Passports and Visas to Latin América
PERU
Peru is basically a country of open doors. The entry into Peru for citizens of most American and Western European countries does not require a tourist visa. The maximum period of stay granted by the authorities is 90 days.
In order to enter Peru it is a must to carry a valid passport. Citizens of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia, Venezuela, and Chile may enter with their valid national identification document. Here is the list of the countries that need a visa to enter Peru.
Central America and The Caribbean: Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
Africa: All the countries need a visa except South Africa.
Asia: The majority of the countries need a visa except Brunei, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, and Thailand.
Europe: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, and Turkey.
BOLIVIA
Visas are not required by Australian, British, Canadian, and most EU nationals when traveling for tourist purposes. You will be granted an initial 30-day stay which you can extend for a further 60 days.
US citizens require a visa and can obtain this in advance or on entry, where it must be paid for in cash. Make sure your US dollar bills are in good condition. The US State Department advises travelers obtain their visas in advance from the embassy, as it may not always be possible to buy one on arrival.
ARGENTINA
There is an immigration entry fee to enter Chile and Argentina for citizens of the Australia, Canada, and some other countries. Please check with the appropriate consulate. To enter Argentina, this fee must be paid online prior to travel. This can be done at either www.migraciones.gov.ar or www.provinciapagos.gov.ar. Once the fee has been paid, you must print out the proof of payment and take this with you when you enter Argentina. If you do not have the form you will not be allowed to enter Argentina.
ECUADOR
All tourists need a passport valid for at least six months beyond their travel dates. In most cases, you will also need an exit ticket or return ticket, although this is rarely asked for. Upon entry you will have to complete an international embarkation/disembarkation form, which is stamped along with your passport and must be kept together with it; you will have to present it when leaving the country.
To visit Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands, a passport is required but most North American and European citizens do not need a visa in advance
IMPORTANT TO NOTE :
*If children are not traveling with both parents, some countries require a letter of consent to enter or depart. Please consult the appropriate consulate.
*To issue some tickets, we require passport details and ages when you book. If you subsequently change your passport, please let us know as soon as possible.
Tickets and vouchers
You will receive tickets approximately 10 days before departure, along with information on accommodation, transfers, and excursions. Our agents in Latin America will give you your hotel and excursion vouchers when you arrive. Please check airline tickets carefully in case the timing has changed after we issued your confirmation.
Insurance
Adequate travel insurance is essential. We do not sell or recommend any specific policy.
Please advise your insurer of any pre-existing medical conditions, and if you are booking a holiday involving high-altitude trekking, such as the Inca Trail, make sure that you are covered for this.
Age and fitness limitations
For most of our holidays, age is not a concern. However, a reasonable level of fitness is required, as most holidays require some walking, sometimes on uneven ground. Even relatively mild activities can be strenuous at altitude. High altitude trekking is more strenuous than a walk of an equivalent length in the Europe or the United States.
Health and vaccinations
Please consult your doctor or a travel clinic about health and vaccination requirements. Yellow fever and malaria precautions are recommended for visiting the jungle, Iguazu Falls, and some parts of Peru and Ecuador. Yellow fever certificates are sometimes required if you have recently visited a country with an infected area. Some doctor do not recommend yellow fever vaccinations for travellers over 60 years old. Please seek medical advice before you travel.
Parts of South America are at high altitude. Most visitors do not suffer major problems. However, shortness of breath is common and we advise you to take things calmly during your first day at altitude. If you suffer from a heart or lung condition, or think that you may suffer due to the altitude, please consult your doctor.
When travelling, stomach illnesses are not uncommon due to changes in diet. We suggest you only drink bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. If you are unsure that salads and fruit have been washed in purified water, it is best to avoid them.
If you suffer from any disability or condition and are concerned whether this will affect the enjoyment of a holiday, please call us. We will do our best to help. We recommend that you bring any medicine you require from home.
Outside of major cities, medical facilities can be basic, meaning a lengthy transfer if hospital attention is required.
Your safety and security
The countries visited on PIE Experiences are relatively safe to visit and most people experience no problems. However, as is the case anywhere in the world, crime can be a problem, especially in Buenos Aires and other large cities. Tourists appear attractive targets to criminals. To minimize the risk, use common sense. Do not display signs of wealth, such as expensive looking jewellery or cameras. Avoid empty streets, especially on your own. Take a taxi after dark. By taking sensible precautions, you should have a trouble-free holiday.
Each country has its own standards for health and safety, but these are often not as good as developed countries. We take this into account when selecting hotels and request that they comply with all local regulations, but cannot guarantee that these are equivalent to European standards. Please take reasonable precautions to protect yourselves whilst on holiday, e.g. by locating fire exit routes.