Caribbean Islands Open for Travel and Tourism

Which Caribbean Islands Are Open For Travel & Tourism? When Will International Flights Resume to the Caribbean?

When will Caribbean borders reopen? What Caribbean islands are open for travel? Which international flights are resuming operations? Find out all this and more in our Return to Travel Timeline.

• Islands with no mandatory quarantine requirements on arrival
• Islands with partial/selective quarantine requirements on arrival
• Islands with quarantine requirements on arrival

What Countries Are Open For Travel Now?

As of November 01 2020, over 15 Caribbean territories have opened their borders for international tourists. Some have strict restrictions while others don’t have too many.

Countries with no mandatory quarantine requirements on arrival

Aruba

• It initially reopened only for Bonaire & Curacao (June 15), then Canada, Europe, and the rest of the Caribbean with a few exceptions (July 1), and finally for Americans from July 10.
• Entry is allowed following the Embarkation and Disembarkation (ED) program where you’ll be issued an ED card.
• No quarantine mandatory but instead you’ll need to carry a negative RT-PCR test report.
• Alternately, you may also get yourself tested on arrival, however, you’ll need to quarantine till your results arrive.
• Travelers from certain high-risk zones such as those states marked in the US are required to upload results of their COVID test from the last 72 hours at least 12 hours before their travel to Aruba as they are not eligible for testing on arrival.
• The Aruba Visitors Insurance is mandatory for all.

Cuba

• Cuba announced the reopening of international tourism back on July 1 but it wasn’t until early September before commercial flights started operating to the island for tourists.
• Testing is mandatory and free for all arrivals.
• Travel for international visitors is mostly restricted to the Cuban Keys including Cayo Largo, Cayo Coco, Cayo Guillermo, and Cayo Santa María, with the latest addition being Varadero.

Dominican Republic

• The country reopened for international travelers from July 1.
• No restrictions like PCR test certificates or mandatory quarantine.
• On arrival, randomly chosen passengers from the pool will be subjected to a COVID test and if found positive, the quarantine will follow.
• Curfew on weekdays from 9 pm to 5 am, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 7 pm to 5 am.
• Masks are mandatory and if seen without one in public, you may be penalized.

Saint Barts

• Saint Barts reopened on June 22 for all international tourists with no mandatory quarantine regulation.
• A negative PCR test report (taken at max 72 hours before arrival) and a sworn statement are mandatory to be able to fly to Saint Bart’s.
• For longer stays, you have to take a COVID test on the 7th day and pay 135 Euros for it.

Sint Maarten

• Sint Maarten has begun a phased reopening for international tourists from July.
• The Dutch side is accepting tourists while Saint Martin, the French side of the country has its borders shut.
• No quarantine is mandatory but you must fill out the application form.
• A negative COVID-19 certificate is also mandatory (taken no earlier than 72 hours) and must be uploaded online.

Turks and Caicos

• Turks and Caicos reopened for international tourists from July 22 with uniform travel guidelines for all.
• All tourists must register on TCI Assured Travel Authorization Portal, as failing to do so will result in entry denial.
• COVID-19 test, taken no earlier than 5 days of departure, is mandatory for travelers.
• You must also have any travel or health insurance that covers the cost of COVID-19 treatment.
• All passengers are subjected to health screening and questioning at the airport on arrival by the airport officials.

Countries with partial/selective quarantine requirements on arrival

Barbados

• Travelers need to fill out and submit the Online Immigration/Customs form 24-72 hours before entry into Barbados (available here).
• Countries are categorized into high-risk, medium-risk, low-risk, and very low-risk, which further decides the testing and quarantine regulations.
• Travelers from high and medium risk countries must carry a COVID-19 certificate taken 3 days before arrival. Flying from low-risk countries doesn’t mandate a pre-test but you are strongly urged to get one (validity of test 5 days before arrival) to avoid testing on arrival. No testing required for travelers from low-risk countries who haven’t transited through any of the countries in other categories.
• Passengers from High-Risk and Medium-Risk countries must also undergo a second test on arrival after 4-5 days of their previous negative test. While the high-risk category must quarantine at a government-designated facility till then, there is no movement restriction for the medium-risk category. Monitoring (daily temperature checks and reporting to officials) will continue for 7 days for either case.

Curaçao

• Curacao reopened for international tourists from the Caribbean in mid-June and has since allowed more countries like Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, USA tri-state, etc. to enter without 14-day quarantine (find the list here).
• You must complete the online Digital Immigration card before travel.
• Fill out Passenger Locator Card (PLC) online and carry a printed copy with you.
• Travelers must also upload and carry negative PCR test reports taken no earlier than 72 hours of your travel.
• For travel from high-risk countries, quarantine for 14 days is required.

Dominica

• Opened its borders on July 15.
• Submission of an online health questionnaire is required by all travelers no later than 24 hours prior to the journey.
• Unless you are traveling from a country within the CARICOM Travel Bubble, a pre-entry COVID test taken within 24 to 72 hours of your arrival is mandatory for all. You must also upload the results online.
• Dominica classes countries into low risk, medium risk, and high-risk zones which decide the testing, monitoring (interview and assessments), and quarantine requirements of the travelers.
• From low-risk countries, only 7 days of monitoring is in place which for medium-risk countries, extends to 14 days of monitoring in addition to a rapid test on arrival. The time can be trimmed down if you take a PCR COVID test on day 5.
• Travelers from high-risk countries are subjected to a mandatory rapid test on arrival, followed by a quarantine stay at a
• Government facility or certified private property for at least 5 days. After 5 days, you may go for a PCR test for an early release.

