Caribbean destinations open to Americans
As countries figure out how to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, some have closed their borders to outside travel. Sometimes that’s a blanket ban on visitors, while for others the bans are countryspecific. The United States is among countries targeted for bans because of its increasing coronavirus cases.
So where can Americans travel? These are the Caribbean destinations technically open to U.S. tourists.
ANGUILLA
The island of Anguilla began allowing applications for tourism visits on Aug. 21. Those who want to visit need to register and apply on the local tourism board’s website, providing their visit dates and personal information. A negative coronavirus test taken three to five days before arrival is required to enter, as well as proof of international health insurance.
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
Antigua and Barbuda opened it borders to international travelers June 1. According to the country’s tourism website, “All arriving passengers will be monitored for COVID-19 for periods of up to 14 days in accordance with the directions of the Quarantine Authority and the Quarantine (COVID-19) Guidelines.”
Visitors arriving by plane must show a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR (realtime polymerase chain reaction) test result, taken within seven days of their flight. Visitors arriving by sea have different quarantine guidelines issued by Port Health Authorities.
Health authorities may require travelers to take coronavirus tests at their hotel or other accommodation.
ARUBA
Aruba began allowing U.S. visitors July 10. Visitors must follow a number of government-mandated procedures before entry, including submitting a negative COVID-19 PCR test result.
BAHAMAS
The Bahamas is once
again allowing Americans to visit under new health protocols, replacing 14-day quarantines with coronavirus PCR tests taken fewer than five days before entry, daily health questionnaires completed after entry and mandatory health insurance. The move comes after the Bahamas closed its borders in July after a brief period of tourism reopening sparked coronavirus cases. According to the Bahamas’ tourism board, children younger than 10 are exempt from prearrival testing. On the island, all visitors must abide by mask and physical-distancing requirements in public.
BARBADOS
Barbados reopened its borders to international travel July 12 and launched a program allowing visitors to stay on the Caribbean island visa-free for up to one year. Travelers from the United States must follow “high risk” category protocols, including taking a coronavirus test before or on arrival.
BELIZE
Belize’s international airport reopened Oct. 1, after postponing its originally scheduled August
reopening. According to the Belize tourism website, visitors will have to follow new entry protocols, including taking a coronavirus test within 72 hours of arrival.
CARIBBEAN NETHERLANDS
Travel restrictions for Americans to areas of the Caribbean Netherlands vary. U.S. travelers can fly to the island of Bonaire via Curaçao with a negative PCR test and health declaration forms, according to the U.S. Consulate General in Curaçao. Direct U.S. flights to Bonaire have not resumed.
“It is anticipated that American Airlines, United and Delta will resume direct flight service from the U.S. to Bonaire in December,” Bonaire’s tourism board said via email. “In the interim, Americans can arrive to Bonaire via Curaçao, which has flight service from the U.S. beginning November 7.”
Americans may request entry to Sint Eustatius, but they will have to quarantine in a facility upon arrival. Only Americans conducting essential travel are allowed in Saba at this time, and they must email their request to info@ sabagov.nl.
CUBA
Unrelated to the pandemic, tourist travel to Cuba is prohibited by the U.S. government without a license from the Treasury Department, or unless the trip meets certain requirements. The country has opened its borders to international tourism but is restricting where tourists go, according to Reuters.
CURAÇAO
While most American
travelers are not allowed to visit Curaçao at this time, those with proof of residency in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut or Florida are permitted to enter with a negative PCR test result taken 72 hours prior to arrival. The country has been accepting travelers from more than 20 international destinations since July 1. Curaçao considers the four U.S. states to be “medium risk,” which mandates visitors acquire digital immigration cards and carry proof of compliance with health protocols.
DOMINICA
On Aug. 7, the Nature Island of Dominica opened its borders to international travelers who comply with new health protocols.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Tourism reopened July 1. Travelers must complete a temperature screening and coronavirus test upon arrival.
THE CAYMAN ISLANDS
The Cayman Islands tourism department now allows remote workers who make more than $100,000 annually, couples who make a joint $150,000 annually and couples with children who make $180,000 annually to stay for up to two years when they acquire a Global Citizen Certificate. In addition, applicants must have a valid passport, a reference from a bank, a letter of employment from a company outside of the Cayman Islands and proof of health insurance coverage. The program charges an application fee starting at $1,469.
GRENADA
On Aug. 1, Grenada opened to American visi
tors, who can enter with a negative COVID-19 test taken within seven days of traveling, according to the country’s tourism website. Travelers from the U.S. must book a stay of at least five days and must be retested for COVID-19 on day four of their visit.
GUADELOUPE
Travelers must show a negative COVID-19 PCR test result or undergo a 14-day quarantine, among other requirements.
HAITI
American visitors to Haiti must quarantine for 14 days after arrival, among other coronavirus protocols, according to the U.S. Embassy in Haiti website.
JAMAICA
Americans must complete an online Travel Authorization to visit Jamaica, and travelers older than 12 will also have to submit a negative PCR test result taken within 10 days before arrival. The island’s borders have been open since June 15, and testing requirements have tightened since then: The country now requires a negative result for citizens of the United States, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Panama to enter.
MARTINIQUE
Travelers to Martinique must show a negative COVID-19 PCR test result or undergo a 14-day quarantine, among other requirements.
ST. BARTHÉLEMY
St. Barth reopened to tourists, with testing requirements, on June 22.
ST. LUCIA
St. Lucia is open to American travelers who complete a prearrival registration form and provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, among other restrictions.
ST. MARTIN/ST. MAARTEN
The island of St. Martin, divided into a French side and a Dutch side, opened to travelers from the Caribbean, Europe and Canada in July and to Americans on Aug. 1, requiring negative COVID-19 test results. According to the U.S. Consulate General’s website, social-distancing protocols remain in effect.
ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
Americans and other international travelers are allowed to visit St. Vincent and the Grenadines by following specific protocols outlined by the ministry of national security, including a negative COVID-19 test result.
ST. KITTS AND NEVIS
St. Kitts and Nevis reopened to commercial air travel Oct. 31, but travelers visiting from outside the Caribbean are required to quarantine for 14 days at an approved hotel or resort. The tourism board states on its website that visitors from the United States and Canada “are free to move about the hotel property, interact with other guests and partake in hotel activities” until the seventh day of their arrival, when they will take another COVID-19 test. “If the traveler tests negative on day 8, they are allowed, through the hotel’s tour desk, to book select excursions and access select destination sites.” And if on day 14 the visitor tests negative again, they can then move around the country without restriction.
Americans are permitted to enter and go straight to their resort with health declaration forms and a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before arrival.
TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
Turks and Caicos Islands opened its borders July 22 and now requires a travel authorization that includes a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within five days prior to arrival.
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
The U.S. Virgin Islands, which include St. Thomas and St. Croix, reopened in September to travelers with a negative coronavirus test. Visitors younger than 5 are not required to be tested.
STILL CLOSED
These countries remain closed to all tourists: Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, and Montserrat. Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, has postponed its official inbound tourism and is only allowing essential travel at this time.