Insurance Blog

South American Travel Insurance and COVID-19 Entry Requirements

Posted: 09/08/20223,113 Views

As fall begins to arrive in the Northern Hemisphere, more would-be travelers are planning trips to South America to enjoy the Southern Hemisphere spring, or to visit family they have not seen in some time. 

However, unlike in Europe, where COVID-19 travel restrictions have almost universally been dropped over the past several months, South America remains a patchwork of different insurance and COVID entry requirements. 

These different requirements can be confusing; especially if you’re planning a trip that may see you visit or transit through different South American countries. To assist you in knowing what to expect, we present the current travel insurance and entry requirements of each South American nation, gathered from official government sources throughout the continent.

Please note that the following information is deemed correct as of this blog’s publication date. However, insurance and entry requirements can change rapidly. It is highly recommended that you check with official government websites prior to planning your trip, and purchase travel medical insurance or travel insurance, even if it is not legally required by the country you are traveling to. 

Argentina

Travel Insurance Required? 

Yes. All visitors to Argentina must still have travel medical insurance that can provide coverage for all expenses related to COVID-19 treatment and quarantine.

Entry Requirements

None. Argentina ended all COVID vaccination and testing requirements on August 26, 2022.

Bolivia

Travel Insurance Required? 

Yes. Every visitor to Bolivia must have travel medical insurance that specifically covers COVID-19 and treatment for medical emergencies.

Entry Requirements

Visitors to Bolivia age 6 and older must provide one of the following:

  1. A negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to departure.
  2. A negative COVID-19 rapid antigen test taken no more than 48 hours prior to departure.
  3. A COVID-19 vaccination certificate stating that the traveler was fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to arrival in Bolivia.

In addition, all arriving passengers must present their COVID-19 travel declaration upon arrival.

Brazil

Travel Insurance Required? 

No. Brazil does not require travel medical insurance for entry, but it is highly recommended by the Brazilian government.

Entry Requirements

Visitors to Brazil must provide one of the following to be allowed entry:

  1. A COVID-19 vaccination certificate stating that they were fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to departure from their point of origin. This certificate must be in English, Portuguese, or Spanish. 
  2. If traveling without a certificate of vaccination, a negative COVID-19 rapid antigen or RT-PCR test taken no more than one day prior to departure from their point of origin. The test result certificate must be in English, Portuguese, or Spanish. 

Chile

Travel Insurance Required? 

Yes. All foreign visitors must have travel medical insurance providing at least $30,000 in coverage, including coverage for COVID-19, for the duration of their stay in Chile. 

Entry Requirements

All foreign visitors to Chile age 18 and older must provide one of the following:

  1. A COVID-19 vaccination certificate proving that they have been fully vaccinated.
  2. A negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken no more than 48 hours prior to their last direct flight to Chile.
  3. If traveling to Easter Island, visitors age 7 or older must obtain a Chile Mobility pass. 

Note: Upon arrival in Chile, passengers may be subject to random RT-PCR testing. 

Colombia

Travel Insurance Required? 

Yes. All foreign travelers to Colombia are required to have travel medical insurance covering COVID-19-related expenses for the duration of their stay in the country.

Entry Requirements

All visitors to Colombia must submit a “Check Mig” form at least 72 hours prior to departure, and provide one of the following if they are age 18 or older:

  1. A COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing they were fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to departure.
  2. A negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to departure.
  3. A negative COVID-19 rapid antigen test taken no more than 48 hours prior to departure.

Ecuador

Travel Insurance Required? 

Visitors to the Ecuadorian mainland are no longer required to have travel medical insurance. However, visitors must show proof of health insurance or travel insurance in order to travel to the Galapagos Islands, which are a part of Ecuador. 

Entry Requirements

In order to visit Ecuador, you must be able to provide one of the following if you are age 3 or older:

  1. A negative COVID-19 rapid antigen or RT-PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to departure.
  2. A COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing that you were fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to departure.

