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Unaccompanied minors

Children traveling alone.

We want your child to have a safe and positive trip. For safety, we require children age 5 – 14 traveling alone to use our unaccompanied minor service. This service is optional for children age 15 – 17, but if requested, then the fee applies.

The unaccompanied minor fee is $150* each way, plus applicable taxes † , in addition to the ticket price. This fee covers additional siblings on the same flight.

* Amount quoted in U.S. dollar (USD)

† Flights within the U.S. are subject to a 7% tax, and flights originating in Canada are charged a 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Unaccompanied minor service

Our service includes:

• Early boarding to allow extra time to get settled and meet the flight attendants
• Kids-only lounges in our hub cities for flight connections
• Complimentary Kids' Kits from Quaker with snacks and activities (for ages 5 – 10, in hub cities)
• An airport escort to help your child to the gate for flight connections
• Escorting the child to the authorized adult picking them up when they land

Keep in mind, our flight attendants will be busy with onboard duties and can’t continuously monitor your child during their flight. Let your child know to ring the call button if they need anything.

Age and flight restrictions for children traveling alone:

We don’t allow children to travel alone when their trips include:

• Flights on another airline including codeshare and one world® partners
• Ground or co-terminal connections where the child must transfer from one local airport to another
• The last flight of the day from the final connection city (unless it’s the only flight)
• Overnight connecting flights

Note: Children ages 2 – 14 can travel as an 'accompanied minor' with someone 16 or older.

Complimentary Kids' Kits by Quaker

Children between 5-10 years old can stay entertained during their journey with our complimentary Kids’ Kits* presented by Quaker. Included are puzzles, activities and 2 complimentary snacks to enjoy at the airport or in flight. Kits are available for children departing from:

• Charlotte, NC (CLT)
• Washington Reagan, D.C. (DCA)
• Dallas-Fort Worth, TX (DFW)
• New York, NY (JFK and LGA)
• Los Angeles, CA (LAX)
• Miami, FL (MIA)
• Chicago, IL (ORD)
• Philadelphia, PA (PHL)
• Phoenix, AZ (PHX)

*Subject to availability

Booking your child's trip

Unaccompanied minors need to be booked by phone.

Contact Reservations

Preparing for travel

Whether your child has traveled alone or this is their first time, we recommend talking with them about the trip and what to expect. Assure them our team is there to help keep them safe.

Some helpful tips to prepare:

• Point out our team uniforms at the airport. Remind your child to ask for help only from a uniformed team member.
• Write down phone numbers for your child.
• Pack games, books and money in one small carry-on.
• Food and drink service is limited, so we recommend packing snacks for your child to enjoy during their flight.
• Attach an ID card and contact information to your child’s carry-on bag or jacket.
• Fully charge any electronic devices, and don’t forget to pack chargers and headphones.
• Be sure your child knows to wait for a team member to walk them off the plane when they land (this includes older children using our service).

Note: We don’t hold or give personal medication to an unaccompanied child.

At the airport

Check-in and required documents.

Arrive at least 2 hours before the scheduled departure time of your child’s flight and speak with a ticket counter agent. Children traveling alone can’t check in online or at the kiosk.

You’ll need to fill out an unaccompanied minor form and any necessary Customs and Immigration documents for the day of departure. This form must remain with your child during their journey. At check-in, parents / guardians will also need to provide:

• A birth certificate or passport as proof of the child’s age
• The adult’s government-issued photo ID with their current address
• Your phone number so we can contact you
• The name, address and phone number of the adult meeting your child at their destination

Once your child is checked in, the ticket agent will give you a security pass from the airport ticket counter so you can take your child to the gate.

Boarding and takeoff

For a smooth departure:

• An adult must take the child to the departure gate and stay until the flight is airborne.
• When you get to the gate, tell the gate agent you have an unaccompanied minor traveling on the flight.
• We’ll board your child early so they can meet the flight crew and learn about the plane’s safety features.
• The gate agent will let you know when the flight is airborne and you can leave the airport.
• Please contact the adult picking up your child to let them know they’re on their way.

During the flight

Our flight attendants will check on your child as duties allow, but they can’t continuously monitor your child throughout the flight.

Please remind your child to:

• Tell a flight attendant if he or she needs assistance or feels discomfort.
• Follow plane safety instructions, like wearing their seatbelt.
• Wait for a uniformed team member to escort them off the airplane once it arrives at the gate.

Unaccompanied minor lounges

If your child has a connection, we have lounges for unaccompanied minors in these airports:

• Dallas Fort Worth, TX (DFW)

While there, your child can wait for their connection and play games while supervised by American business partner personnel. These staff members will take your child outside the lounge to buy food and drinks, but they won’t be allowed to walk around outside alone.

Arrival and pick-up

For a seamless pick-up, don’t forget your government-issued photo ID. You’ll need to show it to get a security pass and meet the child at the gate (in the U.S.). You’ll also need to show it before we release the child to you.

We suggest arriving at least 2 hours before the child’s scheduled arrival so you have enough time.

Flight status and notifications

Stay connected with your child’s journey with flight notifications and remind the adult picking up your child from the airport to do the same. Be sure to get alerts for all flights in their trip.

Flight status

Flight delays and cancellations

We’ll call the contacts on the unaccompanied minor form and arrange an alternate flight if your child is unable to make a connecting flight due to delays or cancellations.

In the rare case that your child needs to stay overnight because of a missed connection, we’ll arrange for overnight accommodations, meals and supervision. We’ll call if this occurs.

Young adults (15 – 17 years of age)

If your young adult isn’t using the unaccompanied minor service and their flight is delayed or canceled, they will be accommodated as an adult customer. Keep in mind, many hotels won’t allow young people to check-in unless they are accompanied by an adult. Please remind them not to leave the airport for any reason unless they:

• Are accompanied by a uniformed team member or police officer
• Have spoken with a parent or designated adult

Please tell your young adult to speak to a team member if they have questions or need help.

Children traveling outside the U.S.

You may not be able to escort your child through security in some airports. If this is the case, a team member will take your child to the gate and stay with them until the flight departs.

Children under 18 may need a Letter of Consent to travel internationally without both parents.

Country-specific regulations

Some countries have additional restrictions for children traveling with guardians or as an unaccompanied minor.

If your child is traveling unaccompanied or with only one parent, you’ll need:

• The child's birth certificate
• Notarized travel authorization from both parents

The Brazilian Embassy or Consulate must issue, authenticate or legalize this travel authorization.

Contact the consulate in the child’s country of residence or check the National Council of Justice site for more information.

Brazilian National Council of Justice (CNJ) guidelines Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

Italian citizens younger than 14 traveling internationally must have their Individual Passport and Dichiarazione di Accompagno (Declaration of Temporary Guardianship for Travel Abroad). The document must include:

• The signature of a parent or legal guardian
• Authentication by local Police Headquarters
• The name of the airline the child will use

For children with a document proving another nationality (not Italian), check with the local Italian embassy or consulate in their residence country or the embassy or consulate of their destination country for requirements.

Children younger than 18 (at time of travel) and traveling alone to or from Mexico must have a travel authorization letter. This letter must be:

• Signed by at least one parent or legal guardian

All children should present their own passport and meet the requirements of their destination.

Spanish authorities require that all Spanish children traveling alone, with only one parent or with a third party have a travel permit requested by the parents or legal guardians. This permit must be issued by one of these: Police, Civil Guard, Notary’s Office or Town Hall.

For children with a document proving another nationality (not Spanish) and living in Spain, go to the consulate to complete the necessary paperwork.

Flying on a partner airline?

Find helpful information if your trip includes 1 or more flights with our partner airlines.

• British Airways
• Japan Airlines
• Qatar Airways

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• Solo Travel

How to Travel Abroad Alone As a Teenager

Last Updated: January 20, 2022

This article was co-authored by Archana Ramamoorthy, MS . Archana Ramamoorthy is the Chief Technology Officer, North America at Workday. In 2019, she went on a three-month sabbatical from her work and solo traveled throughout Southeast Asia. She is a product ninja, security advocate, and on a quest to enable more inclusion in the tech industry. Archana received her BS from SRM University and MS from Duke University and has been working in product management for over 8 years. This article has been viewed 38,077 times.

You’re ready to see the world and experience the thrill of adventuring out on your own, but how do you do that when you’re a teenager? The good news is that traveling abroad alone as a teen is definitely possible. There are just some extra logistics you’ll need to keep in mind and plan for. This article will walk you through your different options and everything you’ll need to do to prepare so you can start planning the solo trip of your dreams!

Traveling Solo

• Some countries will require a consent letter signed by your parents or guardians and some may refuse your entry all together.
• Most hotels will make you jump through extra hoops as a minor or may not let you stay there at all.
• Some tourist attractions won't let minors in without an adult accompanying you.
• You'll be all alone. If you're have a medical emergency, are arrested, or experience any other kind of pitfall, you may not be able to reach anyone back home.

Archana Ramamoorthy, MS

Community Experience: Before I left for my travels, I visited my doctor to get caught up on all of my vaccines. It's something a lot of people take for granted, but the vaccines helped me not worry so much about rabies and other viruses. It's especially important if you'll be somewhere that you'll be petting animals along the road or eating local food.

• In some countries, like Portugal, minors must have a letter signed by both of their parents, and must authenticate that letter at an embassy prior to travelling.
• In other countries, like Spain, minors can generally travel alone, but if they are arrested, end up in the hospital, or otherwise run into problems, they may be held by authorities until their situation can be resolved.

• If the city you plan to visit has a youth hostel, try calling them. Many youth hostels will allow minors to stay, although most are restricted to those 16 and older.

Traveling with a Tour Group

Expert Q&A

• Finding a friend and traveling with them can be a good idea. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
• Make new friends on your trip, and ask if you can come with them to tour the city. Meeting new people is a big part of traveling, and it can open you up to new experiences you wouldn't have otherwise experienced. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
• Send someone back home your full itinerary, and keep them up to date on any changes. In an emergency, it will be easier for them to find you even if you can't contact them. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1

• Don't book any flights, activities, or hotels without being sure they accept minors traveling alone. You may be refused entry when you arrive! Thanks Helpful 6 Not Helpful 0
• Be especially cautious when traveling alone as a teenager. You may be an easier target for crime. Thanks Helpful 7 Not Helpful 1

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/entry-exit/travel-documents-minors/index_en.htm
• ↑ https://www.huffpost.com/entry/21-tips-to-staying-safe-abroad_b_4725192
• ↑ https://www.thisbatteredsuitcase.com/tips-for-teenagers-who-want-to-travel-the-world/
• ↑ http://thatbackpacker.com/2014/08/06/travel-for-teenagers/

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Here comes the airplane! What to know about flying as an unaccompanied minor

• Most kids as young as 5 should be developmentally ready to travel alone.
• Traveling alone can help kids to feel more responsible and become better problem solvers.
• Every airline has its own rules for minors traveling alone.

"Traveling together” is a five-part series focusing on family travel experiences and how they shape our relationships. If you'd like to contribute to our future reporting and share your experience as a source, you can fill out this quick form .

Carmen Wilson-Wright took their first solo flight from Baltimore to visit their grandparents in San Antonio, Texas, when they were 8 years old.

Their mother is a travel journalist, so Wilson-Wright, whose pronouns are they/them/their, said it felt like a normal thing to do.

"I was already more of an experienced flyer. I’ve been flying since I was 10 days old," they said. "Honestly, I wasn’t nerve-wracked at all. My mom had been preparing me for that basically my entire life."

Now 17, Wilson-Wright still flies alone at least three or four times a year and said that knowing they can take care of themselves even when they're hundreds of miles from anyone they know has given them a strong sense of independence. 

Most U.S. airlines will let children as young as 5 fly as unaccompanied minors, though restrictions and the required   level of supervision vary by carrier and the passenger's   age.

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Child development experts told USA TODAY that letting kids fly unaccompanied can be a great way to help them develop their sense of self, and agreed that 5 was – developmentally speaking – a good age for most kids to start having that opportunity under the right circumstances.

Is my kid ready to fly alone?

Every child develops at a different rate and handles various situations in their own way, but psychiatrists generally agree most should be able to handle flying alone from a pretty young age.

"Most people don't give kids enough credit," said Lea Lis, a child psychiatrist and author of "No Shame: Real Talk With Your Kids About Sex, Self-Confidence, and Healthy Relationships." "Unless your child has a developmental delay or something, they're perfectly capable of handling a trip."

Most airlines require unaccompanied minors to be escorted to their departure gate and met at their arrival gate by an adult guardian, and Lis said the way most airlines structure travel for solo kids helps give them a sense of independence without any real danger.

For subscribers: How much you can expect to pay at popular family vacation destinations

"It might be the first time they were given an opportunity to be away from their caregiver, and airlines and airports are extremely safe," she said. "It's giving them this sense of freedom without any real risk to their safety and security."

Marcel Green, a private practice psychiatrist in New York City, affiliated with Hudson Mind and The Children's Village, among other institutions, said solo travel could also help kids become better problem-solvers.

"It nurtures the development of a cognitive skill called executive functioning, which refers to one’s ability to coordinate and implement planning," he said. "Traveling alone represents an extremely important task, and if a kid is supported enough to master that task, it will correlate with swifter development."

How can I prepare my kids to fly by themselves? 

Lis practices what she preaches. In 2017, her then 7-year-old daughter took a solo trip to Germany to visit a great aunt.

"They upgraded her to first class, and she loved it," Lis said.

While a luxe seat is hardly guaranteed for any young adventurer, there's plenty caregivers can do ahead of a trip to help kids be more calm and more comfortable.

"Make it fun instead of scary," Lis said. "Don’t say, 'Oh my God, this is going to be so hard for you,' say, 'This is going to be so fun for you.' "

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She added that doing something special like giving the kid a little gift – like a new book or toy – to unwrap on the plane could help make the trip even more exciting and provide a good distraction if they get bored or nervous.

Green said the key is making sure kids can handle other tasks independently first.

"Is the child able to perform an errand by themselves under the supervision of parents?" he said. "That would be a good gauge, and progressively making it more challenging," by giving them more involved errands that require being away from their normal support network for longer. 

"You essentially want to see how emotionally balanced a child can be" when they're not with their family, Green said.

Ahead of a trip, he added, it's important to check in with the child to make sure they're feeling ready, too.

Story continues below.

"I would ask the child: How do you feel when you’re alone? What do you do if you need help? Who would you talk to if you’re upset? If you are upset, do you know how to reach your parent?" Green said.

Lis agreed that it's important for children traveling alone to memorize key contact info and know how to get in touch with someone who can help in an emergency. She also said some kids may just not be ready to travel by themselves.

"If a child is very anxious in general ... that's probably not the right child to send on a plane alone," she said. "If a child is adventurous and has that kind of spirit, they'll probably fare better."

In their experience, Wilson-Wright also said it's important for kids to be involved in planning and preparing for their own trip.

"Make sure you're packing your own carry-on," Wilson-Wright  said. "You want activities for your own plane ride. You want to choose what you want to do."

Will my kid act differently after taking a solo trip? 

Flying without a parent can definitely help a kid feel more independent, and that could have positive knock-on effects at home and on future family trips, too.

"It could be correlated with improved behavior within the family unit as well as in other social settings where we expect children to behave," Green said.

Lis added that giving kids more responsibility should be a natural next step after they have taken a trip by themselves.

"Leverage that: 'You did this by yourself; what else can you do by yourself?' " she said. "'You're a kid who flew on a plane alone, you can make your own snack.' "

Airline policies

Most airlines have similar rules for unaccompanied minors traveling. Here are the policies from the four largest carriers in the U.S.

► American Airlines unaccompanied minor policy

Kids as young as 5 can fly unaccompanied on American . The airline charges $150 each way for the service for solo kids or groups of siblings. Unaccompanied minors are entitled to priority boarding, kids-only lounges in the airline's hubs for those with connecting flights, a snack kit for travelers up to age 10 and escorts through the airport along with flight attendant supervision onboard.

Kids ages 15 to 17 are permitted to fly as standard passengers, but any unaccompanied traveler ages 5 to 14 is required to make use of the unaccompanied minor program. Those ages 5 to 7 are allowed to travel only on nonstop flights. 

► Delta Air Lines unaccompanied minor policy

Kids as young as 5 can fly unaccompanied on some  Delta  flights. The airline charges $150 each way for up to four children to use the service, which includes priority boarding, kids-only lounges in the airline's hubs for those with connecting flights and escorts through the airport along with flight attendant supervision onboard.

Kids ages 15 to 17 are permitted to fly as standard passengers on any Delta flight, but all unaccompanied traveler ages 5 to 14 are required to make use of the unaccompanied minor program. Those ages 5 to 7 are allowed to travel only on nonstop flights. 

► United Airlines unaccompanied minor policy

Kids as young as 5 can fly unaccompanied on United  flights. The airline charges $150 each way for one to two kids to use the service, $300 each way for three to four kids and $450 each way for up to six  kids. Unaccompanied minors on United must take nonstop flights and will be assigned a seat within 72 hours of booking. They are entitled to priority boarding and have a chance to meet the pilots before takeoff. Flight attendants check in with them during the flight as duties allow. 

Kids ages 15 to 17 are permitted to fly as standard passengers on any United flight, but all unaccompanied traveler ages 5 to 14 are required to make use of the unaccompanied minor program. 

► Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor policy

Kids ages 5 to 11 can fly as unaccompanied minors on any direct  Southwest  flights (this includes both nonstop itineraries and those that do make a stop but don't require a change of planes). The airline charges $50 per child each way for its unaccompanied minor service, which entitles them to priority boarding and an escort and supervision on the plane. 

Children 4 years old and younger or 12 years old and older are not eligible unaccompanied minor service on Southwest.

Have you or your child flown by themselves? How was that experience?

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Country-Specific Regulations

Travel from brazil.

Resources: For more information regarding Brazil’s documentation requirements, please click on the link below or contact the consulate in the child’s country of residence.

• Cartilha de Viagem de Menores ao Exterior to view a guide released by Brazilian authorities.
• To view a standard authorization form please visit: https://www.cnj.jus.br/programas-e-acoes/viagem-ao-exterior

Requirements for passengers under the age of 18:

• Passengers who are traveling with only one of the parents/legal guardians must have a notarized letter with authorization from the other parent/legal guardian
• A passenger traveling alone or accompanied by someone other than the parents/legal guardians must have a notarized letter with authorization from both parents/legal guardians
• Judicial authorization will be required for travel of Brazilian citizens under 18 if accompanied by an adult that is not a Brazilian citizen and resides abroad, provided (1) such adult is not the parent/legal guardian of the minor or (2) the minor, though born in Brazil, does not have Brazilian citizenship

Exemptions: Authorization is not required for minors traveling with both parents or non-Brazilian citizens that were not born in Brazil.

Flying to or From Canada

Minors under age 14 traveling to or from Canada have the option of sitting next to or near a parent, guardian or tutor. Delta makes every reasonable effort to seat children in close proximity to caregivers according to age group:

• Minors under 5: Adjacent seating.
• Minors aged 5–11: Same-row seating with no more than one seat of separation.
• Minors aged 12 or 13: Seated with no more than one row of separation. 

Accommodations may require seat reassignment, and a Delta agent will reseat eligible passengers in these circumstances based on availability. Accommodation may include requesting other passengers to voluntarily change seats at the time of boarding and before takeoff, and as such, cannot be guaranteed. Note: While promoted system-wide, these arrangements pertain only to minors flying to or from Canada.

If an adjusted seating arrangement results in relocation to a different cabin class, passengers will be reimbursed for the difference if in a lower class of service or asked to provide supplementary payment if a higher class of service is selected, depending on the difference in service level for that cabin.

Travel to or From the Dominican Republic

Travel from italy.

All unaccompanied minors of Italian citizenship under the age of 14 that are traveling internationally are required to have the following documents:

• Individual passport (according to the Ministerial Circular n. 400/A/2012/23.1.3 attached)
• “Dichiarazione di accompagno” duly authorized by the Police Authority (“Questura”).

