Caribbean Travel 2021: Islands Americans Can Escape to this Winter

The Caribbean has always been one of the most accessible regions for American travelers but it's also been one of the fastest to safely reopen amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Americans can currently visit a plethora of coveted isolated warm-weather destinations. Here are a dozen island escapes U.S. travelers can make this winter.

Visitors to Aruba will need to complete a five-component online embarkation/disembarkation process that includes providing basic traveler information; a personal health assessment and a negative COVID-19 molecular test result taken within 72 hours of departure, among other requirements. Travelers will also need to purchase Aruba Visitors Insurance for a flat premium of $30 ($10 for children age 0-14) and consent to Aruba's government mandates.

U.S. travelers visiting the Bahamas this winter are required to submit a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within five days prior to arrival. Visitors will also need to submit a Bahamas Health Travel Visa at travel.gov.bs, opt-in to the mandatory health insurance plan and undergo a COVID-19 rapid antigen test on their fifth day in the islands. If the day 5 test comes back negative, travelers will be permitted to move beyond their accommodations.

Americans over the age of five traveling to Barbados are required to complete the country's online Immigration and Customs form at travel form.gov.bb 24 hours prior to arrival, show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival and agree to take a COVID-19 rapid antigen test upon arrival. Visitors should be prepared to quarantine for five nights at an approved accommodation provider and take a second COVID-19 PCR test during their stay, with a negative result freeing them up to move about the island.

The British Virgin Islands recently reopened to Americans, who are required to obtain a Traveler Authorization Certificate at least 48 hours prior to departure and provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within three days of departure in order to gain entry. Visitors will also need proof of medical insurance that includes coverage in the event that they contract COVID-19. Upon arrival, travelers can expect a health screening and a COVID-19 PCR test. They'll also have to download a contact tracing app and quarantine for at least four days before being tested again. Travelers will have to pay $175 per person for a pair of COVID-19 PCR tests in the islands, a contact-tracing bracelet and the COVID-19 monitoring app.

Mexico is open to Americans without proof of a negative COVID-19 test result and that means travelers can access the largest island in the Mexican Caribbean this winter. Located just off of the coast of Playa del Carmen, Cozumel is beloved for its vibrant coral reefs, sensational beaches and golf courses, among other attractions.

In order to visit Curacao, travelers will need to complete the island's Digital Immigration Card as well as a Passenger Locator Card within 48 hours of departure and upload proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure (travelers age 7 and over). Travelers should carry printed copies of the locator card and negative test results throughout their stay.

One of the Caribbean's best-kept secrets, Dominica is a dream destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Currently, visitors need to upload an online health questionnaire at least 24 hours prior to their arrival and submit a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken between 24 and 72 hours of arrival. Approved visitors will then receive an email from the country confirming their clearance for travel. Health screenings and testing will continue upon arrival, however, as visitors can expect to undergo a temperature check and a free COVID-19 rapid test when they touch down. Officials will administer a COVID-19 PCR test for $40 on day 5 of their stay, with a negative test freeing them up to move about the island.

The Spice Isle is open to visitors who successfully apply for a Pure Safe Travel Certificate, which includes a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 72 hours of travel (travelers aged five and over); proof of a reservation from one of the Pure Safe travel accommodations of at least five days (visitors must quarantine at their hotel for the first four days of their stay) and health declaration forms and waivers. Travelers will also need to download the Ronatrac mobile app for contact tracing.

Jamaica has established resilient corridors to allow for safe tourism in the time of COVID-19. The new protocol requires U.S. travelers to test negative for COVID-19 within 10 days of departure and complete the country's online Travel Authorization between two and five days of their arrival to receive a certificate they'll need for the airline check-in process. Visitors will need to remain within the resilient corridors and stay at one of Jamaica's COVID-19 Protocol Compliant Approved accommodations.

A U.S. territory that doesn't require a passport or a negative COVID-19 test for return flights to the U.S. for American travelers, Puerto Rico is currently requiring visitors to present a negative COVID-19 test that's taken 72 hours prior to arrival. Visitors should also expect to have to fill out a Travel Declaration Form at travelsafe.pr.gov and secure an Airport Exit Confirmation number and QR code. Without a negative test result, visitors will need to quarantine for 14 days or the length of the stay, whichever is shorter, or until they can produce negative test results.

Americans visiting Saint Lucia this winter will need a negative COVID-19 test result produced within seven days of travel and a completed pre-arrival registration form as well as confirmation of their COVID-19-certified hotel. Arriving travelers should anticipate additional health screening at the airport. Passengers exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms on arrival will be tested and forced to quarantine at their hotel until results are confirmed. A positive test will result in hospital isolation.

Travelers age five and older need to apply for entry into the U.S. Virgin Islands through the USVI Travel Screening Portal. Doing so will require a negative COVID-19 test result received within five days of travel or a positive COVID-19 antibody finger stick or blood draw test taken within four months of travel. Without proof of a negative test result, visitors will be subject to a 14-day quarantine at their own expense until they can produce a negative test result. Like Puerto Rico, Americans returning to the mainland U.S. from the USVI this winter don't have to worry about testing negative for COVID-19.