2021 Travel Outlook for 10 Popular Caribbean Destinations

The Caribbean countries most popular with American travelers, and the beautiful natural environments, sun-and-fun activities and engaging cultures and cuisine that are their enduring treasures, are still within reach, albeit with appropriate health and safety protocols in place.

Destinations across the region have implemented comprehensive procedures and protocols to ensure the safety of visitors as well as resident populations.

In most cases, the protocols have not limited visitor access to the most popular attractions and activities available to travelers across the islands. Here's a look at 2021 developments in 10 Caribbean countries:

Travelers to this tiny Caribbean gem will find more than 100 resorts, attractions, tours and excursions certified as "Safe Environment" operators. Certified eateries include popular Anguilla favorites Blanchard's, Straw Hat, Ember and Mango's. The CuisinArt Golf Resort's Greg Norman-designed championship course is available to visitors. Offshore excursions to Little Bay, Sandy Island, Scilly Cay and Prickly Pear feature exclusive, private-beach experiences.

Under Anguilla's Phase Two reopening, travelers must visit the Anguilla Tourist Board website, complete a travel authorization form and submit a negative COVID-19 test result three to five days before arrival. Travelers must also purchase health insurance covering their travel including COVID-related treatment. Visitors will be given a PCR test on arrival.

The dual-island nation's array of white-sand beaches and historic sites, including the Nelson's Dockyard National Park and adjacent historic district, remain must-see visitor highlights. Antigua and Barbuda's array of white-sand beaches are also available to visitors.

More than 200 of Antigua's collection of diverse properties, ranging from small bed-and-breakfast hotels to larger all-inclusive and luxury boutique resorts, have been inspected and certified for operation under strict COVID-19 protocols by the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Health officials.

The country is among the Caribbean's most accessible, with flights available from American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, British Airways, Caribbean Airlines, interCaribbean Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Winair.

Aruba's outdoor attractions range from horseback and ATV excursions across the moon-like, rugged shoreline at Arikok National Park, to white-sand beachfronts and deluxe shopping and dining options in the capital of Oranjestad.

The Dutch Caribbean nation has implemented aggressive anti-COVID-19 in adherence with World Health Organization (WHO) travel guidelines and protocols under Aruba Tourism Authority guidance. ATA officials say Aruba's Health and Happiness Code and rigorous testing protocols are instrumental in maximizing traveler and resident safety.

Belize visitors have a new series of deluxe beachfront hotels from which to choose in 2021. Four new properties will open through the end of 2020: the Alaia Resort, Autograph Collection, Margaritaville Resort Belize, Belize Marriott Ambergris Caye Resort & Residences (December 2021) and Four Seasons Resort and Residences Caye Chapel.

Additionally, boutique resorts Naia Resort & Spa, Itz'ana Resort & Residences and Ka'ana Resort have all undergone significant renovation. Belize's Tourism Gold Standard Recognition Program features stringent hotel and restaurant health and safety protocols and operating procedures. Belize has also achieved the World Travel & Tourism Council's Safe Travels Stamp.

The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission (BVITB&FC) has partnered with private jet provider evoJets to offer travelers a $1,500 credit toward catering or ground or flight costs for any portion of a B.V.I. trip booked from an evoJets gateway in the U.S. and Canada.

Visitors must apply for a BVI Gateway Traveler Authorization Certificate within five days of travel and submit proof of a negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test. British Virgin Islands travelers must also obtain travel insurance including comprehensive medical coverage and complete the certificate application 48 hours prior to arrival.

Travelers to the Dutch Caribbean nation will find several new resorts including a Dreams by AMResorts property, the Corendon Mangrove Beach Resort, and the country's first Sandals Resorts property. The Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort and the Renaissance Curaçao Resort & Casino also recently completed major renovations.

Direct flights to Curaçao's Hato International Airport are available from Charlotte, N.C., Miami, Newark and New York. Hato airport features touchless technology to facilitate seamless access through customs and immigration.

American visitors are required to complete an online digital immigration card, fill out a passenger locator card within 48 hours of departure, upload proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result within 72 hours of traveling.

Jamaica has controlled local COVID-19 infection rates and maintained tourism activity via its "resilient corridors" system, implemented in conjunction with a program of COVID-19 protocols. The system limits visitors to the destination to hotels, resorts and tourist sites within the regions, and feature 90 percent of the country's tourism attractions while containing only one percent of its population.

Signature Jamaica experiences available within the resilient corridors include Martha Brae River rafting, tours of the Falmouth Luminous Lagoon and Ahhh Ras Natango Garden & Gallery and Jamaica Music Institute Tours excursions, which take visitors to the one-time home of reggae music legends Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh.

Puerto Rico's governor issued an executive order Tuesday revising the island's COVID-19 protocols, with measures including an 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew that began January 8. Puerto Rico's beaches, natural attractions, marinas and pools will be permitted to open in accordance with social distancing and mask-wearing guidelines. Discover Puerto Rico officials are presently recommending only "essential travel" to the island.

Travelers unable to postpone or cancel their visit are required to complete an online form, take a PCR COVID-19 test 72 hours before arrival and present proof of a negative test result upon arrival.

Several of the dual-island nation's resorts are available to international travelers, including the Four Seasons Resort Nevis, Golden Rock Inn, Marriott Vacation Beach Club, Paradise Beach, Park Hyatt, Royal St. Kitts Hotel and the St. Kitts Marriott Resort.

International travelers arriving in St. Kitts and Nevis by air are required to complete an online Travel Authorization form and upload a negative COVID-19 PCR test result from an approved lab within 72 hours of traveling. Visitors will be required to also produce a copy of their negative COVID 19 PCR test result upon arrival to the destination.

The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA)'s "It's Time for Saint Lucia" winter promotion features discounts of up to 65 percent off stays at more than three dozen Saint Lucia hotels, resorts and villas. Accommodation rate deals, airline packages, bookable on-island activities, dining options and Saint Lucia Covid-19 travel protocols are available on the program's website.

SLTA is also launching a sweepstakes offering travel advisors cash prizes, free trips and flight credits valued at more than $50,000. Prizes will be presented to the five top-producing advisors based on room nights and revenue booked between January 18 and March 20, 2021.