Latin America is increasingly being hailed as a top destination for digital nomads, who come from all around the world to experience the wonders that this continent can bring.
Some come for warm weather or the interesting blends of cultures, some come for stunning landscapes, while many more digital nomads come to this continent to stretch their dollar further.
The good news is that the countries of Latin America are offering more and more digital nomad visas, providing the chance for remote workers to stay longer than a traditional tourist visa would allow.
Some counties, such as Colombia and, more recently, Argentina and Ecuador, have become digital nomad hotspots, while others are just starting to follow suit.
The latest Latin American country to offer a digital nomad visa? Uruguay.
Why Uruguay?
You can find Uruguay on the South Atlantic Coast, nestled between its more famous neighbors of Brazil and Argentina. Some might confuse it with Paraguay, but rest assured, this country very much has its own identity.
The best time to visit is in the summer from November to April, when the weather is warmer. Those who have lived here mention that the vibe during the rest of the year can feel a bit more subdued when the cooler weather keeps most inside.
Now, if you are coming from anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere, you are likely used to this and will find ways to keep yourself busy and can duck into the numerous cafes to get some work done while warming up.
One thing that those who come here mention quite often is the level of freedom you will feel in Uruguay as compared to other countries in Latin America. This, coupled with the friendliness of the locals, really helps digital nomads feel at home.
As many with real-life experience of living here will tell you, Uruguay is not a budget designation for digital nomads, although any internet search might tell you otherwise. Digital nomads who have called this country home for a while will be the first to tell you that the actual costs they faced in their day-to-day life are much higher than a simple Google search will lead you to believe.
However, those who are coming from the U.S. or U.K. will likely still find lower prices on just about everything than they would back home.
Most digital nomads base themselves in the coastal capital city of Montevideo, a city that offers most of the creature comforts from back home with a much different vibe.
There are many reasons Uruguay is perfect for digital nomads, and the new digital nomad visa adds just another reason to give this diverse country a try.
The Fine Print
As the latest country to pass legislation that will allow digital nomads to stay in the country while they work remotely, Uruguay’s digital nomad visa is an attractive choice for those looking to log on from somewhere different than home.
While not officially coined a digital nomad visa, what the county offers is a Provisional Identity Card, or “Hojas de Identidad Provisoria”. Once only offered to those who worked for a company within Uruguay, they are now expanded for anyone who works remotely for any company, foreign or national.
This Identity Card allows those who receive it to stay and work in Uruguay for six to twelve months, with the possibility of applying for permanent residency.
The process for Uruguay’s Provisional Identity Card is a bit different than other countries, and to be honest, it seems much easier and more straightforward.
You enter the country on a tourist visa and then apply online for the identity card once you are already in the country. The online application has been noted to be quite simple, and you must sign an affidavit that states you can financially support yourself while in the country.
This is much different from most countries that want actual proof of income falling within a certain bracket.
With no actual salary requirement, this opens up Uruguay as a great home for those who freelance or do any job that you cannot prove on paper you make a certain amount of money.
Once granted, you are allowed to stay in the country for six months, and to extend for another six you must show proof of vaccination in Uruguay as well as a clean criminal record for any place you have lived longer than six months in the previous five years.
For more information on the Uruguay Provisional Identity Card, it’s best to refer to its official website (Spanish).
Following Colombia, two more countries in Latin America have just lifted all of their pandemic-era travel restrictions, allowing foreign tourists to enter under pre-2020 guidelines.
Despite having been well-reputed as one of the world’s most friendly destinations in the early days of the crisis, the geopolitical region was quick to shut down its borders once vaccines became available, imposing entry bans on non-immunized visitors and other draconian laws aimed at curbing the viral spread.
After nearly two years of strict border checks, countries in the region seem ready to reinstate normality, especially after the World Health Organization declared the pandemic to be ‘over‘:
Chile And Costa Rica Lift All Travel Restrictions
Within days of each other, the Hispanic countries of Chile and Costa Rica have abolished all COVID-related entry requirements, allowing all visitors to enter without observing health-related requirements for the first time since they were first imposed in early 2020.