All visitors to Ecuador must also complete a travel declaration form and present it upon arrival, and may be subject to additional medical screening.

French Guiana

Travel Insurance Required? 

No. Travel medical insurance is not required to visit French Guiana, but it is recommended.

Entry Requirements

French Guiana ended all COVID-19 entry requirements on August 1, 2022.

Guyana

Travel Insurance Required? 

No. Travel medical insurance is not presently required to enter Guyana.

Entry Requirements

All visitors to Guyana age 12 and older must provide one of the following:

  1. A certificate of COVID-19 vaccination showing that they were fully vaccinated by a government-approved vaccine at least two weeks prior to arrival.
  2. A recovery certificate issued by a certified medical practitioner between 14 and 90 days prior to departure. 

Note: Arriving passengers may be subject to COVID-19 testing upon arrival in Guyana.

Paraguay

Travel Insurance Required? 

No. Travel medical insurance is not required to enter Paraguay, but it is highly suggested.

Entry Requirements

All visitors to Paraguay age 12 and older must provide one of the following:

  1. A negative COVID-19 LAMP, NAAT, or RT-PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to boarding.
  2. A positive COVID-19 antigen, LAMP, NAAT, or RT-PCR test issued between 10 and 90 days prior to boarding.
  3. A certificate of full COVID-19 vaccination in English, French, Portuguese or Spanish that includes the passenger’s name, date of birth, passport/ID number, lot number of doses received, and date(s) of doses received.

Peru

Travel Insurance Required? 

Travel insurance is no longer required to enter Peru, but it is recommended. 

Entry Requirements

All foreign nationals age 12 and older must provide one of the following in order to enter Peru:

  1. A certificate of full COVID-19 vaccination.
  2. A negative COVID-19 NAAT test issued no more than 48 hours prior to departure from your point of origin.

Note: Visitors to Peru must fill out an Affidavit of Health and Geolocation Authorization within 72 hours of departure, and may be subject to medical screening and a possible 14-day quarantine upon arrival.

Suriname

Travel Insurance Required? 

No. Travel insurance is not required to enter Suriname, but it is highly suggested.

Entry Requirements

All visitors to Suriname who do not have an official entry permit must provide one of the following:

  1. A COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing proof of full vaccination at least two weeks prior to arrival by an approved vaccine.
  2. A COVID-19 recovery certificate issued no more than six months prior to arrival.
  3. A negative COVID-19 rapid antigen test taken no more than 24 hours prior to departure.
  4. A negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken no more than 48 hours prior to departure.

Note: At this time, Haitian nationals are barred from entering Suriname. COVID-19 vaccination and recovery certificate requirements do not apply to visitors younger than 18 years. COVID-19 testing requirements do not apply to visitors younger than 12 years.

Uruguay

Travel Insurance Required? 

Yes. All arriving airline passengers and airline crewmembers must have travel health insurance that covers COVID-19 expenses.

Entry Requirements

All foreign visitors to Uruguay age 6 and older must provide one of the following:

  1. A negative COVID-19 RT-PCR or rapid antigen test taken no more than 72 hours prior to initial departure.
  2. A COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing proof of full COVID-19 vaccination.
  3. A positive COVID-19 rapid antigen or RT-PCR test result issued between 10 and 90 days prior to initial departure.

Venezuela

Travel Insurance Required? 

No. Travel health insurance is not currently required to enter Venezuela. 

Entry Requirements

In order to enter or transit through Venezuela, all foreign nationals must provide one of the following:

  1. A COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing full vaccination between 14-270 days prior to arrival without booster dose.
  2. A COVID-19 vaccination certificate showing proof of full vaccination and a booster dose.
  3. A negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival.

Note: Passengers must register online prior to departure to receive a QR code to present upon arrival in Venezuela. In addition, passengers may be subject to COVID testing upon arrival at their own expense. 

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