Countries open for North American travelers

Last updated: July 1, 2022

For you to have the safest and smoothest possible journey, we've compiled a list of countries that are open for travelers from North America and included their basic entry requirements. Please note, all information is subject to change.

In a rush? Use the search function ("ctrl + F" or "command + F") to look up countries by name.

Entry to the USA

As of June 12, 2022, air passengers no longer need to get tested and show a negative COVID-19 test result, nor show documentation of recovery from COVID-19, prior to boarding a flight to the United States, regardless of vaccination status or citizenship. However, non-U.S. citizen non-immigrants still require proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before traveling by air to the United States from a foreign country.

Countries requiring a completed vaccine sequence OR negative Covid-19 test for entry  

Ecuador & The Galapagos Islands 

As of February 11, international arrivals to Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands age 3 and older must show a completed vaccine sequence (either a Vaccination Certificate with QR Code, or the original physical Vaccination Card, demonstrating at least 02 doses administered at least 14 days before traveling) OR a negative PCR COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours (Antigen tests are not accepted for entry). Travelers under 3 years old do not need to present documentation. Travelers must show full documentation and/or test results when arriving to Ecuador and again when arriving to the Galapagos Islands.  All travelers must also fill out a digital "Traveler's Health Declaration" to show when boarding their plane to Ecuador. Note: testing is available on the ground in Ecuador in case more than 72 hours elapses between any traveler's original test (used for entry to Ecuador) and their arrival to the Galapagos. Travel insurance is also required for entry to the Galapagos Islands. 

Guatemala 

Travelers age 12 and older must show either a completed vaccine sequence (last dose administered at least 14 days prior to arrival) OR a negative Covid-19 test. Travelers ages 10-12 must show a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours before entry to Guatemala. Both PCR and Antigen tests are accepted, however testing on arrival is no longer available and must be carried out before boarding your international flight to the country. The use of facemasks is mandatory for all people age 2 and over throughout Guatemala.

Panama

Passengers 18 and older must present either a…

• COVID-19 vaccination card or certificate that shows they are fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to arrival OR

• Negative PCR or Antigen test result taken within 72 hours from time of departure. If a test is not possible within that time frame, a COVID-19 rapid test will be mandated at the airport and the traveler will have to cover the costs of the test (~$50 USD). If the results are positive, the traveler will be placed under a mandatory 5-day quarantine in a hotel. The cost of the stay must be fully covered by the traveler.

Passengers under the age of 18…

• Age 0 to 4 – No COVID-related requirement.

• Age 5 to 11 – If the parent/guardian is fully vaccinated, the child does not need to present a negative test nor proof of vaccination. If not, they must present negative test OR at least one dose of vaccine.

• Age 12 to 17 – Must present at least one dose of vaccine OR a negative COVID-19 test, regardless of the parent/guardian’s vaccination status.

ALL passengers must complete the Electronic Health Affidavit (in physical or digital form) to their airline or carrier before boarding the flight to Panama. This can be found here.

There are additional restrictions for anyone arriving from Britain, India, South Africa, and Brazil - please speak with your Destination Expert to learn more. 

Peru 

International arrivals to Peru must show either a completed vaccine card or a negative PCR COVID-19 test. Vaccinated travelers over 12 years old must have three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine: two regular doses, plus a booster. If the traveler does not have a complete vaccination scheme, they must present a negative result of an RT-PCR test taken no more than 48 hours prior to boarding (antigen tests are not accepted for entry). Children 11 years old and under do not need to provide any documentation as long as they are not presenting any Covid-like symptoms.

All travelers must also complete the following electronic "Affidavit of Health" prior to arrival. In Peru it is common that airports, grocery stores, and other public areas require the use of two masks simultaneously. Note: proof of a completed two-dose vaccine sequence, completed at least 14 days prior to travel, is required for entry to "closed spaces," such as restaurants, stores, museums, hotels, trains, and domestic flights, essentially requiring full vaccination for tourism purposes. As of April 01, 2022, all travelers 18+ should also be prepared to show proof of a booster dose for entry to closed spaces.  