This means that, from now on, U.S. nationals, and indeed any non-Chilean or Costa Rica passport holders, will be able to travel to both countries without worrying about COVID mandates, including showing a vaccination certificate and/or negative tests as valid proof of entry.
Since May 5, 2023 and May 9, 2023, all of the following has applied to tourists seeking entry into Costa Rica and Chile, respectively:
No vaccination proof is needed
No pre-departure test is required
No entry forms must be filled out prior to departure
Unvaccinated travelers are not subject to stricter screening upon landing
The travel update was first issued by the relevant health authorities in the Latin states and then confirmed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) through its COVID-19 Travel Regulations Map and, ultimately, U.S. embassies in Chile and Costa Rica.
Prior to the update, unvaccinated travelers were routinely denied boarding flying to Costa Rica or Chile unless they could present a negative antigen test result issued in the preceding days or hours. In Chile’s case, online pre-travel registration was also mandatory.
Now, vaccine discrimination is no longer carried out by border inspectors.
What About Easter Island?
Despite being part of Chile, Easter Island, a volcanic island in Polynesia, may impose different entry requirements for foreign arrivals due to its special status.
If you plan on traveling to Easter Island, check with your airline regarding entry requirements in advance.
Previously, the island had completely shut itself out from the rest of the world in an attempt to protect its small populace from the ever-evolving COVID variants. They only lifted entry bans in May 2022, though health protocols continued to be applied.
Easter Island is famous for its moai sculptures, erected by native inhabitants between the 13th and 16th centuries, depicting large human figures with oversize heads.
This destination is served by nonstop flights leaving from Santiago, in mainland Chile, or Papeete, in French Polynesia.
Why Visit Chile?
Chile is one of the most fascinating natural world destinations in Latin America, as well as the most developed nation in the Global South.
Boasting an impossibly diverse territory, which encompasses alpine peaks and volcanoes, otherworldly arid landscapes, and an elongated, rugged Pacific coastline, Chile is every nature enthusiast’s dream getaway.
Some of the main attractions include:
Santiago, the rapidly-growing national capital, with its clusters of skyscrapers rising against the Andes mountain range
Valparaiso, a city best known for its street art and as the birthplace of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda
The Atacama Desert, a vast plateau stretching over 990 miles with a Mars-like scenery
Chiloé, the second largest island in South America after Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego, with a distinct culture and architecture than that of the mainland
Iquique, a casino-riddled coastal town dubbed the ‘Monte Carlo’ of Chile
The Chilean Fjords, best enjoyed on a cruise traveling through the Chilean Patagonia
La Serena, a quaint town in Northern Chile and the gateway to the scenic Elqui Valley, a popular destination for hikers and trekkers
Why Visit Costa Rica?
Crowned Central America’s number one tourist destination, Costa Rica is the go-to place for a digital detox, with its dense tropical jungle unspoiled by mankind, pristine beaches, and laidback lifestyle.
Having launched one of the most accessible Digital Nomad Visas (DNVs) in the market, Costa Rica has been attracting both young entrepreneurs and remote workers in search of tax exemptions and a better life-work balance.
The top-rated spots in Costa Rica are:
San Jose, the sprawling capital, home to world-class museums and a lively nightlife
Cartago, a historical colonial-era town that served as the capital of Costa Rica between the 16th and 19th centuries
The Manual Antonio National Park, packed with hiking trails and unruffled sandy beaches
Arenal an area of outstanding natural beauty in Northwestern Costa Rica comprising an active volcano and a picturesque lake
Monteverde, a popular ecotourism hub visited by more than 250,000 tourists every year
The Poas Volcano, an active stratovolcano with two sulfur lakes in its core, offering a breathtaking panorama of the surrounding peaks
Santa Teresa, a traditional coastal town jam-packed with backpackers, with a high concentration of hostels, surf shops, and trendy bars
Find out which countries have reopened for tourism recently clicking here.
