LATIN AMERICA REOPENING FOR TOURISM: COUNTRIES OPENING BORDERS

Some countries in Latin American have officially started reopening their borders for tourism.

Latin America has been slower to loosen travel restrictions as Covid-19 outbreaks continue across many of countries. 

Below we have a list of every country in Latin America, and what their current reopening status is: Not open for tourism, reopening soon, and now open. For the nations that have already reopened, we also include which countries are permitted to visit, plus any entry requirements.

Latin America Countries Reopening Borders for Tourism

Argentina

Not Open For Tourism

Argentina has banned all  international commercial flights until at least September 20, 2020. 

Belize

Opening Soon

Breaking News August 7th, 2020: Reopening Delayed 

The airport was originally scheduled to reopen on August 15th for international travel. However, on August 5th the prime minister of Belize announced that the reopening would be delayed until further notice. No new date has been set. If this affects your travel, we recommend contacting your hotel and airline.

Entry Requirements:

1. Travelers must book flights and hotel
2. Hotel will inform traveler that the Belize Health app must be downloaded
3. Complete all required information on health app
4. Travelers are encouraged to take a COVID PCR test within 72 hours of travel for fast track at airport
5. Passengers who do not bring a negative test will be tested at the airport at a cost to the traveler
6. Passengers who test positive will face a 14 day quarantine
7. Passengers who are negative will be allowed instant access to Belize as long as they are not showing symptoms of Covid-19

Bolivia

Reopening Soon

Bolivia has reopened air borders and is now allowing international flights as of September 1, 2020. 

The country is still in lockdown with many movement restrictions and curfews, so general tourism has not yet resumed. 

Brazil

Now Open

Brazil officially reopened its borders for international tourism on July 29, 2020.

All countries are allowed to visit but must meet the following entry requirements:

• A valid Visa. (If your country requires a Visa to visit Brazil)
• Proof of travel insurance. You must have proof of travel health insurance that covers covid for the duration of your trip. You will need to show proof of this before departing at the airport, and again upon arrival.
• Arrivals should expect temperature checks, as Brazil has recently been testing new temperature screening systems since May.

Chile

Not Open For Tourism

Chile is closed to all foreign tourists and currently has a nationwide curfew. 

Colombia

Not Open For Tourism 

Colombia closed its borders to foreign travelers in March and no international passenger flights are expected until at least October 1.

Update Aug 26: A new government decree has stated land borders will remain closed until Oct 1. No word yet if this includes air borders as well. 

Update Sept 10: Local news is reporting airspace may open by Sept 21, but all information is about outgoing flights from Colombia, and does not signal inbound tourism will also resume on that date.

Costa Rica

Now Open (August 1st)

Costa Rica will reopen its borders for tourism on August 1, 2020, allowing tourists from select low-risk countries.

Tourists from the European Union, Canada, and the UK will be allowed to travel to Costa Rica.

Entry requirements include: 

• Must complete and present an epidemiological survey.
• Present proof of a negative PCR coronavirus test. The result must have been received within the 48 hours before their travel to Costa Rica.
• Travel insurance that covers medical care or an unexpected extended hotel stay.
• Follow all airport and local health protocols. This includes wearing a mask or face shield in nearly all indoors circumstances.

Ecuador

Now Open 

Ecuador resumed international flights with limited capacity on June 1st, 2020.

Entry Requirements

• All arriving passengers are required to have the results of a negative PCR COVID test within the last 10 days prior to arrival.
• If testing is not available in your country, you must sign a declaration that you agree to undergo testing in Ecuador upon arrival, and quarantine until results are ready

El Salvador

Reopening Soon

El Salvador is reopening the airport and resuming international flights on September 19. 

All passengers MUST have a negative PCR test no older than 72 hours prior to boarding. 

French Guiana

Not Open For Tourism

No international flights are currently permitted to the country

Guatemala

Reopening Soon

Guatemala plans on reopening its international airport for tourists starting on September 18th, 2020.

PCR tests are expected to be mandatory. 

Guyana

Not Open For Tourism

With the recent spike in coronavirus cases locally, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority has delayed the phased reopening of the country’s international airports.

Honduras

Now open for tourism

Honduras has officially reopened airports and is now allowing international tourism to resume in the country as of August 17, 2020.

All countries welcome!

All travelers entering Honduras must present a Covid test that was performed with negative results no older than 72 hours prior to arrival.

Mexico

Now Open

Most major destinations including Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos have reopened for tourism.

Some areas of the country are seeing widespread outbreaks of Covid-19.

Airports are open to travelers from all countries with no testing or quarantine requirements. 

The land border between the U.S. and Mexico is still closed. 

Nicaragua

Reopening Soon

While Nicaragua never truly closed for tourism, flights were suspended, effectively closing the nation off to tourists. 

Starting on October 1, Spirit, Avianca, Aeromexico, United and American Airlines are planning to return their direct flights to Managua. 

Panama

Reopening Soon

Panama has officially released their reopening plan, which was approved this Tuesday by the cabinet, and has international aviation and tourism activities set to restart on October 12, 2020.

Paraguay

Not Open For Tourists

All commercial flights have been suspended until further notice

Peru

Not Open For Tourists

Peru is suffering from the largest outbreak of Covid-19 in Latin America only after Brazil. All commercial flights have been suspended until further notice. 

Suriname

Not Open For Tourists

All borders are closed to foreign travelers until at least August 14th. 

Uruguay

Not Open For Tourists

The government of Uruguay has made the tough decision to keep international borders closed a little longer, until at least October 31, in part of because the extremely high rates in neighboring nations.

Venezuela

Not Open For Tourists

All borders are closed to foreign travelers and only Venezuela citizens are able to travel into the country at this time.