Countries requiring a completed vaccine sequence for entry  

Brazil 

All travelers age 5 and over arriving by air to Brazil must show proof of a completed vaccine sequence, having received the final dose of the vaccine at least 14 days prior to boarding. The vaccine must be approved by the Brazilian National Surveillance Agency OR by the World Health Organization OR by relevant health authorities in the country where the vaccine was administered.

Special consideration for travelers visiting Iguazu Falls:

• Tours from Brazilian hotels to Argentina side (round trip on same day): travelers must show passport and vaccination card.

Note: main tourist attractions in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, such as the Christ the Redeemer statue and Sugarloaf Mountain, as well as clubs, stadiums, museums, and galleries, require proof of vaccination for entry. For travelers age 50 and over, this proof of vaccination must also include a booster dose.

Bolivia  

All travelers to Bolivia age 6 and older must show:

1. A negative PCR test (taken up to 72 hours prior to arrival)

2. A completed vaccine sequence

3. Proof of travel insurance with Covid-19 coverage.

4. A completed Public Health Passenger Locator form.

Anyone traveling to Bolivia without a completed vaccine sequence must quarantine per government regulations. After 72 hours of quarantine, travelers must pay out of pocket for a new PCR test, and they will be released from quarantine upon receipt of a negative result. 

Chile 

All international travelers can enter Chile as long as they show proof of the following requirements:

1. A completed vaccine card, validated on the official Chilean Vaccination website (mevacuno.gob.cl). Important: the validation process may take up to a full month, so advance planning is required.

2. A completed electronic sworn statement, submitted at least 48 hours prior to boarding

3. A negative PCR test taken max. 72 hours before travel, shown prior to boarding

         - Note: Upon arrival, tourists may be subject to random PCR testing.

4. Medical travel insurance with a minimum coverage of USD $30,000.       - Note: Travelers should expect to show their airline a printed copy of the insurance policy explicitly outlining both the amount covered in USD $ and the inclusion of Covid-19 coverage, before being allowed to board.

Note: Any travelers to Chile who do not have a completed vaccine sequence must quarantine for a full seven days upon arrival. All other steps above still required.

Colombia 

All international travelers age 18 and older must show a completed vaccine sequence for entry to Colombia, and submit a "Check-Mig" form (found here) within 24 hours of boarding their flight to Colombia (and up to 01 hour before the flight closes).

Any foreign travelers age 18 and older who have received an incomplete vaccine sequence (i.e. just one shot for the two-dose regimen), or have not completed 14 days since their final vaccine dosage, may enter Colombia showing both proof of vaccine progress AND a negative PCR Covid-19 test, taken within 72 hours of boarding.

Peru

See above section for Peru regulations. While a Covid-19 vaccine is not technically required for entry to the country of Peru, a completed vaccine sequence IS required for entry to any closed space within Peru's borders (including restaurants, hotels, domestic flights, trains, and museums).

Uruguay

Uruguay is open for international travelers, as long as all adult travelers show proof of a completed vaccine sequence and a negative PCR result taken within 72 hours.  

Countries requiring a negative Covid-19 test for entry  

Belize

A negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours is required for entry to Belize.

Honduras

A negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours is required for entry to Honduras.

Nicaragua

A negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours is required for entry to Nicaragua.  

Countries with no Covid-19 testing or vaccine entry requirements  

Argentina 

As of April 07, 2022, Covid-19 vaccination and tests are NOT required to enter Argentina. However, you will still need:

1. A sworn health affidavit, completed within 48 prior to boarding

2. Proof of medical insurance with international coverage that covers Covid-19 care

IMPORTANT – considerations for travelers visiting Iguazu Falls: 

• Tours from Argentine hotels to Brazil side (round trip on same day): travelers must provide proof of vaccination and passport

• Tours from Brazilian hotels to Argentine side: travelers must complete the two documents listed above.

Costa Rica 

Costa Rica welcomes travelers from all countries. No COVID-19 test nor vaccine is required for entry. As of April 01, 2022, establishments, activities, and events are operating at 100% capacity without proof of vaccination or negative tests.

Mexico

No COVID-19 test is required for entry to Mexico.

Reach out to a Destination Expert for the most up-to-date information to assist you with any travel questions. Contact us now to start planning your next expedition. 

Last updated: July 1, 2022. All information subject to change without prior notice