When country-hopping across Latin America, travelers normally have their hearts set on Mexico’s pristine beaches, Colombia’s vibrant city breaks, or Brazil’s extensive Atlantic coast, but this geopolitical entity, which extends from the southernmost part of North America to the South, still has numerous hidden spots yet to be discovered.
One of them is Guatemala, a promising destination in the post-pandemic scene and arguably one of the most underrated countries in the region:
Is Guatemala The Most Promising Destination In Central America?
Guatemala is a small nation in Central America located south of Mexico and bordering three other Latin American states: Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. Out of the bunch, it is not the most popular tourist site, being largely overshadowed by Mexico’s international prestige as a well-developed beach destination.
While Cancun alone draws in 30 million visitors on average each year, the whole of Guatemala attracted only 2.56 million in 2019. Granted, it is a much smaller country than Mexico, with a size equivalent to a Mexican state, but there’s Guatemala’s true potential as a tourist destination is yet to be unleashed:
It has stunning a natural scenery
Historical Mayan ruins that see only a small fraction of Mexico’s overwhelming tourism
Much cheaper than its Central American counterparts, especially Costa Rica
No COVID entry requirements for 2023
Despite not being as developed compared to Costa Rica, Central America’s leading destination in visitor numbers, Guatemala has a similar appeal, boasting a vast nature that comprises active volcanoes, dense rainforests, and unruffled sandy beaches.
One of the most beautiful natural sites in Guatemala is Lake Atitlan, a scenic reserve in the country’s wild Southwest. It is bounded by green hills and rugged volcanoes easily discerned by their conic shape. Nearby, the small town of Panajachel is famous for its long-standing textile tradition and souvenir shopping.
Other natural wonders include Tajamulco Volcano, a favorite among adventure seekers, not only because it is the highest elevation in Central America at 4,220 meters, accessible via a virgin forest, but due to its strategic location. From atop the mountain, climbers can clearly see Mexico from across the Western border and facing south of El Salvador.
Monterrico, on the other hand, is a hotspot for wildlife sightings. An untouched tropical paradise situated on Guatemala’s Pacific coast, it acts as a haven for numerous threatened species, such as sea turtles and iguanas. The beaches are also a highlight, extending for miles on end, lined with palm trees and featuring an up-and-coming resort scene.
Deep in the jungle, the Semuc Champey, or ‘Sacred Water’, is a collection of layered pools sitting on a nature-made limestone overpass. It may be remote and harder to reach, but being able to swim in the jade-colored waters while admiring the endless green expanse below is surely worth the long journey.
A Hugely Underrated Cultural Hotspot
If it’s culture you’re after, you won’t be disappointed, either: Guatemala City, the country’s largest urban center and bustling capital, has a plethora of cultural centers deserving of your time, with the imposing National Palace of Culture, and the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology serving as prime examples of world-class local museums.
The capital is equally renowned for its nightlife: after dark, the Zona viva and Cuatro Grados Norte districts come to life with young revelers spewing out of bars, locals dining alfresco on tables set along the kerbside, and live music venues operating until the wee hours.
For a quieter atmosphere, crowd-wary visitors should head instead to Antigua Guatemala, or ‘Old Guatemala’, west of Guatemala City, a Baroque gem designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, what with its cobblestone paths, colorful facades, and majestic colonial-era churches.
Lastly, Guatemala is home to some of the best-preserved ruins in the cross-border Mayan World: the mighty Tikal was once a wealthy city-state in Mesoamerica, and Historians now call it the ‘best understood’ of all the large lowland Mayan conurbations, while Nakbe is widely accepted to be the first Mayan city ever built.
Both are tourist-friendly archaeological zones within Guatemala.
