The government of Argentina announced the border reopening Puerto Iguazú-Foz do Iguaçu for Brazilian and international tourists towards the end of September 2021. This is the first phase, while the full opening is scheduled for December 2021. This will happen following certain protocols. The news is being celebrated by Brazilian tourists and the tourism sector in Foz, including the Del Rey Quality Hotel, who were anxiously awaiting the opening of the border with Argentina and the resumption of leisure and shopping trips.
The resumption of tourism and accommodation will take place following all the new health, hygiene and safety standards, however, no details yet, because the Argentine government has not yet published a decree establishing official norms and protocols.
800 foreign tourists and 1000 Argentineans
As divulged and published in the Misiones On Line portal, you can enter the country, per day, a total of 800 foreign tourists (normally this number refers to Brazilians and Paraguayans) and 1,000 Argentines who are in other countries and intend to return to their country.
According to the country's national director of Migrations, Florencia Carignano, the reopening will be a "tourist pilot test" in Iguaçu, referring to the opening of the Friendship Bridge, which will allow Brazilians to access Puerto Iguazú. The city is one of the most important tourist centers and that moves more people, even compared to Ezeiza (Buenos Aires airport), explained the authority.
Confira no artigo:
The date was brought forward in Brazil as a test
The official date for reopening is October 1, but the director of Migrations explained to the press that the pilot project on the Iguazú-Foz border was brought forward by four days “to see how it works”, in relation to the opening of all Argentine borders.
As of October, residents of neighboring countries will be able to enter Argentina, provided they present a complete vaccination schedule, PCR exam and antigen test. As of November, the country reopens for tourism in general.
The border was closed after the pandemic since the end of 2020, with the measure extended from August 6 to October 1, being reviewed at that time.
According to the news, published by the Misiones On Line portal, the points of the protocol may undergo modifications, as informed by the provincial government. For the time being, the border will not yet be open to the Iguaçuans. The neighboring border traffic would continue to be vetoed, with authorization to circulate solely for tourist and gastronomic purposes.
Residents of Puerto Iguazú will, however, be able to go to Foz do Iguaçu, without using a daily quota
For people from Iguaçu to go to Puerto Iguazú, they must make a reservation at a restaurant to prove their intention of leisure and tourism.
According to the protocol presented, a negative PCR test for Covid-19 is required, with less than 48 hours in advance. The visitor must have been vaccinated with at least one dose of the vaccine.
According to the criteria, the Health Center that is being set up in Puerto Iguazú will be able to be used by people who have not taken their tests in advance.
Tourists who have a positive Covid-19 test must comply with the isolation established by the health authorities inside the hotels where they made their reservations.
This also applies to Argentines returning to the country.
Also according to the new entry protocols at the border of Argentina, Argentines who leave the country through the border with Foz and return within 24 hours, will have to register the negative PCR test for Covid, to avoid being asked for a new test on their return.
The governor of Misiones, Oscar Herrera Ahuad, made it clear that the San Roque González de Santa Cruz International Bridge, which connects Posadas to Encarnación, in Paraguay, is still closed.
According to the governor of that country, the posture of the provincial government is to maintain health security, so it is not on the next agenda to request its opening.
The reasons for not reopening the border with Paraguay are based on international recommendations to maintain epidemiological balance and productive activity in the region. International recommendations continue to be less mobile.
What you need to know about Argentina's reopening
There has been a lot of information so far, which ends up generating some mismatches of information. For example, initially, entry into Puerto Iguazú would be exclusive to Brazilians with reservations at hotels, restaurants and other tourist attractions on the Argentine side.
Although this is not clear and confirmed in the protocol that is being negotiated, tourism operators in Puerto Iguazú consider that its elaboration is the starting point for the return of activities in the sector.
Based on information from the government, there is still no thought of reestablishing traffic with Argentines and Iguaçuans coming and going freely between the two countries. However, with the gradual resumption, the expectation is that the full opening will be in December 2021.
The decisions already give a breather to the Iguaçuans too.
