On August 21, 2017, millions of us across the United States observed the total solar eclipse as it crossed the continent. The event was billed as the “Eclipse of the Century,” but solar eclipses actually aren’t all that rare! Did you know that there is a total solar eclipse visible somewhere in the world roughly every two years? If you are as excited as we are to see the next solar eclipse, you can start planning your eclipse-viewing travel now. Don’t throw away those eclipse glasses, and keep your passport valid. You’ll need them to catch the next eclipses!
July 2, 2019 – Total Solar Eclipse in South America
The 2017 total solar eclipse cut a path across the continental United States, but the next solar eclipse belongs to South America. The path of totality for the 2019 eclipse will cross Chile and Argentina. Excitingly, the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires, will get to see the full eclipse! You’ll find no shortage of ways to enjoy your time in Buenos Aires before and after the eclipse. A modern city with old-world charm, Buenos Aires is known for great museums, shopping, nightlife, and restaurants. Make sure to enjoy some of Argentina’s amazing beef and Malbec wine. If you really want the full experience of the city, take a tango lesson!
How to Get There: You can catch a nonstop flight to Buenos Aires from cities including Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, or New York. But it’s Miami that has the most direct flights and lowest fares to Buenos Aires’ Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE).
Passport and Visa Requirements for US Citizens: US citizens can visit Argentina for up to 90 days without a visa. Your passport must be valid at the time of entry, and must have at least one blank page for your entry stamp.
December 14, 2020 – Total Solar Eclipse in South America
The next eclipse, on December 14, 2020, will cut across much of the South Pacific and South Atlantic oceans. Once again, Chile and Argentina will be in the path of totality, where you can view the sun fully covered by the moon.
Our pick to watch the 2020 eclipse is Villarrica, Chile. This village in Chile’s Lake District is on the shores of Lake Villarrica, and features a new lakeshore boardwalk and black sand beach. Nearby, Villarrica National Park offers miles of hiking trails through araucaria forests as well as the Geométricas Hot Springs.
How to Get There: To get to Villarrica, you’ll need to fly first to Santiago, Chile. Direct flights to Santiago’s Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) are available from Miami, Atlanta, and Dallas/Fort Worth. From Santiago, you can catch a regional flight to La Araucanía International Airport in Temuco, Chile. From there, you can travel to Villarrica by car, bus, taxi, or even Uber. Villarrica is 64 kilometers from the airport.
Passport and Visa Requirements for US Citizens: Your US passport must be valid for the full duration of your stay, and you’ll need at least one blank passport page marked “Visas.” No visas are required for US citizens for a stay of up to 90 days in Chile.
December 4, 2021 – Total Solar Eclipse in Antarctica
The good news for eclipse fans is that you’ll need to wait less than a year for the next total solar eclipse. The bad news is that the 2021 solar eclipse is going to be reserved for the most hard-core eclipse fans only. This eclipse’s path of totality will be seen only near the South Pole. The only inhabited spot that will see the 2021 eclipse is Orcadas Base, an Argentine scientific station on the Antarctic continent.
A few of the world’s southernmost cities will get a partial glimpse of the eclipse, including Hobart, Tasmania (Australia) and Cape Town, South Africa.
How to Get There: This one is going to be tricky. Your best bet would be to book an Antarctic cruise departing from the Argentine port of Ushuaia. We suspect that cruise lines specializing in Antarctic cruises, like Silversea or Ponant, may customize their early December 2021 itineraries so passengers can view the total eclipse on the ocean.
Passport and Visa Requirements for US Citizens: You’ll just need your valid US passport to fly to Argentina to board your Antarctica cruise. No visas are required for Argentina or for any shore excursions you may take on the Antarctic continent or nearby islands.
April 20, 2023 – Total Solar Eclipse in the Indian Ocean
If you’d like to get the full effect of 2023’s solar eclipse, you might want to make friends with someone with a private yacht. The eclipse’s path of totality will sweep across the Indian Ocean. It will brush the tip of Western Australia before looping up across Timor-Leste and West Papua, Indonesia.
Our top destination to watch the total solar eclipse from the land is Exmouth, Australia. This small resort town on the North West Cape of Western Australia boasts beautiful beaches with tidal rock pools. The nearby Cape Range National Park is a great spot to photograph kangaroos and classically Australian red rock landscapes. Just offshore from Exmouth is Ningaloo Marine Park, where you can explore coral reefs and view colorful tropical fish and whale sharks.
How to Get There: The nearest airport to Exmouth is RAAF Learmonth (airport code LEA), which is both an Royal Australian Air Force base and civilian airport. All flights connect through Perth, Australia. You’re likely to also need to change planes in Hong Kong or Singapore on your way there. RAAF Learmonth airport is about a 25 minute drive down the coast from Exmouth.
Passport and Visa Requirements for US Citizens: Australia requires that US visitors get an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa online before traveling. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days with your ETA. Your US passport must be valid at the time of entry and must have at least one blank page for entry stamps.
April 8, 2024 – Total Solar Eclipse in North America
In 2024, the continental United States will once again see a total solar eclipse. The path of totality will cross over Texas, Arkansas, and much of the Midwest before crossing up to Maine and Canada. Many major US cities will get to witness the full eclipse of the sun, including Austin, Texas; Buffalo, New York; Cleveland, Ohio; Indianapolis, Indiana; Little Rock, Arkansas; and Montpelier, Vermont.
If you’d like to head somewhere more exotic to view the 2024 eclipse, you could fly north to Montreal, Canada. Often called the “Paris of North America,” Montreal’s European flavor makes it an appealing destination. The only problem? In early April, Montreal is still cold, with average temperatures around 45°F. That’s why our pick for eclipse tourism is Mazatlán, Mexico, where you can enjoy its 21-kilometer beach boardwalk under sunny skies with temperatures in the 80s. Mazatlán is known for its aquarium, considered to be the finest in Mexico, and is also renowned for its deep sea fishing.
How to Get There: Mazatlán has its own airport, Mazatlán International Airport (MZT). Direct flights are available from Phoenix or Dallas/Fort Worth, or you can connect through Mexico City.
Passport and Visa Requirements for US Citizens: Mexico allows US citizens to visit for up to 180 days without a visa. Your passport must be valid when you enter Mexico. If you fly into Mexico, you’ll need a passport book. You can use a passport book or passport card if you drive in and out of Mexico.
Did you travel to view the total eclipse? Would you plan a trip around a future eclipse? Tell us in the comments!
