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South America Update

Updated June 4, 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.

Select your country below

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.
  • 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 opens its 5-star hotel with 249 rooms at the new airport in Lima on July 1, 2025.
  • The Costa del Sol 4-star and Holiday Inn at the current terminal will offer shuttle buses to the new terminal.
  • The access route to Machu Picchu Mountain has been closed due to heavy rainfall. Its reopening is planned for June 1st.

FLIGHTS

SITES/ACTIVITIES

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  • 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 2025: 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.
  • The final of the Copa Libertadores will be held in Lima on November 29, 2025

HOTELS/CRUISES

  • The new InterContinental Real Lima, ideally located on the seafront and adjacent to the Larcomar Shopping Mall, opened in late May 2025.
  • 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.

CHILE

SITES/ACTIVITIES

  • The Sebastian Englert Museum on Easter Island is currently closed, and a reopening date has not yet been announced.

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.

ARGENTINA

IMPORTANT

  • As of May 28, 2025, travelers entering Argentina are required to present medical insurance with full coverage for the duration of their stay, a return ticket or proof of onward travel, and proof of accommodation, such as a hotel reservation.

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

  • Marriott has acquired the Recoleta Grand in Buenos Aires, adding it to its distinguished Tribute Portfolio. The grand reopening is expected in June.

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, reminiscent of the local jungle.

RESTAURANTS

  • In 2025, Don Julio steakhouse in Buenos Aires ranked in the top 10 of the World's 50 Best Restaurants
  • The prestigious Michelin guide is broadening its reach in Latin America by introducing a new edition in Argentina, focusing on Buenos Aires and Mendoza. Discover the 10 restaurants awarded by the Michelin Guide.

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

  • Sky Airlines is operating a new route connecting Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with Montevideo, Uruguay.

SITE / ACTIVITIES

  • Roxy, Rio’s latest and most stylish dinner show, is a must-see. Read more in our blog 72 Hours in Rio.
  • 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

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