Getting to Antarctica via Chile

On arrival in Chile, 50% of people are being asked to take a PCR test in the airport. This is randomised and you could be chosen even if you have received a booster dose of the vaccine within 6 months of travelling. Currently, the PCR test randomly administered to some tourists on arrival is free of charge and has been for many months. However, it is possible that this may change in the future with little or no notice to be chargeable. The Chilean authorities have not yet stated how long it will take for results to be shared, but we anticipate it could take around 24 hours.

International travellers landing in Chile are no longer required to isolate after entering the country, even if they are waiting for a PCR test result. Only those who return a positive PCR test result are required to isolate (for 7 days).

Whilst travel insurance is no longer an official requirement of the Chilean government when entering Chile (official source), all international travellers are strongly recommended by the Chilean authorities to have medical insurance which covers any expenses relating to Covid-19.

Bear in mind that Chile has previously had a requirement for a fixed level of medical insurance for Covid-19, so although they have currently dropped this requirement, we are conscious that it could be brought back if the situation changes.

Here at Swoop, we require all customers to have adequate insurance and your Patagonia operator(s) will also have their own requirements with which you need to comply.

Finally, we recommend that you carry a printout of your policy (and possibly a spare copy in case you lose one).

Because Antarctica isn’t a sovereign nation, you won’t need a visa to visit. However, you might need a visa to enter Chile.

Citizens of the European Union, the UK, the United States and Canada (among other countries), will not be required to apply for a visa when travelling to Chile. If you are travelling from certain countries not mentioned above, including Australia, you may need to apply for a visa - check with your local embassy.

If you are not required to apply for a visa, you will instead be issued with a tourist card, or 'Tarjeta de Turismo', on arrival in Chile, which will last for 90 days. This is an A5 sized white piece of paper - you must retain this document and present it to immigration when you leave.

In an effort to prevent international child abduction, Chile has put in place strict requirements for the entry/exit of minors under the age of 18. Even when the minor is travelling with both parents, the parents will be required to show evidence of their relationship to the child when departing the country. Please carry an original, certified or authenticated birth certificate.

If only one parent is travelling with a minor, a legal authorisation to take the child abroad will be required, too. This permit must be signed by the parent or parents that are not travelling.

Travellers from Japan (both Japanese citizens and foreign residents) are required to notify the Japanese Ministry of the Environment before your trip to Antarctica.

If you are a US, UK, Canadian or Australian national you won’t need to pay a reciprocity fee to enter Chile. Some other nationalities may need to pay a fee, so do check with the Chilean embassy in your home country.

If you need to pay a fee, you must do so on arrival at the airport, either in US Dollars or by credit card. If you enter Chile by land, you will not need to pay a reciprocity fee.