The twin pandemics — Covid-19 and our geo-political climate, especially in the United States have left many emotionally and physically exhausted. Even simple travel plans are fraught with anxiety and a certain level of paranoia thanks to uncertainty in the global travel market.

Will air travel be safe? What does it take to enter and exit a destination safely? Are Covid tests required? The list is endless. Is it worth the risk? Only you can decide.

Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St Lucia and St Maarten are open as of August 25, 2020. The United States Virgin Islands (USVI), which had been open has retreated to their “Stay At Home” phase (See Below). Others destinations could be open in the next few weeks. If your favorite locale is not on this list check with the tourism offices of your preferred Caribbean destination for more information.

Those currently open for visitors have slightly different requirements. Some require Covid tests. Some locales require travel insurance. Others restrict travel from certain destinations.

We’ve tried to put together a short list of requirements with links to the respective government authorities for more detailed information. Conditions are fluid and subject to change as with USVI. Check with the local governments and tourist boards of your preferred destination before booking a trip.

As of August 25

Aruba

COVID Test: Yes – The timing and requirements depend upon which U.S. state you travel from. Travelers arriving from a long list of states with rising COVID-19 infections must get a PCR test 72 hours before their flight.

Insurance: Yes – All visitors must purchase Aruba Visitors Insurance. This insurance can only be bought online and must be purchased within 72 hours of departure. It’s advanced insurance in case you test positive for Covid-19 during your stay. Premiums vary by age and length of stay with a maximum coverage limit of $75,000.

Other Requirements: All visitors must fill out an embarkation/disembarkation form online.

Governing Authority: Aruba Tourism Authority

Barbados

COVID Test: Highly Recommended – All travelers are encouraged to take a PCR test within 72 hours of travel and submit those results electronically or bring them with you. If you arrive from the United States, or other high risk countries without a test, you will be tested at the airport, free of charge, and must remain at the airport or government approved facility until the results are approved.

Face Mask: Required at the airport

Other Requirements: Visitors must complete an online customs and immigration form with health information, including COVID-19, at least 24 hours prior to arrival. A health exam will be conducted at the airport.

Governing Authority: Barbados Ministry of Tourism

Bermuda

COVID Test: Yes, present a negative test within 7 days of departure. Visitors will also be tested at the airport and required to quarantine at their hotel or wherever they are staying until results are received, usually within 24 hours.

Other Requirements: Fill out Bermuda Travel Authorization Form and pay $75 to cover all the COVID-19 testing while in Bermuda.

Additional Testing: Visitors are required to test every four, eight and 14 days. The appointments will be automatically scheduled.

Face Mask: Yes, required in public.

Governing Authority: Government of Bermuda

Dominican Republic

COVID-19 Test: Yes – Travelers age 5 and over must present a negative PCR test no more than five days before arrival. Those who arrive without proof will be given a rapid diagnostic test free of charge at the airport. Positive results, or those showing symptoms will be quarantined at authorized locations.

Other Requirements: Must submit Traveler’s Health Affidavit

Face Masks: Required

Governing Authority: Dominican Republic Tourism

Jamaica

COVID-19 Test: Yes: Starting August 20, 2020, visitors from the United States, Brazil, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic age 12 and older are required to obtain a COVID-19 RT-PCR Test within 10 days of intended travel date. Those tests must be obtained from an accredited national health authority. U.S. residents must obtain their tests from a laboratory accredited by the College of American Pathologist. All arrivals regardless of country of origin are subject to health screening upon arrival. Those with symptoms will be tested and quarantined in their hotels until test results are available.

Other requirements: Must fill out a Travel Authorization Form in advance.

Travel in Country: Visitors must remain at their respective hotels and resorts and may only venture out to “COVID-19” approved tourist attractions and travel to those destinations via approved transportation providers.

Face Masks: Required at the Airport

Governing Authority: Jamaica Tourist Board

Puerto Rico

COVID-19 Test: Yes – A negative test must be completed within 72 hours of arrival. Those still awaiting test results, upon arrival will be quarantined for 14 days, or until they are able to provide a negative test result to the Puerto Rico Health Department. Those who arrive without a test will be tested locally and quarantined until a negative results is obtained. Those unwilling to take a test will be quarantined for 14 days.

If you show symptoms of COVID-19 upon arrival, you will be given a rapid test at the airport and quarantined until you are able to obtain a negative PCR test.

Other Requirements: Visitors must complete an online Travel Declaration Form and will be presented with an airport exit confirmation with a negative COVID-19 test result.

Face Masks: Required in Public Areas

Governing Authority: Discover Puerto Rico

St Lucia

COVID-19 Test: Yes – All visitors must received a negative test within seven days of arrival. Health screening will be administered at the airport. Symptomatic passenger will be isolated and tested. Positive results will be transported to a local hospital for care at their expense. (You might want to consider travel insurance).

Local Transportation: All other arrivals will be transported via approved/certified taxi to their certified hotel or government quarantine facility. You must stay at your hotel except to participate in pre-approved water excursions.

Other Requirements: Fill out a pre-arrival registration form that includes a reservation at a certified hotel. Visitors my stay in only one approved hotel during their stay.

Government Authority: St Lucia Tourism

St Maarten

COVID-19 Test: Yes – Must submit a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of departure. Children ages 10 and under are exempt. Temperature checks are conducted at the airport.

Other Requirements: Travelers must complete an online health declaration form.

Face Masks: Required at the airport

Governing Authority: St Maarten Ministry of Tourism

U.S. Virgin Islands (St Thomas, St John, St Croix)

SPECIAL NOTE: The USVI, which had previously open for visitors, has reverted to their “Stay at Home” Phase effective August 13, 2020. All hotels, resorts, villas and other leisure accommodations have been ordered not to accept any new bookings for 30 days. Beginning August 19, 2020, accommodation providers are prohibited from admitting or checking in new guests. Exceptions are business travelers, flight crews, emergency personnel and government officials with written authorization.

Governing Authority: U.S. Virgin Islands