The current regulation applies to: 

Italian citizens under 14 years traveling as an Unaccompanied Minor (Requirement)

• In addition to a passport, the passenger must have a notarized affidavit from the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of the child confirming that the minor has permission to travel as an unaccompanied minor.
• This document must be signed by the parent(s) or by the legal guardian(s) and authenticated by the Police Headquarters (Questura) and include the name of the airline to which the minor is entrusted.

Exemptions:

• Authorization is not required for minors traveling with parents.
• Authorization is not required for non-Italian citizens.
• Authorization is not required for UMNR 14 years and older.

The “Dichiarazione di Accompagno” forms are to be prepared and held by the unaccompanied minor, in the unaccompanied minor envelope with their passport. Find more information on traveling as an unaccompanied minor .

Copies of the declaration are to be retained by the origination station for 5 Years. Click on the recommended authorization form for Passengers to follow in Italian.

Travel to or From Mexico

Travel to or from south africa, the amended regulation applies to minor travel if:, 1. both parents are traveling with the minor – (requirement).

Where the minor is a South African national, in addition to a valid passport, parents need an original stamped or sealed birth certificate or certified copy.

Where the minor is a foreign national,a valid passport is all that is required.  See additional details under the “Exemptions” header below. 2. One parent is traveling with a minor – (Requirement)

Where the minor is a South African national, in addition to a valid passport, the parent needs an original stamped or sealed birth certificate or certified copy and one of the applicable items below:

• Parental consent letter from the non-traveling parent listed in the birth certificate — authorizing minor to enter or depart from South Africa.  To be valid, the parent consent letter must not be older than six (6) months from the date presented and must include contact details and a copy of the passport of the non-traveling parent.
• For a sole parent or legal guardian: a court order that indicates full parental responsibilities/rights or legal guardianship
• Where applicable, a death certificate of the other parent who is registered as the parent on the birth certificate

Where the minor is a foreign national, a valid passport is all that is required. See additional details under the “Exemptions” header below.

3. Persons traveling with a minor that is a South African national who is not their biological child – (Requirement) Where the minor is a South African national, the following documents are required:

• Valid passport for minor
• Certified copy of the birth certificate
• Parental consent letter from the parents or legal guardians of the minor confirming that minor has permission to travel with non-related person
• Copies of the identity documents or passports of the parents or legal guardian of the minor
• Contact details of the parents or legal guardian of the minor
• A certified copy of the death certificates of the parents who are registered as the parents on the birth certificate
• A certified copy of the adoption order granting full parental responsibilities / rights or legal guardianship
• A court order that indicates full parental responsibilities / rights or legal guardianship

Where the minor is a foreign national, a valid passport is all that is required.  See additional details under the “Exemptions” header below.

4. Unaccompanied minors – (Requirement)

• A certified copy of the birth certificate
• Parental consent letters from the parent(s) / legal guardian(s) authorizing travel into/out of South Africa
• A copy of the identity document(s) or valid passport(s) of the parent(s) / legal guardian(s)
• A letter from the person receiving the child in South Africa; containing their South Africa residential address and contact details and where the child will reside
• A copy of identity documents or valid passport (and where applicable, visa or permanent residence permit) of the person receiving the child in South Africa
• Parent/Legal guardian contact details

5. Child in Alternative Care –(Requirement)

Where the minor has been placed in foster care, temporary safe care, or care of a child and youth care center following an order of a court in terms of the Children’s Act, 2005, or the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 (Alternative Care), the following documents are required:

• Letter from the Provincial Head of the Department of Social Development where the child resides authorizing departure from South Africa
• South African minors traveling on South African passports may travel to and within South Africa without birth certificates.
• Minors in possession of valid South African visas are not required to produce identity documents already submitted as part of their visa applications when traveling through a South African port of entry (e.g., a birth certificate).
• Where a minor has a passport that contains the details of their parent(s), the minor is not required to produce a birth certificate as well
• School tours — South Africa immigration will accept a letter from the school’s Principal to cover all minors on a school tour.
• Birth certificate and additional documentation is not required for those transiting South Africa.
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Children travelling alone

If your child is about to embark on their first adventure without you, here’s everything you need to know to help make sure it goes smoothly. 

How old does a child have to be to fly alone?

We allow children aged 14 or older to travel alone with us on domestic or international British Airways flights. 

Children under 14 years old cannot travel alone with us. They must be accompanied by someone aged 16 or over on the same or a linked booking to travel with us. 

Our partner airline SUN-AIR of Scandinavia follow different guidelines. Please see below for more information.

Booking flights for children under the age of 16

A child aged 14 or 15 years old travelling alone will be booked to travel as an adult. To book their ticket, please get in touch via our  Contact Us  page as you’re unable to book this online. 

The young traveller will be making their own way through departure and arrival airports and boarding their flight(s) without assistance or a chaperone. We’re unable to accept parental responsibility for the young person. 

Our partner airlines may have different regulations, age limits and charges, so please check with them directly.

What your child needs to travel alone

All children aged 14 or 15 travelling alone must carry with them:

• A  British Airways consent form  (pdf, 124kb, English only), completed and signed by a parent/guardian. 
• A copy of photographic identification of the parent/guardian who completed the form showing their signature, such as passport or driving licence. 
• Any required travel documentation, such as valid passport(s), visas and proof of return travel.  Check what they need for their destination .

These three documents must always remain in the child’s possession while travelling. 

We also advise your child carries with them:

• Any required medication and/or health certificates.
• Method of payment for any expenses.
• A way to communicate with their parent or guardian, as well as the person they are meeting at their destination. Please ensure all phones and devices are fully charged, with sufficient credit and roaming activated.

At the airport

You can accompany your young traveller up to the security gate. Anyone not flying with us is unable to go past this point, because we cannot offer gate passes at any of our airports. Airport colleagues will be able to tell you the latest time your child can stay with you before they need to go through security and onto their departure gate. 

We recommended that you wait until their flight takes off before leaving the terminal.

It can help to look at the airport terminal maps with your child before arriving at the airport so they’re familiar with their journey. Some airports do offer paid assistance to help customers to their boarding gate. Please visit the airport’s website for more information. 

Children travelling alone on SUN-AIR flights

SUN-AIR, our partner airline, allows young children between the ages of five and 11 years to travel without a parent or legal guardian provided you contact the airline in advance. Children over the age of 12 can travel unaccompanied on SUN-AIR operated flights, although young flyers between 12-16 years can use the SUN-AIR Unaccompanied Minor service on request.

You’ll need to book and pay for the SUN-AIR Unaccompanied Minor service in advance. You can’t book this service online, so please contact SUN-AIR for more information and to make your booking.

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What to Know About Testing and Vaccine Requirements for Travel

Do you need to be vaccinated or have a negative Covid-19 test for your next trip? Check this guide before traveling domestically or abroad.

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By Concepción de León

As vaccinations ramp up and regulations loosen for people in the United States, many are planning travel for summer and beyond, with experts predicting that July 4 will be the biggest travel weekend since the beginning of the pandemic.

But with regulations shifting, people might have questions about testing or vaccination requirements for their trips. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently eased travel recommendations to more than 100 countries. On June 18, the European Union added the United States to its “safe list” of countries , meaning that both vaccinated and unvaccinated American travelers should now be able to visit the 27 member countries, but these member states are allowed to set their own requirements and restrictions for travelers.

In the United States, the C.D.C. has advised that vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks in most places and released new travel guidelines that said domestic travel is safe for them. But travelers must take note of local advice and regulations, as these can vary state by state.

Here’s everything you need to consider about testing and vaccinations before you travel within the U.S. or internationally.

Are there testing and vaccination requirements for domestic travel?

For most places, no. You do not need to be vaccinated for any domestic travel. Hawaii is the only state that requires a negative test for travel.

In Hawaii, the test must be administered within 72 hours of arrival and the results uploaded to its Safe Travel platform to avoid a mandatory quarantine when entering the state.

Alternatively in Hawaii, you can also provide proof that you’ve recovered from Covid-19 in the past 90 days, including both a positive test result and a letter from a doctor clearing you to travel.

The state’s governor, David Ige, said this month that people who received their vaccination in the state of Hawaii may bypass testing and quarantine requirements starting on June 15, and that anyone vaccinated in the U.S. will be able to enter Hawaii without testing once the state has reached a 60 percent vaccination rate.

If you are unvaccinated, you should continue to adhere to social distancing and mask-wearing protocols while traveling domestically, the C.D.C. said . You can use the C.D.C.’s Travel Planner to check guidelines by state.

What are the testing and vaccination rules for international travel?

While testing and vaccination requirements vary by destination country, everyone arriving in the U.S. — even vaccinated Americans — must present a negative test result upon entry .

Many nations are still closed to American travelers. Those that are open may require a negative test, proof of vaccination or evidence of recovery (or a combination of these) to enter.

The United Kingdom , for instance, requires that American travelers, regardless of vaccination status, provide proof of a negative test taken within 72 hours of departure, quarantine upon arrival and take two additional tests during their stay. Children under 11 are exempt from these requirements, as are some other people depending on their reason for travel.

Some European countries have been allowing in Americans who are vaccinated or who can show a negative test. Americans are on the European Union’s “safe list” of countries, but while the bloc aims to take a coordinated approach to travel this summer, member states will be allowed to set their own requirements for travelers from individual countries, which could include testing and vaccination.

The E.U. “safe list” also applies to Europe’s border-free Schengen Zone, which includes non-E.U. countries such as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Lichtenstein.

Canada is still closed to Americans , with few exceptions, and will remain so until at least early July, said Patty Hajdu, the country’s minister of health, in a news conference in June.

The U.S.-Mexico land border is closed for nonessential travel until at least June 21, but air travel is allowed and the country does not require a negative test for entry. Because of its high risk level, the C.D.C. recommends that travelers be fully vaccinated before traveling to Mexico.

Consult the C.D.C.’s inventory of international travel health notices for more information on regulations by country.

“Travelers should always check with their airline and the embassy of the country they are visiting to ensure they have the proper documentation required to enter the country,” said Perry Flint, a spokesman for The International Air Transport Association, a global airline industry group.

What test should I take, and where and when?

To enter the U.S., travelers must show a negative result to a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) — PCR is a type of NAAT test — or an antigen test, also known as a rapid test, taken in the three days before departure, according to the C.D.C .

Some airports offer on-site testing, such as Heathrow Airport in England, or Rome’s Fiumicino International Airport in Italy.

Josh Alexander, a New York-based luxury travel agent for Protravel International, said that many international hotels, including most Four Seasons hotels and resorts , are offering on-site rapid tests for free or at a nominal cost.

Testing at local clinics is also available in many places, though you should check availability at your destination ahead of time and book if you can. It may also come at a high cost. Mr. Alexander said that PCR tests abroad can range from $50 to $150.

The C.D.C. said that it allows for a three-day time frame rather than 72 hours to allow flexibility in the time of day the test can be taken. For instance, if you are flying out on a Friday, the test may be taken at any time on Tuesday.

But, when it comes to international destinations, Mr. Alexander recommends erring on the side of caution when timing your test by calculating it based on time of arrival at your destination.

“Rules are constantly changing,” he said, “so we’re just trying to always tell people they should always be as conservative as possible to eliminate any gray area.”

What are the requirements for minors?

The C.D.C. testing recommendations apply to all children 2 years and older, which means your toddler also needs to deliver a negative Covid-19 test to enter the U.S. from abroad. When traveling, children should wear masks, practice social distancing and wash hands often, the C.D.C. said .

“If the kids are age 12 and older, get ’em vaccinated,” said William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University, in an email.

If you’re traveling to a country within the European Union that is open to travelers from the U.S., children who cannot be vaccinated should have a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival at your destination, and additional testing may be required upon arrival.

Travelers should check with their airline or destination country website for relevant requirements.

What if I want to go on a cruise?

Rules vary from one cruise line to another, with some planning to require that all passengers and crew be vaccinated, and others adopting a hybrid model.

But recent laws passed in Florida and Texas banning businesses from requiring proof of vaccination to use their services may complicate this plan.

Celebrity Cruises, set to be the first U.S. cruise ship to restart operations on June 26 from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., said it’s optimistic that a resolution would be reached in time . It is requiring that guests 16 years and older be vaccinated, while children will be tested at the terminal.

Carnival Cruises said on Monday that its first ship would set sail from the Port of Galveston, in Texas, on July 3 and would be available only for vaccinated passengers. Norwegian, which will begin to operate cruises from Miami in August, said it will require the same through October 31 and has threatened to skip Florida ports if the state does not allow cruise lines an exemption from the law banning vaccine requirements.

Christine Duffy, the president of Carnival Cruise Line, said in a statement on June 7 that “the current CDC requirements for cruising with a guest base that is unvaccinated will make it very difficult to deliver the experience our guests expect, especially given the large number of families with younger children who sail with us.”

“As a result, our alternative is to operate our ships from the U.S. during the month of July with vaccinated guests,” she said.

But even if you are vaccinated, you must also consider the requirements of the country where the cruise is disembarking. The Caribbean island of St. Maarten, for instance, where Celebrity Cruises started sailing on June 5, requires a negative test in addition to proof of vaccination.

What documents should I bring with me if I travel?

This will also depend on where you’re going, but a good rule of thumb is to carry your physical vaccine card, if you have it, and proof of a negative test, if it is required.

Mr. Alexander, the travel agent, recommends people bring the original documents. While a number of digital health certificates — which show vaccine status and test results — are in the works, he said, they are not yet widely accepted. You should check, also, that your document is in the correct language. The United Kingdom , for instance, requires that test results be in English, Spanish or French.

CommonPass , from the Geneva-based nonprofit the Commons Project Foundation, and the I.A.T.A. Travel Pass are two apps providing digital access to vaccine and testing records for travel. The European Union will be releasing its own digital Covid certificate for E.U. citizens by July 1, though it is unclear whether Americans will be able to use it.

You should check with your airline to see if the app you want to use will be accepted at your destination. Both the CommonPass and I.A.T.A. websites list destinations and airline partners accepting the digital health certificates.

Mr. Alexander added that some countries, such as Croatia, may also require proof of a return flight or confirmation of your hotel booking or other accommodation, though this is rare. In South Africa, which has implemented a curfew, travelers may need to show their flight ticket to law enforcement officers to show they are allowed to be in transit.

But these shifting regulations should not dissuade people from traveling, Mr. Alexander said.

“If you’re vaccinated and you’re following safe precautions, you can still have a great experience,” he said.

Concepción de León is a travel reporter based in New York. More about Concepción de León

UPDATED: Americans can now visit 112 countries and territories — here’s the complete list

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

The United States has had one of the worst coronavirus outbreaks in the world, with more than 36.6 million cases and 621,253 deaths as of Aug.15, 2021, according to Johns Hopkins University . Despite a new surge in cases from the delta variant, travelers are again exploring the world.

Indeed, the welcome mat that had been rolled up for Americans for much of 2020 is now back in place, and more than 110 countries and territories have reopened to U.S. tourists, including Iceland, which began allowing in vaccinated U.S. travelers as of April 6, 2021, and Greece, which did the same as of April 19, 2021. France opened to fully vaccinated tourists as of June 9, 2021, Spain began welcoming fully vaccinated Americans on June 7, 2021 and Denmark reopened to fully vaccinated U.S. citizens on June 5, 2021 .

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

So what else is open? The full list is below. We included two U.S. territories (Puerto Rico and the USVI) among our destinations. Mexico, Central America and most islands in the Caribbean are also open to tourists, with varying degrees of testing and quarantine required — from no testing or quarantine in Mexico, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic to pre-travel testing and 14-day resort quarantine in St. Lucia.

Unfortunately, many South American countries are currently COVID-19 hot spots, as are India and several other nations in Asia. Most of Oceania remains off limits (but French Polynesia has reopened to Americans ). Europe has also now mostly reopened to Americans. Even England is now open to Americans.

Related: A country-by-country guide to coronavirus recovery

Be sure to consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , U.S. State Department and local U.S. Embassy websites, and read restrictions for U.S. residents carefully before planning a trip.

Which places are open for Americans?

COVID-19 test required: No

Other restrictions: Daily 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew; masks are mandatory in indoor public spaces.

What's open: Most businesses, beaches and restaurants and cafes have reopened (but restaurants can offer takeout and delivery only during curfew hours).

Commercial flights returned to Albania in June 2020, and the government lifted all restrictions on tourism on July 1, 2020. There are no testing requirements for visitors, but a health screening at the airport is mandatory. If a passenger has COVID-19 symptoms and/or a fever, they may be required to undergo testing and a government quarantine. As the U.S. Embassy in Albania notes, "Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice."

For details on PCR or rapid antigen testing requirements (as of January 26, 2021) for all international air travelers returning to the U.S., check here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Albania is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution . Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Albania.

Related: 5 reasons to visit Albania

COVID-19 test required: Yes

• Three to five days (72 to 120 hours) before departure, again upon arrival and a third time on day 7 or 14 (if not vaccinated) • PCR test required (including infants and toddlers)

Other restrictions: Travel Authorization is required for short-stay tourists and anyone seeking to work from Anguilla. Each individual traveler (including children) needs an authorization, and travelers entering/transferring via Dutch St. Maarten also must complete St. Maarten's health screening application form and pre-arrange boat or air travel to Anguilla. Quarantine/movement restrictions for seven to 14 days (depending on country of origin and vaccination status) and additional on-island testing are required; all travelers need health insurance valid in Anguilla.

Beginning July 1, 2021, fully vaccinated travelers will be able to visit Anguilla without having to pay fees, have travel health insurance or quarantine.

What's open: Anguilla has certified many resorts, restaurants and activities for Safe Environment use by tourists.

Anguilla is, once again, welcoming pre-approved travelers as of May 25, 2021, following a month-long suspension on all entries. Travelers must follow step-by-step instructions involving authorization, hotel and transfer reservations, and testing. However, with the reopening, quarantine time has been reduced to seven days for fully vaccinated travelers who are at least three weeks past their final dose, and that will be lifted as of July 1.

The government recommends starting the application process at least seven days before your intended travel date. All visitors seeking a short-term stay or a work-from-Anguilla arrangement need to seek a Travel Authorization (each individual traveler, including children, must get an authorization; the fee is $300 for an individual, plus $200 for any additional person on the application), provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken three to five days (72-120 hours) before departure and then undergo a temperature check and take another test upon arrival.

For unvaccinated travelers, a third test on day 7 or 14 (depending on where the traveler is from) is also required. The U.S. is a high-prevalence country, so a 14-day stay in your resort "bubble" is required until the second on-island test results are received. Multigenerational families and/or groups with a mix of unvaccinated and vaccinated persons will all have to quarantine for a 10-day period, utilizing only approved short-stay services.

Guests must stay in place at their accommodations until receiving their second on-island test result or use Safe Environment-approved ground transportation to visit Safe Environment-certified restaurants or participate in Safe Environment-approved activities. See FAQs here .

Travel health insurance that covers COVID-19 and is valid in Anguilla is also required for unvaccinated travelers. In addition, travelers entering/transferring via Dutch St. Maarten must complete St. Maarten's health screening application form and prearrange boat or air travel to Anguilla.

For details on PCR or rapid antigen testing requirements (as of January 26, 2021) for all international air travelers returning to the U.S., check here . Note: Many resorts in the Caribbean are offering on-site COVID-19 PCR and rapid antigen tests to their guests.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Anguilla is Level 1: Excercise Normal Precautions . Visit the U.S. Embassy in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean , which oversees Anguilla, for additional information.

Antigua and Barbuda

• Seven days before departure • PCR test required (for all travelers 12 and older)

Other restrictions: All travelers must stay at a certified property, where they will quarantine and be monitored for COVID-19 for up to 14 days, (As of May 14, 2021, travelers who are two weeks past having completed vaccination must only quarantine for seven days .) Further testing upon arrival or at the place of lodging is required as determined by the Health Authorities (cost: $100 per person); there is an 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.

What's open: Beaches from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. (music, alcohol and parties prohibited), as well as certified hotels, excursions and restaurants. Bars had been closed, but a phased reopening started on May 19, 2021.