Those who make a reservation at a restaurant in Puerto Iguazú for lunch or dinner, for example, will be allowed to enter Argentina, provided that:
- Present proof of reservation;
- Fulfill health requirements, such as a negative PCR test or proof that you have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
This also applies to other foreign tourists.
The permanence of Brazilian tourists, whether they are residents of Foz do Iguaçu or not, in Argentina, will be defined according to the time to participate in the activity for which they signed up. For example, a dinner period.
Learn more about access control at the border
Under the new protocol, Brazilian tourists will be allowed to enter through Puerto Iguazú to go to another part of Argentina. But, for that, he will have to inform the final destination and which route he will take within the country. In addition, you will have to keep the Misiones Digital application active, which will control (and track) whether the person will make stops outside of what has been established.
The expectation is that this first experience will be adopted by the end of September and that it will gradually evolve towards a normalization of traffic between the two countries in the coming months.
Argentines will be able to go to Foz without a daily quota
The Secretary of Tourism of Misiones, José María Arrúa, disclosed in the local press that the intention is to create a tourist corridor. “The idea is that tourists come to Argentina and, naturally, to Misiones,” said Arrúa.
We still have no definition of an exact date for this reopening, but the forecast is September.
It is also important to know that these restrictions do not include residents of Puerto Iguazú, who will be able to cross the border in compliance with health protocols. In order not to have to take another test on their return, neighbors from Puerto Iguazú will have to return to the country within 24 hours.
To the reopening steps started by air
The National Institute for Tourism Promotion of Argentina (Inprotur) is responsible for detailing the first phase of reopening. The country reopened its air border to the five neighboring countries: Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile and Brazil. Tourists, who must still obey some restrictions, will only be able to circulate in Buenos Aires and La Plata.
According to Matías Lammens, Minister of Tourism and Sports, the next phases are already designed, with the second stage contemplating reopening for a more extensive list of countries, including Latin America, and, in the third stage, with total reopening, despite having, still, some adversities due to the pandemic situation in Europe.
It is worth remembering that, as much as the air border is released, there are still restrictions for travelers who wish to enter Argentina, a country that has the WTTC Safe Travels seal.
Passengers must provide the airline with medical insurance that covers Covid-19 care, an electronic legal declaration completed 48 hours before boarding and a negative PCR test carried out up to 72 hours before arrival in Buenos Aires.
Regular flight to Foz do Iguaçu is announced by Floripa Airport
The good news for tourists and the tourism industry does not end there. Florianópolis International Airport announced that it will connect directly with Foz do Iguaçu, in Paraná, one of the most visited destinations in the country, starting on September 10th. The regular flight between the cities is unprecedented, since previously the route was only available during the high season.
With three weekly frequencies, the flight operated by Azul Linhas Aéreas will take place with an Embraer 195 aircraft, with 118 seats. The new schedule for this flight will include Mondays and Fridays, departing from Florianópolis at 12:00 noon and arriving in Foz do Iguaçu at 1:20 pm, in addition to a flight on Saturday at 3:55 pm, arriving at 5:15 pm.
“The expansion of destinations operated on a consolidated basis and not just in the summer season is one of our strategies for Florianópolis. With Foz do Iguaçu, Florianópolis Airport now has more regular domestic routes than it had before the pandemic, reaching a total of direct flights to 11 airports. Before the pandemic, there were 9. It is a direct connection between 2 important cities in the national tourist scene”, said Ricardo Gesse, CEO of Zurich Airport Brasil.
Foz is one of the main destination options for tourists, being recognized worldwide and among the 5 most recommended destinations in Brazil by travelers over 55 years old.
With a diversity of attractions, from nature to shopping and gastronomy, the city and the entire region has charms for all tastes.
Outdoor activities, nature, extreme walks, ecological excursions, water parks, excellent hotels and resorts, restaurants and shopping malls are some activities that await tourists.
