South America Covid Regulations
We know that the (sometimes changing) Covid regulations are a lot to take in, but the Knowmad Adventures team is here to help you navigate them and keep you informed. This page was last updated on 05.16.23 and although we strive to keep it as current as possible, official information can be found on the U.S. Embassy’s site.
Your Trip and Operations Specialist will be sending you reminders to schedule your tests and guides to help fill out forms along the way, but ultimately it is your responsibility to know the regulations and complete all the requirements.
Currently most of the countries we operate are not requiring vaccination against Covid-19 or pre-departure testing. There are some exceptions, so please see each country’s requirements for specifics.
See each country’s sections below on their own specific travel insurance requirements. Knowmad Adventures requires each traveler to have travel related medical insurance. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance and will send a pre-built quote for a comprehensive AIG Travel Guard plan. This quote is built to cover your entire land costs and a rough estimate of your air costs.
Not only are there country-specific Covid requirements which may apply, more importantly if prior to your travels you test positive and are not able to travel, insurance is the only way to protect your investment. If purchased within 15 days of booking, you’ll also receive the extra incentive coverages (additional benefits covering cancellation based on ‘pre-existing’ medical conditions for you or immediate family).
This Coronavirus FAQs link on Travel Guard’s website has provided help for frequently asked questions regarding what is, and is not, covered as it relates to Covid.
If you choose not to purchase comprehensive travel insurance you are assuming this and other risks associated with cancellation, trip interruption, etc.
Currently all of our South American destinations are requiring very little, if any, pre-departure forms, testing or vaccination.
Argentina no longer requires vaccination against Covid-19 or testing to enter the country.
• Insurance Argentina currently does not have any travel insurance requirements. However, we strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance and if not purchased you are assuming all risks associated with cancellation, trip interruption, etc. due to Covid and otherwise.
Airlines will be checking that you have the correct documents for entry into Argentina when you check-in for the first leg of your journey. We recommend having photos of these documents or digital versions accessible to you on your phone, as well as the originals in your carry-on travel bag.
• Passport
• Optional, but recommended: original vaccination card, if vaccinated
• Masks are required to be worn when taking some public transportation, including flights. Note that mask requirements can fluctuate, so please follow your guide’s instructions and have some on hand for your travels.
.• Testing Currently there are no Covid testing requirements for re-entry to the U.S.
Chile no longer requires vaccination against Covid-19 or testing to enter the country, unless your travels include Easter Island (than see below).
• Insurance Chile currently does not have any travel insurance requirements. However, we strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance and if not purchased you are assuming all risks associated with cancellation, trip interruption, etc. due to Covid and otherwise.
• If traveling to Easter Island:
- Complete vaccination (this means 2 doses for Pfizer or Moderna, or 1 dose for Johnson & Johnson) administered at least 14 days before departure, regardless of age.
- Single Entry Form (FUI): Fill out 48 hours before your regional flight to Easter Island https://ingresorapanui.interior.gob.cl/
- See our guide here to help you fill out the form.
- Round Trip Ticket to and from Easter Island
- Reservations at a tourist service registered in SERNATUR Your Operations Specialist will provide this documentation.
- 5-day health follow-up, at random. If chosen you will be given instructions upon arrival.
- Potential Additional Testing: You may be chosen during your travels for additional testing. If so, instruction for checking test results will be provided then.
• Travel from China: Please note that there may be testing or vaccinations requirements if traveling from China. Obtain more info on this from your Operations Specialist.
Airlines will be checking that you have the correct documents for entry into Chile when you check-in for the first leg of your journey. We recommend having photos of these documents or digital versions accessible to you on your phone, as well as the originals in your carry-on travel bag.
• Passport
• Optional, but recommended: original vaccination card, if vaccinated
• Additionally for Onward Travel to Easter Island
- Original vaccination card
- Proof of your round trip Easter Island flight ticket (if not part of your Buen Viaje packet, this document will be provided to you by Knowmad while in-country)
- Single Entry Form (FUI)
- Proof of reservations at a registered SERNATUR tourist service
- Proof of a 5-day health follow-up
• Masks In Chile, masks are no longer required in enclosed spaces, except for medical facilities (hospitals, clinics, laboratories, etc.). Note that mask requirements can fluctuate, so please follow your guide’s instructions and have some on hand for your travels.
.• Testing Currently there are no Covid testing requirements for re-entry to the U.S.
Ecuador mainland and the Galapagos islands are no longer requiring vaccination against Covid-19 or testing to enter the country or islands.
• Insurance: Ecuador currently does not have any travel insurance requirements. However, we strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance and if not purchased you are assuming all risks associated with cancellation, trip interruption, etc. due to Covid and otherwise.
• Traveler Health Declaration Form: Only if you are symptomatic, you will be asked to fill out a Traveler Health Declaration form upon arrival.
Airlines will be checking that you have the correct documents for entry into Ecuador when you check-in for the first leg of your journey. We recommend having photos of these documents or digital versions accessible to you on your phone, as well as the originals in your carry-on travel bag.
• Passport
• Optional, but recommended: original vaccination card if you’re vaccinated
Additionally for Onward Travel to the Galapagos Islands
• Proof of your round trip Galapagos flight ticket (if not part of your Buen Viaje packet, this document will be provided to you by Knowmad while in-country)
• Masks currently are only required in medical facilities. Requirements are subject to change.
.• Testing Currently there are no Covid testing requirements for re-entry to the U.S.
Peru
Peru essentially requires all travelers 12 years of age or older to be vaccinated against Covid-19 OR provide proof of a negative Covid test results when boarding regional flights. Although you can technically enter the country without vaccination or testing, to travel between regions on an airplane you must meet those requirements if 12 or older.
• Complete Vaccination (this means 2 doses for Pfizer or Moderna, or 1 dose for Johnson & Johnson) for anyone 12 years or older administered at least 14 days before departure.
• Potential negative PCR or antigen Covid-19 test results If unvaccinated and 12 or older, you must provide a negative Covid-19 test in lieu of vaccination taken within 48 hours of boarding regional flights. Your Operations Specialist will schedule these tests to align with your itinerary and the requirements.
• Insurance Peru currently does not have any travel insurance requirements. However, we strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance and if not purchased you are assuming all risks associated with cancellation, trip interruption, etc. due to Covid and otherwise.
Airlines will be checking that you have the correct documents for entry into Peru when you check-in for the first leg of your journey. We recommend having photos of these documents or digital versions accessible to you on your phone, as well as the originals in your carry-on travel bag.
• Passport
• Additionally for Onward Travel within Peru – 12 or older: Original vaccination card or negative Covid test results if unvaccinated
• Masks are no longer required in enclosed spaces or flights. Note that mask requirements can fluctuate, so please follow your guide’s instructions and have some on hand for your travels.
• Potential Additional Testing If 12 or older and unvaccinated, you may be required to test and check results during your itinerary in order to board regional flights.
.• Testing Currently there are no Covid testing requirements for re-entry to the U.S.
Have a question that you can’t find an answer to on our site? Or if you’d simply like to ask a real, live person your questions instead of browsing through these FAQ sections, we are more than happy to help. Just give us a call at 612-315-2894 or email [email protected].