Antiqua and Barbuda reopened to tourists on June 4, 2020, and American Airlines has resumed flights there. However, according to the islands' latest Travel Advisory , visitors must complete a health declaration form, stay in certified accommodations and only book certified tours . They must also adhere to social distancing guidelines, including face masks in public. Failure to do so could result in a fine of up to $5,000 XCD ($1,850) and/or imprisonment for up to six months.

The Points Guy founder Brian Kelly canceled an early June 2020 trip to Antigua but eventually was able to reschedule.

  View this post on Instagram   AMAZING NEWS- Scientists discovered a way to reduce #covid19 transmission by 70% and its called wear a damn mask when you're in public ?????? #antigua #travel #thepointsguy #wearamask A post shared by Brian Kelly (@briankelly) on Jun 27, 2020 at 6:02pm PDT

For details on PCR or rapid Antigen testing requirements (as of January 26, 2021) for all international air travelers returning to the U.S., check here . Note: Many resorts in the Caribbean are offering on-site COVID-19 PCR and rapid antigen tests to their guests.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Antigua and Barbuda is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions . Visit the U.S. Embassy in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean , which oversees Antigua and Barbuda, for additional information.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Antigua and Barbuda.

Sign up for TPG's weekly newsletter written by Brian Kelly.

COVID-19 test required: Yes (unless fully vaccinated)

• 72 hours before arrival (or submit to a test upon arrival) • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Passengers who opt to test upon arrival (cost: $40) are required to self-isolate until they receive the result (usually within 24 hours). Face masks are required in all public spaces and on public transportation; violators could face fines of 10,000 dram ($19).

What's open: Most hotels, businesses and public transportation.

Armenia is welcoming visitors arriving via Zvartnots International Airport (EVN). Visitors can travel to the country without restrictions, and there is no curfew in place. Travelers older than one year are required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken with 72 hours of arrival. U.S. travelers who are two weeks or more past completing their COVID-19 vaccination can present vaccination documentation instead of a test result.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Armenia is Level 3: Reconsider Travel . Visit the U.S. Embassy in Armenia website for additional information.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Armenia.

• 12 to 72 hours before departure (or test upon arrival) • PCR test required

Other restrictions: All travelers (including children and infants) must submit an online Embarkation/Disembarkation (ED) card within 72 to four hours prior to travel and purchase visitors insurance from the nation of Aruba, which covers up to $75,000 in health expenses (cost: $30 for travelers age 15 and older and $10 for those 14 and younger). Masks must be carried at all times and worn in all indoor public spaces, including casinos.

What's open: Most hotels and businesses, although they are subject to capacity restrictions. Nightclubs are closed, but beach bars, hotel bars and restaurant bars are open; casinos are open with safety measures in place and 1 a.m. closure time as of June 9, 2021. Details on restrictions can be found here .

Aruba began welcoming American travelers on July 10, 2020, following the admittance of visitors from Europe on July 1, 2020. As part of the required online ED card process, travelers 15 and older must provide a certified negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 12 to 72 hours of travel to Aruba or take a COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival ($75) and quarantine in their hotel room until receiving a negative result (typically within 24 hours). Testing requirements can be found here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Aruba is Level 4: Do Not Travel . Visit the website of the U.S. Consulate General in Curacao , which overseas Aruba, for additional information.

COVID-19 test required: Yes (vaccinated travelers are exempt from testing as of May 1, 2021)

• Five days (120 hours) before arrival • PCR test required

Other restrictions: All U.S. visitors, even those who are fully vaccinated, must purchase a "Bahamas Health Visa" (choose international) prior to arrival ($40 or $70, depending on length of stay; minors 17 and younger added to an adult's visa), as well as health insurance, and upload negative pre-travel test results into the online visa form. (Travelers who are two weeks or more past completing vaccination must upload proof of vaccination .)

A second rapid antigen test is required for any unvaccinated traveler staying more than four nights/five days. Unvaccinated travelers must also self-report through the completion of a daily health questionnaire for a period of 14 days or the duration of stay (whichever is shorter). Face masks are mandatory in all public settings (excluding the beach); violators are subject to a $200 fine for not wearing a mask and $1,000 for not taking the second test (with one-month imprisonment also possible).

There are nightly curfews from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Nassau/Paradise Island and 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Grand Bahama. In addition, all inter-island travel requires the completion of another online health application (choose domestic) and a negative test (for unvaccinated travelers).

What's open: Hotels, restaurants and most businesses and attractions are operating, with social distancing measures in place; conditions may vary from island to island, requiring increased restrictions. (Only outdoor dining and takeout/delivery are allowed at restaurants on Nassau and Paradise Island.)

After hitting several speed bumps in its reopening — first opening up in July 2020, then shutting down again — the Bahamas has fully reopened to international travelers, including Americans. There are still a few hurdles for visitors, but the process is fairly straightforward . Complete details on pre-arrival requirements, including the Bahamas Health Visa, can be found here .

Related: Bahamas reopening

The U.S. State Department's advisory for the Bahamas is Level 3: Reconsider Travel . Visit the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas website for additional information.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in the Bahamas.

Related: Bahamas making it easier to visit; everything US citizens need to know

COVID-19 test required: Yes (for non-vaccinated travelers before travel and for vaccinated travelers upon arrival)

• 48 hours before departure • PCR test required

Other restrictions: All travelers must download the BeAware Bahrain app , and nonvaccinated passengers must quarantine for 10 days on arrival at their own residence or at a government-designated hotel. All travelers must submit to and pay for a test upon arrival and another on day 10 (cost: 36 Bahraini dinars/$95), with steep fines of 1,000 Bahraini Dinars/$2,645 to 10,000 dinars/$26,500 and possible jail time for noncompliance. Any positive test results will necessitate quarantine at a government facility until a clean bill of health is received; face masks are mandatory in all public spaces (with a 20 Bahraini dinar/$53 fine for noncompliance).

What's open: Most hotels and businesses. Indoor dining and other indoor (and large outdoor) activities are restricted to those who are fully vaccinated.

U.S. travelers have been permitted to receive a visa upon arrival and enter Bahrain since September 4, 2020. While non-vaccinated travelers must undergo a pre-travel test 48 hours before departure and receive a QR code, travelers vaccinated in the United States with approved vaccination certificates do not need to pre-test. But like non-vaccinated travelers, they will undergo a PCR test at their own expense on arrival and on day 10 in Bahrain. They are, however, exempt from quarantine and will be given a certification card for use within Bahrain.

The U.S. Embassy in Bahrain reports that flight schedules are reduced and remain subject to cancellation. Visitors should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into place with little or no advance notice.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Bahrain is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Bahrain.

• 72 hours before departure to Bangladesh and also 72 hours prior to departure from Bangladesh • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Travelers must have existing Bangladeshi visas (as long as they have not yet expired, they can be renewed); all visitors in possession of a negative test result must still undergo "home quarantine" in their accommodations for 14 days.

What's open: With COVID-19 cases and deaths reaching record highs, the country entered a national lockdown on April 5, 2021 (through at least June 16, 2021) and suspended international flights through April 2021 (limited flights resumed on June 1, 2021). During lockdown, public transportation is limited, all tourist sites are closed, and most businesses are closed or have limited hours.

Bangladesh is open to U.S. travelers, according to the U.S. Embassy in Bangladesh, which notes there is a countrywide lockdown through at least mid-June 2021 after the country experienced record cases and deaths in April and early May. The U.S. is considered a Group C country, and all travelers 10 and older must present written proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of travel upon arrival in Bangladesh, followed by 14 days of home/self-quarantine. Authorities will also collect health information cards and conduct temperature screenings. Further, travelers are required to produce a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departing the country.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Bangladesh is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Bangladesh.

• 72 hours before arrival (plus testing while in Barbados) • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Travelers must complete an online immigration and customs form at least 24 hours before arrival in Barbados ; all visitors must then board approved transportation to their resort and unvaccinated travelers must quarantine in their rooms for seven days as they await results of a PCR test taken on day five. As of May 8, 2021 , travelers who are two weeks or more past completing vaccination — and who have not traveled through countries of special consideration (South Africa, Brazil or India) within the past 21 days — will need to show proof of vaccination, be tested upon arrival and only need to remain at their preapproved accommodations until receiving a negative result (one to two days). Then they are free to move around the island.

What's open: Most hotels, but hotel restaurants are open for room service only for quarantining guests. Beaches are now open from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. for swimming or exercise only. Indoor dining has resumed, but bar capacity is capped at 50%. There is an 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. curfew from Thursday night to Monday morning.

Barbados reopened to international travelers on July 12, 2020. JetBlue resumed commercial flights from the U.S. on July 25, 2020, and American Airlines on August 5, 2020. In mid-November, Barbados announced a partnership with Stage Zero Life Sciences for pretravel testing for U.S. visitors (required for everyone ages 5 and older).

As of May 8, 2021, all unvaccinated travelers must:

• Have proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test from an accredited laboratory taken within 72 hours prior to departure, which is required for travelers age 5 and older from countries of all risk levels.
• Within 24 hours before traveling to Barbados, complete an online immigration/customs form (or use the BIMSAFE app ) with personal health questions relating to COVID-19 symptoms and upload their negative COVID-19 test results.
• Board transport to their preapproved accommodations (for a minimum of seven nights) and agree to in-room quarantine (no beach or leaving the property) for five days until they take a second PCR test and receive a negative result (available within another 48 hours). They must also self-monitor for symptoms for seven days, including daily temperature checks (bring a thermometer) and report them via the app or to public health teams who will call or text.

As of May 8, 2021, all fully vaccinated travelers must:

• Provide official proof of vaccination.
• Take a COVID-19 rapid PCR test upon arrival in Barbados, either at the airport or at their preapproved accommodation.
• Board approved transport to their government-approved accommodations to await their arrival test results (typically within 48 hours) before ending their on-property quarantine.

Complete details on protocols can be found here .

Related: Barbados wants you to move there and work remotely

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Barbados is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Information on Barbados' response to coronavirus and any updates to its protocols can be found on the government website . You can also visit the U.S. Embassy in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean website for additional information.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Barbados.

• 72 hours before departure • PCR test required

Other restrictions: A 10-day quarantine is required for all travelers from "red zone" countries, which include the U.S. Travelers must complete their quarantine in Belarus and will not be allowed to leave the country until doing so. Americans also require a visa for entry and must submit a health questionnaire and undergo temperature checks upon arrival.

What's open: Most hotels and businesses are open; there are neither curfews nor restrictions on movement throughout the country.

Belarus is in the middle of a popular uprising against the man called the "last dictator in Europe," and the country's government set off international furor on May 23, 2021, when it ordered the diversion of a Ryanair flight traveling from Greece to Lithuania in order to arrest a journalist. The CDC also places the country at Level 3: High Level of COVID-19 , so it might not be the best time to visit. However, since August 15, 2020, the country bordering Russia is open to American tourists.

U.S. travelers are only allowed to enter via Minsk National Airport (MSQ), according to the U.S. Embassy in Belarus . Land borders are currently closed to U.S. citizens.

For details on PCR or rapid Antigen testing requirements (as of January 26, 2021) for all international air travelers returning to the U.S., check here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Belarus is Level 4: Do Not Travel.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Belarus.

Other restrictions: Travelers must complete a passenger health locator form

What's open: Most establishments are open; public transportation is operating with a mask requirement

Belgium reopened to American travelers on June 21. There are no testing or vaccination requirements because the U.S. has been designated as an "orange" country as part of Belgium's color-coding initiative to assess COVID-19 risk for incoming travelers.

Travelers from the U.S. and other countries designated as orange or green — according to the Belgian Embassy — just need to complete a passenger health locator form within two days before arrival to enter the country.

Travelers who have been in a "red" country within two weeks of travel to Belgium are subject to testing and quarantine requirements.

Most businesses and restaurants in Belgium are open with restrictions. However, take note that the CDC has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for Belgium, which means that there is a high level of COVID-19 in the country.

A reader told TPG, "Ecolog is running the two testing facilities in BRU (departure and arrival). I paid 55€ for a rapid 15 minute Antigen test for the return to the U.S." Link here: https://brusselsairport.ecocare.center/ .

For details on new PCR or rapid Antigen testing requirements (as of Jan. 26, 2021) for all international air travelers returning to the U.S., check here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Belgium is Level 3: Reconsider Travel due to COVID-19.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Belgium.

COVID-19 test required: Yes (but not for fully vaccinated travelers)

• 96 hours before departure for PCR tests or 48 hours before departure for rapid antigen tests (Sophia, SD Biosensor and Abbott Panbio only) • Testing upon arrival is also possible at a cost of $50

Other restrictions: All travelers must download the Belize Health App and complete the required information within 72 hours of their flight to Belize. They must also present a confirmed booking at one of Belize's Gold Standard hotels. If a traveler tests positive upon arrival in Belize, they will be required to quarantine at a Ministry of Health-approved hotel for a minimum of 14 days at their own expense. Face masks are required in public spaces, and social distancing is practiced.

What's open: Most hotels and businesses are open, and there are no regional travel restrictions, but travelers are encouraged to stay within Belize's "Safe Corridors" and to use Gold Standard tour operators and dine at approved restaurants. There is currently a nightly curfew from 10 p.m. to 4:59 a.m., and restaurants are open for outdoor dining and takeout/delivery only.

Belize's Philip Goldson International Airport (BEZ) reopened on August 15, 2020, and tourism to Belize resumed on October 1, 2020, with travel requirements and restrictions in place. The latest updates can be found here .

Related: Planning your trip to Belize during coronavirus

As of March 13, 2021, anyone who is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can visit without pre-travel testing by presenting proof of vaccine completion at least two weeks prior to arrival.

All visitors must also stay at one of the country's full-service hotels or resorts that have received the Belize Tourism Gold Standard Certificate of Recognition — and arrive with a confirmed reservation. Among the requirements for Gold Standard designation are transportation provided to and from the airport, a restaurant on the property and strict cleanliness protocols.

For details on PCR or rapid antigen testing requirements (as of January 26, 2021) for all international air travelers returning to the U.S., check here . Note: Many resorts in the Caribbean region are offering on-site COVID-19 PCR and rapid antigen tests to their guests.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Belize is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution . Additional information is available on the U.S. Embassy in Belize website.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Belize.

COVID-19 test required: Yes, upon arriving and departing Benin (must be pre-booked at cost of 50,000 CFA, or $92)

Other restrictions: Travelers are encouraged to self-isolate for 14 days.

What's open: Businesses and transportation are operating normally; there is no curfew.

Benin is welcoming international travelers via Cotonou Cadjehoun Airport (COO), which is operating at close to pre-pandemic levels, according to the U.S. Embassy in Benin . To enter the West African country, travelers will need to apply for an eVisa and, upon arrival, undergo both a COVID-19 rapid test and a PCR test; testing is also required prior to departure from Benin. A positive rapid test upon arrival will result in quarantine until receiving a negative PCR result. All travelers are encouraged to self-isolate for 14 days. Anyone staying longer than 15 days must also undergo a third test. If all testing is negative, no quarantine is required.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Benin is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Benin.

• Five days (120 hours) before departure • PCR test required

Other restrictions: All travelers must complete the online Bermuda Travel Authorization process within 72 to 25 hours of departure for the island. A $75 fee per traveler covers the cost of required on-island testing. (Children 9 and younger are exempt from testing, and their Travel Authorization fee is $30.) All travelers must also have health insurance that's valid in Bermuda and which covers treatment of COVID-19. They must test again upon arrival, as well as on days four, eight and 14 of their visit; face masks are required in public spaces.

Note: Fully immunized travelers must quarantine only until receiving their arrival test results (generally 24 hours or less). They are then are free to explore and do not have to wear wristbands, but they still must test on days four, eight and 14 (if their stay is that long). Details are here .

What's open: Most hotels and businesses, subject to social distancing requirements. As of April 20, 2021, there is an 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew, and restaurants are open for takeout and delivery only.

Bermuda reopened to tourists, including to Americans, on July 1, 2020. There are strict protocols to follow, both before and after arrival. For details on the process, check the Travel Authorization FAQ .

Within five days of departure, visitors age 10 and older are required to take a COVID-19 PCR test. Children who are 9 and younger are exempt but are subject to their adult travel companion's quarantine. Children 10 to 17 must receive parental consent to be tested, and if consent is denied, young travelers must quarantine for 14 days on arrival. Negative test results must be entered as part of the online travel authorization process and be presented upon arrival in Bermuda.

Related: Bermuda opened to Americans July 1, 2020

All travelers must also take a mandatory second COVID-PCR test upon arrival in the airport and self-quarantine in their accommodations until receiving results (generally 24 hours or less). Visitors must also submit to subsequent tests on days four, eight and 14 of their visit (if their stay is that long).

Health insurance covering illness and injury outside of home jurisdiction, including those related to a positive COVID-19 diagnosis while in Bermuda, is required. If proper insurance is not obtained, visitors will be responsible for all health and accommodation costs should they require treatment for COVID-19 and/or quarantine.

Related: Visiting Bermuda with kids

Visitors to Bermuda are also required to pack thermometers to record their temperatures twice a day and, if not yet immunized, wear a series of Traveller Wristbands for the first 14 days of their stay, which will remind them to be careful of their movements (restricted by color). Removal of the wristband will result in a fine of $500 and home quarantine with an electronic monitoring bracelet. More information on coronavirus in Bermuda can be found here.

For details on PCR or rapid antigen testing requirements (as of January 26, 2021) for all international air travelers returning to the U.S., check here . Many resorts in the Caribbean have begun offering on-property rapid antigen and PCR tests to guests prior to departure for the U.S., so check your resort's policy before traveling.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Bermuda is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution . The U.S. Consulate General in Bermuda website has additional information.

More reading: New resort and hotel options in Bermuda

COVID-19 test required : Yes

Other restrictions: American travelers need a tourist visa is (available at any Bolivian land or air border or at the Bolivian Consulate in the U.S. for $160). All arriving passengers must also submit a sworn statement of location of stay within Bolivia, undergo temperature checks and health screenings, quarantine for 10 days and take another PCR test seven days after arrival (at the traveler's cost). Those who do not have permanent residence in Bolivia must have health insurance with coverage for COVID-19 valid in the country.

What's open: Most businesses and public transportation are operating.

Bolivia had been off-limits to Americans until recently, but the country is again welcoming U.S visitors. The U.S. State Department's advisory for Bolivia, however, is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

All passengers must also submit a certified negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of their flights (except children 5 years and younger) and quarantine for at least 10 days after entering Bolivia (diplomats exempt), with a PCR test on day seven. The wearing of face masks in public places is mandatory, and social distancing requirements remain in effect. There is no curfew, and there are no restrictions on intercity travel.

The U.S. Embassy in Bolivia reports that commercial flights have resumed — Boliviana de Aviacion (BoA) airline has periodic flights between La Paz and Miami — but travelers should expect that additional restrictions affecting international travel could be put in place with little advance notice.

For details on PCR or rapid Antigen testing requirements (as of Janiaru 26, 2021) for all international air travelers returning to the U.S., check here .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Bolivia.

• 72 hours before arrival • PCR test required (plus a negative rapid Antigen test taken no more than 24 hours prior to arrival)

• A negative COVID-19 NAAT test taken within 24 hours of departure

Other restrictions: All travelers must complete a health declaration form 48 hours prior to departure for Bonaire. Having travel insurance valid in Bonaire is recommended but not required.

What's open: Most businesses and public transportation are open, with social distancing measures in place. Bonaire enacted Phase 6-level lockdown measures for two weeks beginning March 18, 2021, after a surge in cases. Most restrictions and a curfew were lifted on April 23, 2021.

Americans are welcome to visit Bonaire , but because the U.S. is considered a high-risk country, all travelers 13 and older are required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival and undergo a rapid antigen test taken upon arrival. Another option is a negative COVID-19 NAAT test taken within 24 hours of departure. All travelers must also complete a health declaration form .

Face masks are required in the airport and on public transportation.

Delta Airlines, American Airlines and United Airlines are scheduled to resume regular service to Bonaire in June 2021, with the first flights occurring on June 5, 2021.

