Chile is Open for Tourism but requires PCR test and 10-day Quarantine

Viktor Vincej·March 31, 2021

Chile is open to tourists from all countries but it has banned flights to and from the U.K. Visitors must bring a negative PCR test, health insurance that covers COVID-19 and undertake a 10-day quarantine.

As of now, the first 5 days of the quarantine should be spent at a government-designated hotel.

Travelers whose flight originated in Brazil will need to get retested on arrival and they will be moved to a temporary residence until a negative result is made available.

Read: Countries Open for Vaccinated Tourists

Disclaimer: Travel restrictions and governmental regulations can change rapidly and the information below might be outdated within a few hours. Therefore, double-check all information with your embassy or on official websites. Traveling Lifestyle does not take any responsibility for your decision to travel.

Chile Reopening Borders – LATEST UPDATES

Update March 31

Starting today, March 31, the Chilean government has decided that all travelers arriving in the country, -including nationals. foreign residents, and tourists- must undergo a 5-day mandatory quarantine at a government-approved “transit hotel.”

During the time visitors will be at the hotel, they must agree to take an additional COVID-19 test. If the results return negative, they will be allowed to finish the rest of their quarantine at home or at the accommodations. Both the test and the hotel are at the visitors’ expense.

Update March 12

Chile’s successful vaccination campaign has attracted a new type of traveler, the medical tourist looking to get vaccinated in the territory. To discourage this type of visitors the Health Minister has announced that only citizens and legal residents in the country will have access to the vaccine. (Source in Spanish)

The Minister had previously announced the country’s expectations of vaccinating 80% of the population by June, 2021. They have already immunized 20% of their 19 million residents so it is a very plausible goal. (Source in Spanish)

Update February 12

Chile has reduced its mandatory quarantine from 14 to only 10 days. It has also banned air operations with the U.K. given the spread of the new strain of COVID-19 that originated in that country.

In addition to the quarantine, travelers to Chile will need to bring a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure, fill out a declaration statement within 48 hours before arrival and purchase health insurance that covers COVID-19.

Vaccination rollout

So far, the country’s vaccination campaign is the most successful in South America. They have managed to secure 35 million doses and they expect to immunize most of their population by July. (Source)

Update December 20 – New entry requirements

As of today, travelers must,

Fill out the Affidavit for Travelers to Prevent Coronavirus Diseases (COVID-19), 48 hours before departure.
Submit to proof of a negative PCR test before boarding or undergo a 14-day mandatory quarantine.
Show proof of health insurance that covers COVID-19 for USD$30.000 at least.

Update October 30

Chileans and residents are now allowed entry without the quarantine restriction.
Chile continues under national curfew from 11:00 pm to 5:00 am, nationwide. Beginning on October 2, some territories have extended the curfew schedule from 8:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
Borders’ reopening has been postponed and the government hasn’t announced any news about it.

Source

COVID-19 in Chile

The main reason travel restrictions are still strict in Chile is because of the large number of positive COVID-19 cases. As of March 31, the country has reported 995,538 positive cases and 23,135 deaths.

Chile Reopening Plan

“Paso a Paso’ (Step by Step) is the reopening plan for Chile. Each neighborhood within Chile is on its own step by step phase of reopening depending on how cases are advancing within each location.

The four steps are (with Paso 1 being the most severe and Paso 5 being the least):

Paso 1 (Step 1) – Quarantine (red)
Paso 2 (Step 2) – Transition (orange
Paso 3 (Step 3) – Preparation (yellow)
Paso 4 (Step 4) – Initial opening (blue)
Paso 5 (Step 5) – Advance opening (not shown)

COVID-19 Testing in Chile

These tests are available at all hospitals and clinics, both public and private, and they are available to anyone whether or not you have symptoms.

However, unless you have a Chilean healthcare plan, you will have to pay out of pocket for a test.

Tourism in Chile

Now that vaccines are starting to paint Chile’s epidemiologic situation in a different light many travelers have started gathering ideas for when they can visit this amazing country.

Between hiking and wine-tasting, there are an endless variety of local attractions. Some must-dos include taking a trip to Easter Island, visiting the Atacama Desert, enjoying the local cuisine, viewing street art in Valparaiso and spending some time in Chile’s capital, Santiago.