No Health Restrictions Apply
There are no COVID entry requirements for Americans visiting Guatemala in 2023, making it one of the easiest destinations to explore in Latin America, a region that is yet to fully lift its health-related curbs:
No vaccination required
No pre-departure testing, regardless of vaccination status
No mandatory health insurance
No Passenger Locator Forms (PLFs) that need filling out
In sum, entry to Guatemala is a breeze.
The primary international airport in Guatemala is La Aurora International, serving Guatemala City. There are scheduled flights from Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York-JFK, Fort Lauderdale, and Houston, among other U.S. departure points.
Brazil may be home to a beautiful coastline and some of the world’s most iconic sights, but the cold, hard truth is that it remains one of the least tourist-friendly destinations in Latin America, and in this article, we will give you four reasons why you may find it more challenging to travel Brazil than neighboring countries.
I get it: catching a glimpse of Christ the Redeemer standing watch mercifully over the bustling metropolis that is Rio, sunbathing in Ipanema as you sip some coconut water to the soothing sound of crashing waves, or exploring the colorful streets of Salvador, the regional capital of an under-visited Northeast, all sound appealing enough.
Sadly, it only takes a couple of hours being in the country for visitors to realize there is a lot your usual travel brochure does not cover:
You May Have Your Purchases Limited For Not Being Brazilian
Perhaps one of the most unbelievable entries on this list, and something not that many Americans are aware of, unless you hold a CPF (Cadastro de Pessoa Fisica), which is the Brazilian equivalent to a Social Security Number, it will be extremely difficult, and at times impossible, to buy anything online– this includes tickets for cultural attractions, purchasing data, and intercity transportation.
Let’s take SIM cards, for instance: although e-SIMs have become massively popular in recent months, and roaming fees are not as expensive as they once were, you will certainly get the best value for your money buying a local Brazilian SIM. While there are several companies to choose from, perhaps shockingly, it is extremely difficult to find one that offers a tourist data package.
It gets worse: in some places, can only buy SIM cards in Brazil upon presentation of a CPF, supposedly for security reasons, which is an inconvenient requirement seeing that, for obvious reasons, non-Brazilian tourists do not have one. You read that right: a passport will not cut it. Alternatively, visitors can buy a pre-paid SIM from unofficial vendors or kiosks, though online activation of the SIM will normally still require a CPF.
It’s a dead end, and that’s only one example.
Searching Google, you should come across numerous reports of visitors to Brazil who had trouble not only accessing data but even booking flights thanks to their status as non-Brazilians, and, subsequently, individuals without a CPF. There is a way for foreigners to get their own Brazilian Social Security Number, but it is so complicated it resembles a visa application process, and it takes time:
Passport in hand, proceed to a CPF registration center: Banco do Brasil, Caixa Economica Federal,or Correios;
Request a CPF application form*;
Provide proof of residence in Brazil (energy or water bills will suffice).**
**When staying at a friend’s house or with a host family, you should ask them to write a declaration confirming you reside in the address. This needs to be notarized at a Registry Office (Cartorio)
It costs BRL 7,00 to apply.
You can certainly enjoy a stress-free, short-term vacation in Brazil if data roaming isn’t a big concern/ you’re an Airalo user, and you’re not planning on ordering items online/booking inter-municipal tickets in advance, but if you’re a digital nomad staying longer than a couple of weeks, you’re best advised to apply for a CPF.
I have seen foreign visitors routinely using their Brazilian friends’/ acquaintances’ CPF numbers as well, though they may pose a problem if ID verification is required upon boarding a bus or entering a venue.
Brazil Is In The Top Ten For Highest Crime Rates Globally
Being born in Brazil myself, and having lived several non-consecutive years in the country, I have always maintained an increased level of situational awareness due to the widespread violence and impossibly high crime rates. That being said, even keeping a low profile and exercising caution might not entirely protect you from harm in large urban centers.