For more information on health and safety protocols in Bonaire, check here . You can also visit the website of the U.S. Consulate General in Curacao , which oversees Bonaire.

For details on PCR or rapid Antigen testing requirements (as of January 26, 2021) for all international air travelers returning to the U.S., check here . Many resorts in the Caribbean have begun offering on-property rapid antigen and PCR tests to guests prior to departure for the U.S., so check your resort's policy before traveling.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Bonaire is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Bosnia and Herzegovina

• 48 hours before arrival • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Face masks are required in all public spaces.

What's open: Most hotels, restaurants and other businesses

Bosnia and Herzegovina reopened to international travelers on Sept. 13, 2020, and Americans can visit, although the U.S. Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to report that the country is currently experiencing a high number of COVID-19 cases.

A negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours of arrival is required to enter. According to the U.S. Embassy, requirements and restrictions may change with little or no advance notice.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Bosnia and Herzegovina is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

• 72 hours before departure for Botswana (and also 72 before departure from Botswana) • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Health screening and rapid Antigen test upon entry; a negative test is also required to exit the country.

What's open: Some businesses, many safari lodges and Chobe National Park; some transportation within Botswana is limited; restaurants are open at reduced capacity.

Botswana , one of Africa's top safari destinations, is open to American tourists. A visa is not required, but the U.S. State Department's advisory for Botswana is Level 4: Do Not Travel.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Botswana due to COVID-19, indicating a very high level of COVID-19 in the country.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Botswana , limited commercial flights to Botswana are available through South Africa and Ethiopia and some charter flights to Kasane and Maun may be available (check with tour companies operating in Botswana). The U.S. banned travel from South Africa (for non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents) on Jan. 30, 2021, due to the COVID-19 variant circulating there, so flight schedules transiting through South Africa may be more limited or subject to change.

All passengers must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of travel to Botswana; quarantine is not required.

All passengers must also present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of their departure from Botswana, which parallels a Jan. 26, U.S. requirement that everyone aged two and older traveling to the U.S. from Botswana must show a negative viral COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of departure before being allowed to board their flights. Details are available here .

Gaborone has a 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew in place until further notice. Permits are required to travel between any of Botswana's nine zones and are restricted to essential travel. Tourism is considered essential, but additional COVID-19 testing may be required to travel between zones.

There are fines for non-compliance of Botswana's mask mandate and other restrictions.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Botswana.

Other restrictions: Passengers must complete a Traveler's Health Declaration form.

What's open: Most hotels and businesses; the Brazilian government has imposed very few restrictions.

Brazil has the third highest number of coronavirus cases in the world—and the second-highest number of deaths, after the United States—and throughout March and April 2021 experienced record-high surges in cases, topping 4,000 deaths in a single day, because of a troubling new COVID-19 variant that has caused many countries, including the U.S., to ban entry of travelers from Brazil.

Brazil lifted its own travel ban on foreigners at the end of July 2020 and tourists are welcome. However, the U.S. State Department has issued a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for Brazil and the U.S. Embassy in Brazil continues to recommend that all travelers who do choose to go to Brazil purchase insurance before departing the United States even though Brazil no longer requires proof of health insurance to enter the country.

Since December 2020, all travelers aged 12 and older arriving in Brazil by air, both tourists and residents, must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 72 hours prior to boarding and complete a Traveler's Health Declaration form.

Brazilians are currently not allowed to travel to the U.S., which has also banned entry by foreign nationals who have been to Brazil in the past 14 days.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Brazil.

The British Virgin Islands

• 120 hours before departure (and twice while in the BVI) • PCR test required

Other restrictions: All visitors must register no later than 48 hours of travel; take a second PCR test upon arrival and a third on day 4; and download a tracking app and wear a wristband; as of May 15, 2021, fully vaccinated travelers (two weeks or more past completion of vaccination) must follow all protocols, but can end quarantine after getting a negative result from their arrival test in the BVI.

What's open: Most hotels, resorts, restaurants, businesses and activities, with social distancing measures in place.

The British Virgin Islands officially re-opened to tourism on Dec. 1, 2020. Americans can visit, but all travelers must follow strict protocols. These include:

• Providing a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 120 hours (5 days) of departure for the BVI.
• Registering on the BVI Gateway seven days (and no later than 48 hours) before travel, and completing the application no later than 24 hours before travel.
• Obtaining COVID-19 health insurance valid in the BVI .
• Taking a second PCR test upon arrival in the BVI (as of May 15, 2021, fully vaccinated travelers can end their quarantine after receiving the results of this test).
• Quarantining at their resort for four full days while using an activated tracking system on their phones and wearing a wristband monitoring device.
• Taking a third PCR test on day 4 and await the results (typically given within 24 hours) before being able to move freely around the islands.
• Pay a $175 per person fee for testing and tracking devices.

Complete details on travel requirements and restrictions can be found here .

For details on new PCR or rapid Antigen testing requirements (as of Jan. 26, 2021) for all international air travelers returning to the U.S., check here . Many resorts in the Caribbean have begun offering on-property rapid Antigen and PCR tests to guests prior to departure for the U.S., so check your resort's policy before traveling.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for the BVI is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution . Check the website of the U.S. Embassy in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, which overseas the BVI, for additional information.

COVID-19 test required: Yes (if a traveler is not fully vaccinated or fully recovered from COVID-19)

• 72 hours before arrival (for PCR test) or 48 hours before arrival (for Antigen test) • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Mask are required in all indoor public spaces and on public transportation.

What's open: Most businesses and essential retail stores

U.S. citizens are allowed to enter the country as of May 1, 2021, according to the U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria , but only under certain conditions.

Travelers currently allowed to enter are Bulgarian nationals, permanent residents and their family members; citizens of the European Union, the Schengen Agreement States (including San Marino, Andorra, Monaco and Vatican City); and citizens of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, Australia, Canada, the United States, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, the United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, North Macedonia, Serbia, Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Moldova, Israel, Kuwait, the Republic of Belarus, and Turkey.

To enter Bulgaria, a person from the above countries must present one of the following:

• a vaccination certificate for a completed vaccination course against COVID-19; the vaccination certificate is considered valid 14 days after receiving the final dose and must include the full name of the vaccinated person as per the identification document, date of birth, dates the doses were administered, vaccine name and batch number, name of the producer, details of the vaccine certificate issuing authority and country
• a positive result from a PCR or antigen test for immunity for COVID-19 for persons who had the infection not more than 6 months from the date they enter the country
• a negative result from a PCR test performed within 72 hours of their entry into Bulgaria or a negative antigen test performed within 48 hours of their entry into the country

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Bulgaria is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVOD-19 cases in Bulgaria.

• 72 hours before departure to Canada • PCR test only

Other restrictions: Travelers face mandatory quarantine without vaccination and test results.

What's open: Most businesses, public transportation and tourist sites; some may have reduced opening hours and capacity restrictions.

Americans who are fully vaccinated may now enter Canada for tourism or other nonessential purposes by air and land so long as they provide a negative PCR test result.

Here are the entry requirements for Canada without mandatory quarantine. You qualify for the quarantine exemption.

You must prove the following:

• You're fully vaccinated and received your last dose at least 14 days prior to entry.
• You bring a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of your flight's scheduled departure to Canada.
• You show no signs of COVID-19.
• Have a quarantine plan in place if you do not qualify for the quarantine exemption.

Currently, the Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are accepted by the Canadian government. It's worth noting that antigen rapid tests are not accepted as proof of entry, so make sure you get a PCR, LAMP or other accepted test within 72 hours of departure. Check out TPG's full guide to getting a fast COVID-19 test for more information.

• 72 hours before departure to Cape Verde (and 72 hours prior to departure from Cape Verde) • PCR test or rapid Antigen test required (PCR is required to transit through Lisbon or the Azores)

Other restrictions: Travelers must complete a health questionnaire; face mask mandates and inter-island travel restrictions are in place; there is a State of Calamity declaration in place through at least June 28, 2021.

What's open: Most businesses, public transportation and tourist sites; some islands may have reduced opening hours and capacity restrictions.

Americans are allowed to visit Cape Verde , a group of 10 islands located off of Africa, where international flights resumed on Oct. 12, 2020. According to the U.S. Embassy in Cape Verde , all travelers must complete a health questionnaire and provide a negative COVID-19 PCR or rapid Antigen test taken within 72 hours of travel (children under age seven are exempt from testing). Authorities will also conduct a health screening upon arrival.

Cases surged throughout April and May 2021 and while there is currently no curfew, inter-island travel restrictions are in place. Islands with a COVID-19 infection rate below 20 per 100,000 inhabitants are considered "green" and passengers from those islands do not need COVID-19 tests for inter-island travel. But those traveling from "non-green" islands to any "green" island must show a negative COVID-19 rapid test result taken no more than 72 hours prior to departure.

Face masks are required in public spaces, including sidewalks, and violators are subject to fines of about $165.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Cape Verde is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Cape Verde.

COVID-19 test required: Yes, but Chile has temporarily suspended entry by non-resident foreigners through at least September, 2021 due to record high COVID-19 cases

Other restrictions: All travelers need to complete an electronic affidavit and have proof of health insurance valid in Chile for COVID-19 health issues; there is also a mandatory 10-day quarantine.

What's open: Most businesses and some hotels and restaurants, with varying restrictions in place; public transportation is running; there is 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. national curfew.

A trip to Chile is no longer possible, at least through September, 2021, as the country has temporarily suspended entry by all non-resident foreigners. Americans had been allowed to visit Chile since Nov. 23, 2020, according to the U.S. Embassy in Chile , when the country began to gradually reopen its borders to foreign visitors via Santiago Airport.

When travel for non-citzens and non-residents resumes, all travelers are required to present three documents: a completed Affidavit of Travelers electronic form (done within 48 hours of travel); proof of a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to departure; and proof of a health insurance policy that provides coverage for COVID-19 and related health issues during the traveler's stay in Chile.

Since Dec. 31, 2020, anyone entering Chile with those three documents had also has to undergo a 10-day quarantine, with a test taken on day 7 and a negative result releasing them from quarantine.

As of March 31, 2021, however, the government said the first five days of quarantine need to be spent in a "transit hotel" (at the traveler's cost); after receiving a negative test, travelers would then be released to finish their 10-day quarantine at their chosen hotel or residence. All non-resident foreigners are also required to complete a 14-day "Period of Vigilance for Travelers" by reporting their location and health condition to authorities daily via email.

Related: Chile is Open to Americans, But There are New Restrictions

Chile is under a State of Emergency through June 2021 and much of the country is under mandatory quarantine restrictions, which vary by region and neighborhood; there is a nationwide 9 p.m. curfew and face masks are required in public.

LATAM has resumed flights between Santiago and the U.S., but before November 2020 they had been used mostly for humanitarian and repatriation flights.

The U.S. State Department's travel advisory for Chile is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Chile.

COVID-19 test required: No (as of June 8, 2021)

Other restrictions: Health screening upon arrival and face masks must be worn in public spaces.

What's open : Many hotels, restaurants and businesses, with safety protocols in place; restrictions vary widely by city, with some curfews starting at 6 p.m.

Americans can travel to Colombia for tourism, where international flights resumed on Sept. 21, 2020, and are now available to Bogota and seven other cities, according to the U.S. Embassy in Colombia . However, Colombia experienced record high cases and deaths throughout April and May 2021, so travel is not advised.

Since Jan. 7, 2021, all travelers to Colombia had been required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 96 hours of flight departure—but despite the record-high cases, that requirement has been lifted as of June 8, 2021. Passengers will continue to face health screenings at their point of arrival.

Current requirements also call for all visitors to complete the online pre-travel registration form "Check-Mig" within one to 24 hours of their flight departure time, wear a mask at all times and wash their hands on a consistent basis. Further details are available here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Colombia is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Colombia.

Other restrictions: All travelers must complete a digital HEALTH PASS and have travel/medical insurance with set minimum coverage; face masks are required in all public spaces; expect health screenings upon arrival.

What's open: As of March 2021, the majority of hotels, restaurants and businesses are operating; national parks are open at 50% capacity; bars and casinos can operate at 50% capacity; and beaches are open from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.

American tourists are welcome to visit Costa Rica, and as of Nov. 1, 2020, no longer need to quarantine or provide a negative PCR test. However, cases surged in the country throughout May 2021 and have yet to level off, so travel to the destination is currently not advised.

Related: All you need to know to visit Costa Rica

All travelers to Costa Rica must complete a digital form called HEALTH PASS , available within 48 hours of travel. A form needs to be submitted for each individual traveler, including minors. It is also mandatory that all travelers have travel insurance that will cover accommodations (minimum of $2,000) in case of quarantine and medical expenses (minimum of $50,000) due to COVID-19 illness. For details, click here .

Note that any emergency medical or dental coverage provided by credit cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve will not meet this requirement.

For details on new PCR or rapid Antigen testing requirements (as of Jan. 26, 2021) for all international air travelers returning to the U.S., check here . Many resorts in Costa Rica have begun offering on-property rapid Antigen and PCR tests to guests prior to departure for the U.S., so check your resort's policy before traveling.

Travelers can also visit the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica website for information. The U.S. State Department's travel advisory for Costa Rica is currently Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Costa Rica.

Cote d'Ivoire

• 120 hours (5 days) before arrival in Côte d'Ivoire and 120 hours (5 days) before departure from Côte d'Ivoire (but U.S. requirement is 72 hours/3 days) • PCR test required

Other restrictions: All travelers must fill out an Air Travel Declaration Form and pay the required fees online.

What's open: Most businesses and public transportation.

Côte d'Ivoire remains under a Health State of Emergency until at least June 30, 2021, with increased health measures and a recommendation against non-essential movement, according to the U.S. Embassy in Côte d'Ivoire , which also reports that international air travel resumed with limited service as of July 1, 2020.

Travelers planning to visit Côte d'Ivoire must present a COVID-19 PCR test result taken no more than 120 hours (5 days) before arrival and fill out a travel declaration form.

Everyone departing Côte d'Ivoire is also required to present a negative PCR test taken no more than 120 hours before departure. Note: The U.S. requirement (as of Jan. 26, 2021) is that all international air travelers returning to the U.S. present a negative viral (PCR or rapid Antigen) test taken within 72 hours of travel, so to sync the two requirements, a PCR test within 72 hours is required. Check here for details.

Côte d'Ivoire also requires face masks and social distancing when traveling through any public area; there are capacity limitations for venues.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Côte d'Ivoire is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Côte d'Ivoire.

COVID-19 test required: Yes, unless the traveler is 14 days past completing their COVID-19 vaccinations or has recovered from an infection

• 48 or 72 hours before arrival • PCR or rapid Antigen test required

Other restrictions: Travelers must complete an entry form and have proof of a hotel reservation that is paid in full; those who do not have a valid test result can test upon arrival and self-isolate until receiving the result; masks must be worn in indoor public spaces and outdoors when social distancing can not be maintained.

What's open: Most businesses, as well as museums, galleries and casinos (with capacity restrictions); restaurants and bars are now open for both indoor and outdoor dining; nightclubs are closed and alcohol sales in other venues must end at 11 p.m; public transportation is running.

U.S. travelers can once again visit Croatia . Croatia had reopened in 2020 for tourists from all countries, but on Dec. 1, 2020, the government restricted entry and border crossings and instituted varying levels of lockdown to help limit COVID-19 transmission, and as a result, entry for tourism purposes was not permitted for U.S. citizens. That changed as of April 1, 2021.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Croatia , U.S. tourists must fill out the Enter Croatia form and present one of the following:

• a negative result of a COVID-19 PCR test taken less than 72 hours before arrival or an accepted rapid Antigen test taken less than 48 hours before arrival
• a vaccination certificate showing vaccination was completed at least 14 days before entry to Croatia
• a certificate confirming recovery from a COVID-19 infection with a positive test result having been received within 11 and 180 days of arrival in Croatia

Travelers can also test upon arrival (at the traveler's cost) and self-isolate until receiving a negative result. They must also provide proof of accommodation paid in advance in full (the U.S. Embassy notes this can be just for the first location visited if visiting multiple locations in the country) or they will not be permitted to enter the country.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Croatia is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Croatia.

• 72 hours before departure • PCR test required (plus a second on-island Antigen test)

Other restrictions: Passengers must complete an online immigration card and prior to travel; health insurance valid in Curacao is required; travelers who test positive for COVID-19 while in Curacao will be quarantined at their own expense; social distancing measures are in place and face masks are required when distancing is not possible.

What's open: Hotels are open, but after a surge of cases, Curacao announced lockdown measures on March 24, 2021 that have since been eased. Retail shops have been allowed to reopen, restaurants can offer both indoor and outdoor seating, beaches and beach club bars are open again; and casinos are open until 11 p.m.

Curacao reopened to U.S. tourists in November 2020. The U.S. is considered a high-risk country and all American travelers are required to complete a digital immigration card and then, within 48 hours of travel, digitally fill out the Passenger Locator Card (PLC) via the same portal and carry a printed copy with you. A negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure for Curacao must be uploaded to the portal and passengers are required to carry a copy of the results with you. Children six years and younger are exempt from testing and the PLC.

A second required test is also required for travelers from high-risk countries (including the U.S.), who on day 3 after arrival must undergo an on-island Antigen test at a local lab. Travelers will be required to make an appointment for the test to complete their Passenger Locator Card prior to travel. Details can be found here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Curacao is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution . Visit the U.S. Consulate in Curacao 's website for additional information.

COVID-19 test required: Yes, with the exception of fully vaccinated travelers as of May 10, 2021

Other restrictions: Travelers must obtain an approved Cyprus Flight Pass and take another test upon arrival.

What's open: Many hotels are open, but nature trails, parks and beaches are open for exercise only; restaurants are open for takeout service only.

Cyprus , a small island nation off the coast of Turkey, is now open to Americans arriving directly from the United States—however, the country experienced record-high cases for the month of April 2021, which have subsided by late May 2021.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Cyprus , as of April 1, 2021 "the the United States is classified as a 'Orange' category country. Non-vaccinated tourists may travel from the United States to the Republic of Cyprus without mandatory self-isolation provided they have uploaded proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of boarding a flight to Cyprus, complete another test upon arrival at their own expense (30 euros), and have an approved Cyprus Flight Pass ." Children under the age of 12 do not require testing.

As of May 10, 2021, fully vaccinated travelers are exempt from testing with proof of vaccination. However, the U.S. Embassy notes that vaccinated travelers can still be selected for random COVID-19 testing on arrival to the Republic of Cyprus.

There is a 1 a.m. daily curfew in place and face coverings are required in all public spaces for people age 12 and older. Many venues require proof of a negative test or vaccination; for tourists showing a valid Flight Pass will suffice.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Cyprus is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Cyprus.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Other restrictions: Additional testing is required upon arrival, with a self-quarantine (typically 24 hours) until getting the result; travelers must also test again before departure; a visa and proof of yellow fever vaccination are also mandatory; masks are required in public spaces and testing is required for travel between some provinces.

What's open: Most businesses and public transportation; Virunga National Park (as of April 1, 2021); there is a 10 pm to 4 am curfew in Kinshasa, North Kivu, South Kivu, Kongo Central, Lualaba and Haut-Katanga.

The Democratic Republic of Congo, home to Virunga National Park and the endangered mountain gorilla, reopened its borders in August 2020 and Virunga National Park reopened on April 1, 2021. However, armed conflict is ongoing in the DRC and six park rangers were ambushed and killed by militia inside the park in January. In February, the Italian ambassador to DRC was killed along with two others in an ambush.

According to the U.S. Embassy in the Democratic Republic of Congo , all arriving international travelers age 11 and older must have proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days (72 hours) of their departure to DRC. Upon arrival, travelers age 11 and older must take a second COVID-19 test at the airport. Travelers should register their information and pay for the test ($45) at INRBCOVID.com before they begin their travel (tests can also be paid in cash at the airport). After testing at the airport, arriving passengers must self-quarantine until they receive a negative test result, usually within 24 hours.

Americans also need a visa to visit as well as a World Health Organization (WHO) card with proof of yellow fever vaccination. The U.S. Embassy also recommends that Americans travel with proof of medical and emergency evacuation insurance.

