Can Americans Travel To Peru?
James Bustamante is Native to New York but born to Peruvian parents. He has been traveling throughout Latin America since early 2003 and finally made his home in Peru. James has made his way by eating and traveling through almost every country in Central and South America.
Last Updated on March 9, 2022 by James Bustamante
For the better part of the last two years, travelers have had to postpone or Flatout cancel trips that took months of planning. So, the question “Can Americans Travel to Peru?” Definitely comes to mind when planning your next trip tip to the land of the Incas. Yes, Americans can travel to Peru, but first, certain conditions must be met.
Can Americans Fly To Peru?
Yes, at the moment of this article, Americans can enter Peru as long as the following conditions are met.
To begin, anyone over 12 years of age must have received the required COVID-19 vaccines completed. Before departure, you will need to present your vaccination card to prove you have gone through the complete protocol. The same applies when you arrive at the Jorge Chavez Airport in Peru. Again, you will need to show your vaccination card.
A non-vaccinated or only partially vaccinated person must present a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours of the departure date. It is worth noting that you will need a negative Antigen test to return to the United States of America taken within 48 hours of your return date.
American Children under the age of 12 are not required to take a PCR test before traveling as long as they are asymptomatic.
If you go through the entire protocol of getting your vaccines and/or taking a PCR test but show symptoms when you enter Peru, local authorities might monitor you for up to 14 days. In some cases, you might be asked to self-isolate for several days, but this is rare.
When Americans or travelers come to Peru, a mandatory “Travelers Health Affidavit and Geolocation Authorization” must be filled out 72 hours before your departure date. I have not seen any cases in Peru where the authorities need to geolocate someone or force them into isolation, but the rules are there.
Can Americans Take Domestic Flights In Peru?
As we know, once you get to Peru for your trip, plenty of air travel still needs to happen. For example, to get to Machu Picchu, we first need to fly to Cusco, or if we want to get to Lake Titicaca, we still need to board a flight to Juliaca first.
As of April 1st, 2022, travelers over the age of 12 will only be able to board if they have had all of their COVID-19 vaccines for domestic flights to any destination in Peru.
The same criteria was put forth for interprovincial land travel. American travelers over 12 years old will have to have gone through the full vaccine protocol. Vaccine cards do get checked on a regular basis so make sure to have them on hand. They are just as important as passports in Peru. You might be asked to show your card several times.
A non-vaccinated traveler should present a negative PCR test taken in the last 48 hours before travel.
Peruvian authorities have adopted the booster shot as part of the official vaccine protocol for COVID-19 for anyone over 40 years old. So, if you are 40 or above, you are also expected to show proof of a booster shot. However, as with all the previous rule, there is an alternative. The traveler can show the result of a negative PCR test taken in the last 48 hours.
Are There Any Land Border Restrictions?
For the better part of the last two years, border crossings have been prohibited with neighboring countries like Colombia, Chile, Bolivia, and Brazil.
As of March 1st, 2022, all land borders are open, and travelers entering Peru by land can enter as long as proof of vaccination is on hand.
This means that visitors coming to Peru from neighboring countries on a bus can enter Peru again without any complications. Just make sure to have your COVID-19 vaccine card ready when officials ask to see it.
Is It Mandatory To Wear A Mask In Public Areas?
Masks have been mandatory to enter public places throughout the last two years in just about every destination in the world. Peru is no different, and it is compulsory to wear a mask in public places.
A K95 mask is preferable, but it is also acceptable to have a disposable mask as a first layer + a reusable fabric mask as a second layer. I find both options equally uncomfortable, but it is easier to have one cover on instead of keeping track of two.
For a long time, face shields were required in Peru when using public transportation. Luckily this practice has been scrapped and is no longer necessary. The only exception to the rule seems to be on the train from Cusco to Machu Picchu and Machu Picchu back to Cusco.
Can Americans Visit Machu Picchu?
So Americans can travel to Peru without any issues or restrictions. But what about visiting Machu Picchu? Yes, Americans can visit Machu Picchu. The same rules apply to visiting Machu Picchu as Americans must follow to enter Peru.
When you need to board the train to Aguas Calientes, the train station attendants will ask for your proof of COVID-19 vaccination. The alternative is to present a negative PCR test taken within the last 48 hours as with other checkpoints.
If you are a traveler that is 40+ years old, a booster shot will be necessary, according to the Peruvian health ministry. But, again, the alternative is to have a PCR test taken in the last 48 hours to prove you don’t have COVID-19.
Can I Get PCR Tests Done In Peru?
The average cost of a PCR test is $50 US and might take one or two days to get a result. They take place at private clinics where you will have to schedule appointments to have the test done.
Luckily, there are private clinics all over Lima and Cusco so it should not be a problem getting one if you need it.
What About An Antigen Quick Test To Return To The United States?
Travelers can take the required antigen “quick test” in private clinics. It is the test the United States requires citizens to take to return home. The average cost for the quick test is $35, and the results are ready within 20 minutes. The PDF confirming your results is emailed to the visitor within 12 hours.
Conclusion
Americans can travel to Peru as long as they have proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test not older than two days. However, since most activities in Peru will require evidence of COVID-19 immunization or proof of a negative test, PCR’s might get expensive in the long run.
Cover Photo by Stefano Garay