Most visits to Brazil are trouble-free, irrespective of high crime levels, as attested by the U.K. Government, but there is no denying safety is a pressing concern for tourists and locals alike. As any Brazilian who’s grown up in this environment will immediately warn you, flashing any valuable items – jewelry, phones, tablets – is most definitely a no, daytime or nighttime, as is drawing attention to yourself by speaking English, or any foreign language, in city centers.
This is particularly true in places like Rio, which have long struggled to keep crime levels in check, mostly to no avail as a result of the city’s own complex social fabric and the systemic issues that pervade Brazil’s judiciary. I was only ever mugged in Brazil once as a teenager, and ironically, the traumatizing experience transpired in Rio.
More precisely, in Copacabana, a developed beachfront area lined with five-star hotels where the carioca elite is normally seen about. For me, this is a testament to how ‘normal’ safety rules applying to other countries, such as Mexico, cannot necessarily be replicated in Brazil. Whether you’re being reasonable by sticking to well-lit pedestrianized streets and tourist zones or not, you could still be affected.
I have lost count of the number of times I was urged by Brazilian friends to leave my phone at home going out at night, or at the very least, bring a secondary one with me ‘in case’ I am approached violently, so I would have something to give up; or then again, always calling an Uber from inside the building, as opposed to standing by the sidewalk, where you’re in a vulnerable position.
It just feels like being in a constant survival mode, 24/7, except when you’re home or safe inside your hotel.
Currently, Brazil has the ninth highest crime rate globally, with 67.49 incidents recorded per 100,000 inhabitants. It surpasses all of its closest competitors in the region, most notably Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay, which are not traditionally deemed ‘unsafe’, though it still fares a lot better than Venezuela, where rates reach a staggering 83.76.
Ninguém Fala Inglês. Ninguém Mesmo.
Brazil’s unpreparedness for international tourism means local staff and service providers outside Rio, Sao Paulo, and other metropolitan hubs are not usually trained to host international guests. A mere 1% of Brazilians are able to speak English fluently, and this normally poses a problem for tourists in need of assistance.
Internet in Brazil isn’t exactly the fastest or most reliable, so it may be, at times, that Google will not be available as a translation tool. In any such scenario, knowing a useful phrase or two in the local language is crucial. According to previous visitors who have shared their experiences on the online forum Travel Stack Exchange, ‘people understand very little other than Portuguese‘.
Matt Colson, an expat who was reportedly living in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Norte in 2016, confirmed himself ‘tourist staff will not be able to understand anything beyond the most basic phrases‘. Believe it or not, consolidated tourism hubs like Rio are no exception: ‘even in Ipanema, one of the most popular parts of Rio for international tourists, English is not spoken‘, remarked forum member ‘Tim’.
Brazil Needs Better, Faster, Smarter Public Transportation. Urgently.
Unlike other destinations in Latin America that have been investing heavily in infrastructure in hopes of bettering themselves and improving the tourist experience – notably, Mexico’s laudableTren Maya project – Brazil is still lagging behind as a continent-sized behemoth where the flow of goods, services, and people takes place almost exclusively via road.
Naturally, traffic can be wild, with three people dying in car collisions per hour, and traffic jams influenced by a lack of transportation planning and dual carriageways. In the likely event that your bus will get stuck behind a heavy lorry – or a whole queue of them – you should anticipate hours wasted in excruciatingly long bus journeys. Flights remain an option for major destinations along the coast, but other off-path gems like Ouro Preto can only be reached via land.
Brazil does not have a railway system or an equivalent to Germany’s autobahns, even between the economic powerhouse trio of Rio, Sao Paulo, and Minas Gerais. Cross-country travel is mostly reduced to buses, with a poor to average service, owing their inexistent infrastructure and sub-optimal schedules to long-standing transportation monopolies. In other words, planning a multi-destination trip is cumbersome, to say the very least.
