Caribbean Travel: The Ultimate Guide To Visiting Popular Caribbean Islands This Fall

As summer turns to fall, temperatures begin to cool, and Atlantic hurricane season starts to wind down, the balmy sun-kissed islands of the Caribbean will surely be a top target among travelers seeking a long-awaited tropical vacation. The good news is that most destinations remain open to tourists; however, the bad news is that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has prompted heightened travel advisories from the U.S. State Department and Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and slightly more complicated entry requirements in many cases. The key to visiting safely and without issue is to know what to expect before you go. Here's a look at the latest guidance and entry requirements for some of the top islands throughout the Caribbean this September.

Both the 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 travel authorization, visitors must submit a negative RT-PCR test taken three to five days before arrival.

The State Department issued a Level 4 travel advisory for Antigua and Barbuda on September 21, advising Americans to avoid travel to the islands due to the pandemic. The CDC has also issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for the destination, indicating a very high level of COVID-19 and recommending that visitors are fully vaccinated if they must travel to Antigua and Barbuda. Currently, all air travelers to the islands require a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken within seven days of their flight and must complete a Health Declaration Form that will be distributed on the plane. Starting October 1, all arriving passengers will require a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken within four days of their flight. Children below the age of five do not require a negative test result.

Aruba is listed at the highest Level 4 on the State Department's travel advisory scale as of August 9. "Do not travel to Aruba due to COVID-related conditions," officials state, citing the CDC's Level 4 Travel Health Notice indicating a very high level of COVID-19 on the island. The destination, which has been reopened to eligible Americans since July 2020, continues to require a five-step online embarkation/disembarkation card process, which includes providing basic traveler information, submitting a personal health assessment, uploading a negative COVID-19 test result, purchasing Aruba Visitors Insurance and consenting to the local government's coronavirus mandates.

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. At the moment, all travelers to the Bahamas must apply for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa at travel.gov.bs. and opt-in to COVID-19 health insurance, the cost of which is included in the application fee. Currently, fully vaccinated visitors require a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken no more than five days prior to their arrival. If traveling inter-island within the country, inoculated individuals must obtain a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken no more than five days prior to the date of travel from the following islands: Nassau and Paradise Island, Grand Bahama, Bimini, Exuma, Abaco and North and South Eleuthera, including Harbour Island. Meanwhile, unvaccinated individuals ages 12 and older must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than five days prior to arrival. Unvaccinated children between the ages of two and 11 require a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken no more than five days prior to the date of arrival.

Americans are currently being advised to reconsider travel to Barbados due to COVID-19 as the CDC warns of a high level of the virus in the country. At the moment, even individuals who are fully vaccinated must travel with a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test result secured from an accredited or certified facility within three days prior to their arrival in Barbados. Keep in mind that LAMP tests, self-administered tests or home kits and rapid tests or tests using saliva samples won't be accepted. Vaccinated travelers will have to take a rapid COVID-19 test upon arrival and quarantine for up to 48 hours while they await the results while unvaccinated travelers are required to quarantine for as long as five days and then take another PCR test and remain in quarantine until results are received. This requires booking your stay ahead of time in a government-approved accommodation.

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. 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 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.

The State Department advises Americans to "not travel to the British Virgin Islands due to health and safety measures and COVID-related conditions" as of July 19. Meanwhile, the CDC warns of a very high level of COVID-19 in the islands. Currently, inoculated individuals with proof of vaccination can still visit by obtaining a BVI Gateway Traveler Authorization Certificate ($35) and securing a negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test taken within five days prior to arrival. Entry is more complicated for unvaccinated travelers, who will require a BVI Gateway Traveler Authorization Certificate ($175), proof of a negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test taken three to five days before arrival, another RT-PCR COVID-19 negative test upon arrival, a seven day quarantine period and a third RT-PCR COVID-19 negative test on the seventh day of their visit.

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.

The Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao has been on the State Department's "Do Not Travel" list since August 2 due to COVID-19, and the CDC has indicated a very high level of COVID-19 in the destination. Curacao currently considers the U.S. a very high-risk country, which means Americans traveling to the island must complete four steps, including filling out the digital immigration card online before departure, completing a Passenger Locator Card (PLC) 48 hours prior to their departure and carrying a printed or digital document of proof with them. Individuals will also need to show a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken no more than 48 hours before their flight and be in possession of printed or digital proof. Lastly, visitors must upload the negative test results to dicardcuracao.com before their departure and are also required to undergo an antigen test at a local lab on their third day in Curacao (the reservation and payment of the third day test is part of the PLC process).

The Nature Island of the Caribbean, Dominica has been on the State Department's "Do Not Travel" list since August 16, with officials pointing out that the CDC warns of a very high level of COVID-19 in the country. Fully vaccinated travelers visiting Dominica need to upload proof of vaccination, submit a health questionnaire online at least 24 hours prior to arrival, upload a negative PCR test result taken within 24-72 hours of arrival and pay for an antigen test online. Unvaccinated individuals will need to do the same but also book quarantine at a Safe in Nature certified property and upload proof of their booking.

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. The advisory reflects the CDC's Level 2 Travel Health Notice indicating a moderate level of coronavirus in the Dominican Republic. The destination does not require proof of a negative COVID-19 test result for Americans and most other travelers. Instead, officials are administering quick, aleatory breath tests to a percentage of arriving passengers and to those who present symptoms. Passengers under the age of five, those with proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival in the Dominican Republic are exempted from the random test. All passengers will also need to perform a temperature check upon arrival.

"Do not travel to Grenada due to COVID-19" is the State Department's advice as of September 13. The CDC continues to warn of a very high level of COVID-19 in the Caribbean country, which has established strict testing and quarantine requirements. Visitors will need to apply for a Pure Safe Travel Certificate, purchase travel medical insurance that covers COVID-19 related illness and produce a negative PCR test result within three days of travel if over the age of five. Additional testing and mandatory quarantine at an approved accommodation will take place after arrival.

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.

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. The CDC warns of a high level of coronavirus in Jamaica and also asks Americans to avoid travel but to ensure that they are fully inoculated if they must visit. At the moment, travelers are required to apply for a Travel Authorization document in order to gain entry into Jamaica. This process requires obtaining a negative COVID-19 test result within three days of travel.

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.

Another Level 4 (avoid travel) destination, according to the State Department and CDC, Saint Kitts and Nevis is open to fully vaccinated travelers who successfully complete the Travel Authorization Form, upload proof of vaccination, book a stay at an approved hotel and produce a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of travel.

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.

Americans are currently asked to reconsider travel to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines due to the threat of COVID-19. However, the islands are open to U.S. travelers who complete the pre-arrival form. Fully vaccinated visitors also need a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken no more than 72 hours of arrival and will be retested on arrival. They must also complete mandatory quarantine for at least 48 hours in an approved quarantine hotel at their own cost while awaiting their results. Unvaccinated visitors will need to meet all of the aforementioned requirements as well as quarantine in an approved hotel for at least 14 days and provide proof of the paid reservation.

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.

Like Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands have received a Level 4 Travel Health Notice from the CDC indicating a very high level of COVID-19 in the islands. Currently, every traveler age 5 or older who enters the U.S. Virgin Islands is required to use the USVI Travel Screening Portal and receive travel clearance (email with green QR code) before travel. Visitors over the age of five from the mainland U.S. or another U.S. territory will require a negative COVID-19 antigen test or a negative result from a COVID-19 molecular test such as a PCR, viral or nucleic acid amplification test taken and received within five days of travel.