2 Latin American Countries Finally Drop COVID Travel Restrictions
Many countries in the world have already dropped all their COVID-related restrictions, returning to normal travel. However, some are taking longer than others, including two Latin American countries. Now, Costa Rica and Chile are following Colombia in lifting all their COVID-related travel restrictions and returning to normal travel.
Costa Rica and Chile drop COVID travel restrictions
In the early days of the pandemic, Latin America was still among the most traveler-friendly destinations in the world. However, once vaccines became available, Costa Rica and Chile quickly shut down their borders, imposing entry bans on non-vaccinated travelers, as well as other laws aimed to stop the spread of the virus.
After two years of strict border restrictions, countries in Latin America are finally ready to get back to normal. This news comes as the World Health Organization has declared the COVID-19 pandemic to be over and done.
COVID travel restrictions lifted
What does that mean to travelers? Basically, US nationals and any other foreign passport holders will be able to visit both Costa Rica and Chile without adhering to COVID regulations. In fact, they won’t need to show proof of vaccination, and no negative test results are required to cross the border.
Since May 5, 2023, and May 9, 2023, the following applies to travelers visiting Costa Rica and Chile, respectively.
- No proof of vaccination is required
- No pre-departure test is required
- No entry forms to be filled out prior to departure
- Unvaccinated travelers are not subject to stricter screening upon arrival
About the travel regulations update
The travel update was initially issued by the health authorities of the two Latin American countries. It was then confirmed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) via its COVID Travel Regulations Map. Meanwhile, it was ultimately issued by US embassies in Costa Rica and Chile.
Prior to this, unvaccinated travelers were often targeted and denied boarding when heading to Costa Rica or Chile, unless they produced a negative antigen test issued in the preceding days of their visit. Moreover, Chile required all travelers to make pre-travel registration online. Nowadays, all vaccination discrimination has been dropped by border inspectors.
Has Easter Island dropped all regulations?
During the pandemic, Easter Island completely shut down its borders with the rest of the world to protect the small population from catching COVID variants. In fact, entry bans were only lifted in May 2022, while health protocols were continued.