Despite the rest of the world seemingly finding some relief from the coronavirus pandemic, the United States seems to be going in the opposite direction.
While international travel is slowly beginning to resume elsewhere, thanks to the continuous (and, in some cases, worsening) levels of COVID-19 infections in the U.S., the list of countries Americans can visit right now is pretty short. Even neighboring countries Canada and Mexico have shut down their borders to American travelers.
According to the New York Times, “The United States now accounts for about a quarter of all new cases reported worldwide every day.” Unsurprisingly, this means a lot of countries aren’t exactly rushing to open their borders to American travelers — and rightfully so.
However, a lot of people are itching for an escape after months of quarantine and isolation.
As a flight attendant, for my own health and safety, I have to caution against leisure travel — but I can also understand the need to get away.
Note that a Level 4 Travel Advisory is still in effect in the U.S., with the State Department advising citizens “to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19.” And considering we as a country continuously fail to flatten the curve, non-essential travel is far from recommended.
So where can Americans travel to?
That said, there are some international destinations currently welcoming American citizens — but not without some precautionary requirements, which vary by country.
Antigua & Barbuda
Photo: Rick Jamison
According to the U.S. Embassy of Barbados and the OECS countries, the Caribbean islands of Antigua and Barbuda opened its borders on July 10th. Despite the resumption of travel into the country, strict quarantine rules such as a daily curfew are still in place.
People arriving by air travel into Antigua and Barbuda will need a negative coronavirus test taken within seven days of their flight and will also go through a health screening upon arrival. Be prepared to wear a face mask in all public spaces within the country.
Aruba
Aruba’s borders opened on June 10th. However, the country was quick to set extra restrictions in place for American travelers, now requiring they provide a negative coronavirus test taken within 72 hours of their flight.
Bahamas
The Bahamas faced a double whammy within the last year after first suffering severe damage from Hurricane Dorian in 2019 and then having to close its borders to travelers again in light of the coronavirus pandemic, so it’s not surprising that the country is ready to welcome visitors again.
Photo: Fernando Jorge
However, they’re not letting just anyone in. The U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas reports that the country opened its borders on July 1st. Visitors are required to complete a health form before traveling and have a negative coronavirus test taken within 10 days of arrival into the country. Furthermore, on July 24, the Bahamian Prime Minister announced that all incoming travelers are subject to a “mandatory 14-day government quarantine.”
Barbados
Barbados opened its borders on July 12th. Masks are required in Barbados, and incoming travelers will be subject to a health screen including coronavirus testing, which will take place at the airport for those who don’t have a recent negative test on-hand.
Bermuda
If you think this list is starting to sound like a Beach Boys song, you’re not wrong!
Photo: Reilly Durfy
Bermuda opened its borders on July 1st, but according to the U.S. Embassy there, you need to plan for an extra $75 in your travel budget for a required online travel authorization. Visitors also have to provide a negative coronavirus test within 72 hours of arrival into the country, and you’ll spend your first day on vacation in Bermuda quarantined at your hotel awaiting another negative coronavirus test result.
Further, Bermuda travelers have to report their temperature on an online portal twice a day and take COVID tests on their third, seventh, and fourteenth days in the country.
Cambodia
Some countries outside of the Caribbean islands have opened their borders as well, including Cambodia. According to German media company DW, “around 25% of Cambodia's economy depends on tourism and travel.” Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, its tourism industry has basically bottomed out, despite only recording 156 cases of the virus throughout the pandemic.
It appears Cambodia never fully closed its borders. However, there are restrictions in place for those who choose to visit. Travelers must have a negative coronavirus testing result taken within 72 hours of arriving in the country and provide proof of medical insurance amounting to at least $50,000. They must then take another test upon arriving in Cambodia and undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine before taking another test.
That’s not all. Incoming visitors must also pay a $3,000 deposit upon arriving to cover costs of coronavirus testing and quarantine monitoring.
Costa Rica
Photo: Etienne Delorieux
On August 31, 2020. Costa Rica began its reopening “transition phase,” with many businesses getting the OK to open in phases through September 30th. However, if you visit in September, be aware that establishments like bars and casinos will remain closed and driving restrictions will apply. Luckily, Costa Rican national parks remain open.
