June 2025.
- The Costa del Sol 4-star and Holiday Inn at the current terminal will offer shuttle buses to the new terminal.
FLIGHTS
- Sky now offers daily direct flights between Cusco and Arequipa.
- Latam has resumed daily direct flights between Cusco and Puerto Maldonado.
- Latam has resumed daily direct flights between Cusco and Santiago de Chile.
- Latam has increased frequencies Lima and Mendoza from 3 to 5 flights. Check out our '7 Insider Tips To Explore Mendoza wine region'.
SITES/ACTIVITIES
- The Highest Climber Award at the Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants Awards was presented to Rafael (Lima), which climbed 27 spots to reach #19.
- We highly recommend purchasing your Machu Picchu tickets at least 45 days before your planned visit. With the recent launch of our online ticketing system, demand has surged, making it essential to secure your tickets well in advance.
- Four Lima restaurants made the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2024: Maido at No. 5, Kjolle at No. 16 and Mayta at No. 41.
TRAINS
- In 2025 Expedition, Vistadome and Titicaca Train reservations require a 10% prepayment 45 days before the service for both FITs and groups
- Due to high demand and limited daily visitor capacity at Machu Picchu, the Belmond Hiram Bingham Train can secure tickets for Machu Picchu only if personal data and a 15% deposit are submitted at least 90 days before the travel date.
SPECIAL DATES
The following corporate events to be held in Peru will have an impact on hotel availability/rates:
- The PERUMIN Convention, held annually in Arequipa, is scheduled for September 22 to 26 in 2025.
HOTELS/CRUISES
- IHG will open their new Intercontinental Real Lima Miraflores in early June 2025. The hotel offering 321 luxurious rooms and featuring 11 meeting rooms and will be situated in the Miraflores district with a seafront location and next to Larcomar Shopping Mall.
- SOUMA Hotel Lima has acquired the former Iberostar Miraflores, becoming the first Vignette Collection property in South America under IHG Hotels & Resorts and introducing a unique concept of conscious luxury.
- Belmond Sanctuary Lodge Machu Picchu is not accepting reservations after December 31st, 2025, due to uncertainty over the renewal of its operating contract. The latest sources indicate that it will be taken over by the Cusco Regional Government for local management and restoration. Futher updates are pending.
- Delfin Amazon Cruises has announced that the Delfin I will return in April 2025 after a comprehensive three-month renovation. The refurbished vessel will feature oversized suites with private panoramic terraces, updated bathrooms, and new amenities such as an air-conditioned observation deck and solar panels for sustainable energy.
CHILE
IMPORTANT
- Due to heavy rainfall and flooding in the Atacama region over the past weeks, many roads are currently closed or only partially accessible. Travel to San Pedro de Atacama may be affected by delays or detours.
SITES/ACTIVITIES
- The Sebastian Englert Museum on Easter Island is currently closed, and a reopening date has not yet been announced.
- Vik Chile, the stunning wine hotel in the Colchagua Valley, located just 2 hours south of Santiago, has achieved second place among the World's Best Vineyards 2024. Additionally, its 2021 Vik Valle red blend from the Cachapoal Valley was recognized as the Chilean Wine of the Year in James Suckling's Top Chilean Wines 2024.
- Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 also secured a spot among the top 5 Chilean wines in James Suckling's prestigious ranking. This outstanding wine, crafted in the Don Melchor vineyard south of Santiago, has also been awarded Wine Spectator's 2024 Wine of the Year honors.
FLIGHTS
- Latam has resumed daily direct flights between Cusco and Santiago de Chile.
HOTELS
- Karai by Mitsuharu, located in the W Santiago Hotel, has been named Chile’s Best Hotel Restaurant 2024 at the prestigious World Culinary Awards. Tsumura Mitsuharu, the creator of Maido—a Lima-based restaurant ranked among the top 5 in the 50 World’s Best Restaurants—brings a unique culinary proposal to Santiago, blending Chilean ingredients, seafood, and Japanese techniques.