To exit the DRC, all travelers age 11 and older must pay for and present a negative COVID-19 test from an approved lab taken within 72 hours of travel. This parallels a Jan. 26 requirement by the U.S. government that everyone aged two and older traveling to the U.S. from the Democratic Republic of Congo must show a negative viral COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of departure before being allowed to board their flights.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for the Democratic Republic of Congo is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in the DRC.

COVID-19 test required: Yes, but only fully vaccinated Americans can visit for tourism and they are exempt from testing

• 48 hours before departure (for unvaccinated Americans with permission to enter for a "worthy purpose")

Other restrictions: Testing upon arrival for unvaccinated Americans with permission to enter for a "worthy purpose" or close family connection; mandatory testing upon arrival and a 10-day quarantine for for unvaccinated travelers (can be shortened with a test nor earlier than day four); masks are required in many public settings and the fine for failure to wear a face mask, violating gathering limits, or loitering in areas deemed "hotspots" is 2500 Danish Kroner ($400).

What's open: Hotels, restaurants, businesses, museums and cultural sites, but most require a "corona passport" for entry or indoor dining.

Denmark began welcoming fully vaccinated American tourists on June 5, 2021. Pre-travel testing, testing upon arrival and isolation are not required since the U.S. is an OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development) country and is categorized as Orange. Denmark labels all countries by color—Yellow, Orange or Red—with specific entry requirements for each. Travel restrictions for Denmark can be found here .

Related: Denmark has reopened to fully vaccinated U.S. and U.K. travelers

To enter Denmark as a tourist, fully vaccinated U.S. citizens who are at least 14 days past their final dose of Pfizer or Moderna or their single dose of Johnson & Johnson must present their official vaccination certificate. The U.S. Embassy in Denmark "strongly recommends you print out and carry with you a copy of the Danish government guidelines to demonstrate to airline personnel that you are exempt from COVID-related travel restrictions in place."

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Denmark is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 in Denmark.

• 72 hours before departure (and up to 120 hours before arrival) • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Both an eVisa obtained in advance of travel and a second saliva-based COVID-19 test upon arrival are required; travelers must have a supply of masks and hand sanitizer upon arrival and masks are required inside all buildings.

What's open: Most businesses (restaurants, shops) and some, but not all, public transportation

Djibouti, located in East Africa, started to reopen its economy in early May 2020 and began allowing air travelers in last fall. In addition to pre-travel testing required for boarding any flight to the country, the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti reports that travelers arriving at Ambouli International Airport will also be screened using a minimally invasive saliva test (cost $30); a positive result will require the traveler to quarantine at their hotel or seek treatment in a local hospital.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Djibouti is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Djibouti.

• 24 to 72 hours before arrival • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Pre-travel online screening and questionnaire; testing upon arrival, followed by quarantine or a managed experience (2 days for fully vaccinated travelers and 5-7 days for unvaccinated travelers). Arriving passengers must wear color-coded wristbands and face masks and physical distancing is required when in public.

What's open: Safe in Nature-certified hotel properties and excursions;

Dominica has been open to visitors since Aug. 3, 2020. All eligible arriving travelers are designated as coming from Low-Risk, Medium-Risk or High-Risk countries. The U.S. is currently considered High-Risk and all Americans must follow these procedures:

• Submit a health questionnaire online at least 24 hours prior to arrival

• Present notification of clearance to travel in the form of a doctor's note or similar document • Submit a negative PCR test result recorded within 24-72 hours prior to arrival • Provide confirmation of a booking at a government-certified private property • Undergo a health assessment upon arrival, including a temperature check • Provide confirmation of the health questionnaire and negative PCR test results • Spend either 2 days ( if fully vaccinated ) or 5-7 days (if not vaccinated) in mandatory quarantine at a Managed Experience at a Safe in Nature certified property, with another test before quarantine ends.

If the follow-up test result is positive, the traveler may be quarantined in isolation until released by an authorized health professional. For more information, see Dominica's Travel Advisory .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Dominica is Level 3: Reconsider Travel . Visit the U.S. Embassy for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean , which oversees Dominica, for more information.

Dominican Republic 

COVID-19 test required: No, but there are mandatory temperature checks upon arrival and a quick aleatory breath test will be administered to 3% to 15% of arriving passengers age five and older; anyone presenting symptoms or testing positive will be isolated at authorized locations. Passengers who present proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival will be exempt from random testing.

Other restrictions: Masks and social distancing guidelines are in place for indoor public spaces, public transportation and outdoors when distancing isn't possible; there is also an island-wide curfew of 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. (9 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays) with earlier curfews in some regions; curfew hours are for venues outside of resorts and disobeying curfew can result in fines or jail time.

What's open: Most resorts and hotels, public beaches during non-curfew hours, and restaurants at reduced capacity.

The Dominican Republic reopened to tourists in July 1, 2020 , when Punta Cana International Airport resumed commercial operations.

Travelers are also required to fill out and submit a combined digital Traveler's Health Affidavit and an Electronic Entry Ticket to declare they have not felt any COVID-19 related symptoms in the last 72 hours and provide contact details for the next 30 days. The DR is providing a free health coverage plan for all hotel guests through June 12, 2021. For the latest updates on travel to the DR, check here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for the Dominican Republic is Level 4: Do Not Travel . Visit the U.S. Embassy's website for additional information.

COVID-19 test required : Yes, for unvaccinated travelers and travelers to the Galapagos

• 72 hours before arrival • PCR or rapid Antigen test required

Other restrictions: Random rapid Antigen testing (for travelers age 14 and older) may be conducted upon arrival at the airport in Ecuador; travelers who test positive must isolate for 10 days in a government-designated shelter; there are special requirements for entry to the Galapagos Islands.

What's open: Most hotels and businesses, with social distancing requirements in place.

Ecuador is again open for Americans, although like many countries in South America it recorded record high cases in April 2021. All arriving passengers, including children over the age of two, are required to present results of a negative COVID-19 PCR or rapid Antigen test taken within 72 hours (changed on March 22, 2021 from the previous requirement of a PCR test taken within 10 days prior to arrival), per the U.S. Embassy in Ecuador .

Ecuador is also now allowing travelers who have completed their COVID-19 vaccination and present a vaccination card to enter without testing; travelers who have documented proof of recovery from COVID-19 and are more than one month past the onset of symptom may also present that.

Note: There are special requirements for all travelers to the Galapagos Islands, where a negative COVID-19 test taken within 96 hours must be presented upon arrival. It can be the same test used to enter the country if it's a PCR test and is still within the required 96 hour timeframe for the Galapagos. To visit the Galapagos via transit through Quito or Guayaquil airports, vaccinated travelers need to present negative test results. The U.S.Embassy also says that travelers to the Galapagos need a "salvoconducto" from their tour operator, and should contact the operator directly for that document.

Airlines are now required to verify that all travelers traveling to Ecuador have a negative test result or proof of vaccination before allowing them to board.

Rapid Antigen testing may also be conducted upon arrival and if the test is positive the traveler will be required to isolate in a government shelter for 10 days. As long as a traveler has the negative PCR test result, doesn't display any symptoms upon arrival, and doesn't receive a positive test on a random rapid test at the airport, quarantine is not required.

The U.S. State Department's travel advisory for Ecuador is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Ecuador.

• 96 hours before departure for passengers from North America, South America, Japan, China, Thailand, London, Paris and Frankfurt (due to transit times); 72 hours for all other travelers. • PCR test required

Other restrictions: A visa is also required (Americans can get theirs prior to travel via online enrollment or upon arrival); travelers must present the original printed test result; health insurance valid in Egypt is also required.

What's open: Most hotels, shops, restaurants and some tourist sites; the Great Pyramids of Giza reopened in July 2020; restaurants are operating at 50% capacity.

International tourism resumed in Egypt on July 1, 2020, although tourism at sites such as Luxor has reportedly been quite slow. The Great Pyramids of Giza, for instance, reopened on July 1, 2020, after being closed since March 2020 and undergoing a deep cleaning, reported Reuters.

COVID-19 PCR tests are required for all international arrivals age six and older. All U.S. citizens need a tourist visa (available via online enrollment ) and proof of health insurance to enter the country, according to the U.S. Embassy in Egypt . Check with the Egyptian Embassy in Washington, D.C. for more details.

As of Jan. 3, 2021, anyone not following mask requirements may be subject to fines or prosecution.

Related: Egypt reopening

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Egypt is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Egypt.

Related: Dreaming of visiting Egypt

El Salvador

COVID-19 test required: Yes, if the traveler does not have proof of a completed COVID-19 vaccination

• 72 hours before arrival (from time test results were issued) • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Temperature check upon arrival; mask and social distancing rules are in place.

What's open: Most hotels, businesses and public transportation, although municipalities can be placed under quarantine with little notice.

El Salvador reopened on Sept. 19, 2020, to commercial flights to Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport (SAL) in San Salvador. Local businesses are open with no restrictions.

According to the U.S. Embassy in El Salvador , all airlines have been instructed that travelers age two and older seeking to enter El Salvador must produce a printed negative COVID-19 PCR test result issued within 72 hours of arrival in El Salvador (note: the 72 hours, in this case, refers to the time the test results were issued, not when the sample was collected). The embassy also reports that as of March 29, 2021, passengers who have completed their COVID-19 vaccination can present proof of vaccination instead of a test result. But travelers are advised to confirm with their airline that it will also accept vaccination documentation for boarding.

While in El Salvador, visitors must wear face masks and practice social distancing in all public settings, including at the airport. Arriving passengers will also face temperature checks.

A curfew is currently not in place and there are no quarantine requirements for visitors. The U.S. Embassy notes, however, that the Salvadoran Ministry of Health can place municipalities under special quarantine with little or no prior notice when a high number of COVID-19 cases is detected.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for El Salvador is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in El Salvador.

• 120 hours (5 days) before arrival • PCR test required

Other restrictions : Health check upon arrival and mandatory COVID-19 test taken on 2nd day of visit

What's open: Most businesses and public transportation, with capacity limits

England will begin allowing fully vaccinated travelers from the United States and European Union to enter its borders without the need to quarantine as of 4 a.m. on Aug. 2, 2021.

Americans will be required to have their CDC vaccine card, while EU tourists will be required to have the "green pass." The long-awaited move was reported to be in the works for weeks .

Related: England to allow fully vaccinated Americans as of Aug. 2

Fully vaccinated travelers coming from the U.S. and EU will need to show they got their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to arrival.

They will also need to take a pre-departure COVID-19 test within 72 hours of departure. They will also need to fill out a Passenger Locator Form and pre-book and take a PCR test on or before day two of arriving in the U.K.

The day two test has to come from a government-approved provider booked before traveling to England. Prices are around $56 (£40). If you test positive, you must quarantine in a secure location for 10 days from the day after the test was taken.

Other restrictions : Health check upon arrival and mandatory 7-day self-quarantine

Commercial flights have resumed to Ethiopia. Entry rules require that every international traveler present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 120 hours (5 days) of arrival, according to the U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia . Upon arrival, passengers will undergo a health check, register with authorities and self-quarantine at home or in a hotel for seven days. Anyone showing symptoms will be taken to a government-run isolation center.

The U.S. Embassy also reports that Ethiopia's Ministry of Health issued an updated "Travel Advisory" stating that beginning June 7, 2021 all travelers entering, exiting or transiting through Ethiopia must present a digital negative RT PCR test from an approved lab. Full compliance is required by July 1, 2021. This is part of the African Union's Trusted Travel (TT) Initiative . Paper certificates shall cease to be acceptable and only AU Trusted Travel or Global Haven COVID-19 certificates shall be allowed for entry, exit, or transit purposes from July 1, 2021.

Ethiopia reported record-high COVID-19 infections in April 2021, but cases have been declining throughout May 2021.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Ethiopia is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Ethiopia.

COVID-19 test required: Yes (For unvaccinated travelers)

Other restrictions: You are required to be tested again three to five days after arrival even if you haven't been fully vaccinated.

What's open: Most tourist attractions and accommodations are open

Related: Finland is open again

Finland reopened its borders to vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers alike as of July 26, according to the Visit Finland tourism board.

Vaccinated travelers from the U.S., are now permitted to enter Finland, so long as they have been fully vaccinated for at least 14 days prior to arrival in Finland.

If you are not vaccinated, you must provide a negative PCR test on arrival in Finland, and you will be subjected to a COVID-19 test three to five days after arrival, during which period you are directed to self-isolate until receipt of negative test results. COVID-19 testing locations can be found here .

COVID-19 test required: Yes (only vaccinated U.S. tourist are allowed to visit and they must have a pre-travel test)

• 72 hours or 48 hours before departure • PCR test (72hours) or Antigen (48 hours) are required

Other restrictions: Being considered fully vaccinated depends on which vaccine you received; travelers must sign a sworn health declaration and contract tracing form before arrival; there is an 11 p.m. curfew with a fine for breaking it.

What's open: Indoor dining at cafés and restaurants has resumed at 50% capacity, with a maximum of six people allowed per table; outdoor dining has resumed at full capacity; museums are open with capacity restrictions; many restrictions are scheduled to be eased at the end of June.

As of June 9, 2021, France has reopened to tourists from a handful of nations, including the U.S. Those coming from the U.S. must possess proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of to gain entry to the country without mandatory quarantine. Unvaccinated Americans can only enter France for a "compelling reason" or if they are a French citizen or E.U. national.

Related: Traveling to France as a vaccinated American—my experience and what to expect

The U.S. has been classified as an "Orange" country. Entry requirements for tourism are very straightforward. According to the French Government , vaccinated Americans (and vaccinated travelers from other Orange countries) can enter France with the following:

• Proof of completed vaccination—the following vaccines are accepted: AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Pfizer
• A negative COVID-19 test: either a PCR test taken within 72 hours of boarding or an Antigen test taken within 48 hours of boarding

Note that you must wait a set amount of time after your COVID-19 vaccine in order to enter France. The wait time depends on which vaccine you received: Travelers are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the second injection for two injection vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca) and four weeks after the injection for single injection vaccines (Johnson & Johnson).

According to the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in France , masks are required in public spaces. Details on all restrictions are available here .

For details on new PCR or rapid Antigen testing requirements (as of Jan. 26, 2021) for all international air travelers returning to the U.S., check here.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for France is Level 3: Reconsider Travel.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 levels in France.

French Polynesia

Other restrictions: All travelers must complete and online registration form and take an Antigen test upon arrival; non-vaccinated travelers are required to quarantine for 10 days with PCR tests on days 4 and 8; fully vaccinated travelers do not need to quarantine, but must test on day 4.

What's open: Most resorts and businesses, but masks are required in public spaces throughout the islands and there are curfews of 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. on the islands of Tahiti and Moorea.

The South Pacific island nation originally officially reopened on July 15, 2020. Since Feb. 3, 2021, however, French Polynesia had banned entry by international tourists until further notice — but on April 15, 2021 announced a gradual return to tourism as of May 1, 2021 . The islands have initially opened to countries with "limited epidemic risk" and Americans are among the travelers who can once again visit for tourism. Updates can be found here .

Related coverage: French Polynesia will reopen

Enhanced protocols have been announced based on whether the traveler has completed vaccination, has antibodies from a prior infection or remains unvaccinated. Everyone six years of age and older is required to present a negative COVID-19 (RT-PCR) test taken 72 hours before departure. Travelers also must present the receipt of an online health registration from the Electronic Travel Information System (ETIS) platform , which must be filled out with their itinerary and uploaded vaccination certificates or positive serology (antibody tests) 30 to 6 days before travel commences. Unvaccinated travelers who have not recovered from COVID-19 must also register on ETIS, since ETIS receipts, negative PCR test results and boarding authorization must be presented at boarding.

Upon arrival, all passengers must take an Antigen test. Fully vaccinated (14 days past the final dose) and antibody positive travelers do not have to quarantine, but do have to take another test on day 4. Non-vaccinated travelers must quarantine for 10 days at their chosen accommodation with PCR tests taken on day 4 and day 8. Children under six are exempt from testing and quarantine, but unvaccinated children age six and older who are not vaccinated or do not have antibodies must quarantine and the quarantine will be imposed on the entire family. Testing costs are 5,000 XPF ($50) for vaccinated and immune travelers and 12,000 XPF ($121) for non-vaccinated travelers. Details can be found here .

Additionally, all incoming travelers (residents excluded) must provide proof of international travel insurance. Luckily, credit card travel insurance satisfies this requirement. Travelers could use a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card to pay for their airfare and hotel, then provide a copy of the card's Guide to Benefits as proof of coverage.

Travelers exhibiting symptoms during their stay are advised to self-report and self-isolate in their room until further instruction from local emergency operators.

If you're itching to travel to French Polynesia, there are lots of options for getting there. Be sure to check out our guide on the best way to get to Tahiti using points and miles . The destination is home to some famous hotels, such as the Conrad Bora Bora Nui and the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for French Polynesia is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precuations and the CDC's advisory is Level 1: Low Level of COVID-19 .

Other restrictions: All arriving passengers must pay for and take a second COVID-19 PCR test ($36) and quarantine until receiving the results; a negative test taken within 14 days is required for any travel between cities and provinces.

What's open: Hotels, restaurants and most businesses—all at reduced capacity

Gabon lifted many pandemic measures in July 2020, but the U.S. Embassy in Gabon reported that restrictions were reimposed and land borders were closed in late January 2021 after cases began to rise. Travelers are being permitted into Gabon by air (there are flights several times per week), but not by land or sea.

Social distancing and masks are mandated at all times, with fines for non-compliance. There is a curfew in the capital of Libreville from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Gabon is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Gabon.

• 72 hours before arrival • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Travelers from "hotspot" countries where new COVID-19 strains are circulating, including the United States, are now also required to take a rapid Antigen test upon arrival in The Gambia; anyone testing positive must then undergo a PCR test and quarantine at a government-run facility at their own expense; face masks must be worn in public spaces and limits on public gatherings remain in effect.

What's open: Most hotels, restaurants and businesses

Americans are permitted to visit this West African nation, and according to the U.S Embassy in the Gambia , the government has lifted most restrictions on businesses. All arriving travelers must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 72 hours of arrival and travelers from the U.S. will be tested again upon arrival. Anyone without a test that complies with these requirements—such as having a test taken outside of the 72-hour window, rapid test results or a positive result when tested upon arrival—will be subject to mandatory quarantine in government-managed facilities.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for the Gambia is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in the Gambia.

COVID-19 test required: Yes, unless the traveler has proof of being fully vaccinated

Other restrictions: Travelers can only arrive by air, are required to get and complete an application form and get a follow-up PCR test at their own expense three days after arrival in Georgia; there is also a nationwide curfew from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. and face masks are required in public spaces.

What's open: Many hotels and most businesses and public transportation were allowed to reopen in early March 2021.

Americans can now visit the country of Georgia, according to the U.S. Embassy , including those who have documented proof of completed COVID-19 vaccinations and those willing to stay for six months and work from home in the country . However, there is widespread community spread of COVID-19 in Georgia and the U.S. State Department's current advisory for the country is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Unvaccinated U.S. citizens or residents arriving by air through permitted countries are required to complete an application form, present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival and take a second PCR test (at their own expense) on the third day after arrival in Georgia. Details and links to requirements are available on the U.S. Embassy website and details on what's open in Georgia are here .

Related: Work from home in these countries

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Georgia is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Georgia.

• 72 hours before arrival for PCR tests or 48 hours before arrival for antigen tests • PCR or antigen test required

Other restrictions:

As of Sunday Aug. 15, 2021, only Americans who are fully vaccinated may visit Germany. There may be enhanced screenings at the airport, including the possibility of COVID-19 testing upon arrival for certain travelers.

What's open: Many hotels and most businesses, and public transportation is operating with medical-grade masks required.

Americans can now visit Germany as of June 18, according to the U.S. Embassy.

Related: Germany now requiring vaccination for American visitors

On Sunday Aug. 15, Germany changed the rules for entry.

