Where Can I Spend the Holidays in Latin America?
It’s a mixed bag, but for those fed up with domestic options and eager to travel internationally, the countries to the south may make more sense in the short term vs. flying transatlantic and navigating the rapidly changing rules in Europe. Border openings and regulations have been consistent and without fail, the returning traveler feedback that we’ve seen has been excellent. Properties are fully staffed, guides and hospitality teams are ecstatic to have guests again and rates have not skyrocketed with most partners retaining 2019/2020 pricing. Here’s an update on the countries we work with the and the availability at our partners for near-term and festive travel.
COSTA RICA
Since fully reopening to international visitors Costa Rica has stayed consistently open to all without quarantine or testing requirements. Nearly 50% of the population has received one dose of the vaccine and efforts to vaccinate continue to ramp up. But perhaps most importantly, the restorative powers of the pura vida lifestyle remain as potent as ever - just ask Henley Valesquez of Passported who has spent frequent time in the country with her family since it reopened. Even if you’ve overlooked Costa Rica before, the sunshine, saltwater and birdsong is the perfect tonic to restore your body and soul.
Predictably, holiday space is quite limited. Kurà, which is adults only, has a handful of suites available December 26-January 2 and ideal for anyone who wishes to get away for and from the holidays. Lapa Rios on the Osa likewise has a few Deluxe Bungalows available and offers an excellent rainforest safari option for anyone 6 and older. And one or two lucky families can still combine the beach and rainforests of Arenas Del Mar with the cloud forests of Monteverde. ADM has 3 suites left (2 adults, 2 children) until December 26. Then it’s an easy and scenic drive up the mountains to Senda Monteverde where suite categories are conveniently available from the 26th onwards. Thanksgiving is a different story and November is a great time to be in Costa Rica.
COLOMBIA
This is a great option still available for those looking for latin culture, scenery and fun over the holidays. Hacienda Bambusa in the coffee region has rooms available from December 23rd into January. This is perfectly combined with some time at Casa Yahri in Barichara which has a 3 night full buyout option from December 21st to the 24th, as well as single rooms available through December 30th and then again from January 2nd onwards. Clark took his family to Colombia this year over spring break and spent a fantastic week in Barichara at Casa Yahri, a full youtube playlist of their adventures can be seen here. Our friend Chad Clark also was just in Colombia with his family, staying at Hacienda Bambusa, and had this to say: “Certified!”
PERU
Peru opened its doors to international visitors starting back in May of 2021, but amazingly, there is still space available over the holiday season with our partner hotels in the country: All Inkaterra Hotels, Cirqa and Titilaka have space available. Prior to the pandemic, Peru was close to reaching an “over tourism” situation with availability, even in off peak months, hard to come by. With loads of outdoor adventure options and the ability to visit places like Machu Picchu sans major crowds, this would be a fantastic opportunity for a last minute holiday trip in 2021. Please contact us if you are interested in some ideas and we can put you in touch with the right providers. We also may be offering a limited FAM trip to Peru in November, check in with us on details if interested.
PANAMA
Panama was a little slower to reopen than its neighboring countries and entry testing requirements have likely kept some would-be visitors at bay, but for travelers hungry for an incredible nature and culture experience in the tropics, Panama is a great holiday option without the crowds. Isla Palenque still has a handful of beachfront casitas available over key holiday dates and clients can arrive or depart the island in style with ELEVAIR seaplanes for an exceptional flying experience that enables further exploration of Panama’s islands and coast.
We’re feeling very optimistic about Panama and are hosting a small group FAM trip in late September. A few incredible days in Panama City, three nights at Isla Palenque and a seaplane charter back to PTY at the end, stopping at Isla Coiba en route. Prior to joining the group, Kirsten will be traveling in Panama with her father and brother to celebrate a milestone birthday for her dad.
ECUADOR
Having been safe, stable, open and very friendly towards international visitors since July 2020, Ecuador is where the bulk of travelers have been going in South America. For that reason, demand is super high and availability is low. At the time of writing, we have no 2021 Holiday space to offer at Galapagos Safari Camp, Casa Gangotena, Mashpi Lodge or Hacienda Zuleta. Since people have been traveling there a lot and raving about it to friends back home, we can tell you that holiday space for 2022 at all properties is 65-75% booked up already! If people want to get to Ecuador and the Galapagos this year, look at the fall, Thanksgiving would be an excellent option. And if you have clients that want to do prime holidays in the Galapagos, tell them that NOW is the time to be planning that trip for 2022, even 2023, as we expect demand for Ecuador to only grow due to their excellent track record with handling tourism during the pandemic, and a new very pro-tourism government.
ARGENTINA
This is a major wildcard, and the jury is split on whether the country will open at all in 2021. Argentina is still closed to international visitors, however, the Minister of Tourism made an announcement that they would “most likely” reopen in October or November to facilitate the Antarctic cruise season. This leaves very little time for last minute bookings, but if it happens, space is available at Awasi Iguazu over the holidays and we may have space open at Estancia Cristina also. With the Patagonia season running until April, an opening of borders in October or November would still allow eager travelers to plan far enough in advance to catch the 2021-22 Patagonia season. Also consider sending clients to Awasi Iguazu anytime, as it is a year round destination and pairs fantastically with a few days in Buenos Aires.
CHILE
Despite having one of the very best vaccine rollout programs of any nation on earth (around 70% of Chilean citizens have been vaccinated thus far) the nation remains closed to international visitors. We are hopeful, due to their vaccination levels, that good news could be coming any day, announcing Chile is opening to visitors. And we have a lot of anxious guests too, as Awasi Patagonia is fully booked for the 2021 holiday season, and we have just a small number of options in Awasi Atacama during the festive dates. Due to this, we are already seeing our festive dates for 2022 in high demand. This is a region, where, when it opens, the overwhelming demand and seasonality will be met with little supply left. So worth speaking to your clients about making advanced reservations for the Patagonia season in 2022 and 2023, which runs from October through April. However, keep in mind that the Atacama desert is an amazing place to visit year round, and space is usually available from May to September at Awasi Atacama with good promotions as well.
BRAZIL
Like Ecuador, Brazil has been open to international visitors since July of 2020. Understandably, many are scared of the destination due to overwhelming news of the pandemic situation in the country (which I might say has mirrored the situation in the USA to a large extent(. But we have seen a few agents go anyway and they had a fantastic time. Our one property in Brazil, Comuna do Ibitipoca, still does have a private villa available over the festive season - and I couldn’t think of a safer, more isolated and magical place to spend the time - anytime actually.
NICARAGUA
Nicaragua never closed its borders to international travelers. The country is open and entry requirements are found HERE. Yet international flights into Managua remain very limited and vaccination rates are the lowest in Latin America. Jicaro Island Lodge plans to remain closed at least until the presidential election concludes in early November. The southern coast of the country though is a different story; beach resorts near San Juan Del Sur are an option for travelers who can fly into Liberia, Costa Rica and cross the border by land. For all travel arrangements in Nicaragua, we recommend using a knowledgeable, in-country DMC.
If you want to be in the know when unexpected space becomes available due to cancellations, when borders open, etc - please do follow us on social media if you do not already: Instagram or Facebook
For all things South America, please reach out to Clark: clark@clarkkotula.com. Kirsten handles Central America - kirsten@clarkkotula.com