After opening its borders, Chile continues monitoring the evolution of the pandemic in each specific region, in line with the Paso a Paso Plan (Step by Step plan – Government initiative), to ensure that the reactivation is being accomplished safely, according to the 5 phases established in the program.

Unfortunately, due to an increase in cases of Covid-19 in the last few weeks, the Chilean government decided that the Santiago Metropolitan region will go back to Phase 2 of their National reopening plan as of Dec 10th; meaning that quarantine will apply for all residents during weekends. This is a preventive measure to stop the increase in infections, and it is expected to last for two weeks. Government is confident that with this precautionary measure the situation will be under control soon and ready to keep advancing to the next phases in the plan. However foreign tourists are still allowed to travel through the country; the limitation being, that they will only be allowed to stay in Santiago for twenty four hours before departing to another destination in Chile that is not currently under quarantine regulations.

Santiago International Airport (Arturo Merino Benitez Airport) will continue operating international flights, but during this phase interregional flights will be limited and passengers will have to justify the trip: only passengers returning to their homes, those who need to travel for medical purposes, attend a funeral to another region, or those who must go to work (the Company needs to issue a specific permit) are allowed to take domestic flights.

Puerto Montt region on the other hand has advanced to Phase 2, which is really good news after 5 months of quarantine, and our collaborators in Patagonia region such as Torres del Paine have informed us that they are starting to slowly operate again and are receiving Chilean tourists that despite the context have been able to travel and live a wonderful experience.

 

Chile leads the WTAs in South America

While Chile continues working towards a complete opening of the borders, the World Travel Awards initiative has unveiled its Latin America 2020 winners, with Chile leading the honors with its dazzling array of natural wonders. 

It won the award for ‘South America’s Leading Destination’ amongst others: 

-South America´s Leading Nature Destination for second year in a row

-South America´s Leading Aventure Tourism Destination for sixth year in a row

-South America´s Leading Festival and Event Destination – Santiago de Chile

-South America´s Most Romantic Destination – Atacama region

These awards are a recognition to the great work that has been carried on in the tourism area in the country. Obtaining these distinctions positions the country as one of the best destinations to travel to in South America and motivates us to carry on working to reactivate the sector to welcome visitors again soon.