Germany will require a 10-day quarantine for visitors from the United States and other countries considered "high-risk," who cannot prove they've been fully vaccinated or have previously recovered from COVID-19.

Visitors can 'test out' of quarantine if they get a test on day five that comes back negative.

The United States and Turkey and Israel were reclassified as "high-risk" on Friday as part of Germany's weekly reconsideration of travel restrictions.

The COVID-19 test can either be a PCR or antigen test. PCR tests need to be taken within 72 hours before arrival in Germany, while antigen tests need to be taken within 48 hours before arrival.

Take note that those traveling from a " virus-variant area " — as designated by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) — are subject to heightened restrictions and are possibly barred from entry into Germany, depending on vaccination status.

Inside the country, there are no intercity travel restrictions, and there is no curfew. However, masks are required on public transportation, and buses and trains are not running as frequently. There is a moderate level of COVID-19 in Germany, according to the CDC .

Related: I was one of the first American tourists to enter Germany: Here's what it was like

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Germany is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Other restrictions: Second COVID-19 test conducted upon arrival; masks required in public spaces.

What's open: Essential businesses, restaurants and public transportation, with social distancing measures in place; all entertainment venues, bars, beaches and sports facilities remain closed.

Ghana's Accra Kotoka International Airport (ACC) reopened for regular international service on Sept. 1, 2020, although the country's land and sea borders remain closed. According to the U.S. Embassy in Ghana , all passengers arriving by air must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test conducted by an accredited laboratory in the country of origin not more than 72 hours prior to departure.

Additionally, each traveler age five and older must undergo a COVID-19 test conducted at the airport upon arrival. There is a $150 fee per person. Travelers can pay the fee online before departure or pay upon arrival at the airport in Accra. The U.S. Embassy reports that individuals who test positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in Ghana, asymptomatic or not, will be required to undergo mandatory quarantine and treatment at a designated health facility or isolation center, for seven days at the government of Ghana's expense, and while in quarantine, will undergo a repeat COVID-19 test within 24 hours of arrival, also at the government's expense.

Ghana's Ministry of Public Health has mandated the use of face masks in public.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Ghana is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Ghana.

COVID-19 test required: Yes, or proof of vaccination

Other restrictions: Tourists are subject to the country's ongoing restrictions (Greece still has a significant number of COVID-19 cases after hitting record highs in April 2021), which currently involve an 12:30 a.m. to 5 a.m. curfew and a mask requirement indoors and outdoors in public spaces; many restrictions have been eased over the past few weeks, with travel between regions allowed as of May 14, 2021.

What's open: Hotels and resorts are open; cafes, bars and restaurants reopened for outside dining on May 3, 2021; museums and retail shops reopened on May 14, 2021.

Greece said in mid-March 2021 that it would open tourism to fully vaccinated travelers and travelers with proof of COVID-19 antibodies in May 2021. On Wednesday, April 14, the tourism department said Americans would be welcome as of May 14. Then, on April 19, 2021, Greece began welcoming U.S. travelers earlier than announced after accelerating its plans . Non-vaccinated Americans are also able to travel to Greece as long as they have proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival.

Several major cruise lines, including Celebrity , have also said they plan to sail the Greek islands from Athens beginning in late June 2021.

Related: Greece to open borders in May

All travelers eligible to enter Greece (those from E.U. countries along with the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, North Macedonia, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Belarus, Bahrain, Serbia, Russia, Israel, Rwanda, Qatar, China, Kuwait, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore) should expect to adhere to Greece's "five lines of defense" strategy. Those lines include:

• All visitors must be fully vaccinated (14 days or more past completion) or present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 72 hours of arrival (children age five and under are exempt from testing)
• A checking system at Greece's airports and borders, where passengers can be selected randomly to take a rapid test
• Any visitor who tests positive for coronavirus will be isolated in a "quarantine hotel"
• All tourism industry workers must be vaccinated (they will move up the priority list once the most vulnerable Greek citizens get the vaccine)
• Strict adherence to safety protocols such as wearing masks and social distancing.

All travelers must also complete an online Passenger Locator Form (PLF) at least 48 hours before their travel date. The requirement to self-isolate has been lifted for those with a negative test or proof of completed vaccination. Complete details on entry requirements can be found here .

Check the U.S. Embassy in Greece website for additional information.

Related: Can Americans finally go to Europe?

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Greece is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Greece.

Other restrictions: Full vaccination is required for everyone aged 14 and over; travelers must also obtain travel authorization, complete online forms, obtain health insurance valid in Grenada and have confirmed reservations at a certified property for at least two nights; additional testing is required upon arrival, and travelers are required to quarantine for up to 48 hours until they receive a negative result; there are various health screenings at the airport, too

What's open: Most businesses are open with various health protocols in place, such as mask requirements and the collection of contact tracing information.

Grenada is requiring all foreign visitors over the age of 13 — according to the U.S. Embassy — to be fully vaccinated to enter the country, as of July 31. An original vaccination card must be shown to authorities on arrival.

In addition to full vaccination, a negative PCR test dated within three days of arrival is also required. And all travelers will take another PCR test upon arrival, with a required quarantine until results are received. A fee is required for this on-arrival PCR test and must be pre-paid online.

Also, every visitor is required to fill out online health forms in advance, obtain a Pure Safe Travel Certificate authorizing travel, have reservations at an approved accommodation and have travel insurance valid in Grenada.

Unvaccinated children aged 13 or younger — when traveling with an otherwise fully vaccinated party — only need to quarantine until everyone in the group receives a negative test result.

Complete travel requirements can be found here .

For more information on requirements and restrictions, visit the U.S. Embassy for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean's COVID-19 page for Grenada .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Grenada is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Grenada.

COVID-19 test required: Yes, unless traveler can provide proof of completed vaccination at least two weeks prior to travel or recovery from COVID-19 within three months of travel

• 72 hours before departure • PCR or Antigen test required

Other restrictions: All travelers must complete a Health Pass ; travelers who have been in the United Kingdom or South Africa within two weeks of arriving in Guatemala may be denied entry or be required to quarantine; there are health checkpoints upon arrival and masks are mandatory in public spaces, including the airport.

What's open: Most businesses, including hotels, restaurants and bars, have been allowed to reopen with capacity restrictions and limited hours

Guatemala slowly began reopening to tourism on Sept. 18, 2020, and Aurora International Airport (GUA) is accepting international arrivals. Americans are welcome, but the country will deny entry to any traveler (including American citizens) who have been in Brazil, the United Kingdom or South Africa over the past 14 days. Guatemala experienced record high COVID-19 cases in April 2021.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala , passengers age 10 and over must present a negative COVID-19 PCR or Antigen test conducted within 72 hours prior to airport check-in for flights to Guatemala. Travelers who are two weeks or more past having completed their COVID-19 vaccination and those who have recovered from COVID-19 within the past three months can provide documented proof (although some air carriers may require a pre-travel test before boarding). All travelers must also complete a Heath Pass. In addition, any non-resident foreigners presenting symptoms of COVID-19 upon arrival may be denied entry to Guatemala.

Guatemalan officials at all borders are required to confirm the entering visitor's negative coronavirus test result.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Guatemala is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Guatemala.

Other restrictions: All travelers to Guinea must have three masks with them; testing from a specific lab is required for departure.

What's open: Many businesses, including restaurants and bars, with social distancing measures in place; there is no public transportation system in Guinea.

Gbessia International Airport (CKY) in Conakry is open and most airlines have resumed their flight schedules, although as cases rose through mid-March 2021, the West African country's state of health emergency was extended through May 2021, according to the U.S. Embassy in Guinea . Masks must be worn in all public places and there is currently an overnight curfew in the greater Conakry area and N'zerekore.

All travelers to Guinea must provide a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival. They must also carry three masks when entering. If flying into Guinea without a negative PCR test result, travelers will be tested upon arrival and quarantined until results are received. If they receive a positive result, they must quarantine for 14 days and have two negative tests before they are released.

Guinea also requires that all departing travelers be tested by a specific lab, the National Public Health Institute (Agence Nationale de la Sécurité Sanitaire, or ANSS) lab, with the test taken within 72 hours of departure (cost: about $67). This parallels a new U.S. requirement as of Jan. 26, 2021, that everyone aged two and older traveling to the U.S. from Guinea must show a negative viral COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of departure before being allowed to board their flights.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Guinea is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Guinea.

• 72 hours before departure (to avoid testing upon arrival) • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Travelers must fill out an online form and upload test results at least 24 hours before arrival; masks are required in public spaces; there's a 10:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew.

What's open: Most hotels and businesses, with restrictions; restaurants are permitted to open for outdoor dining, delivery, drive-thru, curbside pickup and take out until 9:30 p.m.; indoor dining is allowed at 40% capacity with additional restrictions.

Americans can visit Guyana, according to the U.S. Embassy, but the country has been experiencing an uptick in cases throughout May 2021. Travelers must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of their flight to avoid a second test upon arrival (anyone with a test taken within 4 to 7 days of travel will be tested again at a cost of $85; children under age 13 are not subject to this second test). Travelers must also upload test results electronically via an online Passenger Locator Form at least 24 hours before arrival and provide a copy of the test result (in English) to their airline at check-in. Details can be found here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Guyana is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Guyana.

• 72 hours before departure • PCR or rapid Antigen test required (proof of prior recovery from COVID-19 is also accepted)

Other restrictions: All travelers must fill out a health declaration form; masks are mandatory in all public spaces.

What's open: Haiti has limited tourism infrastructure compared with other Caribbean islands, but many businesses are open and public transportation is running; there is a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.

Haiti has reopened its borders to regular international passenger traffic. It has also opened its land borders with the Dominican Republic. However, the U.S. State Department's advisory for Haiti is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

According to the U.S. Embassy in Haiti , as of Feb. 9, 2021, all travelers to Haiti must present a negative COVID-19 PCR or rapid Antigen test taken within 72 hours of travel to their airline; proof of a prior COVID-19 infection (positive test and documentation from the attending physician) is also allowed.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Haiti.

Other restrictions: Travelers must complete government forms and sign an affidavit; masks are required in public spaces.

What's open: Some hotels and most businesses, with capacity restrictions in place; bars and nightclubs are closed.

Honduras reopened for tourists from all countries on Aug. 17, 2020, with its international airports in operation. Spirit Airlines has resumed service from Fort Lauderdale and Houston, and American Airlines is flying from Miami. The country has experienced record high COVID-19 cases in may 2021.

Entering visitors must complete a government registration form and have proof of a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of arrival. They will also be required to sign an affidavit and complete customs forms. Masks are required in all public spaces. Updates on guidelines can be found on the U.S. Embassy in Honduras website . The Embassy also cautions U.S. citizens that the country's public health system has limited capacity for handling severe/critical cases of COVID-19.

Anyone traveling from the United States who has visited or transited through the United Kingdom or South Africa within the past 21 days, is banned from entering Honduras. The local health authority maintains the right to grant or deny final approval for entry, based on their determination of risk of COVID-19 from any visiting travelers.

Travelers exiting Honduras must also complete another online government pre-check form.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Honduras is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Honduras.

COVID-19 test required : All U.S. travelers must present a negative COVID-19 (PCR or antigen) test taken within 72 hours of departure to enter Iceland. These travelers no longer need to take a COVID-19 test upon arrival in Iceland.

Other restrictions: The only U.S. travelers allowed to enter Iceland as of April 6, 2021 are those who have proof of a completed COVID-19 vaccination or recovery from a previous infection with a confirmed antibody test or a positive PCR test more than 14 days old; all travelers must register before arrival in Iceland.

What's open: Most hotels and businesses, as well as public transportation; the volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula near Reykjavik has resulted in some road closures; the famous Blue Lagoon thermal area reopened to visitors on April 16, 2021.

TPG's Andrew Kunesh booked a last-minute flight shortly after the ban was lifted. You can read his account here .

Related: Iceland is finally ready to welcome eligible Americans

As of April 6, 2021 , U.S. visitors are welcome, assuming they meet one of two criteria:

• A completed AstraZeneca, Janssen (Johnson & Johnson), Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine
• A previous COVID-19 infection, as confirmed with a positive antibody test or positive PCR test older than 14 days

Visitors need to pre-register before travel and can present an official paper or electronic COVID-19 vaccine certificate that includes the traveler's name, date of birth, date and location of vaccination, vaccine administered and the manufacturer and batch or lot number, as outlined on this page . Per the revised April 6, 2021 guidelines, vaccinated U.S. travelers will be required to take a test upon arrival (at least through June 15, 2021). FAQs can be found here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Iceland is Level 4: Do not travel due to COVID-19 restrictions .

There is an active volcanic eruption taking place on the Reykjanes Peninsula near the capital, Reykjavik. Visit the U.S. Embassy in Iceland website and the Icelandair website for additional information.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Iceland.

Other restrictions: Mandatory quarantine upon arrival (testing can end it early); travel between counties is banned; a person arriving in Ireland without a negative PCR test faces a stiff fine or six months in jail.

What's open: Hotels have finally reopened to tourists; restaurants are operating with outdoor dining and take-out and delivery only. Check for updates here .

Ireland has been technically open to Americans, but the Irish government has advised against it and a months-long lockdown along with quarantine restrictions has made travel there complicated. The good news: That is changing as the 14-day mandatory hotel quarantine for Americans was recently lifted (U.S. travelers still need to quarantine, but can test out after five days) and testing and quarantine restrictions are scheduled to be lifted for fully vaccinated U.S. travelers on July 19, 2021, if U.S. case numbers remain low. Details on the latest restrictions can be found here .

Related: Americans will be welcomed back to Ireland without quarantine on July 19, 2021

As of Jan. 16, 2021, all arrivals from outside Ireland are required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 72 hours prior to arrival and self-isolate for 14 days. As of March 26, 2021, travelers from countries listed as "designated states" (which no longer includes the United States) are subject to a 14-day mandatory hotel quarantine , which must be pre-booked and paid for before departure for arrival (reduced to 10 days with testing).

There is a fine of up to $2,860 or six months in jail for arriving without the proper test result upon arrival or for not fulfilling the required quarantine.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Ireland is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Ireland.

Other restrictions: Unless U.S. travelers arrive on a "COVID-tested" flight, which requires two additional tests, one before boarding and one after arrival, they are required to self-isolate for 10 days upon arrival and test again; all travelers must fill out a digital Passenger Locator Form.

What's open: It varies by region, based on cases and hospitalizations, but most regions are now in the "yellow zone" and many businesses have been allowed to reopen; most museums and cultural sites have capacity restrictions and require reservations in advance; restaurants and bars have reopened for outdoor dining; masks are required in all public places; there is a 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. curfew as of June 7, 2021.

Americans are once again allowed to visit Italy for tourism, according to the U.S. Embassy in Italy . However, the U.S. State Department's advisory for Italy remains at Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Italy has approved "COVID-tested flights" from the U.S. (on Delta from Atlanta and New York to Rome and Milan and both American and United have just added flights as well) that allow quarantine-free travel. Passengers on these flights, regardless of vaccination status, must fill out the digital Passenger Locator Form , present a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of boarding, take a rapid test just prior to boarding and then test again upon arrival in Italy. With a negative result on all three tests, travelers do not need to self-isolate for 10 days (those who arrive on other flights do need to self-isolate). The latest updates by Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs can be found here .

Related: Italy is reopening: 11 things I learned as a tourist there this week

According to the U.S. Embassy, regions in Italy are divided in a color-coded system—white (very low risk), yellow (low risk), orange (high risk) and red (very high risk)—depending on transmission rates, availability of hospital and ICU beds and other parameters. Different restrictive measures apply to each zone.

The country has been among the hardest hit in Europe and the government imposed an Easter lockdown through April 6, 2021, with some restrictions in certain regions eased since then as infections have slowed.

Related: I was one of the first American tourists to fly to Italy on a COVID-tested flight

Travelers from certain countries are restricted from visiting and others (divided into groups of List A, B, C, D and E) must fill out the digital Passenger Locator Form and provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 48 hours or 72 hours of entering Italy. The new rules also require anyone visiting or transiting from List D and E countries (the U.S. is now a List D country) and not entering Italy on a "COVID-tested flight" to present a negative test result taken within 72 hours of entering Italy and undergo an isolation period of 10 days before taking a second PCR or Antigen test. Updates on restrictions can be found here .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Italy.

Other restrictions: Travel authorization is required; arriving visitors will undergo a health screening and risk assessment; guests must stay at their resort and use only certified tours or visit certified attractions; masks and social distancing are mandated in public spaces.

What's open: Most hotels and resorts within what Jamaica calls its "resilient corridors" are certified to be open, but visitors should expect their movement around the island to be limited.

Jamaica officially reopened for tourism on June 15, 2020 but anyone hoping to plan a vacation there, especially those from a high-risk country (such as the U.S.), needs to request and obtain a travel authorization within 72 hours of their planned travel date.

As of March 11, 2021, all U.S. travelers age 12 and older must present a negative result of a COVID-19 PCR or rapid Antigen test , dated within 72 hours (3 days) of the date of arrival.

All incoming travelers should expect thermal temperature checks upon arrival, and anyone who shows COVID-19 symptoms or feels ill upon arrival will be tested and must quarantine in their hotel room until receiving a negative result. Even after all those procedures, travelers are expected to stay at accommodations within the "resilient corridors" at hotels and resorts certified to accept tourists and adhere to social distancing and face mask policies in public. Travelers are also expected to follow any policies made by tourist and hospitality establishments.

For the latest updates on travel to Jamaica, check here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Jamaica is Level 4: Do Not Travel . Visit the U.S. Embassy in Jamaica' s website for additional information.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Jamaica.

Other restrictions: All travelers must fill out a pre-travel arrivals form, have health insurance valid in Jordan and take a second test upon arrival; curfews vary by days of the week; masks are mandatory in public spaces.

What's open: Most hotels, restaurants and businesses with social distancing restrictions in place, but the U.S. Embassy recommends travelers avoid in-person dining at restaurants and cafes; there is an 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew.

Americans can visit, according to the U.S. Embassy in Jordan , but they must fill out an arrivals form before the flight. They will also need to provide results of a negative PCR test within 72 hours of arrival in Jordan, have health insurance valid in Jordan and take and pay for another coronavirus test upon arrival ($39, children under age five are exempt).

Once in Jordan, U.S. travelers who test negative upon arrival no longer need to undergo mandatory home quarantine for a period of 14 days.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Jordan is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Jordan.

• 96 hours before departure • PCR test required

Other restrictions: All arrivals require a visa and face a health screening; departing passengers must also obtain a negative test result before their flight if their destination country requires it; there is a nightly curfew of 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

What's open: Hotels, safari lodges, game reserves, restaurants (but bars must close at 7 p.m.), most businesses and public transportation.

Kenya reopened to tourism on Aug. 1, 2020 and Americans can visit. Under the reopening plan, travel in and out of Nairobi is allowed. All visitors need to obtain an e-visa , fill out an online health form (and obtain a QR code for scanning) and present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 96 hours of travel, according to the U.S. Embassy in Kenya . They'll also face a health screening on arrival, but are exempted from quarantine. Entry requirements can be found here .

The U.S. Embassy reports that the Kenya Ministry of Health launched the Trusted Travel (TT) Initiative. At this time, the QR code is for arriving passengers and the TT code is for those departing. Travelers can get the TT code with their test results from an accredited lab at any major hospital. And as of Jan. 26, 2021 everyone aged two and older traveling to the U.S. from Kenya must show a negative viral COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of departure before being allowed to board their flights; documented proof from a licensed healthcare provider of recovery from the virus within the past 90 days will also be accepted.

Cases surged in the country this spring and on March 26, 2021, President Kenyatta announced a lockdown for Nairobi and several surrounding counties, which has since been eased as cases have declined. A mandatory face mask requirement while in public remains in effect.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Kenya is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Kenya.

COVID-19 test required: Not required for U.S. citizens, but recommended to avoid refusal of boarding by airlines or a sudden change in policy by Kosovo authorities; travelers without a valid test are also required to self-isolate for seven days.

Other restrictions: A visa is required for entry; all arriving passengers will undergo a health screening; masks are mandated in public spaces and non-compliance can result in hefty fines.

