Caribbean islands are open for travel: A guide to travel restrictions

Most Caribbean islands have reopened to international tourism, with protocols in place to protect visitors and residents against Covid-19, but the entry requirements for several islands have been changing as Covid cases rise or fall. In addition, several islands have begun adopting two-track entry regulations for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers. Here are the latest developments for travel from the U.S. to each Caribbean country.

All international passengers flying into the U.S. from the Caribbean islands (with the exception of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) will need to provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test received no more than 72 hours prior to boarding the flight to the U.S. Airlines will deny boarding to those passengers who do not produce a test result. Since the rule was announced many hotels in the Caribbean region have stepped up to offer their guests pre-travel testing.

In addition, the CDC recommends that travelers get tested again three to five days after arrival and stay home for seven days after travel, unless they have been fully vaccinated.

Updated June 8.

Anguilla

The island is lifting a lockdown and welcoming visitors again as of May 25. U.S. travelers must apply through the visitor portal. Vaccinated travelers who have had the final dose of vaccine administered at least 21 days before arrival must submit a negative Covid-19 test result three to five days before travel, be tested upon arrival and quarantine for seven days. Unvaccinated travelers must quarantine for 14 days and take a second test on day 14. Families or groups with a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers must quarantine for 10 days. The Entry Application fee for all  travelers staying under 90 days in a villa, hotel or private home is $300 per individual and $200 for each additional person. All travelers to Anguilla connecting through St. Maarten must comply with St. Maarten’s health screening application form. Starting July 1, unvaccinated travelers will not be allowed to enter Anguilla; quarantine and the test upon arrival are dropped for vaccinated travelers, although a negative Covid-19 test three to five days before entry will still be required. All requirements for unvaccinated travelers will remain in effect. Updated May 16.

Antigua and Barbuda

Open to U.S. travelers. U.S. travelers must submit proof of a negative PCR test taken seven days before boarding and complete the Traveler Accommodation form upon arrival in Antigua. Visitors who complete a successful screening (temperature check) by health officials are not required to quarantine once booked at a certified accommodations (at least 160 hotels and villa properties are certified) and can participate in certified tours/activities, including destination weddings, dining out and certain land and sea activities. More information: www.visitantiguabarbuda.com.  Updated March 5.

Aruba

Open to U.S. visitors. All travelers are required to fill out an Embarkation/Disembarkation card between 72 and four hours prior to travel. U.S. visitors have the option of taking the PCR test at their own expense upon arrival at the airport in Aruba ($75) or can upload a negative test result from a test taken at within 72 hours at least 12 hours prior to departure. If they opt for a test upon arrival they must quarantine at their hotel until the test results are received. All visitors must purchase and pay for the Aruba Travel Insurance within 72 hours prior to departure; they can use their existing medical insurance to supplement the Aruba policy, but it cannot replace the Aruba Travel Insurance, which is $30 per person for those 15 and older, and $10 for those under 15. More information: visitaruba.com. 

Bahamas

Open to U.S. visitors. Fully vaccinated travelers are exempt from the Covid-19 PCR test for entry and all interisland travel. They must upload proof of vaccination confirming they have passed the two-week immunity period. Unvaccinated travelers must upload a negative PCR test result taken within five days of arrival in the Bahamas. All visitors must complete and upload a Bahamas Travel Visa and are required to opt into the mandatory health insurance plan when applying for the health visa. The fee is paid in advance and the price depends upon the length of stay. All visitors must complete a daily health questionnaire during their stay. All visitors staying more than five days must take a rapid antigen test on day five. Testing centers are located in many hotels, resorts, medical centers, marinas and municipal locations. More information: www.bahamas.com/travelupdates. Updated April 29.

Barbados

Open to U.S. visitors. All incoming U.S. travelers over the age of 5 years must complete the online Immigration and Customs form 24 hours prior to arrival in Barbados. Fully vaccinated travelers are required
to provide a vaccination certificate upon arrival, provide proof of a
negative PCR test result taken within three days of travel, have a
standard Covid-19 test done at the airport in Barbados or at the
approved accommodation, use designated transportation providers to
approved accommodation while awaiting test result and quarantine for one to
two days. Unvaccinated travelers from or who have transited through
a country where certain variants of Covid-19 concern Barbados must
provide a negative PCR test taken three days prior to arrival, use a
designated transport provider, quarantine in rooms for five to seven
days and take second test five days after arrival. Children under 18
traveling with vaccinated guardians are allowed to adhere to vaccinated
traveler guidelines. More information: www.visitbarbados.org. Updated April 12.

