Argentina is now open to vaccinated travelers — but you might not want to bring your kids
On Nov. 1, Argentina reopened to vaccinated travelers after reporting a decrease in COVID-19 cases over four weeks, the government announced. The order states that "entry into the national territory of non-resident foreigners, provided they comply with current immigration and health requirements," is now permitted.
The South American country had one of the world's strictest travel bans, which banned all international visitors. That's all about to change if you're fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and these travelers will not be required to quarantine. The country is now open to travelers, provided they meet specific requirements, including:
- Being fully vaccinated (at least 14 days since the final dose) with proof of vaccination
- A negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival, and another PCR test taken between the fifth and seventh day after entering Argentina
- Travelers who test positive must quarantine in a "provincial facility" for 10 days
- Submit an electronic sworn statement within 48 hours before their arrival/departure. Travelers may be required to present the confirmation e-mail they receive from this system to board a flight.
- Travel insurance that includes hospitalization and quarantine coverage of COVID-19.
Additionally, travelers can participate in social activities but are prohibited from attending mass events or using collective land transportation.
However, there are restrictions you should know about, particularly if you're traveling with unvaccinated children. According to the U.S. Embassy in Argentina, all unvaccinated travelers, including minor children, must quarantine for seven days upon arrival, even if they're with vaccinated travelers. That means if your child isn't vaccinated against COVID-19 yet and you were planning a shorter trip, you may want to put your Argentina plans on hold, at least for now.
The CDC lists Argentina in its third-highest designation, "Level 3: COVID-19 High," which means unvaccinated travelers should avoid the country. The State Department also lists Argentina at Level 3 "Reconsider Travel" in its own advisory. According to Johns Hopkins University, the country has recorded over 5.2 million cases of the virus and nearly 116,000 deaths. Fifty-eight percent of Argentines are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
If you're planning to travel to Argentina, your best bet would be flying American Airlines. One-way flights on American to Argentina (which is classified as South America Region 2 on American's award chart) start at 30,000 AAdvantage miles in economy or 57,500 in business. Take a look at this guide to decide where to stay.
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