Chile Tourism Update: Oct 2022
Chile Reopens to International Travellers
Updated 13 Oct 2022.
From November 1, 2021, Chile reopened its borders to international tourism. International travellers can once again explore the incredible diverse regions of Chile. Travellers who meet the revised entry requirements will no longer be required to quarantine and can travel freely throughout the country.
The announcement follows the October 1 scrapping of the ban on non-essential travel to Chile that had been in place since April 2021.
After closing the country’s borders to non-essential travel, Chile allowed international travellers to resume entering the country on October 1 2021 – albeit with a mandatory five days quarantine requirement. As of October 2022, it’s recommended, but not mandatory, to take a PCR test and be fully vaccinated before arriving.
Chile has one of the highest vaccination rates in the world, and case numbers have remained low for several months.
Entry Requirements For Chile
From November 1 2021, international travellers can enter Chile and travel freely throughout the country if proof of full vaccination is provided and a COVID-19 test completed upon arrival yields a negative result.
Note: Australian passport holders now require a visa to enter Chile that must be obtained in advance of travel.
Current requirements to travel to Chile:
- Travellers are recommended, but not required, to take a PCR test and be fully vaccinated before arrival. If you aren’t vaccinated, you’ll need to produce a negative PCR result, taken no more than 48 hours before arrival.
- PCR test not required but there might be random arrivals testing at the airport.
- Travellers no longer need to complete the “Traveller’s Affidavit” form online.
- Having appropriate levels of health insurance as outlined on the Travel Chile website is no longer a requirement of entry. However, it’s always recommended to purchase travel insurance before any overseas travel.
Chile visa information
While in the past, Australians could qualify for a visa on arrival to enter Chile, they’re now required to obtain a visa in advance of their trip. This applies to anyone visiting Chile on a holiday or transiting through the country for more than eight hours.
Read the instructions carefully and be sure you have all of the required information. On the website, click on English and select “tramites.minrel.cl” and “Visa Application”.
Then, select the correct Consulate for submitting your completed application:
-Residents of NSW, Queensland or Northern Territory: SYDNEY
-Residents of ACT: CANBERRA
-Residents of VIC, TAS, SA or WA: MELBOURNE
After the visa is granted, you have up to 90 days to enter the country. Visa processing time can vary and take up to several weeks, so ensure you submit your application within 90 days of your arrival into Chile.
Visit the Chile travel website for more information.
What Happens If I Get COVID in Chile?
If you test positive for COVID while travelling in Chile, you’ll need to isolate for seven days, in accommodation or a private residence. Because this can be costly, it’s highly recommended to have travel insurance that covers COVID expenses.
COVID-19 Management in Chile
Chile has overseen one of the most successful vaccination campaigns in the world. As of January 14 2022, Chile has vaccinated 92.1% of its population.
Similar to Australia, the Chilean government has taken a careful approach to the management of COVID-19. The country closed its borders to non-essential travel at the start of the pandemic. After briefly reopening in November 2020, they closed the borders again in April 2021 as the Delta variant spread worldwide.
Throughout the pandemic, Chile has employed a variety of tactics to minimise the impact of COVID-19. Lockdowns, curfews, and travel restrictions have all been used in the past, but restrictions have wound back as the vaccination campaign rolled out.
Australian travellers will be familiar with some of the measures currently in place to minimise the spread of COVID. Face masks are required in certain settings, enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols are commonplace, social distancing and capacity limits can also be expected.
Why Travel to Chile?
This long slender nation squeezed between the Andes in the east and the Pacific Ocean in the west is an incredibly rewarding country to visit. From the otherworldly desert landscapes of the Atacama desert in the north to the centre’s beautiful cities and incredible food and wine, Chile is undoubtedly one of South America’s highlights. And then there’s the breathtaking natural world of Patagonia in the south. Truly a must-visit destination!
Discover the incredible world of Chile via our ‘Highlights of Chile’ blog.
A Safe Place to Travel
Chile’s consistently safe and careful approach to managing the difficulties of the past few years makes it an ideal destination for Australian travellers to consider when international travel resumes in full. The country boasts an impressive vaccination rate and provides consistently clear messaging on entry requirements – plus substantial resources available to would-be travellers.
Chile’s capital, Santiago, is easily reachable from Australia and is considered the safest city to visit in Latin America. LATAM Airlines has now resumed its Sydney to Santiago route, with more routes being added soon.
Chile has it all, whether you are itching to walk the streets of a beautiful city immersed in the local culture or explore the breathtaking natural landscapes of world-famous outdoor destinations. Perhaps indulge yourself in an isolated luxury lodge complete with stunning views, redemptive activities and incredible food, wine and service. Whatever your interest, Chile is the perfect place to shake off the past few years. After all, don’t you deserve it!
Chile is one of our favourite destinations, and we can’t wait to go back. Please feel free to contact us with any questions about planning your Chile adventure. Australian travellers are also encouraged to visit the Australian Government travel advice website, Smart Traveller, for up-to-date international travel information.
This piece is one in a series on travel restrictions throughout Latin America. For information on travel restrictions in South America, please read our dedicated South America Travel Restrictions piece.