Grenada

• The airport in Grenada reopened for charter flights from July 1 and commercial flights from August 1.
• Open for all countries but travelers from only CARICOM travel bubbles and other low-risk countries are exempted from quarantine.
• Minimum 4 days quarantine mandatory for travelers from high-risk countries like the USA after which travelers can take a test and leave quarantine.
• COVID test report (timeframe is within 7 days of travel) mandatory for all international tourists outside the CARICOM bubble.
• Make reservations at any approved Pure Safe Travel accommodation and fill out pre-travel forms.
• Download Ronatrac contract tracing mobile app.

Jamaica

• Jamaica reopened for tourism with the introduction of a program called Resilient Corridors (areas in the country prepped for avoiding coronavirus transmission) to ensure safe tourism.
• You must complete the travel authorization process before entering Jamaica.
• With the latest travel guidelines for international tourists, you can take a PCR or antigen test and present it at the airport on arrival (no need of uploading it at the airport).
• Testing again at Jamaica airport at the discretion of the officers and must stay in quarantine in the hotel room while awaiting test results.
• If you decide to stay outside the safe corridor region, you must be in isolation for 14 days.

Saint Kitts and Nevis

• Saint Kitts has begun a phased reopening for international tourists from October 31.
• Complete the Travel Authorization Form on the national website (www.knatravelform.kn) and submit a negative PCR test completed within 72-hours of travel from an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory.
• Undergo a health screening at the airport which includes a temperature check and a health questionnaire.
• Download the SKN COVID-19 contact tracing mobile app (full details yet to be released), to be used for the first 14 days of travel or less.
• 1-7 days: visitors are free to move about the hotel property, interact with other guests and partake in hotel activities.
• 8-14 days: visitors will undergo a PCR test (USD 100, visitors’ cost) on day 7. If the traveler tests negative on day 8, they are allowed, through the hotel’s tour desk, to book select excursions and access select destination sites (list to be announced later).
• 14 days or longer: visitors will need to undergo a PCR test (USD 100, visitors’ cost) on day 14, and if they test negative the traveler will be allowed to integrate into St. Kitts and Nevis.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is currently operating in phase 4 of reopening from October 1.
• Depending on the country (high, medium, or low risk) you’re flying from, you may need a mandatory test certificate, a quarantine stay of 2 days or 4 days (extendable at the discretion of the health officials), or none at all.
• For arrivals by sea, if you have a COVID-19 negative certificate from the last 72 hours, you are free from any mandatory quarantine.

U.S. Virgin Islands

• The island country reopened again in September after shutting down for a month on August 19 for international tourists owing to escalating cases.
• All visitors aged 5 and above must be carrying a negative PCR test report.
• Antibody test reports from the last 4 months are also acceptable as an alternative.
• In case, you are not carrying any COVID-19 test results, only then, you will need to stay in self-quarantine for 14 days.
• Temperature checks and health screenings at the airport.

Countries with quarantine requirements on arrival

Anguilla

• Anguilla reopened borders in Phase One from August 21 and eyes the return of most tourists from November.
• You need to get a ‘travel authorization ticket’ by filling out the application on the official Anguilla Tourism Website.
• COVID test taken before 3 to 5 days of arrival is obligatory.
• You must also be carrying health insurance.
• A second PCR testing will take place upon arrival.
• Quarantine mandatory for all travelers 10 days after arrival at only approved properties listed on the tourism website.
• Another test will be conducted on the 10th day and depending on its outcomes, you’ll get a release.

Antigua and Barbuda

• Open for tourists since June 4 although a state of emergency will remain in place till October 31
• Negative COVID-19 report mandatory to carry for entry, the test being no older than 7 days before the flight
• Monitoring for 14 days after arrival at government-approved accommodation
• Port Health guidelines applicable to those arriving by the water\
• Curfew hours between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. when only essential services will be available

Bahamas

• The Bahamas reopened for tourism on July 1 but require all travelers to complete a 14 day quarantine period in any accommodation (hotel/boat/private property) of their choice.
• All tourists must apply for Travel Health Visa on the official website and upload their negative RT-PCR test reports.
• Your test results shouldn’t be older than 5 days when you arrive in the Bahamas.

Bermuda

• Bermuda, a “Safe Travels” destination as per the World Travel & Tourism Council, is open for tourists since July 1.
• A PCR test certificate (can be taken anywhere between 3 to 7 days before departure) is mandatory in addition to a second test on arrival.
• Fill out the mandatory Travel Authorization form and pay the fee of USD 75 which covers the cost of the test on arrival.
• Quarantine is mandatory for all passengers for around 24 hours before the test results arrive.
• You also have to take follow-up tests on the fourth, eighth, and fourteenth days of your visit.

Haiti

• Haiti reopened its international airports and border crossing in July.
• Declaration of COVID-19 health status is a must before entering.
• As of July, a self-quarantine of 14 days was obligatory for all travelers but the reports on its enforcement have been varied, with some stating it is no longer applicable.

Saint Lucia

• Saint Lucia is accepting international tourists but with a 14-day obligatory quarantine period.
• Travel Authorization Form should be filled out by all travelers (18 and above).
• A COVID -19 PCR test report, taken no earlier than 7 days before arrival is indispensable for any visitor above 5 years of age.
• For quarantine, you must stay at any COVID-certified accommodation or government facility at your own expense. Stay is allowed at up to 2 different properties during the period.
• Only a few select attractions are currently open.

*Source: IATA Travel Centre. Travel restrictions are based off of your country of origin. The list above assumes that you’re traveling from the United States.