Bermuda

Open to U.S. visitors. Travelers are required to complete the Bermuda Travel Authorization process online within 48 hours of departure. The fee is $75, which includes the cost of all Covid testing in Bermuda. Children nine and younger do not have to be tested at any point, and their Travel Authorization fee is $30. Visitors ages 10 and up must submit proof of a negative Covid test taken no more than five days before departure. Visitors must take a Covid test upon arrival and quarantine in hotel room until results are obtained (usually six to eight hours). Visitors are required to wear a Traveler Wristband for the first 14 days of their stay; the wristbands will be distributed during testing at arrival. Tests also are required on day 4, on day 8 and on day 14 of their trip at pop-up testing centers, with immediate results. A stay-at-home order is in place as of April 13. More information: www.gotobermuda.com. Updated April 12.

Bonaire

Open to U.S. travelers. Visitors must produce proof of a negative PCR test done within 72 hours of arrival and take an antigen test within 24 hours of arrival; Bonaire has added the availability of rapid antigen testing at its Flamingo Airport to help travelers adhere to the current testing protocol. Travelers must complete a health questionnaire. All businesses, including hotels, car rentals, tour operators, watersports operators, taxis and restaurants, will carry a Bonaire Friendly Safety Seal certifying that they have been inspected and approved regarding health and safety standards. Updated May 27.

British Virgin Islands

Open to U.S. travelers. The quarantine period for fully vaccinated travelers has been lowered to one day, pending a negative PCR test done upon arrival. All travelers are required to register on the BVI portal 48 hours prior to departure to obtain the Traveller Authorization Certificate ($105) and submit proof of a negative PCR test taken within five days of departure and medical insurance that includes coverage for Covid-19. Vaccinated travelers must show proof of vaccination status. Quarantine time for unvaccinated travelers is seven days (up from four). At the Welcome Center at the Terrance Lettsome airport, visitors will have a health screening and take a PCR test. Approved transportation will shuttle visitors to certified accommodations, where they will quarantine, take another PCR test and, if negative, be allowed to visit designated locations. Visitors will pay $175 per person for two PCR tests. If visitors need a test to exit the BVI, the government will charge $70 per test. More information: bvitourism.com. Updated May 16.

Cayman Islands

The borders are not currently open to U.S. visitors. 

Cuba

Open to U.S. visitors. All arriving passengers must submit a health declaration, produce a Cuba Tourist Card (available from the airlines) and produce a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours prior to arrival and take another PCR test upon arrival, with results available within 24 hours. The test upon arrival is free. All incoming travelers must have travel insurance that covers Covid-19 during their stay. Visitors must quarantine in accommodations until results arrive and be PCR tested at their own expense on Day 5. American visitors are barred from strictly tourist vacations to the all-inclusive resorts on the north coast but can travel to Cuba under 12 specific categories, the most popular of which is Support for the Cuban People. All regulations are detailed at https://cu.embassy.gov/covid-19-information. 

Curacao

Open to U.S. visitors. Visitors must complete a Digital Immigration Card, fill out and upload a Passenger Locator Card within 48 hours of departure (carry a printed copy as proof upon arrival) and upload proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure (carry a printed copy, as well). Guests who do not had Covid-19 in the past six months must also take a rapid antigen test at a local lab on the third day of a stay. If the test result is positive, the traveler has to quarantine per local guidelines. Appointments must be booked and paid for in advance. Travelers will receive a pre-confirmation email including a booking reference number, the local lab website and instructions after submitting their Passenger Locator Card. Children six and under are exempt from the test requirement. A surge of Covid cases prompted the new restrictions in Curacao, and visitors must abide by an islandwide curfew that began April 2, from 7 p.m. until 4:30 a.m. Updated April 22.

Dominica

Open to U.S. visitors. Visitors must upload an online health questionnaire at least 24 hours prior to arrival; submit a negative PCR test result taken between 24 and 72 hours before arrival, and receive an email notification from Dominica of clearance to travel. Once on the ground in Dominica, visitors have a temperature check and undergo rapid test screening at no charge, with results available in 15 to 20 minutes. If test result is negative, guests go through immigration and customs and are transferred to a property that has been certified safe by the Environmental Health Department. and quarantine for five days. A PCR test ($40) will be administered on day five; if negative, the traveler is free to move about the island. Visitors who transit in the following islands (Antigua, Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and St. Lucia) must follow the entry regulations of that island as well as adhere to the entry requirements for Dominica. Visitors arriving from high-risk destinations can book the Safe In Nature managed experience, which enables them to experience island activities beyond their accommodations during the first five to seven days of their stay. Updated April 22.