Here’s the catch: only American citizens from certain states are allowed to enter Costa Rica at this time: New York, New Jersey, Maine, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. On September 15th, Costa Rica will expand that list to include Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Colorado.
American visitors will need to complete a health pass, proof of a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of departure from the U.S., and travel insurance that covers COVID-19 related expenses.
Croatia
For those itching to go to Europe, Croatia is one of the very few European countries open to Americans.
To obtain a visa, you’ll need a negative COVID test taken with 48 hours of arriving into the country. In lieu of a test, visitors can opt to take a test locally and submit to self-isolation while waiting for test results.
Dominican Republic
As of July 1st, the Dominican Republic is open for travel, including for American citizens. The country's tourism website reveals that incoming travelers will have their temperature taken upon arrival and fill out a health form as part of the immigration documents.
Egypt
According to the U.S. Embassy in Egypt, it appears the country’s borders were never officially closed. While Egypt is implementing a 14-day quarantine, as of June 27th the government lifted a daily curfew, and public spaces such as restaurants and cafes were opened with light restrictions on operating times and capacity levels.
Ireland
While the European Union continues to keep its borders closed to Americans, Ireland is a little different. While Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, which is currently accepting American visitors, Ireland is a member of the EU but not part of the Schengen Area, or the 26 countries in the EU that share borders.
Since Ireland is separate from the Schengen Area, its borders are currently open to American travelers, who are being asked to submit to a 14-day self-quarantine upon arrival.
Jamaica
Visitors to Jamaica must fill out a travel authorization prior to arrival. The authorization requires those from designated “high risk” states (that’s you, Arizona, Florida, New York, and Texas) to provide a negative coronavirus test result taken within 10 days of arrival into the country.
Authorities will conduct a health screening upon arrival to the airport, which may include random COVID testing. If you’re staying in a hotel, you’ll have to stay there for the duration of your visit (so choose your accommodation wisely!), while those staying in a private home are subject to a 14-day self-quarantine.
Sint Maarten
Photo: Robin Canfield
This Caribbean country opened its borders on July 8th. Those planning to visit should plan to have a negative coronavirus test result taken with 72 hours of arrival on hand and complete a health declaration before entering the country.
Sint Maarten is asking travelers to wear masks and have hand sanitizer with them, as well as to abide by all local health and safety protocols throughout the stay.
Haiti
According to the U.S. Embassy in Haiti, the country’s Port-au-Prince airport opened for incoming travel on June 30th, while the Cap-Haitian airport remains closed pending health and safety measures.
Upon arrival, visitors to Haiti are required to self-report their virus status through a health form, and a nightly curfew remains in place on the island.
Mexico
While U.S. citizens currently cannot cross the Mexican border on foot or in cars, you can take advantage of air travel to spend time in one of Mexico’s many beautiful cities. In fact, the pandemic hit the country’s tourist industry so hard that many Mexican hotel associations began offering unbeatable deals to those ready to visit.
If Tulum, Mexico is on your bucket list, I can personally vouch for Outsite, whose co-living and co-working spaces are absolutely gorgeous. Plus, you’ll get $50 off your first stay if you trust me enough to give their Tulum location a try!
Turkey
Turkey was one of the first to reopen its borders to countries other than Iran and Syria amidst the coronavirus pandemic, resuming travel into the country on June 11th. Passengers will be screened with a thermal camera upon arrival and are required to wear masks.
Ukraine
As of June 15th, Ukraine reopened its borders to visitors. According to the U.S. Embassy there, U.S. citizens must provide documentation of medical insurance that will cover and COVID-related illnesses and may be required to self-quarantine upon arrival.
United Kingdom
Photo: Eva Dang
According to the U.S. Embassy in the U.K. (which includes Northern Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales), Americans can visit but the United States is one of the few countries whose residents are subject to a 14-day self-quarantine upon arrival.
U.S. Virgin Islands
As Of July 15th, the U.S. Virgin Islands is open for business. Incoming travelers from specific U.S. states (including Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Nevada, South Carolina, and Texas) will require a negative coronavirus test result. Those who don’t have a test will be required to quarantine for 14 days.
Despite accepting visitors, bars and casinos remained closed on the islands and there is a curfew for beaches and restaurants.
All international travel destinations accepting American passports current as of September 2, 2020.