Fortunately, privately-owned platforms like Buser are transforming the travel landscape within Brazil, offering the country’s first-ever luxury coaches operating between state capitals. I have traveled myself on the lie-flat, Sao Paulo – Belo Horizonte luxury express twice, and I am glad to say I was pleasantly surprised with the experience:
You get your own TV screen;
Free drinks;
Snacks;
You sleep comfortably through the night, knowing you’ll wake up in the next city in the wee hours.
The only downside to it all? You will need a CPF to book your ticket. Sorry.
We should bear in mind we’re talking about a vast country encompassing different customs, ethnic groups, and cultural influences. Brazil is certainly not a homogeneous bunch, and some states are less tourist-friendly than others – smaller towns, in particular, are not as plagued by violence as state capitals, much like anywhere else – but it’s evident there are issues that need to be addressed.
Do I wish tourism officials improved the quality of services provided and did away with all the pointless, excessively bureaucratic hurdles (e.g. mandatory CPF for e-commerce)? Yes, that would help. Do I feel like local authorities have historically failed, and continued to fail, in keeping cities safe, in stark contrast with the Mexican Government’s latest acts? Absolutely.
Will I ever let my guard down and walk the streets of Rio completely carefree as if I was back home in Europe? Probably not 90% of the time, when I’m not staying in a gated community or find myself strolling alone in rundown downtown areas. As the U.S. Government clearly states, ‘violent crime, such as murder, armed robbery, and carjacking, is common in urban areas, day and night‘.
Moreover, U.S. Government personnel are discouraged from using public and municipal buses in all parts of Brazil ‘due to an elevated risk of robbery and assault at any time of day’, reinforcing my earlier impressions that Uber, and other private transportation providers, are the safest and easiest way to commute in a Brazilian city.
With that being said, I would not discourage foreigners from visiting Brazil. Despite its ongoing war against crime and the violence surge noted in some states, it is an essential part of your Latin America puzzle map. Incredible regional cuisine, historical sites, stunning nature: it truly has it all.
As long as you’re extra vigilant and follow local guidance, chances are you’ll love it in the end – but I would urge people to calibrate their expectations to the reality on the ground: international tourism, and the well-being of visitors, are truly rather poorly handled.
Being one of the world’s top ten economies with a developing society and democracy, Brazil is surely no crumbling state in the Global South plagued by incessant humanitarian crises and on the brink of collapse. It has the financial means to do better and the potential to become a global leader on the tourism front.
It’s simply a shame it does not seem to have the political will to do so.
It may seem as if the world has already moved on from Covid at this point, but in reality, some of the most popular destinations continue enacting entry rules and delaying the resumption of normal tourism. As we have detailed before, on our side of the pond, the list can be quite extensive, especially if you’re looking to explore Latin America heading into the fall. Luckily, there are countries in the region that have scrapped all Covid rules already and are eager to host Americans again.
On this article, you will find out which ones exactly.
Latin America has been abandoning its harsh anti-Covid policies this year after struggling with repeated viral surges for two and a half years, becoming at one point the world’s hotspot for infections. In fact, there was zero coordination throughout most of the crisis, with countries like Brazil and Colombia remaining relatively open for tourism while others like Chile and Argentina shut down borders completely.
Fortunately, the situation is changing, albeit slowly, and there is a clear reopening trend being observed now that Covid has subsided:
Americans Can Travel Requirement-Free To These Latin American Countries
Latin America is a personal favorite among Americans going abroad. Whether it’s the crystal clear beaches of Mexico’s Pacific Coast, on its northernmost edge, or Argentina’s deep south, where our civilization meets the vast wilderness of the Antarctica continent, this geopolitical region is full of both natural and man-made wonders.
It is also struggling to fully resume tourist now that Covid and its offspring have been largely contained. A majority of countries belonging to the group are yet to reinstate their pre-pandemic normality, in stark contrast with Europe, where only three destinations continue enforcing border rules (including the Netherlands, where unvaccinated Americans are banning from entering).
