Where vaccinated Americans can travel now and in the near future.
BY ALISON FOX
TRAVEL LEISURE
Editor's note: Those who choose to travel are strongly encouraged to check local government restrictions, rules, and safety measures related to COVID-19 and take personal comfort levels and health conditions into consideration before departure.
As travel has been largely put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the rollout of the vaccine has become the game changer that'll hopefully help us resume canceled plans or even map out a whole new adventure soon.
Although the rate of the vaccine availability has varied around the world, some countries are jumpstarting their tourism industries by inviting fully inoculated travelers to visit.
Fortunately, some destinations previously closed to American tourists have opened their borders to those who are fully vaccinated. Travelers returning home from an international trip are required to test negative for COVID-19,regardless of their vaccination status.
Below are the countries currently welcoming vaccinated Americans.
Bahamas
The Bahamas welcomes fully vaccinated travelers who received either the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, or AstraZeneca vaccines. Those who got the jab are exempt from any pre-arrival testing requirements as well as on-island testing protocols.
The Bahamas also welcomes unvaccinated travelers, but requires them to show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than five days before arriving, complete a daily health questionnaire, and take a rapid COVID-19 antigen test on the fifth day of their trip.
Children 10 and younger are also exempt from testing.
All travelers to the Bahamas are required to apply for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa and opt-in to COVID-19 health insurance.
Bermuda
Vaccinated travelers heading to Bermuda must apply for a Bermuda COVID-19 Travel Authorization — which includes a negative PCR test for COVID-19 — one to three days before departure, which must be submitted 24 hours before travel. Upon arrival they will be tested for COVID-19 and will be required to quarantine until they receive their results. Following a negative test result, vaccinated travelers will not have to quarantine but must test on days four, eight, and 14 of their trip.
Belize
Belize will waive COVID-19 testing requirements for travelers who can show proof they have been fully vaccinated, according to the Belize Tourism Board. International travelers must book their stay at a "Gold Standard Hotel" and download the country's health app.
Belize is also welcoming non-vaccinated travelers, but requires them to have proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test taken within 96 hours of travel or a negative rapid test from within 48 hours of travel. Alternatively, travelers can get tested upon arrival at the airport for $50.
British Virgin Islands
The British Virgin Islands is welcoming fully vaccinated tourists with shorter quarantine measures in place as of May 15. Travelers will be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test from within five days of arriving, get tested upon arrival, and quarantine until that test comes back negative, according to the government.
They will not be required to get tested again.
Unvaccinated travelers are also welcomed, but must quarantine for four days and get tested again on the fourth day in addition to the pre-travel and arrival tests.
Croatia
Croatia welcomes vaccinated travelers from countries, including the U.S., exempting them from pre-arrival testing or self-isolation requirements, according to Croatia's Ministry of the Interior. Vaccinated travelers must arrive at least 14 days after receiving their final shot of either a two-dose vaccine or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
All U.S. tourists, regardless of their vaccination status, must also show proof of a paid accommodation in a hotel, camp, private rental, or rented vessel. A reservation is not sufficient, according to the U.S. Embassy in Croatia, and must be paid for in advance.
Alternatively, Croatia also welcomes American tourists who have not been vaccinated but requires them to either show proof of a negative PCR or rapid antigen COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours of arriving or show proof they have contracted COVID-19 and recovered within the last six months. Children under 7 years old with a parent or guardian are exempt.
Those who arrive with a negative rapid test and stay longer than 10 days will have to get re-tested within those 10 days.
Ecuador
Tourists with the COVID-19 vaccine can enter Ecuador and travel to one of its most popular island destinations: the Galapagos Islands. Unvaccinated travelers are also allowed to visit Ecuador and its famous island archipelago with proof of a negative antigen test taken within 72 hours of departure, or proof of recent recovery from COVID-19.
Before visiting French Polynesia, foreign travelers must fill out an ETIS.pf form, uploading all the relevant information. Vaccinated travelers must have been in the U.S. for 30 days before heading to French Polynesia, and may be required to test on their first and fourth days in the country.
Georgia
Georgia welcomes U.S. travelers arriving by air who have received both doses of a vaccine, according to the U.S. Embassy in Georgia. Those who are fully vaccinated do not need to get tested prior to arrival or quarantine when they get there.
Unvaccinated travelers can also visit the country, but must arrive with a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours, get a follow-up PCR test on the third day after arriving in the country, and complete an application with their contact details and travel history.
Greece
Greece plans to welcome fully vaccinated tourists and other foreign visitors with coronavirus antibodies or negative test results just in time for summer travel.
The country rolled out the welcome mat on May 14. Travelers must bring their vaccination card, or negative PCR test, as well as the QR code provided by the Greek government once visitors fill out a Passenger Locator Form prior to arrival. Vaccinated travelers must have completed their vaccination course at least two weeks prior to their arrival in Greece, or tested negative via PCR test no more than 72 hours before arrival.
Iceland
Iceland has been welcoming fully vaccinated travelers from the U.S. since April 6 without the need to quarantine or undergo mandatory testing, according to the government of Iceland.
Alternatively, the country will also welcome travelers who can show proof they were infected with COVID-19 and recovered.
Israel
Israel will open its borders to fully vaccinated travelers starting May 23, according to the Israel Ministry of Tourism. At first, select tour groups will be allowed to visit. In July, the country expects to open to individual travelers.
All visitors to Israel will be required to undergo a COVID-19 PCR test before boarding a flight as well take an antibody test "to prove their vaccination upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport."
Seychelles
The Seychelles is welcoming fully vaccinated travelers to its pristine shores coming from any country. Travelers must prove two weeks have passed since they received their second dose. They must also show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken at an accredited laboratory within 72 hours of traveling, according to the island's tourism board.
Travelers have to fill out a health travel authorization showing their certificate of vaccination, test results, flight confirmation, and accommodation details.
The country will reopen to all travelers — vaccinated or not — once the majority of its population is vaccinated.
Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. When she's not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram.
