South & Central America

December 07, 2025

South & Central America

Prior to travel to the Americas, it's vital to check entry requiements, the FCDO website is a good starting point. The crime rates in many Latin American cities is higher than in Europe and since the covid pandemic, many countries continue to face economic unrest. Inflation was very high in Argentina but has stabilised under President Melei and Brazil is in a state of political unrest following the November 2022 election and the jailing of ex-President Bolonsaro in 2025. Ecuador remains unstable due to gang violence and political instability. Tension between the US and Venezuela have increased in the last quarter of 2025.  

Current highlights:

• Venezuela: Tensions with US increase  
• Brazil: Heavy rain forecast for southern areas 
• Honduras: Election results expected
• Peru: Break diplomatic ties with Mexico
• Chile: Election run off on 14 Dec 
• Venezuela: US offer $50m reward for capture of Presient Maduro
• Brazil: Trump to impose 50% trade tariffs
• Ecuador: State of emergency exttended and multiple street protests
• Colombia: Increase paramilitary by some break away rebel groups 
• Colombia: Yellow Fever health emergency declared
• Trinidad & Tobago: State of emergency declared
• Brazil: Extensive flooding in Rio Grand do Sur
• Ecuador: State of emergency continues in some areas
• Brazil: Significant increase in cases of Dengue Fever
• Peru: Increased risk Dengue Fever in lowland areas

View our April 2023 South America Briefing

Diseases

Since 2016, there has been a rapid increase in cases of Chikungunya Fever across Central America and Caribbean, caused by day-biting mosquitos. Chikungunya has similar symptoms to Dengue Fever which is also a continued risk in Central and South America, The WHO is now advising visitors to Sao Paulo state to have a Yellow Fever vaccination. Bolivia has seem some cases so check whether you need a Yellow Fever certificate before departure.

The Zika Virus, spread again by Aedes mosquitoes, is infecting many across the continent. Brazil suffered from a serious outbreak in 2016, the situation has now improved and the threat of infections remain. Any women planning to get pregnant or who are pregnant should seek medical advice and may wish to avoid the regions. For most people however, the symptoms are mild and much less severe than Dengue or Chikungunya Fever.  However, the long-term consequences of the diseases are still being explored. Severe flooding in Brazil in December 2023 has resulted in a signicant increase in cases of Dengue Fever, Rio declared a medical emergency in early February 2024. 

A number of travellers visiting the Amazon areas of Latin America have tried the local Ayahuasca (known as Yage in Colombia) drug. This is a tribal hallucinogenic drug which we strongly advise not to be taken. It was very powerful and has unpredictable side effects, (of note, it's never given to tribal youngsters) and led to the death of a British traveller in 2014.