According to the president of Santur (Agência de Desenvolvimento do Turismo de Santa Catarina), Renê Meneses, the new flight is considered an essential step for tourism in Santa Catarina, shortening the distance between two very special tourist destinations, such as the cities of Florianópolis and Foz do Iguaçu.
“The connectivity between two major tourist destinations will certainly establish good exchanges, more tourists and more business for both regions”, reinforced the Superintendent of Tourism of the Municipality of Florianópolis, Vinicius De Luca Filho.
In addition to Foz do Iguaçu, Florianópolis has direct flights to 10 more airports: Guarulhos, Congonhas, Viracopos, Galeão, Santos Dumont, Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Chapecó, Porto Alegre and Curitiba.
Want even more news in Foz? So let's go!
Foz will have Christmas of Waters and Lights
This year there will be Christmas Lights in Foz yes!
With an innovative proposal, to also consolidate itself as a Christmas destination, tourists and residents should be given presents for Christmas 2021.
Prepared by Itaipu and produced by Celebra Eventos, the project will be embraced by the City Hall and local business community. The idea is to make use of sustainable and modern elements and technologies to create the Christmas of Waters and Lights.
It will be a reference to the Iguaçu Falls, the city's postcard, and also to the hydroelectric plant itself, the largest in productivity and record holder in energy generation.
By the way, the city of Foz, gracefully located on the border of Brazil with Paraguay and Argentina, is one of the best-known nature and human engineering routes on the planet. And it has always been expanding its portfolio of attractions to provide even more options and comfort for its residents and tourists.
The theme of the event is inspired by the fauna and flora of the region. The decoration foresees an impact on an area of approximately 74 thousand square meters, spread over a circuit of 37 kilometers.
Natal de Águas e Luzes is modular, that is, it can be adapted to the contribution of resources according to the adhesion of the business community.
The circuit has 33 points as an initial proposal, which may be included or adapted. During the presentation, which packed the Codefoz hall, within the limits provided for in preventive care against Covid-19, a request was made to include the Friendship Bridge in the script.
The Waters and Lights Christmas itinerary includes Praça das Águas, with projection, tree, water curtain, fountain and tunnel, in white and blue colors. Vale das Borboletas, Espaço das Reindeers, Refúgio das Capivaras, Avenida das Estrelas, Caminho Nevado and Avenida dos Presentes.
The circuit also foresees a Christmas Fair, with gastronomy and handicrafts from the triple border; a Christmas parade on Avenida Paraná; concerts; workshops to train artisans to make souvenirs with the theme of Christmas in Foz.
Cataratas is among the 10 of the 500 must-see tourist destinations in the world
Lonely Planet, one of the largest and most traditional publishers of travel guides in the world, included the Iguazu Falls among the top 10 of all (500) tourist destinations. This was the only Brazilian destination to be part of the “definitive guide to unmissable tourist places”, launched by the British publisher.
The Falls are located on the border with Argentina, from where their beauties can also be appreciated. From South America, the list also includes Machu Picchu, in Peru, and the Galápagos archipelago, in Ecuador.
Responsible Tourism Seal: increases search for national destinations
The demand for Brazilian destinations increases after the increase in vaccination, including the city of Foz do Iguaçu. The numbers were recorded by travel agencies and operators, with an estimate of 20% in relation to June this year.
International travel is down, with a load factor of 33%, according to the same sources.
The volume of people who had stopped traveling due to the pandemic gave rise to a pent-up demand. With the advancement of vaccination and greater adherence to the Responsible Tourism Seal for tourist equipment, there was an increase in tourism in the second half.
29,000 Responsible Tourism Seals were distributed across the country, an initiative launched in 2020 by the Ministry of Tourism (MTur), which placed Brazil among the first 10 countries in the world to implement health protocols for tourism.
And speaking of awards and seals, the Del Rey Quality Hotel, in Foz do Iguaçu, is among the favorites of travelers from all over the world, winning, again, two awards from the Travelers Choice 2021, from Tripadvisor. What are you waiting for? Come to Foz!
