Current border status, northern S America (june 2021)
 

I've been researching the border situation for several South American countries. It's not looking good right now with almost all of them closed to non-essential/ non resident travel.

Here's one general source regarding access for countries around the world:
https://www.kayak.com/travel-restrictions
HOWEVER, THIS IS MORE FOR AIR ACCESS THAN LAND... I found this out the hard way. It does help a lot though as you at least get an idea of the countries that you for sure don't have access to.

I found a great source for more current info and am copying what they sent me here. The source is: Andestransit.com They offer 'online travel assistance packages' for S America. I got the 15 day one for $5... An incredible deal given the personalized help/ knowledge they provide.

Here's what they told me about the current border situation as of June 15, 2021. (Note, this will almost for sure change in the next few months so will soon need updating.)

FROM Andestranit.com (direct quote)
Colombia: The country reopened their land borders as of June 1st. It has borders with Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru. There are not special restrictions related to migration paperwork. (https://www.dw.com/es/colombia-reabr...sil/a-57589984)

Ecuador: Borders with Colombia and Peru have been closed for more than 1 year. There’s no official notice on when the borders will reopen. Currently those trying to cross the border must apply for permits so you would need to get in touch with the Ecuadorian embassy to have your trip authorized to enter Ecuador from Colombia.
(https://www.infobae.com/america/colo...s-bilaterales/)

Peru: Borders are close with neighbor countries. COVID-19 rates are still high and the government has not decided when to open the borders. The most popular border with Brazil is still closed in spite of requests from locals for a reopening (https://canaln.pe/actualidad/madre-d...mercio-n435424)

Brazil: Borders are officially closed but open for those who reside on border towns (https://www.abc.com.py/este/2021/05/...dades-gemelas/). It is a measure for 30 days, but it can be extended without prior notice.
As you can see, borders in most countries remain closed with locals requesting their governments for an eventual reopening. We do expect that borders reopen once the vaccination advances significantly in these countries, but it is too early to know when will that happen.

I'm not vouching for the accuracy of Andestranit's post, but there's no denying the existence of a land border between Colombia and Panama. You can see it on any map, and if determined (and either brave or foolhardy) can go looking for it on the ground.

borders opening
 

FROM Andestranit.com (direct quote)
Colombia: The country reopened their land borders as of June 1st. It has borders with Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru. There are not special restrictions related to migration paperwork.

Yep Panama was Colombian territory many moons ago
and this Andestransit outfit are not too map savvy
Brazil is a neighbor also
Dont trust Andestransit they obviously dont know there ass from a hole in the ground

dian.gov.co type in Fronterras this has all the information

A few days ago, I spent a few hours searching for up to date info on the border situation in northern S American countries. Searched both English and Spanish language sites (as I speak it) and there wasn't much that was really current. There is a ton of info out there it's just in most cases dated/obsolete.

I came across the Andes Transit site for the first time during that search. They are in the business of selling bus rides between those countries (among other things) and so need to be up to date on the border situations. That's why I wrote them to see what they could contribute. (I even paid the $5 subscription price!)

I myself found their reply helpful and the most detailed /current info I've found to date. Not perfect--they certainly got the info on Colombia's border with Brazil wrong. But most of the info they provided there has matched up well with what I've learned in other spots.

Here's some of that info as I'm also finding it helpful:
-- Wrote to the Peruvian government office iPeru (iperu@promperu.gob.pe) and they confirmed that their borders are effectively closed to tourist land travel. However, they did say that one could try to get special permission by going via your consulate. It wasnt' very clear. (here's the original: "Por otro lado, podría tramitar con su consulado un permiso especial que debe ser informado a Migraciones Perú https://www.migraciones.gob.pe/ para el ingreso al país.")

-- Javier of Dakarmotors in Argentina told me he just heard from a Rider who tried to cross from colombia to Ecuador but got turned back.

In general, it just isn't ooking so good for travel in S America right now.

I agree. There's not any one site that has definitive info on what borders in South and Central America can be crossed by land.

I'm planning on air freighting my VStrom to Chile or Peru this December and riding back to Washington State, but it's not looking good due to this Delta and Delta+ variant. Already had to cancel the trip last winter and now this.

I'm super super bummed.

On a related note, spoke with Air Canada cargo. Although they don't advertise South America, they'll still ship your bike tied down to a pallet down there. Crating not necessary, but potentially cheaper. They just don't offer the special rate that they give you to the European countries.

crossing imaginary lines
 

The borders are closed for non residents in all of South America and I have no problem with that. Colombia has plenty of places to see
The good news Avtracker is you can scoot off to Canada as of today if you have had your shots 2 weeks prior and be sure to research requirements for entry if you are thinking on getting out of Washington
Go North check out Vancouver Island you won't be dissapointed

Ya, have done Vancouver Island many times. Really nice place.
I'm still praying for open borders in SA by December.

Not yesterday, today, or tomorrow. The rules change on Monday.

Caminos Andinos
 

Local newspaper published this news:

https://www.eluniverso.com/noticias/...eccion=Ecuador

As far as I know, there is also an initiative to reopen andean roads between Colombia, Ecuador, Perú and Bolivia, and promote local tourism, across the roads and Panamericana Highway.

Lets keep this forum informed! I'm planning to beggin my journey mid january 2022 from lat 0 to Ushuaia

That's great news, but unfortunately the article doesn't specify a start date for the agreement. If you hear anything more, PLEASE post it here.

Saludos, y ten un buen día.

I'm in tears. I started planning my ride from USA to Argentina in 2018, with a target departure date of Nov 2020. Delayed to Nov 2021 due to COVID... now delaying at least another year, maybe two...

Not really adding anything here, just letting others know that I share in your misery.

Not sure if I should just sell the bike and move on or what.

Going to plan B. Will truck my VStrom down to Nogales from WA. State, then ride as far south as I can thru Mexico and Central America then turn around and head back. 2-3 months planned.

One country
 

My view is that it is best to keep it to one country for quite some time.
And that is not bad.
That is i huge step forward.

Fly in to Argentina, Colombia or....
Buy a bike, and spend a couple of months travelling that country, during European/US winter period.
90 days Visa.
=> No issue with Covid19 boarder restrictions
=> No issue with not being allowed to exit Argentina with the bike.

I would be happy to spend 90 days in Argentina.
But that is because I want to see and discover.
Not tick a box that I made it from A to B.

Can you please share, where that information comes from? We are going to fly to Argentina soon and still hope to be able to enter Chile at least.

borders SA
 

Colombian president Ivan Duque announced today the land border Crossings to Ecuador and Colombia is open dec 1
source. semana.com