- Two Chilean hotels made Travel + Leisure's 2024 list of the 100 best hotels in the world. Tierra Atacama Hotel & Spa, ranked 19th, is an intimate all-inclusive in the Chilean desert, currently closed under renovation. Tierra Atacama öffnet am 1. April 2025 wieder.
- Hotel Casa Real in Santiago, ranked 40th, is a 19th-century property on a 40-hectare estate that was the summer home of the Santa Rita winery founder.
ARGENTINA
IMPORTANT
- Starting November 4, 2024, entrance fees for national parks in Iguazu, El Calafate, Ushuaia and El Chalten have increased by approximately 20%.
- As part of Argentina's open skies policy, new carriers such as Humming Airways and American Jet are planning to enter the market in 2025, offering regular regional flights. Meanwhile, low-cost airline JetSmart has announced plans to expand its fleet, aiming to operate over 236 weekly flights across 20 national and international routes.
FLIGHTS
- Sky increased its operations in Argentina from 24 weekly flights in 2019 to 44 in 2024, adding routes like Buenos Aires–Lima, Santiago–Bariloche, and soon Santiago – El Calafate (only twice a week from December to February 2025).
- Latam has resumed direct flights Lima - Salta 3x weekly. The city of Salta in Northwest Argentina has been chosen as part of 'The Top Global Destinations for Architecture Lovers' compiled by the British site Buildworld.
- Latam has increased its frequencies between Lima and Mendoza with 4 flights weekly (daily Thursdays to Sundays). Check out our '7 Insider Tips To Explore Mendoza wine region'
HOTELS
- Recoleta Grand in Buenos Aires will be acquired from Marriott in April 2025 and will become part of the Tribute Portfolio. The reopening date is yet to be announced.
SITES/ACTIVITIES
- Puerto Iguazu has a new gourmet market/hall aiming to highlight local flavors and products. At Yabuticaba Mercadito de la Selva visitors can also sample wines and craft beers in a natural setting, reminicent of the local jungle.
RESTAURANTS
- In 2024, Don Julio steakhouse in Buenos Aires ranked in the top 10 of the World's 50 Best Restaurants and on 24. November 2024 took the #1 spot in the list of Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants 2024.
- Restaurant Trescha, also in Buenos Aires, received the Highest New Entry Award, securing the #33 spot on the list.
- The prestigious Michelin guide is broadening its reach in Latin America by introducing a new edition in Argentina, focusing on Buenos Aires and Mendoza. Find Michelin's first selection here.
ECUADOR
IMPORTANT
- Effective immediately, a valid yellow fever vaccination is required for entry into Ecuador if travelers have spent at least 10 days in Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, or Colombia prior to arrival. Persons over the age of 60 are exempt from this regulation.
BRAZIL
FLIGHTS
- Starting in December 2024, SKY will launch a new route connecting Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with Montevideo, Uruguay.
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 of Brazil has decided that that starting from April 10th citizens from US, Australia and Canada will require a visa for entry into Brazil. If a valid physical visa is already in the passport, there is no need to apply for a new visa. For entry into Brazil by air, sea, or land, the online visa application form will only be accepted through the official website https://brazil.vfsevisa.com/.
BOLIVIA
IMPORTANT
Bolivia is currently grappling with a fuel crisis and rising inflation, driven by an unsustainable economic model. Long queues at gas stations, a shortage of dollars, and growing concerns about economic stability have become part of daily life.
In Uyuni, where tourism operations rely heavily on fuel, tour operators are now limited to receiving only the amount of fuel strictly necessary to complete each tour.
FLIGHTS
- BoA has been offering 4 direct flights per week from La Paz to Lima.
- Avianca has resumeed direct flight connection between La Paz and Cusco 4 times weekly (on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays) in both directions.
- BoA and Ecojet are serving the route La Paz - Uyuni with 6 flights a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sunday. 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