What's open: Most businesses and public transportation; restaurants and bars are open, but must close at 11 p.m.

Kosovo has reopened to Americans—and Pristina International Airport is welcoming all travelers—but the U.S. Embassy in Kosovo urges citizens not to visit and the U.S. State Department's advisory is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

All foreign citizens entering Kosovo who come from high-risk countries, according to the official list of ECDC, must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of travel; those permitted to enter Kosovo without a test must self-isolate for seven days. While testing is currently not required for those traveling from the United States, the U.S. Embassy nonetheless recommends a test for all air travelers to Kosovo to avoid quarantine; testing requirements could also evolve with little notice.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Kosovo.

Other restrictions: Travelers whose test expires before arrival in the country must test again; masks are required on all public transportation.

What's open: Many businesses, including malls and markets, are open and public transportation is running.

The U.S. Embassy in Kyrgyzstan says the entry ban for U.S. citizens was lifted in December 2020. U.S. citizen travelers must enter the country via international airports in Bishkek, Osh or Issyk Kul. Travel across land borders for U.S citizens is not permitted at this time.

Those who do travel to Kyrgyzstan will need to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival. If a traveler's PCR test expires en route due to flight delays or cancellations, they will be required to test again upon arrival at their own expense.

The embassy advises U.S. citizens not to travel to Kyrgyzstan, noting that medical services have struggled to provide adequate care for serious cases of COVID-19 and the healthcare system faces limitations and adequate care may not be available everywhere.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Kyrgyzstan is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Kyrgyzstan.

COVID-19 test required: Yes, unless fully vaccinated against or recovered from COVID-19

• 96 hours before arrival • PCR test required

Other restrictions: If not 15 days past vaccination or recovery, travelers must complete a pre-travel medical form, download an app, take a second test required upon arrival, followed by three-day quarantine and a third test. Masks are required at all times outdoors and in public spaces, and all violators will be fined $33 per violation; movement in personal and public vehicles is restricted.

What's open: Essential shops and services and restaurants with some restrictions; a gradual lifting of restrictions is ongoing.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon , Americans can travel to the country. With exceptions for those who are 15 days past their completed COVID-19 vaccination or 15 days past recovery from infection, all travelers over the age of 12 must produce a negative PCR test taken within 96 hours of arrival in order to enter the country, take a second PCR test at their own expense (about $50), self-quarantine for three days at their hotel and take a third PCR test after that.

Lebanon had imposed a 24-hour countrywide lockdown, which closed all but essential businesses, through Feb. 8, 2021 when some restrictions were eased. Cases plateaued and have recently been declining.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Lebanon is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Lebanon.

The Maldives

Other restrictions: Traveler health declaration and proof of a reservation at a hotel or resort are both required; masks are mandatory at the airport, while in transit and in all public spaces.

What's open: Most resorts; tourists need authorization to island-hop from one island and/or resort to another; there is a 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. curfew and other restrictions in the capital, Male, where a recent case surge has been the greatest, through at least June 9, 2021.

In July 2020, the Maldives announced one of the most liberal opening policies in the world, but according to the U.S. Mission to the Maldives , the island nation has since placed restrictions on tourists. Cases have been increasing among the local population since late April 2021 and certain islands with confirmed COVID-19 cases have been placed under lockdown. As of May 13, 2021, the Maldives also temporarily banned entry by visa holders from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Afghanistan, along with anyone who has transited those countries over the past 14 days.

International visitors, including Americans, must now have proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 96 hours of their departure and complete a Traveler Health Declaration within 24 hours prior to travel. A free 30-day tourist visa will be issued upon arrival. Further details can be found here .

Tourists also need proof of reservation with an approved hotel or resort. The U.S. Mission notes that inter-island or inter-resort travel is also prohibited without special permission. The latest update on resort openings can be found here .

Emirates Airlines is offering connections through Dubai from major global cities including Chicago. Etihad resumed flights from Abu Dhabi to the Maldives starting in July. Turkish Airlines also started flights in July 2020.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for the Maldives is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in the Maldives.

• 5 to 7 days before departure • PCR test required

Other restrictions: International flights are currently suspended until at least Jun 30, 2021; when travel is allowed to resume, all travelers must pre-purchase a travel package, quarantine in-room for 14 days upon arrival and undergo multiple COVID-19 PCR tests; anyone who has visited certain countries within 14 days is banned until further notice; mask mandates remain in effect throughout the island.

What's open: Most businesses, with social distancing and capacity restrictions as outlined by the government, and public transportation on a limited basis. (Note: On March 10, 2021, the country went into an island-wide lockdown that closed beaches, shops and restaurants through April 30, 2021, with an easing of confinement beginning on May 1).

Travel here is not currently possible, since the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius has suspended all international flights into the country until at least June 30, 2021.

Mauritius began lifting restrictions in June 15, 2020, and according to the U.S. Embassy in Mauritius , as of Oct. 1, 2020 Americans had been allowed to visit—but only long-stay arrivals who purchased a travel package would be approved. Travelers also needed to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 5 to 7 days of travel and undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine in-room at an establishment recognized by the authorities. All travel alerts can be found here .

The U.S State Department's advisory for Mauritius is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Mauritius.

Other restrictions: Health checks upon arrival; capacity restrictions and face masks required in some public spaces.

What's open: Most hotels, resorts, restaurants and businesses (some at reduced capacity); beaches and many tourist attractions are also open.

Mexico eagerly flung open its doors to U.S. tourists—without any testing required for entry. The country began a slow regional opening on June 29, 2020 and many coronavirus restrictions have been lifted. At first, it was just beach destinations like Cancun, but now all Mexican airports are open to Americans. However, widespread community transmission remains a current concern and the government has established a federal "stoplight" system that limits activities and capacity in some regions.

Enhanced screening and cleaning procedures are in effect. There are also health checks at all airports, but no testing requirements upon arrival. However, as of Jan. 26, 2021, everyone aged two and older traveling to the U.S. from Mexico is required to show a negative viral COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of departure before being allowed to board their flights; documented proof from a licensed healthcare provider of recovery from the virus within the past 90 days will also be accepted.

Many Mexico resorts have begun to offer on-property rapid Antigen and PCR tests for guests returning to the U.S.

Mexico saw a major surge in cases in late December 2020 and early January 2021 following an influx of tourists. Community spread continues throughout the country, but capacity restrictions were recently relaxed in many regions.

The U.S. State Department's travel advisory for Mexico is Level 3: Reconsider Travel . According to the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, community transmission remains widespread. No states were deemed "red" under Mexico's stoplight system through June 20, 2021, but four states (including Quintana Roo, home to popular tourist spots Cancun and Riviera Maya) are "orange," requiring capacity restrictions of 50% in hotels and restaurants.

The U.S.–Mexico land border is closed to nonessential travel until at least June 21, 2021.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Mexico.

COVID-19 test required: Yes, unless fully vaccinated and traveling after June 15, 2021

• 72 hours before departure (through June 15, 2021, then within 48 hours of the date of entry or proof of completed vaccination) • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Test results must be presented in printed form; confirmed reservations with a hotel or travel agency or invitation from a Moroccan company to do business are also required

What's open: Flights are very limited through at least June 15, 2021; some hotels, restaurants and shops are open, with a daily curfew of 11 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.

Morocco recently extended its strict state of emergency until July 10, 2021 and also has suspended flights from more than two dozen countries through at least June 15, 2021, making tourism here challenging. According to the U.S. Embassy in Morocco , Americans are among citizens of several dozen countries currently allowed to enter the country without a visa, but anyone age 11 and older must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure (changing to within 48 hours of entry on June 15, 2021 for unvaccinated travelers) and present it in printed form at airport check-in and upon arrival in Morocco. Fully vaccinated U.S. travelers will not be required to test.

Commercial flights remain very limited (Royal Air Maroc flights between New York's JFK Airport and Casablanca and Casablanca and Washington Dulles International Airport). Masks are mandatory in flight and in all public spaces. But according to the U.S. Embassy, the Government of Morocco announced that beginning June 15, 2021, most international flights will be permitted to resume. Countries will be classified into "List A" and "List B." Passengers arriving from countries on List A will be permitted to enter Morocco with a vaccination certificate or a negative result of a PCR test administered within 48 hours of the date entering Morocco. List A includes the United States, most European countries and all countries not on List B.

Travelers are limited to those who have confirmed reservations with a Moroccan hotel or travel agency or an invitation from a Moroccan company for business purposes, according to the U.S. Embassy. Domestic travel within Morocco requires a travel authorization letter from local officials, but apparently, a hotel reservation can be all the documentation you may need.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Morocco is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Morocco.

Other restrictions: Visas or resident permits are required for entry; tourists must have a confirmed hotel booking and return ticket; all travelers face a health screening upon arrival.

What's open: Most businesses, shops and restaurants are open, subject to curfews and early closures; public transportation is running; museums and other cultural institutions are closed; bars and beaches are closed.

Limited international flights are available to Mozambique. Arriving travelers age 12 and older are required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure. There is health screening upon arrival, but quarantine isn't required with a negative test result.

According to the U.S Embassy in Mozambique , "For travelers arriving for tourism purposes only, visas are available upon arrival with proof of a return ticket and hotel booking. Please be aware that U.S. citizens have been denied entry for not having obtained the proper type of visa in advance. Obtaining your visa in advance from the Mozambican Embassy in Washington, DC is strongly encouraged." Non-Mozambiqan business travelers must seek authorization to enter the country from the Ministry of the Interior, according to the U.S. Embassy.

Public transportation is running and face masks are required. In the Greater Maputo area, a curfew is in place from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Mozambique is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Mozambique.

• 7 days before arrival • PCR test required (Antigen tests are no longer accepted as of June 1, 2021)

Other restrictions: All travelers must complete a health questionnaire; even travelers with proof of vaccination must provide a negative test result.

What's open: Most businesses (hotels, safari lodges and camps, restaurants, shops); public transportation is running.

Namibia has been open for international tourism since Sept. 1, 2020, although most of its land borders are currently closed.

Tourists, including Americans, are allowed to fly to Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH), and according to the U.S. Embassy in Namibia , they must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 7 days of arrival and fill out a health questionnaire. As of June 1, 2021, rapid Antigen test results will not be accepted. Even travelers who have proof of vaccination must provide a negative test result. Those whose test result is more than 7 days old will need to undergo a day-of-arrival quarantine until getting a negative result on a second test before being allowed to move freely in the country. Children under the age of five are exempt.

There is a nationwide curfew in Namibia from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Related: Country-by-country guide to Africa reopening

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Namibia is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Namibia.

COVID-19 test required: Yes, unless fully vaccinated

Other restrictions: International flights to Nepal have been suspended through at least June 30, 2021, to help curb outbreaks in Kathmandu and several cities near the border with India; when flights resume, U.S. travelers need a visa, a hotel booking reservation and proof of insurance; all travelers must also take a PCR test upon arrival and quarantine for 10 days.

What's open: Most hotels, restaurants and businesses have resumed operations; the government, however, did enact a lockdown of Kathmandu from April 29, 2021 to at least June 14, 2021 to slow the city's COVID-19 infection rate.

Nepal, which had remained mostly closed to tourism, did reopen to travelers arriving via air and Americans had been allowed to visit. However, cases of COVD-19 surged throughout April and May 2021, topping 9,000 a day and resulting in record deaths, and since April 29, 2021 Kathmandu has been under a lockdown that has now been extended through at least June 14, 2021. It limits the opening of grocery stores and other essential services, including public and private transportation. The suspension of international fights has also been extended through at least June 30, 2021.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Nepal , the government of Nepal has resumed issuing tourist visas. and travelers should obtain a tourist entry visa from a Nepali diplomatic mission abroad or obtain a pre-approval /recommendation from the concerned ministry for ensuring their on-arrival visa. For more information, contact the Embassy of Nepal in Washington, D.C. Further information on obtaining a tourist visa is also available from Nepal's Department of Immigration .

The U.S. Embassy website notes that U.S. travelers to Nepal need the following:

• Results of a negative COVID-19 PCR negative taken within 72 hours of boarding or a document showing complete vaccination against COVID-19 (children five and under age five are exempt from testing)
• A visa to Nepal or recommendation letter from the Department of Tourism or Nepal Tourism Board to participate in tourism activities within Nepal
• A hotel booking confirmation or guarantee of accommodation
• Proof of travel insurance that covers emergency search, rescue and treatment, among others, for the duration of their travel
• The barcode generated from the online application of the Online International Travel Arrival Form .

PCR testing is also required upon arrival and travelers, regardless of their vaccination status, must quarantine for 10 days. Failure to wear a mask when outdoors may result in arrest and a fine.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Nepal is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Nepal.

The Netherlands

Other restrictions: Limited flight options; travelers must complete a health declaration

What's open: Most businesses are open, and there is no curfew; public transportation is operating with masks required

The Netherlands reopened to American travelers on June 24. There are no testing or vaccination requirements for U.S. travelers because the U.S. is designated by the Netherlands as a "safe" country as of July 29. Travelers from safe countries just need to complete a health declaration to enter the country, according to the U.S. Embassy . The list of safe countries is subject to change at any time.

Travelers coming from countries or regions designated as "high-risk" are subject to heightened entry restrictions, including possible testing and quarantine requirements.

While most businesses, hotels and attractions in the Netherlands are open according to the Dutch government, take note that the CDC has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice , which means that there is a very high level of COVID-19 in the country.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for the Netherlands is Level 4: Do Not Travel due to COVID-19.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in the Netherlands.

Other restrictions: Limited flight options; tourist visa is required; pre-departure airline form must be filled out; health screenings upon arrival.

What's open: Most businesses are open and there is no curfew.

Nicaragua never really shut down. There were never any stay-at-home or social-distancing orders and because of these relaxed rules, there have been questions about how many cases Nicaragua actually has. The Nicaraguan government also never officially implemented any travel restrictions, but its borders and airports effectively closed until October 2020; only limited flights (on Avianca and Copa) have since resumed and some U.S. carriers have set tentative dates for flights to resume in late summer and fall.

The U.S. Embassy in Nicaragua notes that the Nicaraguan government has yet to officially impose any domestic travel restrictions or national quarantine policies. The embassy also states that U.S. travelers are allowed to enter Nicaragua, and a negative COVID-19 test result taken up to 72 hours of travel is required for entry. Travelers should also be prepared for additional health screenings, although the embassy says that travelers are not officially required to produce any additional health documentation to enter Nicaragua unless they are traveling from a country with a known yellow fever risk.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Nicaragua is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Nicaragua.

• 5 days (120 hours) before departure (and 120 hours before departure from Niger) • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Health screening upon arrival; 7-day self-quarantine for travelers staying more than 14 days.

What's open: Restaurants, markets, stores and public transportation; bars, nightclubs, and performance venues have been closed since Dec. 24, 2020.

The government of Niger's state of emergency has continued into 2021, according to the U.S. Embassy in Niger . Travelers arriving into the West African country must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test dated within 120 hours (5 days) of their flight's departure and undergo a health screening. Travelers who plan to stay in Niger for more than 14 days must also provide precise home/accommodation information and self-quarantine for seven days before getting tested again (free) at a specified COVID-19 testing facility.

The U.S. Embassy also reports that travelers departing Niger by air must provide a negative COVID-19 test dated within 120 hours of departure. However, a new U.S. requirement as of Jan. 26, 2021 that requires everyone aged two and older traveling to the U.S. from Niger to show a negative viral COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of departure before being allowed to board their flights.

Social distancing rules are in effect in Niger and it is mandatory to wear a face mask in public spaces in Niamy.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Niger is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Niger.

• 72 hours (3 days) before departure • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Self-isolate for 7 days and pay for a second test

What's open: Most businesses and public transportation (at 50% capacity)

Nigeria reopened its airports on July 8, 2020 after months of closure. Abuja (ABV), Lagos (LOS), Kano (KAN), Port Harcourt (PHC), Owerri (QOW) and Maiduguri (MIU) airports all reopened for domestic flights in July 2020, and international flights resumed in August 2020.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria , arriving international passengers age 10 and older must have proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure. A Quarantine Protocol issued in September requires all international visitors to register via the Nigeria International Travel Portal , upload test results prior to travel, and then self-isolate and pay for another test seven days after arrival in Nigeria and continue self-isolating until receiving a negative result (typically in 24-48 hours).

Travelers from South Africa, the United Kingdom, Brazil, India and Turkey are subject to additional protocols.

The country saw a surge in COVID-19 infections in December 2020, resulting in increased restrictions. Cases have since been substantially reduced, but a curfew remains in place from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. Mask wearing is inconsistent.

All passengers departing Abuja International airport are currently being asked to provide negative COVID tests taken within 3 days (72 hours) prior to boarding. This coincides with PCR or rapid Antigen testing requirements (as of Jan. 26, 2021) for all international air travelers returning to the U.S., Details are available here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Nigeria is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Nigeria.

North Macedonia

Other restrictions: Arriving passengers must undergo thermal scanning; face masks and social distancing are required in public spaces, including shops and public transportation.

What's open: Most hotels and businesses; there is a 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. curfew, with restaurants, cafes and bars allowed to offer limited outdoor seating, take-out and delivery only.

North Macedonia is now open to all tourists. Skopje International Airport (SKP) and Ohrid St. Paul the Apostle Airport (OHD) opened on July 1, 2020 . But as of March 10, 2021, North Macedonia has mandated a 14-day quarantine for all travelers arriving from India, Brazil and countries in Africa. There are also restrictions on public gatherings and social distancing, with a nationwide state of crisis is in effect through June 30, 2021 after cases in the country surged in March and early April 2021.

All passengers will face temperature screening, but there are no quarantine or testing requirements. Check the U.S. Embassy in North Macedonia website for updates.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for North Macedonia Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in North Macedonia.

Other restrictions: A visa is required for entry; travelers also need to download an app and undergo a thermal scan upon arrival; masks are required in public spaces.

What's open: Most businesses are open, but commercial areas identified as "hot spots" by authorities could be shut down without advance notice or subject to capacity restrictions; public transportation is operating.

Pakistan has reopened for Americans, however, the U.S. State Department's Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory says, "Do not travel to Pakistan due to COVID-19, terrorism and sectarian violence." The country experienced record high COVID-19 cases and deaths in April 2021 and announced it would reduce international flights by 80% for 15 days (May 5-20, 2021).

According to the U.S. Embassy in Pakistan , Americans wishing to travel to Pakistan will need a visa, and as visitors from a Category B country, must show a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 72 hours of departure from the U.S. They will also need to download and install a Pass Track app and face health screenings on arrival. Guidelines can be found here .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Pakistan.

• 48 hours before departure • PCR or Antigen test required

Other restrictions : All travelers must sign an electronic affidavit prior to their flight; travelers who arrive without valid test results can take a rapid test after arrival; a positive result requires a 14-day quarantine; some movement restrictions are in place throughout the country; masks are required any time you leave your hotel room or home.

What's open: Most hotels, restaurants and businesses with capacity restrictions; beaches are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Panama, which reopened its airport back in late August 2020, is now in a phased reopening across the country. Tourism returned on Oct. 12, 2020, but widespread infections in late 2020 and early 2021 slowed progress. The U.S. Embassy in Panama notes on its website that the U.S. State Department's advisory for Panama is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Panama currently requires travelers to register via an online health affidavit and present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or Antigen test taken within 48 hours of departure. Anyone unable to obtain a negative coronavirus test within that time frame can take a COVID-19 rapid test at the airport (cost: $50) and if the result is positive they must quarantine for 14 days at a designated hotel-hospital. A negative test on day 7 will allow for release, but a positive test mean quarantine continues for 14 days or until a negative test result.

Effective May 24, 2021 passengers who present a "Full Digital Vaccination Certificate" vaccination with the required doses at least 14 days prior to their entry, and a negative test properly registered in the IATA Travel Pass app 48 hours before entering the country will not be required to undergo home quarantine or secondary COVID testing at the airport. Details are available here .

