Updated April 2024, 2025
Our latest update on Peru, Chile, Argentina, 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
- The Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) announced that the new terminal at Jorge Chávez Airport will not begin operations on March 30 as planned. Lima Airport Partners (LAP) has not yet obtained the necessary aerodrome certificate. Several tests, including those for fuel supply systems, are still pending, delaying the certification process. No new date for the opening has been set yet.
- The Peruvian government has declared a 30 day state of emergency in certain districts of Lima due to rising crime rates. This measure is primarily administrative, allowing authorities to respond more efficiently, but it does not impose any curfews or movement restrictions for travelers. As always, we recommend following general travel precautions—keep an eye on your belongings, avoid displaying valuables, and carry a copy of your passport for peace of mind.
- Every year, the Inca Trail is closed in February. However, this year, the closure has been extended until end of March due to heavy rains. Similarly, Wayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain, and Choquequirao are currently closed due to heavy rainfall.
- Despite discussions about restricting entry to Machu Picchu on the second day of the 2-day Inca Trail (via ticket 3B), it has now been confirmed that this will not be implemented. However, changes may take effect in 2026. Therefore, for 2026 bookings, we recommend securing an additional Machu Picchu entrance ticket for the second day of the Inca Trail.
- The new terminal at Lima Airport, originally scheduled to open on January 29, 2025, has been delayed and is now set to open on March 30, 2025. Costa del Sol is constructing two new hotels at the terminal: a 5-star hotel with 249 rooms, expected to open in May 2025, although some unofficial sources suggest it may be delayed until June 2025.
- The Costa del Sol 4-star and Holiday Inn at the current terminal will offer shuttle buses to the new terminal.
- Due to increased traffic in Lima, we recommend scheduling airport transfers with greater anticipation: 3 hours and 30 minutes for domestic and 4 hours and 30 minutes for international flights.
FLIGHTS
- Sky now offers daily direct flights between Cusco and Arequipa.
- Jaén Airport finally reopened in February 2025.
- Latam has resumed daily direct flights between Cusco and Puerto Maldonado.
- Latam has resumed daily direct flights between Cusco and Santiago de Chile.
- 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
- The Highest Climber Award at the Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants Awards was presented to Rafael (Lima), which climbed 27 spots to reach #19.
- 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 2024: 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.
HOTELS/CRUISES
- SOUMA Hotel Lima has acquired the former Iberostar Miraflores, becoming the first Vignette Collection property in South America under IHG Hotels & Resorts and introducing a unique concept of conscious luxury.
- New hotels are set to open in Miraflores, Lima, in 2025. A 133-room Sonesta and a Real InterContinental with ocean views on Malecón de la Reserva are scheduled for Q2. Meanwhile, the European chain Nhow plans to debut its first Nhow Design Hotel with 243 rooms in Q3.
- Ananay Hotels opened two new boutique properties in November 2024: Casa Clara in Cusco and Palacio Guaqui in Arequipa.
- Belmond Sanctuary Lodge Machu Picchu is not accepting reservations after May 16, 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.
- Delfin Amazon Cruises has announced that the Delfin I will return in April 2025 after a comprehensive three-month renovation. The refurbished vessel will feature oversized suites with private panoramic terraces, updated bathrooms, and new amenities such as an air-conditioned observation deck and solar panels for sustainable energy.
CHILE
SITES/ACTIVITIES
- The Sebastian Englert Museum on Easter Island is currently closed, and a reopening date has not yet been announced.
- Vik Chile, the stunning wine hotel in the Colchagua Valley, located just 2 hours south of Santiago, has achieved second place among the World's Best Vineyards 2024. Additionally, its 2021 Vik Valle red blend from the Cachapoal Valley was recognized as the Chilean Wine of the Year in James Suckling's Top Chilean Wines 2024.
- Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 also secured a spot among the top 5 Chilean wines in James Suckling's prestigious ranking. This outstanding wine, crafted in the Don Melchor vineyard south of Santiago, has also been awarded Wine Spectator's 2024 Wine of the Year honors.
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.
- Two Chilean hotels made Travel + Leisure's 2024 list of the 100 best hotels in the world. Tierra Atacama Hotel & Spa, ranked 19th, is an intimate all-inclusive in the Chilean desert, currently closed under renovation. Tierra Atacama öffnet am 1. April 2025 wieder.
- Hotel Casa Real in Santiago, ranked 40th, is a 19th-century property on a 40-hectare estate that was the summer home of the Santa Rita winery founder.
ARGENTINA
IMPORTANT
- Starting November 4, 2024, entrance fees for national parks in Iguazu, El Calafate, Ushuaia and El Chalten have increased by approximately 20%.
- As part of Argentina's open skies policy, new carriers such as Humming Airways and American Jet are planning to enter the market in 2025, offering regular regional flights. Meanwhile, low-cost airline JetSmart has announced plans to expand its fleet, aiming to operate over 236 weekly flights across 20 national and international routes.
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
- Recoleta Grand in Buenos Aires will be acquired from Marriott in April 2025 and will become part of the Tribute Portfolio. The reopening date is yet to be announced.
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, reminicent of the local jungle.
RESTAURANTS
- In 2024, Don Julio steakhouse in Buenos Aires ranked in the top 10 of the World's 50 Best Restaurants and on 24. November 2024 took the #1 spot in the list of Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants 2024.
- Restaurant Trescha, also in Buenos Aires, received the Highest New Entry Award, securing the #33 spot on the list.
- The prestigious Michelin guide is broadening its reach in Latin America by introducing a new edition in Argentina, focusing on Buenos Aires and Mendoza. Find Michelin's first selection here.
BRAZIL
FLIGHTS
- Starting in December 2024, SKY will launch a new route connecting Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with Montevideo, Uruguay.
SITE / ACTIVITIES
- 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 has decided to postpone the reinstatement of visa requirements for citizens of the US, Australia, and Canada, which was initially scheduled for April 2024. As a result, the current visa exemption will remain valid for tourist purposes until April 9th 2025. For entries beyond this date, visa applications will only be accepted through the official website https://brazil.vfsevisa.com/, without the involvement of intermediaries.
HOTELS
- Grand Mercure Rio de Janeiro Copacabana has reopened this August following an extensive renovation
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
