CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION

Check out our latest review! Ruth travelled with us in December 2020 on a fantastic trip from one coast of Costa Rica to the other!

“I booked a trip to Costa Rica through the Latin America Travel Company in January 2020, way before Covid took hold. I paid my deposit and started to look forward to a December 2020 trip. Then Covid happened and it was all up in the air. Happily, all worked out for me and I was able to take the trip. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case for my cousin, who had to cancel 10 days before the planned trip due to lockdown in her state. John was excellent, adjusting the tour itinerary, and even repaying my cousin’s deposit.

He was always on hand at the end of the phone to answer my MANY questions before I left. The holiday itself was absolutely amazing and went smoothly from start to finish. John’s choice of hotels were excellent, the transfers were seamless, the tours fantastic, and overall it was the trip I wanted it to be and more. When I found out two days before flying home that I needed a pre-flight covid test, the John’s agents on the ground in Costa Rica, sorted everything out, taking a lot of the stress out of my last few days.

I have travelled independently a lot over the years, but I am so glad I booked this trip through an agent. It took a lot of the stress away, and meant I could fully enjoy the holiday without worry. I could not have put together a better itinerary myself without doing a heap ton of research. Thank you. The bonus for me for my cousin cancelling is that I get to do it all again – with her.

We will be using The Latin America Travel Company without hesitation.”

Ruth, January 2021.

Argentina

– Countrywide vaccinations have begun with many already having received their first dose. Visitors must present a negative PCR test for covid19 taken within 72 hours of their flight to Argentina. They must also hold adequate insurance to cover hospitalization and isolation due to covid. As long as these conditions are met there will be no quarantine required on arrival. LATAM airlines will no longer be operating domestic flights in Argentina, leaving Aerolineas Argentinas as the only operator of domestic flights. On return from Argentina to the UK, you must present a negative test result taken within 72 hours of your flight and self isolate on arrival. There is the option to pay for a test in order to get out of isolation early.

Brazil

– Brazil has temporarily suspended all flights from the UK. There is no quarantine on arrival for international tourists. A negative PCR test for covid19 taken within 72 hours of your flight to Brazil is required. Travellers must also sign a declaration to say they will follow local covid19 guidelines. On return from Brazil to the UK, you must present a negative test result taken within 72 hours of your flight and self isolate on arrival. There is the option to pay for a test in order to get out of isolation early.

Chile

– The Chilean border opened on 23rd November 2020. Chile has temporarily suspended all flights from the UK. In order to enter Chile you will need to present a negative PCR test result for covid19 taken within 72 hours of your flight to Chile. Then you will have to quarantine for ten days. On the 7th day you may take a second test in order to exit quarantine early. You will also need adequate travel insurance with covid specific cover, plus you will need to fill out a health questionnaire on arrival. Mass vaccinations have begun in the country. On return from Chile to the UK, you must present a negative test result taken within 72 hours of your flight and self isolate on arrival. There is the option to pay for a test in order to get out of isolation early.

Costa Rica

– Costa Rica’s borders are now open to UK and EU tourists and there will be no mandatory quarantine on arrival, however you will need to present a certificate showing a negative result for a covid test taken within 72 hours of your flight departure time. Tourists must also complete a health questionnaire and have adequate insurance during their stay that includes cover for possible covid19 related expenses. The only way to obtain this is to purchase local insurance, which we can assist you with. The cost is about USD $10 per person per day. Costa Rica has so far been highly effective in managing the pandemic and is one of the least affected destinations in Latin America. Beaches and hotels are now open. On return from Costa Rica to the UK, you must present a negative test result taken within 72 hours of your flight and self isolate on arrival. There is the option to pay for a test in order to get out of isolation early.

Ecuador

– Ecuador borders are now open and international flights are now arriving. All arrivals to Ecuador must present a negative PCR covid test taken within the last 10 days. A further test is required to enter Galapagos and can be obtained in Ecuador. We can assist with this and the test will be taken at your hotel, then the result emailed to you. On return from Ecuador to the UK, you must present a negative test result taken within 72 hours of your flight and self isolate on arrival. There is the option to pay for a test in order to get out of isolation early.

Galapagos

– Galapagos has re-opened to international tourists with new safety protocols for flights and cruises in place. There will be no quarantine for arrivals to Galapagos, but every arrival will have to present a negative covid test certificate taken within 96 hours before arrival. This test will be taken on Ecuador mainland and we can assist with this.

Peru

– Peru has temporarily suspended flights from the UK and Europe lasting until 31st January. A negative PCR COVID test taken within 72 hours of the flight to Peru will be required for entry. You will also need to take a second test at your hotel in order to skip quarantine. Visits to Machu Picchu will be limited to 1116 people a day compared to over 5000 a day previously, but the site is operating as normal. Group sizes will be no more than 8 people and they will be staggered throughout the day. On return from Peru to the UK, you must present a negative test result taken within 72 hours of your flight and self isolate on arrival. There is the option to pay for a test in order to get out of isolation early.

We’d like to emphasize that our approach to the coronavirus situation from the beginning has been to give our customers as much flexibility as possible.

As a smaller, independent company, we will always work with all our customers to find the best solution. We’d like to reassure you that should there be any future outbreaks or any other factors that prevent you from traveling, you will always be able to change or cancel your booking.

We are all, understandably, worried about the safety of travelling during the coronavirus. However, as we have better understood the virus over the last six months, it is clear that travel is much safer than you might have thought! According to research carried out by the US Department of Defense, the risk of contracting the virus on an aircraft is “virtually non-existent” and “comparable to the risk of being struck by lightning” as long as you are wearing a mask and complying with the other safety measures put in place.

Here are some links to articles that explain this research in more detail.

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/risk-covid-19-exposure-planes-virtually-nonexistent-masked/story?id=73616599

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-risk-of-exposure-on-passenger-jet-very-low-according-to-us-study-12105228

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/airplanes-ventilation-study-covid-19/index.html

Most airports are now also only allowing passengers into the terminal building along with many other measures designed to keep passengers safe. Most of the destinations we sell now also require that you present a negative PCR test result for COVID on arrival. Quicker, more effective tests are also being bought in at airports around the world, further adding to peace of mind for travellers.

WTTC Safe Travels Protocols

The World Travel and Tourism Council alongside governments, health experts and other official industry bodies have launched the SafeTravels protocols in order to maintain a global standard of health and hygiene across a range of sectors including tour operators, cruise, aviation, hospitality and more.

These protocols take into account all the latest advice from the World Health Organization as well as other leading public health bodies. Their aim is to ensure all staff and travellers are safe in the context of covid19.

Over 1200 travel and tourism businesses have earned the certification. We are pleased to report that all of our partners have been awarded the badge. Please ask your consultant for any further details.