Where can Americans go in Latin America?

If the Western Hemisphere is calling your name in 2021, then perhaps you may want to consider traveling to Latin America this year to rent a car! After all, it is the safest form of travel in today's pandemic world. From the Sonora Desert of Mexico to Tierra del Fuego of Chile, this expansive region spans numerous cultures and climates, meaning it’s a guaranteed adventure for the curious and COVID-free American traveler.

Whether you’re exploring solo or crossing borders with friends and family, the Auto Europe team wants to ensure responsible and safe travels. First off, a disclaimer. Ask yourself: is this trip absolutely necessary? Think to yourself: am I putting the local population at risk? More so, have I been feeling well lately? If any of these apply, then perhaps you may want to stay put. Many of these countries have scarce COVID precautions in place, so it's important to travel courteously and responsibly.

For the most part, almost every Latin American country requires proof of a negative COVID test upon arrival. So, brush up on your Spanish and Portuguese. The following guide will assist you in determining which Latin American you’d like to visit and perhaps rent a car!

Bolivia car rental

Uyuni Salt Flat, Tiwanaku pyramid and temple, North Yunga Road for cycling, La Paz, Mt. Illimani, Lake Titicaca (largest in South America) with Incan ruins, Isla de Sol with ruins, Copacabana pilgrimage sites

• Travelers from the states need to show a negative test within 10 days of arrival
• Expect health screenings at the airport
• Plan to wear a mask in all public spaces

Brazil car rental

White sand dunes at Parque Nacional dos Lençóis in the north, Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Corcovado, Fernando de Noronha marine park, Armacao dos Buzios beach resort, Ilha Grande State Park

• Despite the COVID variant and Level 4 travel warning, Brazil is still allowing Americans to enter
• Anybody older than 12 must show a negative test result within 72 hours of boarding the plane
• Travelers must complete a Traveler's Health Declaration
• No quarantine is required upon landing in Brazil

Chile car rental

Torres del Paine National Park, San Pedro de Atacama desert town, ancient statues of Easter Island, Chilean fjords by Puerto Montt, iconic wooden churches of Chiloe Island, Tierra del Fuego National Park

• Complete Affidavit of Travel online
• Negative test results within 72 hours
• Show proof of insurance
• Expect health screenings at airport

Colombia car rental

Old Town in Cartagena, salsa clubs in Cali, Tayrona National Park for ruins and beaches, Flower Festival in Medellin, whitewashed buildings of Villa de Leyva, coral reefs on San Andres, ginormous palms in Cocora Valley

• Show a negative test result prior to 96 hours of travel
• Be prepared for health screenings at airport

Costa Rica car rental

Arenal Volcano and hot springs, beaches and wildlife at Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, immense biodiversity at Corcovado National Park, Montevere Cloud Forest Biological Preserve, sea turtle nesting spots at Tortuguero

• Rather than requiring negative test results, Costa Rica requires Americans to obtain national medical insurance` to cover potential coronavirus costs

Dominican Republic car rental

Petroglyph caves and mangrove forests at Los Haitises National Park, hiking at Pico Duarte, Casa de Campo Resort and Villas for luxury properties and golfing, beaches at Cayo Levantado, day trips to Catalina Island

• Tests and screenings aren't mandatory, yet it's probable that travel authorities will randomly test travelers at the airport or other ports of entry

Ecuador car rental

Majestic Cotopaxi volcano and glacier, Quilotoa Lake and volcanic crater, hiking at Chimborazo, Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World) Monument, legendary Galapagos Islands, cloud forest at Cajas National Park

• Negative tests within 10 days of arrival will be needed
• If not, be prepared to take a test at the airport followed by quarantine

El Salvador car rental

Mayan ruins at Joya de Ceren Archaeological Site, El Tazumal Mayan Ruins and museum, lush scenery at Cerro Verde National Park Santa Ana Volcano, recreational fun at Lake Ilopango

• Parts of El Salvador have enacted a curfew
• Must arrive with a negative PCR test within 72 hours of arrival

Guatemala car rental

Tikal Mayan city and ruins, colonial town of Antigua, serene Lake Atitlan, craft markets at Chichicastenago, Semuc Champey Natural Monument and swimming holes, Santa Maria volcano in Quetzaltenango

• Come with a negative test result within 96 hours of arrival
• Quarantines aren’t required in Guatemala, and as of right now, there aren’t any travel restrictions either

Honduras car rental

Coral cays at Cayos Cochinos, unbeatable fishing at Lake Yojoa, snorkeling at West Bay Beach, La Tigra National Park with its ziplining courses, Pico Bonito National Park and its waterfalls

• Similar to other countries, travelers must prevent negative test results no more than 72 hours prior to departure
• Like its neighbors, airport screenings will also be taking place

Mexico car rental

Thousands of Mayan artifacts at National Anthropology Museum, Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan, famous Mayan ruins of Palenque, Gran Cenote and Mayan ruins in Tulum, Xcaret Park archaeological and ecological fun

• Depending on where you’re going, be mindful that some cities have enacted curfews
• Americans traveling back to the states from Mexico will need to present a negative test result
• Currently Mexico is on a "very high risk" red alert for COVID, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Panama car rental

Historic Panama Canal, sailing, snorkeling and swimming at the San Blas Islands, ruins and canals at Portobelo, whale watching on the Pearl Islands, Bocas del Toro Province for immense biodiversity

• 48 hour test results with random airport screenings, including temperature checks

Peru car rental

Awe-inspiring Incan ruins of Machu Picchu, primordial Nazca Lines petroglyphs, ancient sites in Cusco, folk festivals in Puno, Baroque architecture in Arequipa, thermal baths at Aguas Calientes, Huacachina sand dunes

• Health screenings prior to 72 hours are needed before boarding the plane to Peru
• Expect health screenings at airports

Largest cities in Latin America

• São Paulo car rental
• Mexico City car rental
• Buenos Aires car rental
• Rio de Janeiro car rental
• Bogotá car rental
• Lima car rental
• Santiago car rental
• Belo Horizonte car rental
• Guadalajara car rental
• Monterrey car rental