Chimu Blog After weathering one of the toughest storms through the pandemic, cases are dropping, vaccines are increasing, and Peru is welcoming tourists back.
4 Oct, 2022
Chimu Adventures’ hotel and operations manager, Australian Nick Macciocca, has been on deck at Casa República in Lima reporting an increase in occupancy month by month. All remaining hotel staff are now back on full hours and the hotel has had to increase its workforce to keep up with the increasing demand.
A far cry from the early days of the pandemic where the hotel was used to help tourists find their way home, then offering quarantine for returning Peruvians. Now occupants in the hotel are business and leisure travellers, 80% from the US/Canada, 10% Europe and 10% local during the week, with weekends swelling due to the rooftop bar, showing a mix of 50/50 locals and foreigners. Last-minute bookings are the current trend.
The Peruvian borders were recently opened to international visitors, without the need to quarantine on arrival, in March 2021. Since then, COVID cases and deaths have been on a steady and significant decline, whilst vaccination rates are accelerating. Peru has high vaccination rates, with 79% of its population fully vaccinated.
Peru Entry Requirements
To enter Peru as a tourist, you’ll need to meet the following entry requirements:
- Prove that you’re fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with your third dose at least 14 days prior to travel. Note that fully vaccinated is three doses in Peru.
- For adults that aren’t vaccinated, you’ll need to show a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 48 hours of your flight.
- Complete a health form known as the Affidavit of Health and Geolocation Authorization
Some restrictions are still in place within the country. However, as of Oct 1, face masks are only mandatory in hospitals and medical centers, on public transportation, and in closed spaces that lack ventilation. Note that face masks are mandatory on all international flights bound for Peru.
Peru is now receiving international travellers from all over the world without the need for travellers to quarantine.
The sheer volume of US tourists to Peru is testament to the improved health of Peru’s citizens and ongoing protocols to protect the safety of all visitors and communities.
What Happens If I Get COVID in Peru?
If you test positive for COVID while travelling in Peru, you’ll need to isolate for 14 days. You’ll also need to provide your address to the Ministry of Health of Peru (MINSA), as they may do a welfare check. Quarantine is at your choice of accommodation, but you’re responsible for the cost – which is why it’s so important to have travel insurance that covers COVID expenses before going overseas.
If you need to leave Peru before 14 days have passed, you can opt to pay for a PCR test on Day 6. If it’s negative, you’ll be able to leave quarantine.
Tourism in Peru
The country is now focusing on reinvigorating a completely decimated tourist industry. All major tourist attractions are now open. In Peru, international visitor numbers are constantly improving and the locals are welcoming tourists back with open arms.
All of the great dining options in Lima have also survived the pandemic, so its place as the gastronomic hub of Latin America has been well-preserved, and with total tourist numbers down, there has never been a better time to secure a much-coveted table at global culinary giants such as Maido and Central restaurants.
Though one of the more conservative countries in its re-opening approach, compared to some other countries in South America, Peru tourism is starting to blossom and essentially leading many in the world in terms of reopening borders and the economy. Peru has been successful in protecting most citizens from the worst of outcomes and 2022 poses to be a very busy year for tourism in Peru.
Chimu Adventures have been working hard on their Peruvian product range with a focus on avoiding over-tourism and facilitating an even better engagement between travellers and the communities they visit.
“People really do make or break travel experiences and we’re trying to find a way to build better bonds so that both traveller and communities benefit.” Said Chad Cary, Chimu Adventures, Co-Founder.
“It’s great to hear such good news from Peru. I feel great pride that we play an important role in bringing communities across the globe together, I think 2022 is going to be that year for Australians”, says Carey.
For more stories behind the scenes from people in travel read more on the Chimu Chat
