Ultimate Travel Guide to Famous Caribbean Islands in Pandemic Context

Anguilla (Photo: Cruise Mapper)

Anguilla

Both the U.S. State Department and the CDC have issued Level 3 travel advisories for Anguilla due to Covid-19, with the former recommending that Americans reconsider travel and the latter warning of a high level of Covid-19 in the British territory. Anguilla is currently open to pre-approved travelers who have been fully vaccinated at least three weeks prior to arrival. In order to apply for the travel authorization, visitors must submit a negative RT-PCR test taken three to five days before arrival.

The Bahamas (Photo: Lonely Planet)

The Bahamas

Americans are being advised to avoid travel to the Bahamas due to Covid-19 as of August 23, according to the U.S. State Department. The CDC has also issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for the islands indicating a very high level of coronavirus in the country.

Effective October 1, 2021, all fully vaccinated travelers wishing to travel inter-island within The Bahamas from Nassau & Paradise Island, Grand Bahama Island, or any other island of The Bahamas, will be required to obtain a negative rapid antigen test, taken no more than five (5) days prior to the date of travel.

Those traveling to The Bahamas from other countries who have been fully vaccinated will be required to obtain a negative Covid-19 test (either a Rapid Antigen Test or PCR), taken no more than five (5) days prior to the date of arrival to The Bahamas. The name and address of the lab where the test was performed must be clearly displayed on the test result

Bonaire (Photo: Best time to visit)

Bonaire

Bonaire was among the safest Caribbean destinations open to travelers all summer long but the State Department listed the island at a Level 3 on September 21, advising travelers to "reconsider travel to Bonaire due to health and safety measures and Covid-related conditions." The CDC also warns of a high level of Covid-19 and recommends that individuals get fully vaccinated before travel, according to Travel Purse.

Visitors to Bonaire are required to submit a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival to the island and a negative antigen test was taken within 24 hours of departure or a negative Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) taken within 24 hours of departure from the U.S. Travelers will also need to complete a Health Declaration Form between 72 and 48 hours before their departure. As of September 1, all American tourists must undergo a free antigen test at the Public Health Department on day five of their stay.

Cayman Islands (Photo: Trip Savvy)

Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands is experiencing a low level of Covid-19 heading into the fall, with the CDC issuing a Level 1 Travel Health Notice. However, the State Department's Level 3 travel advisory asks Americans to reconsider plans due to Covid-related restrictions.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Jamaica, only some U.S. citizens are permitted to enter, including Caymanians, permanent residents, work permit holders and their families, persons who own residential property within the Cayman Islands, students with a valid visa to study in the Cayman Islands, persons with close family ties to residents or work permit holders such as spouses, fiancés, parents, grandparents, children and siblings, persons approved on the Global Citizen Concierge Program and other visitors approved via the Travel Cayman team.

Dominican Republic (Photo: CN Travelers)

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is listed at a Level 2 on the State Department's travel advisory scale, with officials recommending that travelers exercise increased caution in the country to Covid-19.

Most foreign travelers do not need to present a negative Covid-19 test upon arrival to enter the Dominican Republic. Airports and other ports of entry will perform a quick, aleatory breath test on a percentage of passengers, and all those who present symptoms, upon arrival. Passengers under the age of five and crew members are exempt from this procedure. Passengers who present a vaccination card no less than 3 weeks after the last dose was placed or a negative PCR test was taken within 72 hours prior to arrival in the Dominican Republic will be exempted from the random test.

All passengers will also need to perform a temperature check. Passengers who present symptoms or whose test results are positive will be isolated and attended at authorized locations. Prior to departure, travelers should confirm with their airline provider and airport of origin regarding any testing or other related requirements for inbound flights to the Dominican Republic, or necessary requirements needed upon arrival to their country of origin, according to Go Dominican Republic.

Guadeloupe (Photo: SagaWa)

Guadeloupe

The State Department and CDC have issued Level 4 travel advisories for Guadeloupe, citing health and safety measures and Covid-related conditions and warning of a very high level of Covid-19. Guadeloupe is currently open to Americans. Fully vaccinated individuals will still need a negative PCR or antigen test that was taken within 72 hours (PCR) or 48 hours (antigen) of arrival.

What's more, U.S. visitors will also need to provide a sworn statement confirming that they don't have any Covid-19 symptoms and have not had recent contact with a person who has been infected. Unvaccinated visitors from the U.S. must present a compelling reason for their trip and will be subject to a mandatory seven-day quarantine.

Jamaica (Photo: Travel + Leisure)

Jamaica

The State Department issued a Level 4 travel advisory for Jamaica on September 7, recommending that U.S. citizens avoid travel to the Caribbean island due to the threat of Covid-19.

"Because of the current situation in Jamaica, even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading Covid-19 variants," said CDC. According to Visit Jamaica, travelers need to get a Covid-19 test within 3 days of planned travel to Jamaica and present their Travel Authorization and negative Covid-19 test result.

Puerto Rico (Photo: Agoda)

Puerto Rico

The CDC has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Puerto Rico indicating a very high level of Covid-19 and encourages visitors to get fully vaccinated before traveling to the U.S. territory. To enter, Americans will need to upload their official vaccination card through the Travel Declaration Form portal or provide evidence of either a PCR molecular or antigen Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival.

If arriving without a test, travelers are required to upload either a PCR molecular or antigen Covid-19 test taken on the island within 48 hours of arrival or risk a $300 fine. Travelers should keep in mind that proof of vaccination is now required for all hotel and short-term rental guests as well as those entering restaurants, bars, and other indoor venues where food and drink are served. Access without proof of vaccination will require a negative PCR or antigen test taken within 72 hours of the beginning of your visit.

Saint Lucia (Photo: Lonely Planet)

Saint Lucia

U.S. citizens are being advised to avoid travel to Saint Lucia due to Covid-19 as of August 30, according to the latest State Department travel advisory. The CDC warns of a very high level of the virus on the island. As of mid-September, adult travelers 18 years and older visiting Saint Lucia must complete and submit an online travel registration form in order to receive Travel Authorization.

All travelers aged five and older must take a Covid PCR test five days or less before arrival in the country and submit the negative results to the travel registration form for review and approval. Visitors must receive and print their travel authorization documents prior to travel or risk being denied boarding.

Turks and Caicos (Photo: NYT)

Turks and Caicos

With the CDC warning of a high level of Covid-19 in the Turks and Caicos Islands, the State Department is encouraging travelers to reconsider any plans to visit the British territory due to the virus as of September 7.

To visit the islands this fall, all travelers 16 years and older must be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, complete an online health screening questionnaire, present a negative Covid-19 test taken within three days prior to travel (children under the age of 10 are excluded from the testing requirement) and proof of insurance covering Covid-19 medical costs and full hospitalization, doctors' visits, prescriptions, and air ambulance.

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