Great News: The CDC Has Lifted its Zika Virus Travel Warning in Four Key Destinations

Nikki Ekstein
·1 min read
Hiker trekking Rucu Pichincha Volcano, Quito, Pichincha Province, Ecuador, South America
Hiker trekking Rucu Pichincha Volcano, Quito, Pichincha Province, Ecuador, South America

Matthew Williams-Ellis

If you’ve been putting off a trip (or a babymoon) because of Zika virus, you can officially travel worry-free to a few Latin American cities. According to the CDC, destinations at high altitude are at “minimal risk” for Zika virus, since the disease-carrying mosquitoes can only survive in humid climates.

In this case, “high altitude” is considered to be 2,000 meters (roughly 6,500 feet). That means Mexico City; Quito, Ecuador; La Paz, Bolivia; and Bogota, Colombia are all cleared from their travel warnings. If you’re considering a trip to Machu Picchu, however, consider that Cusco and the historical sites in the Sacred Valley are all at Zika-free elevations—but a layover in Lima may expose pregnant travelers to some risk.

Need a refresher on Zika virus, and whether you need to worry about it in general? Head over here for our primer.