Caribbean Travel: Latest Advisories and Entry Requirements for Top Destinations

The Caribbean is very much open to travelers this summer, with several destinations receiving Level 1 travel advisories from the U.S. State Department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), indicating that they are safe to visit in the time of COVID-19. Here's a look at the latest expert advice for some of the region's top islands and destinations as well as entry requirements travelers can expect in 2021.

U.S. travelers age 12 and older to the Caribbean islands of Antigua and Barbuda must have a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR (real-time polymerase chain reaction) test result that was taken within seven days of their flight. Fully vaccinated visitors will have more options in terms of accommodations and quarantine restrictions, but getting vaccinated is not a requirement to visit. Antigua and Barbuda has reported just three COVID-19 cases over the two-week period from June 29 to July 12, prompting the State Department to issue a Level 1 travel advisory (exercise normal precautions) and the CDC to issue a Level 1 Travel Health Notice, indicating a low level of coronavirus on the islands.

The State Department is advising Americans to reconsider travel to Aruba due to COVID-related conditions this summer, pointing out that the CDC has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for the island, indicating a high level of COVID-19. Nonetheless, Aruba reported just 37 total cases for the two-week period of June 29-July 12. Visiting Aruba will soon become easier for many as some U.S. residents who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 may be exempt from COVID-19 testing requirements starting on Wednesday, July 14. Travelers will still need to complete the online Embarkation/Disembarkation (ED Card) process, which includes purchasing mandatory COVID-19 health insurance prior to travel.

The eastern Caribbean island of Barbados has received both the State Department's and CDC's lowest travel advisories, reporting fewer than 4,200 cases since the pandemic was first declared. Visitors must complete an Online Immigration/Customs form and submit it 24 hours prior to travel and provide proof of a negative PCR test taken within three days of departure, regardless of vaccination status.

The British Virgin Islands continues to be one of the safest overseas destinations this summer, with the State Department advising travelers to exercise normal precautions (Level 1) and the CDC indicating a low level of COVID-19 in the islands. Visitors must register to travel on the BVI Gateway App 48 hours prior to their trip and secure a negative RT-PCR test or an approved rapid antigen test taken within five days of arrival. Travelers are also required to download contract tracing software to their mobile phones.

The Dominican Republic remains open to international travelers without proof of a negative COVID-19 test or vaccination against the virus. However, authorities continue to conduct rapid tests on randomly selected arrivals as well as temperature checks. As of June 16, the State Department advises Americans to reconsider travel to the DR due to COVID-19, with the CDC issuing a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for the destination, indicating a high level of coronavirus in the country.

Guadeloupe recently reopened to fully vaccinated Americans, with flights from the U.S. resuming July 13. Inoculated visitors can avoid quarantine with proof of an accepted COVID-19 vaccination, including Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson, in addition to a negative PCR or antigen test that was taken within 72 hours (PCR) or 48 hours (antigen) of arrival. U.S. visitors will also provide a sworn statement confirming that they don't have any COVID-19 symptoms and have not had recent contact with an infected person. As of July 12, the State Department encourages citizens to reconsider travel to the French West Indies due to health and safety measures and COVID-related conditions while the CDC warns of a high level of COVID-19 in the Guadeloupe Islands.

The State Department recommends that U.S. travelers reconsider plans to visit Jamaica due to COVID-19 and exercise increased caution on the island due to crime. Currently, the CDC has listed the country at Level 2 on its Travel Health Notice scale, indicating a moderate level of COVID-19. Americans visiting Jamaica this summer will require an approved Travel Authorization form prior to boarding their flight, and all travelers age 12 and up must show proof of a negative COVID-19 molecular (PCR, NAA, RNA) or antigen test that was taken within three days of travel.

The CDC warns of a moderate level of COVID-19 in Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory that Americans can visit without a passport or requiring a negative COVID-19 test in order to return home to the mainland. Inoculated U.S. visitors must upload an official Vaccination Card through the Travel Declaration Form portal while non-vaccinated travelers to Puerto Rico are required to provide a negative PCR molecular or antigen COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival or risk a $300 fine.

The dual-island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis has received a Level 3 travel advisory from the State Department (reconsider travel due to COVID-19) and a Level 3 Travel Health Notice from the CDC, which indicates a high level of coronavirus in the country. Still, the destination is open to fully vaccinated travelers who complete the Travel Authorization Form, uploading proof of vaccination, a booking at an approved hotel and a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of travel. As of July 12, the destination's Vacation in Place period for fully vaccinated international air travelers has been reduced from nine days to three days, with visitors testing on the fourth day and afforded freedom of movement upon receiving a negative test result.

Saint Lucia is open to all travelers regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status as long as they submit a travel registration form and a negative PCR test (visitors age five and up) taken within five days of arrival. Currently, the State Department asks Americans to reconsider travel to the island while the CDC warns of a high level of coronavirus in the country. Saint Lucia has reported just over 5,400 COVID-19 cases as of July 13.

Located just south of Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines also receives a Level 3 travel advisory (reconsider travel due to COVID-19) and a Level 3 Travel Health Notice (high level of COVID-19) from the State Department and CDC, respectively. The destination is open to U.S. travelers who complete the pre-arrival form and meet other entry requirements. Fully vaccinated visitors must have a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result produced no more than 72 hours of arrival, will be retested on arrival and must complete mandatory quarantine for at least 48 hours in an approved quarantine hotel at their cost while awaiting their results.

Turks and Caicos receives a Level 2 travel advisory from the State Department, with officials recommending that visitors exercise increased caution in the islands due to crime. The CDC has also issued a Level 1 Travel Health Notice for Turks and Caicos, which reported just 12 COVID-19 cases over the two-week period from June 29 to July 12. At the moment, all travelers to the islands are required to secure travel pre-authorization via the TCI Assured Portal, which includes submitting a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within five days prior to travel (children under the age of 10 are exempt), purchasing insurance that covers COVID-19 medical costs and full hospitalization, doctors' visits, prescriptions and air ambulance and completing an online health screening questionnaire.

Like Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands affords Americans the opportunity to visit without requiring a passport or a negative COVID-19 test ahead of their return home to the mainland. Nonetheless, the CDC still warns of a high level of COVID-19 in the islands, and travelers age five and older are required to test negative for the coronavirus within five days of travel to the USVI or show proof of recovery from the virus via a COVID-19 antibody finger stick or blood test that was taken with a positive result received within four months of travel.