Dominican Republic

Open to U.S. visitors. All travelers are required to fill out a Traveler’s Health Affidavit. Travelers will get a temperature check upon arrival. A rapid Breathalyzer-style test will be performed on randomly selected travelers upon arrival. The test takes five minutes and detects if a traveler was exposed or infected within the last four hours. If positive, the traveler quarantines in a designated area within his hotel and is regularly tested until symptoms are gone. Health and travel insurance coverage that covers hospitalization for coronavirus in the DR, telemedicine services, costs for extended hotel stays and airline ticket changes is required and is free to travelers through July 30. More information: godominicanrepublic.com. Updated June 8.

Grenada

Open to U.S. visitors. Fully vaccinated travelers entering Grenada only have to
quarantine for 48 hours, pending a negative PCR test upon arrival. They
must book approved accommodations for a minimum of two nights, apply for
a travel authorization and provide proof of a negative PCR test done 72
hours prior to travel. Unvaccinated travelers must provide proof of a
seven-day booking in approved accommodations, provide proof of negative
PCR test done 72 hours prior to arrival (for anyone aged five and over).
All information must be entered digitally no later than 48 hours prior
to the date of travel. Unvaccinated travelers must  quarantine at their
approved hotel for the first five days of their visit; on day five, take
a second PCR test. If negative, they can then move about the island.
All travelers must prepay for the PCR tests in Grenada, which costs
approximately $150 each. Updated April 23.

Guadeloupe

The borders are not currently open to U.S. visitors. 

Haiti

Open to U.S. visitors. All visitors must produce a negative Covid-19 antigen or PCR test result taken no more than 72 hours prior to boarding a flight to Haiti. Passengers who have previously had Covid may present a positive test together with documentation from their attending physician as evidence of their recovery. For passengers traveling to the U.S., the departure terminal at Toussaint Louverture Airport offers the Covid-19 rapid test that meets CDC criteria for all airline passenger two years and older. Updated March 4.

Jamaica

Open to U.S. visitors. Travelers from the U.S. must get a negative Covid-19 PCR or antigen test taken within three days of travel. Arriving passengers are required to complete and submit the online Travel Authorization between two and five days prior to their planned arrival in Jamaica. Once travelers are approved, they receive a certificate that must be submitted during the airline check-in process. Once on the island, visitors must remain in the Resilient Corridors on the north and south coasts and must stay at a Covid-19 Protocol Compliant Approved accommodation. Updated March 15.

Martinique

The borders are not currently open to U.S. visitors. 

Monserrat

The borders are not currently open to U.S. visitors.

Puerto Rico

Open to U.S. visitors Fully vaccinated travelers arriving from U.S. states do not need to provide a negative Covid-19 test result. They must present a valid vaccination card upon entry. Covid-19 test results continue to be required for all unvaccinated travelers and those arriving on international flights. The test must be done 72 hours prior to arrival, and a Travel Declaration Form must be filled out through the Puerto Rico Health Department’s portal to obtain an Airport Exit Confirmation Number and a QR code. Passengers arriving without a negative test will be fined $300 and will be required to obtain a molecular PCR or antigen test on the island within 48 hours of arrival; if negative, the fine will be dismissed. Since Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, a negative Covid test is not required for Americans on the return flight. Updated May 27.

St. Barts

Open to U.S. visitors. All visitors 18 and over must be fully vaccinated, and all those 10 and older need proof of a negative PCR test taken no more than three days prior to travel or a rapid antigen test done no more than two full days prior to travel. Visitors who transit through St. Maarten need to pre-register to enter and must show results of the negative PCR test. U.S. visitors traveling to St. Barts through San Juan must show results of the negative PCR test. More information: www.saintbarth.com. Updated June 8.

