Tips For Traveling to the Caribbean Right Now

In the past few weeks - as vaccination has become more widespread and local coronavirus case numbers have fallen - we've seen several Caribbean countries adjust their entry protocols, particularly for vaccinated visitors. If you feel comfortable traveling, it's now easier than ever to have an island adventure IRL, with proper regard not just for your own safety but also for that of the locals in the destinations we visit. However, if you haven't traveled in the last year or so, you'll find some things have changed. So before you pack your bags, here's what you should know to make your trip go as smoothly as possible.

Say goodbye to the spontaneous island jaunt because almost every Caribbean country now requires visitors to apply in advance online for permission to enter. Each destination has a slightly different process, so be sure to go the official tourism website for details. (Search "destination" + "tourism" to find it.) And since the approval time can vary, it's smart to apply at least three days before you plan to fly.

Some countries, including the Bahamas, Aruba and the Turks and Caicos Islands, require visitors to either buy their own travel insurance that covers COVID-related expenses or to show proof of existing coverage. Even if you're traveling to islands that don't, it's smart to purchase a policy that covers medical expenses (including air evacuation home), just to be safe.

Almost every Caribbean country requires visitors to show proof of negative results as a condition of entry. Most require that it be a naseo-pharyngeal PCR test, but the USVI and St. Maarten will also accept rapid test results. Tests must be administered within three and seven days of arrival on island (depending where you're headed), so plan your appointments accordingly. Notable exceptions to the entry testing requirement are the Dominican Republic and Mexico.

Vaccine passports might not yet be a thing, but many Caribbean countries are already demonstrating a preference for vaccinated travelers and changing their entry protocols to reflect that. In Barbados, Anguilla and Grenada, for example, vaccinated travelers quarantine for less than half the time of unvaccinated visitors. And in the Bahamas, vaccinated travelers no longer need to show a negative COVID test result to enter the archipelago.

Headed to St. Kitts and Nevis, Grenada or the Bahamas? When you apply for entry, you'll have to upload proof of a reservation so that if you need to quarantine, officials are assured that you have somewhere to isolate. We doubt many travelers these days are boarding a plane to the islands without reservations in hand. But if you're thinking about it, don't!

Airline staff are required to make sure that passengers have all the required authorizations for the destination they're headed to. So now, when you're leaving the United States, you have to present proof of your negative test results and travel authorization in person. That means, in most cases, you can no longer check-in online, so allow yourself extra time at the airport.

We're all for saving trees but when you're traveling these days, having all your paperwork printed can save you a lot of stress. Flashing your travel documents on your phone is all well and good until your battery dies; you're in a foreign country without international data service, or everyone's paperwork is on a single phone. Going old-school and printing your documents also negates the need to hand your (potentially germ-riddled) phone to a stranger.

The last thing you want is to find yourself on the plane, on the beach or in a restaurant without a face mask or hand sanitizer. Supplies may be limited in the destination, so make sure to bring your own hand sanitizer, wipes, face coverings. (Bonus karma points if you bring sealed packets to leave behind.)

As of January 26, the CDC mandated that all travelers entering the United States must show proof of a negative result from a COVID test taken within 72 hours of flight. The good news is that islands have ramped up testing facilities, making it easy to get tested before you board. Many resorts offer COVID-19 testing on-site (some at no extra charge) or have partnered with local clinics to streamline the process. Be sure to check with your resort, and, if possible, schedule your testing appointment in advance. (Not that because they're U.S. territories, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are exempt from this requirement.)