In spite of relying heavily on tourist dollars, Latin American nations have opted for a tougher approach, with Brazil only recently opening up to non-immunized travelers, though they are still required to get tested ahead of flying. Similarly, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Panama, Nicaragua and Honduras all follow the ‘vaccine or test’ model.
Generally, Americans must produce a valid vaccination certificate, in most cases with a WHO-backed vaccine, or alternatively, when unvaccinated, be able to present a negative Covid test issued up to a day, 48 or 72 hours (depending on the rules at their destination) when crossing the border. Considering how far we’ve come regarding Covid, it sounds pretty obsolete, right?
But it is the truth: most of Latin America has not returned to their pre-2020 state of normality. On the other hand, these select few Latin American countries below have been welcoming Americans irrespective of vaccination status:
Argentina
Cuba
Costa Rica
Dominican Republic
El Salvador
Overseas territories of France in the Americas: French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Pierre and Miquelon (France)*
Panama
Guatemala
Mexico
*French Guiana is an integral part of France, but it is included on this list seeing that it is located in the American continent and it is a territory where a Latin language (in this case, French) is spoken.
The list includes restriction-free destinations in all of the Americas, be it North, Central, South, or insular nations, as long as a Latin language is spoken.
Less Than 10 Latin American Countries Have Reopened Fully
We define as Latin American all those countries where a language originating from Latin, such as the widely-spoken Spanish, Portuguese or French, are official languages. This definition is merely based on Language, hence, it does not include nations where English, Dutch, or any Western Germanic and thus non-Latin languages are spoken, even when they are located geographically in Central or South America (ex. Suriname).
As can bee seen above, only nine nations and/or regions in Latin America have lifted all of their Covid curbs, including the French Guiana, an overseas territory of France bordering Brazil. In all six, Americans are no longer required to present any health-related documentation, nor experience bureaucratic hurdles when traveling.
In sum, U.S. citizens visiting Argentina, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, any and all French territories in the Americas (or Metropolitan France over in Europe), Panama, Guatemala and Mexico are not subject to:
Vaccine requirements
Mandatory entry forms
Pre-departure tests
Post-arrival tests
Post-arrival quarantine
If you’re a Latin America enthusiast and have opted not to get the shot, or you’re simply looking to avoid Covid mandates altogether even if you’re immunized, then these are the best picks. Additionally, Americans have unrestricted entry to Spanish-speaking Puerto Rico, which may not have lifted all Covid curbs, reflecting the mainland U.S., but has axed all Covid regulations affecting incoming U.S. tourists prior to departure.
Of course, Puerto Rico isn’t available as a fully open destination for non-American citizens, as they must observe entry rules for the United States as a whole. Up until now, the Americas’ number one economy has refused to announce an official reopening date, and has maintained a vaccine requirement in place, applying to all foreigners.
What Are The Best Latin American Destinations For Travel This Fall?
Costa Rica
Mexico
Argentina
Some of the top destinations to visit in restriction-free Latin America include Costa Rica, where several natural landmarks can be found, including tropical forests, volcanoes, picturesque lakes and waterfalls; of course, Mexico remains a trendy vacay for Americans going south of the border this year.
Guanajuato, one of its colonial cities, has just been named ‘the most beautiful‘ in the entire country, at the same time that the charming, equally-historical San Miguel de Allende experiences a surge in bookings. This proves Mexico continues to be at the top of its game when it comes to tourism reinvention, as it looks to diversify its offer amid the tropical storm warnings issued for the coasts.
Lastly, there is Argentina, the only country in South America that welcomes Americans without Covid entry requirements. The home of tango, History icons like Evita, stunning cities like Buenos Aires and Mendoza, and guarding the gateway to the world’s edge, namely the frosty Ushuaia, it can be an incredible fall destination.
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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
Safety remains a primary concern for Americans traveling in the Southern Hemisphere, especially in places where neither local customs, nor the language feel familiar and scamming culture is widespread. However, there is one country where risks aren’t as high, and that has been deemed the safest to travel in Latin America.
