The Easiest Caribbean Destinations To Visit This Summer

With the vast majority of the world having reopened or confirmed a reopening date for international tourists this spring, summer travelers will have plenty of excellent options. One region that's sure to be top of mind for vacationers is the Caribbean, where sun-kissed and culture-rich islands and seaside locales are welcoming back visitors in bunches. For those targeting a Caribbean getaway in 2022, there are a handful of destinations that stand out for their ease of access more than two years into the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some of the most notable places that Americans can escape to without having to navigate complicated testing or quarantine requirements this summer.

Mexico continues to be among the world's most accessible destinations, welcoming visitors without testing, vaccination or quarantine restrictions throughout the pandemic. That means summer travelers can fly to coveted tourist hotspots like Cancun and the Riviera Maya without resistance or even mask mandates. On top of that, all-inclusive properties throughout the region are offering excellent deals this spring, including 20 percent savings at the all-new La Casa de la Playa and the family-friendly Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun, among others.

Jamaica dropped COVID-19 testing requirements and mask mandates for visitors to the island last month. "Eliminating mask mandates and the need for travelers to present a negative COVID test result are important strides toward our continued gradual relaxation of travel protocols as the spread of COVID-19 keeps declining," Jamaica Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett said in a statement. "We are optimistic that these simpler requirements will serve to increase the appeal of Jamaica as a premier destination and keep us moving along the road to a stronger recovery for both the tourism sector and the nation's economy as a whole."

The Dominican Republic continues to be open to international visitors without any testing, vaccination or quarantine requirements. Travelers will need to complete the free electronic entry and exit form combining the Traveler's Health Affidavit, Customs Declaration and International Embarkation/Disembarkation forms at eticket.migracion.gob.do. Right now, travelers can take advantage of 20 percent off of nightly rates at the adults-only all-inclusive Sanctuary Cap Cana when they book by June 20, 2022, for stays through September 30, 2023.

Americans flying to Puerto Rico are no longer required to provide proof of vaccination or a negative test prior to arriving on the Island. However, due to current CDC guidelines, all travelers arriving on international flights will need proof of a negative COVID-19 test (antigen or PCR) result taken within one day prior to departure before traveling to Puerto Rico from a foreign country. Additionally, masks are no longer mandatory on the island with the exception of events hosting over 1,000 people.

Grenada recently dropped all remaining COVID-19 travel requirements on April 4. Visitors, regardless of vaccination status, no longer require testing prior to or on arrival, proof of vaccination or a completed Health Declaration Form. Plus, travelers to the Spice Isle don't need to worry about having to quarantine on arrival.

Fully vaccinated travelers can visit Saint Lucia with no pre-travel test or quarantine required. For now, unvaccinated visitors age five and older will need a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test completed within five days of arrival. The country's seamless entry is paying off as it recently posted its highest monthly arrivals total since its reopening two years ago.

Aruba lifted all COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements for entry for all international travelers on March 19. Nonetheless, travelers to the country are still required to complete an Aruba Embarkation/Disembarkation card prior to arrival and purchase Aruba Visitors Insurance to cover them for the duration of their stay. However, the insurance is free for travelers under the age of 15 and costs just $15 for travelers over that threshold assuming that they're staying for fewer than 180 days.