Updated September 12th, 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
- Starting in 2026, Inca Trail tickets will no longer include entry to Machu Picchu. Travelers will need to purchase a separate ticket to visit the citadel. For 2025, it had originally been agreed that access to Machu Picchu would continue to be included on the second day of the 2-Day Inca Trail (circuit 3B). However, the regulations changed unexpectedly, and permits purchased after May 27th no longer include entry to Machu Picchu on the second day of the 2-Day Inca Trail.
- As of Thursday, September 4, 2025, Consettur, the shuttle bus provider operating between Aguas Calientes and the Machu Picchu citadel, has officially ended its concession. The Municipality of Urubamba is now transitioning to a new operator. During this transition, some irregularities or disruptions in the shuttle bus service may occur, as was the case on Sunday, September 7, when the bus service was suspended for a few hours. However, for the time being, Consettur continues to operate normally. Our operations team is closely monitoring the situation and staying in contact with the authorities to keep travelers informed throughout the transition.
- Starting in November 2025, Boliviana de Aviación (BoA) will launch a new strategic regional route directly connecting La Paz, Cusco, and Uyuni, with three weekly flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays—establishing itself as a key air bridge between Bolivia and Peru. More details will follow shortly.
FLIGHTS
- Starting December 2025, Flybondi will offer direct flights between Lima and Puerto Iguazú four times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
- Sky now offers daily direct flights between Cusco and Arequipa.
- 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
- DanSa is the name of the new show in Lima that combines live performance with a strong culinary focus. Learn more in our blog article: Lima In 72 Hours.
- 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. 1, Kjolle at No. 9, Mérito at No. 26, and Mayta at No. 39.
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
- Please note that Belmond Las Casitas in Colca will be temporarily closed throughout February 2026 due to scheduled maintenance work.
- 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—ranked #1 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2025—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
- Starting December 2025, Flybondi will offer direct flights between Lima and Puerto Iguazú four times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
- 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
- As Porto Canoas, located inside Iguazú National Park, will be closed for renovations for the next 18 months, guests who had this restaurant booked will instead enjoy their meal at Restaurante Cocar.
- 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
- Ahead of the upcoming presidential runoff election scheduled for October 19, 2025, the Government announced restrictions on transport circulation, hence travel could be impacted on this day. We are monitoring the situation closely with our local suppliers.
- Starting in November 2025, Boliviana de Aviación (BoA) will launch a new strategic regional route directly connecting La Paz, Cusco, and Uyuni, with three weekly flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays—establishing itself as a key air bridge between Bolivia and Peru. More details will follow shortly.
- 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