St. Kitts and Nevis

Open to U.S. travelers. Only fully vaccinated visitors can enter the country, effective May 29. Visitors must complete the Travel Authorization Form and submit a copy of their official vaccination card, along with their arrival date and KN number generated on their completed travel form via email or WhatsApp. Once these documents are accepted, travelers must upload their negative PCR test result taken with 72 hours prior to departure. Upon receipt, the traveler will receive the approval letter to enter the Federation. They must undergo a health screening at the airport on arrival, which includes a temperature check and a health questionnaire. Fully vaccinated travelers must “vacation in place” at one of seven Travel Approved hotels for nine days. Those travelers staying beyond nine days must be tested on day nine ($150). When a negative result is obtained, they are free to participate in tours, visit attractions, restaurants, beach bars and go shopping. Families traveling with nonvaccinated children under 18 who are staying 10 days or more must vacation in place until day 14 when the child will be tested. If negative, they are free to move about the destination. More information: www.stkittstourism.kn/travel-advisory-update and www.nevisisland.com. Updated May 27.

St. Lucia

Open to U.S. visitors. Fully vaccinated travelers must upload proof of vaccination when they fill out the pre-arrival travel authorization form. They must travel with their vaccination card. Upon arrival in St. Lucia, they are expedited via a dedicated Health Screening line and receive a non-electronic wristband which must be worn during their stay. Vaccinated visitors can book rental cars, dine at local restaurants, explore shops and markets and take part in additional activities on the island. Non-vaccinated travelers continue to be permitted to stay at up to two certified and approved properties for the first 14 days of their stay. All travelers ages five and up must obtain a negative PCR test taken no more than five days before arrival, submit the online travel registration form, stay at a Covid-19 certified hotel, submit to a health screening upon arrival and adhere to safety protocols in place, which include mask wearing in public places. More information: www.stlucia.org/covid-19. Updated June 8. 

St. Maarten/St. Martin

Both the Dutch side and the French side of the island are open to U.S. visitors. A completed health declaration must be uploaded before departing for the island; U.S. visitors must submit proof of a negative Covid test result taken within five days before arrival or an FDA-approved rapid test taken within 48 hours of departure. The St. Maarten SXM Protection Plan is mandatory health coverage for visitors. The plan covers hospital costs, ICU costs, doctor consultations, Covid-19 tests and, if necessary, medical evacuation. For those 15 and up, the cost is $30 for visits up to 180 days; it’s $10 for those under 15 years of age.  Updated May 16.

Saba

Open to U.S. travelers. Travelers need to obtain approval before arriving in Saba. Fully vaccinated adults must provide proof of a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before arrival and are not required to quarantine. Nonvaccinated travelers must quarantine for five days and take a rapid antigen test on day five. Transit travelers connecting through St. Maarten prior to visiting Saba must follow St. Maarten’s entry requirements in addition to those for Saba. Updated: April 22. 

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Open to U.S. travelers. The island-wide ash cleanup from the eruption of La Soufriere volcano on St. Vincent April 9 continues, but Argyle airport is open to commercial traffic. All visitors must complete the pre-arrival form, show results of a negative PCR test done 72 hours before arrival and arrive with a fully paid reservation. Fully vaccinated visitors must show proof of vaccination, be retested upon arrival, quarantine for 48 hours and can then move to a “bubble protocol” hotel (three in Canouan, one in Bequia, one in Mustique and Petit St. Vincent Island & Resort. Unvaccinated visitors must quarantine for 14 days in a tourism-approved hotel at their own cost and be retested on day 4 and day 7 of quarantine. Updated May 18.

Turks and Caicos

Open to U.S. visitors. International travelers will be required to obtain certification using TCI Assured, an online portal. The portal will require travelers to submit the following information: a negative Covid-19 PCR test result taken within five days of travel; proof of medical/travel insurance that covers medical evacuation, costs related to quarantine, ambulance care or care at a local hospital; and a completed online health screening questionnaire. Once uploaded, the documents will be verified and a TCI Assured certification issued. The TCI Assured travel authorization must be presented at time of check-in.

U.S. Virgin Islands

Open to U.S. visitors. Every U.S. traveler 5 and older is required to use the USVI travel portal and submit either a negative Covid-19 test result or a negative Covid-19 rapid antigen test taken within five days of travel or a Covid-19 antibody (rapid) finger stick or blood draw test with a positive result received within four months of travel to the territory. Upon arrival travelers must submit the original test result and travel certification received from the portal. Travelers unable to produce the required test result are subject to a 14-day self-quarantine in their booked accommodations or until they a receive negative test result. Since the USVI is a U.S. territory, Americans returning from the islands do not have to produce proof of a Covid test as per the new CDC guidelines.

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