The geopolitical group remains a major tourist destination as a whole: whether it’s a beach getaway closer to home in Mexico’s stunning Riviera Maya, or a prolonged city break in the Wonderful City of Rio, in Brazil, Latin America is full of wonders and beautiful off path places ready to be discovered.
On the downside, those visiting these countries are usually advised to be more ‘cautious’ as crime rates are usually high.
What Are Some Of The World’s Safest Destinations?
This year’s edition of the Global Peace Index (GPI) ranked 163 independent countries and territories based on their ‘level of peacefulness’. The study makes use of 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators from ‘highly respected sources’ and takes into account three main ‘domains’ in measuring peace:
The level of ‘Societal Safety and Security’
The extent of any ‘Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict’
The degree of Militarization
These factors contribute directly to the perception of tourism safety – when locals themselves feel crime levels in their home cities are low, visitors have no reason to worry themselves. As expected, the safest continent with the highest score of safety markers remains Europe, headed by the insular nation of Iceland, the most peaceful in the world.
Iceland is one of the few counties to have secured the nearly unattainable blue badge from the U.S. Department of State, meaning it is placed at the lowest possible Level 1 Travel Advisory. Touring Iceland, Americans should ‘exercise normal precautions’. Other countries in the top ten include New Zealand, in the runner-up slot, Ireland, Denmark and Austria.
Conversely, the countries with the lowest scores this year are Afghanistan, having held the title for five consecutive years now, Yemen, Syria, Russia, largely due to its aggressive campaign against neighboring Ukraine, and South Sudan. In sum, the ‘State of Peace’ across different countries has been classified according to the categorization below:
Very high (Dark green)
High (Light green)
Medium (Yellow)
Low (Orange)
Very low (Red)
Not included (Gray)
And The Most Peaceful Latin American Country This Year Is…
Out of 33 Latin American and Caribbean countries, only four achieved at least a ‘light green’ certification, those being Chile, Uruguay, Panama and the highest-peaking Costa Rica. With an overall safety score of 1.732, up 0.017 points from last year’s index, Costa Rica is officially the safest destination within the collective.
In the global ranking, it is the 38th most peaceful country, beating other American competitors like Mexico and even United States by a large margin. To draw a comparison, these North American giants are ranked 129th and 137th, respectively, being assigned an ‘orange’, or ‘low safety’ badge.
The U.S. and Mexico share this sub-optimal status with nations like Brazil, Turkey, Colombia and Israel.
Back to Costa Rica, it sits behind only Canada (12th globally) in the Americas, charting 26 slots lower. In Central America, it is the country where Americans will feel the most secure – this is part of the reason why it has become so popular among young backpackers in recent months, being crowned a regional tourism leader.
This year’s GPI does note there has been a ‘deterioration’ in peacefulness, attributed to an increase in violent demonstration, importation of weapons, rising crime rates and political instability, but Costa Rica maintains a good score both on the Militarization and Ongoing Conflict fronts, faring a lot better than its counterparts in that respect.
What You Should Know Ahead Of Visiting Costa Rica
Currently, there are no Covid entry requirements for Americans traveling to Costa Rica. They are allowed to enter regardless of being vaccinated and no pre-departure testing rule, or post-arrival testing/quarantine applies. It is one of a handful of Latin American countries where these restrictions have been axed for good.
The U.S. Department of State advises Americans to exercise ‘increased caution‘in Costa Rica, the exact same advice applying to a number of traditionally safe European and North American destinations. The entity specifically lists pickpocketing and theft as ‘common crimes‘, though the vast majority of visits to Costa Rica are completely trouble-free.
The U.K. Home Office, an equivalent to the U.S. Department of State, notes Costa Rica has a ‘low murder rate‘ than its neighbors’, despite being high compared to the United Kingdom. Even then, tourists should maintain the ‘same level of personal security awareness’ as in Britain, where theft of personal items and mugging is also a problem.
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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