Any incoming traveler arriving from South America, India, South Africa or the United Kingdom (or who has transited through any of these countries in the last 15 days) must test upon arrival (in addition to the pre-travel test) and even those who test negative must self-isolate for three days and be tested again at the end of the quarantine.

Panama has also instituted nightly curfews movement restrictions that vary by region.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Panama.

• 72 hours before arrival • PCR or NAAT test required

Other restrictions: Visa upon arrival is available; arriving travelers must have international health insurance and face a temperature screening in the airport; face masks are recommended when in public spaces and required in supermarkets, retail stores, pharmacies, gas stations and other places where people gather.

What's open: Most businesses and public transportation, with capacity and social distancing restrictions per the government's phased re-opening; there is an 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. nationwide curfew.

The government of Paraguay began easing its internal lockdown last fall and on Oct. 2, 2020, reopened Silvio Pettirossi International Airport. Some regular commercial flights then resumed in November 2020. However, COVID-19 cases in the country have surged in March and April 2021, reaching record highs, and new restrictions were put in place.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Paraguay , the country ended its required quarantine for foreigners on Nov. 16, 2020 (except for travelers from Brazil), but everyone age 10 and older entering Paraguay must present a negative COVID-19 PCR or NAAT test result taken within 72 hours before arrival. In addition, the embassy reports that travelers who contracted and recovered from COVID-19 in the last 14-90 days also may enter with documentation and without a current test.

All travelers who are not residents of Paraguay are also required to have international medical insurance that covers COVID-19 and must complete a Ministry of Health form within 24 hours of entering the country.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Paraguay is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Paraguay.

• 72 hours before departure (issued within 72 hours) • PCR or Antigen test required

Other restrictions: 14-day quarantine is required (with Antigen testing option upon arrival to avoid quarantine with a negative result); domestic flights are limited; face masks and social distancing are required in public spaces.

What's open: Most hotels and restaurants and some businesses, but at limited capacity depending on the region's alert level; Machu Picchu is open at a reduced capacity.

After a prolonged state of emergency, Peru began Phase 4 of its economic reactivation on Oct. 1, 2020, including the resumption of a limited number of international flights. The U.S. Embassy in Peru reports that direct flights from the U.S. are operating and Americans are welcome to enter Peru, although pre-travel testing is required for all visitors, a negative Antigen test result upon arrival is required to avoid a 14-day quarantine, regional restrictions are in effect and the State Department's advisory is Level 3: Reconsider Travel . Peru had sustained high levels of COVID-19 infections throughout April and May 2021.

All passengers age 12 and older must present a negative COVID-19 PCR or Antigen test result issued within 72 hours of departure for Peru and complete an online electronic Affidavit of Health and Geolocation Authorization administered by Migraciones. To avoid a 14-day quarantine, arriving travelers can submit to an Antigen test at the airport; if negative, they don't have to quarantine.

The U.S. Embassy suggests travelers confirm requirements with their airline prior to departure since they could be subject to change. Peru's government has also declared the restriction of all non-resident foreign passengers originating in Brazil, South Africa and India from entering Peru through at least June 20, 2021.

With cases rising, Peru instituted regional risk metrics of High, Very High and Extreme, based on COVID-19 risk—Lima and Cusco have been respectively listed as Very High and Extreme through at least June 20, 2021, subject to review every 15 days. Restrictions and nightly curfews of 8 p.m. or 9.p.m. remain in effect in many regions.

Machu Picchu, one of Peru's top tourist destinations, is open at reduced capacity with strict social distancing measures in place.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Peru.

Puerto Rico

COVID-19 test required: Yes, but fully vaccinated U.S. travelers are now exempt.

• 72 hours before arrival • PCR or Antigen test required

Other restrictions: Arriving passengers must upload testing results or proof of vaccination to an online portal, will face health screenings and could be subject to additional testing; masks are required in all public spaces (with a $100 fine for on-compliance); an island-wide curfew of 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. is in effect.

What's open: Most hotels and resorts; public beaches and golf courses have reopened and water activities are allowed with reduced capacity and appropriate social distancing; restaurants are open at 75% capacity, but self-serve buffets are not allowed; casinos and hotel pools are operating at 75% capacity; some attractions are open, but access to Old San Juan between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. (curfew hours) is limited to residents and guests of Old San Juan hotels.

Puerto Rico , an unincorporated territory of the U.S., has officially reopened to all international travelers. However, cases surged throughout April 2021, leading to a tightening of capacity restrictions and an earlier curfew, all of which were just recently eased.

In order to visit, all travelers, including Americans, must complete an online Travel Declaration available on the Puerto Rico Health Department's online portal . Unvaccinated passengers must present a negative molecular COVID-19 PCR or Antigen test taken no more than 72 hours prior. To receive an Airport Exit Confirmation QR Code, they must upload their negative test to the online portal before travel. To receive their QR code, fully vaccinated travelers must upload their vaccination card to the portal.

Related: Vaccinated travelers no longer need a COVOD-19 test for entry to Puerto Rico

As of April 28, 2021, passengers on international flights who do not upload negative test results to the online portal before arrival face a $300 fine; those awaiting results have 48 hours to upload the results and the fine will be dismissed; those who arrive without having taken a test are required to test on the island within 48 hours to have the fine dismissed. Details are here .

Upon arrival at San Juan International Airport, travelers will be subject to health screenings, including possible additional COVID-19 testing. You could be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days, regardless of symptoms.

A note for travelers returning from Puerto Rico: The U.S. began requiring proof of a negative COVID-19 viral test on Jan. 26, 2021, for all international arrivals by air, but passengers traveling back to the U.S. mainland from Puerto Rico will not be required to have taken a test.

Related: Everything you need to know about Puerto Rico reopening

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advisory for Puerto Rico is Level 3: High Level of COVID-19 .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Puerto Rico.

Related: Your points and miles guide to Puerto Rico

• 48-72 hours before arrival depending on test • PCR or Antigen test required

Other restrictions: All accommodations require proof of vaccination or recent negative test. There are curfew and capacity limits depending on area of the country.

What's open: Most restaurants, bars, museums and sites are open, but Portugal will continue a nightly 10:30pm curfew.

Portugal has allowed nonessential travel — including tourism — from the U.S. with proof of a negative COVID-19 test since June 15, 2021.

All visitors must show a negative nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), such as a PCR test, taken within 72 hours before boarding. Rapid tests are also accepted but must be performed within 48 hours of boarding.

Related: Portugal reintroduces nightly curfew amid rising COVID-19 cases

Portugal also allows use of the EU Digital COVID Certificate to provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, negative PCR or antigen tests or recovery from COVID-19, but it's not currently accessible to Americans traveling in Europe. That means, even if you're fully vaccinated, you must still show a negative COVID-19 test to enter Portugal.

• 72 hours before departure to Rwanda (and 72 hours before departure from Rwanda) • PCR test required

Other restrictions : Testing upon arrival and 24-hour quarantine with another test before release; testing is required for hotel stays and visits to national parks; testing is again required for departure; face masks are required nationwide when in public spaces; there is a 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew.

What's open: Most businesses, hotels and public transportation, as well as all three national parks, including Volcanoes National Park; restaurants are open with restricted hours and capacity; bars are closed.

Rwanda had been doing a relatively good job controlling the coronavirus outbreak since reopening to commercial flights on Aug. 1, 2020, although cases did spike in January 2021. Recently, the U.S. State Department returned its advisory for the country to Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

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According to the U.S. Embassy in Rwanda , all arriving passengers are required to fill out a Passenger Locator Form and upload a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours (three days) of departure for Rwanda. All travelers are also subject to testing upon arrival (at a cost of $60) and must spend 24 hours in a designated transit hotel; some travelers (but not business travelers or tourists headed to national parks) may need to undergo a seven-night quarantine.

VisitRwanda's reopening guidance says, "For passengers entering Rwanda, a second PCR test will be conducted upon arrival, with results delivered within 24 hours, during which time they will remain in designated hotels at their own cost." International tourists scheduled to visit national parks are not required to undergo further quarantine, but will be required to present negative test results upon checking into hotels or entering national parks. Details can be found here.

Related: Visiting Rwanda during COVID-19

Travelers departing Rwanda must also test negative within 72 hours of their flight. They are encouraged to book and pay for their tests at least two days prior to their return flight. As of Jan. 26, 2021 everyone aged two and older traveling to the U.S. from Rwanda must show a negative viral COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of departure before being allowed to board their flights.

For information on testing in Rwanda, check this FAQ section on VisitRwanda.com.

Rwanda is offering visas on arrival as well for all nationalities. There are a number of additional planning resources available at VisitRwanda.com . All three major national parks in the country are open but visitors will have to test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of visiting. You can even book a trip to see the endangered mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Rwanda.

Other restrictions: As of May 1, 2021, all travelers must fill out an entry form to visit Saba, but non-vaccinated U.S. travelers are required to undergo in-room hotel quarantine for five days (reduced from 10 days), with monitoring via text messages and phone calls and testing on day 5; fully vaccinated travelers need to test before travel, but do not have to quarantine; health insurance valid in Saba that covers COVID-19 is also required.

What's open : Hotels and restaurants, but subject to restrictions.

International travelers have been welcome to apply for permission to visit the Dutch Caribbean island of Saba since Nov. 1, 2020—but new rules went into effect on May 1, 2021. The U.S. is considered a high-risk country, so all travelers from the U.S. must still fill out an online entry form and present a negative COVID-19 PCR or Antigen test result taken within 72 of arrival in Saba. Those who are non-vaccinated must also undergo a 5-day quarantine in their hotel room, with monitoring by local authorities and an Antigen test administered on day 5. If the room has a balcony or patio, travelers can sit outside, but there will be no daily housekeeping services and all room-service food will be left outside the door.

Fully vaccinated travelers to Saba will still need to apply for permission to visit, but will be able to skip quarantine. All visitors from high-risk countries, which includes the United States, will continue to have to present negative results of a pre-travel test taken within 72 hours of arrival no matter what their vaccination status. More details can be found on the government's website .

Travelers arriving in Saba via St. Maarten must also follow the travel requirements for St. Maarten .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Saba is Level 4: Do Not Trave l .

COVID-19 test required: Yes, but only fully vaccinated U.S. travelers are allowed in for tourism and are exempt from testing.

• 48 hours before arrival • PCR or Antigen test required

Other restrictions: All travelers must fill out a Spain Travel Health form prior to boarding their flight to receive a QR code and present their vaccination certificate; children under age 12 who are unvaccinated can travel to Spain with their parents but need their own QR code; children 12 and older must present a vaccination certificate.

What's open: Hotels, restaurants and most business, with limited capacity.

Spain began welcoming back fully vaccinated American tourists on June 7, 2021. Those who are two weeks or more past (and under one year since) their final dose of Pfizer, Moderna or Astra-Zeneca or their one dose of Johnson & Johnson do not require a test to enter.

Unvaccinated travelers from the U.S. cannot enter for tourism purposes and must be traveling for what Spain calls an "exceptional situation," receive permission from the Spanish government and provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR or Antigen test issued within 48 hours of arrival in Spain. Travelers permitted to enter who have recovered from COVID-19 within the past 180 days can also provide a certificate proving their diagnosis.

Details on entry requirements can be found here .

All arrivals in Spain must fill out the Spain Travel Health (SpTH) form at least 48 hours prior to departure to the country. The U.S. is still considered a third-country risk zone, meaning you will need to attach your corresponding documentation (proof of vaccination, recovery or negative test result) to the SpTH form. That will generate a QR code, which you will need to show at border control on arrival.

Related: It's Official: Spain has reopened to fully vaccinated Americans

The U.S. Embassy in Spain notes that if any documents submitted by U.S. travelers are deemed invalid by Spanish border police, health authorities may require an antigen test taken at the airport or a PCR test after arrival and/or may not allow the passenger entry into Spain.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Spain is Level 3: Reconsider Travel.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Spain.

COVID-19 test required: Yes, but only fully vaccinated U.S. travelers are allowed to visit

• 72 or 48 hours before arrival • PCR (72 hours) or Antigen (48 hours) test required

Other restrictions: Travelers flying through St. Maarten will need to register with St. Maarten's EHAS (Electronic Health Registration System).

What's open: Hotels, restaurants, shops and beaches.

As of June 9, 2021, fully vaccinated travelers from the U.S. are once again allowed to visit St. Barths , after a four-month period when France closed down tourism to this and other overseas territories. All Americans age 18 and older planning to visit St. Barths must provide proof of being at least two weeks past their final vaccination and all travelers age 10 and older must present a negative result of COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival or an Antigen test taken within 48 hours of arrival.

The Caribbean island initially reopened to travelers in June 2020, but tourists had been banned since Feb. 2, 2021. U.S. travelers arriving in St. Barths via St. Marten will need to register in advance through the St. Maarten EHAS system and upload negative PCR results as well as pay a fee.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for St. Barths is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

For updates on travel to St. Barths, check with the U.S. Embassy for the Eastern Caribbean.

St. Kitts and Nevis

COVID-19 test required: Yes, but only fully vaccinated travelers can visit as of May 29, 2021

Other restrictions: Travelers must be fully vaccinated (two weeks or more since their final dose), get approval from the island to travel (or boarding a flight will be denied), have a confirmed reservation at a certified hotel, undergo a health screening upon arrival, download a contract tracing app, stay at their hotel property, and test prior to departure or before being allowed to book select excursions; a test on day 9 allows visitors to explore freely; masks are required in public spaces.

What's open: Certified hotels, resorts and certified activities/excursions for tourists; restaurants are open with capacity restrictions.

St. Kitts and Nevis began a phased reopening on Oct. 31, 2020, but on May 29, 2021 changed its protocols to allow only fully vaccinated travelers to visit . Non-vaccinated children under 18 accompanied by fully vaccinated (two weeks or more past their final vaccination) parents will be allowed.

According to the St. Kitts and Nevis tourism board, Americans wanting to visit need to take the following steps:

• Complete the entry form here to receive travel approval and submit a negative COVID-19 PCR test completed within 72 hours of your flight from an accredited laboratory as well as confirmation of a hotel reservation at a certified hotel.
• 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 (to be used for the first 14 days (or less) of travel.
• Days 1-9: Visitors are free to move about the hotel property, interact with other guests and partake in hotel activities.
• Fully vaccinated air travelers staying beyond 9 days are required to be tested on day 9 ($150 visitors' cost) of their stay and once their test is negative, they may integrate into the community, participating in tours, attractions, restaurants, beach bars, retail shopping, etc.
• Vaccinated parents traveling with a non-vaccinated child will not be allowed to integrate into the community until after the child is tested on day 14 and the test results come back negative.

One other note: Americans will need to stay at one of eight approved hotels for international visitors. Good news? They include the Park Hyatt St. Kitts , the Four Seasons Nevi s and the St. Kitts Marriott Resort.

For complete details on travel requirements, visit the St. Kitts and Nevis Tourism website .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for St. Kitts and Nevis is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution . Visit the website of the U.S. Embassy in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean , which overseas St. Kitts and Nevis, for additional information.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in St. Kitts and Nevis.

• 5 days (120 hours) before departure • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Visitors must book a stay in a certified property, complete the online Travel Registration Form, upload test results before departure and present a Travel Authorization email confirmation upon arrival; once in St. Lucia, travelers will undergo a health check and must remain at their property for 14 days with some certified activities allowed (activity options have been eased for fully vaccinated visitors, who will be issued wristbands); masks and social distancing are required island-wide.

What's open: Most resorts and activities have been certified for tourists; there is a 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew.

Flights to Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) have resumed and St. Lucia is again welcoming U.S. visitors—but they must remain at their certified accommodation and only participate in certified tours and acrivities.

Travelers age five and older (from outside St. Lucia's designated Travel Bubble) are required to present certified proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within five days of boarding their flights to UVF (this was reduced from seven days as of Feb. 10, 2021). All International travelers, including those from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, must pre-book their stay at a certified property, complete an online Travel Registration Form and then upload the negative test results before travel. All travelers must also present the Travel Authorization email they receive or they may be denied boarding.

Once they arrive, travelers will undergo health checks and temperatures will be taken. All international visitors from outside the St. Lucia Travel Bubble will be required to remain at their COVID-19-certified property and only participate in certified tours and activities for the duration of their stay; after 14 days, visitors be able to move around the island freely. Masks and social distancing will be required for the duration of the stay.

For complete details, visit the International Arrivals page on the St. Lucia Tourism website.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for St. Lucia is Level 3: Reconsider Travel . Visit the U.S. Embassy for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean 's website for additional information.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in St. Lucia.

St. Maarten

• 120 hours before departure for travelers from the U.S. (72 hours from other countries) for PCR test or 48 hours for rapid Antigen test • PCR or rapid Antigen test required

Other restrictions: Travelers need to complete an online application and receive a QR code (as of June 9, 2021), apply for St. Maarten's health insurance, and self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days.

What's open: Most resorts, businesses and attractions; tourists can cross from the Dutch side of the island to French St. Martin.

Dutch Sint Maarten is open and welcoming U.S. and other travelers arriving at Princess Juliana International Airport.

Before arrival, travelers from high-risk countries (which includes the U.S.) are required to follow several protocols , including submitting the results of a COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of the day of travel. This was reduced from 120 hours as of Feb. 12, 2021, but both the St. Maarten Health Authorization System website and the U.S. Consulate General in Curacao , which oversees Dutch St. Maarten, report the 120-hour requirement remains for Americans.

Americans can also now opt to present the results of any FDA-approved rapid Antigen test done within 48 hours.

All arriving passengers must also register online at EHAS and submit a health declaration form to receive a QR code (confirmation must be shown at immigration). All travelers must also apply for the St. Maarten Visitor Protection Plan , which provides health insurance covering COVID-19 testing and treatment while on the island. It costs $30 for travelers age 15 and older and $10 for those 14 and under. Travelers from high-risk countries (which includes the U.S.) are also expected to follow, including daily self-monitoring and reporting of symptoms for 14 days.

Related coverage: Plane-Spotting Time; St. Maarten is Now Open Again

St. Maarten has travel ban in effect since Jan. 27, 2021 for anyone, including U.S. citizens, who have been in a banned country (including South Africa, India, Pakistan and a dozen South American countries) over the past 14 days.

For more information on travel requirements, check the St. Maarten Health Authorization website .

The U.S. State Department advisory is Level 3: Reconsider Travel for both Dutch St. Maarten and French St. Martin.

St. Vincent & the Grenadines

Other restrictions: Travelers must fill out a health form prior to departure for St. Vincent, may be subject to testing upon arrival and must quarantine at an approved (and pre-paid for) hotel for 14 days (fully vaccinated travelers must only quarantine for 48 hours); additional testing and monitoring is also required; masks are required in all public spaces.

What's open: Certified resorts and most businesses; restaurants may have capacity or outdoor-dining-only restrictions.

The La Soufrière volcano on St. Vincent erupted on April 9, 2021 , forcing many island residents to evacuate. The eruption has devastated nearby areas and disrupted life on the island.

Related: Cruise lines send ships to help evacuate St. Vincent as volcano threatens island

St. Vincent and the Grenadines began reopening on July 1, 2020. Visitors from all countries are welcome, but everyone must fill out an entry form within 24 hours of departure for the islands. Americans face especially strict requirements, which were updated as of Feb. 8, 2021.

All travelers from high-risk countries, which includes the U.S., need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours (three days) of arrival. All high-risk travelers may also be tested on arrival. They are also required to quarantine at an approved hotel for 14 nights and show proof of a fully-paid reservation for those 14 nights. Then, retesting is required between day four and day seven along with ongoing monitoring by a Port Health Officer.

Travelers who have proof that they are fully vaccinated (at least four weeks after the final dose) must still have a pre-travel COVID-19 test 72 hours before arrival and be tested upon arrival, but are only required to quarantine for 48 hours until they receive arrival test results.

For more information on entry requirements, click here .

The U.S. State Department's advisory for St. Vincent is Level 3: Reconsider Travel . Visit the U.S. Embassy in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean , which oversees St. Vincent, for additional information.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

São Tomé and Principe

Other restrictions : Symptomatic travelers must take a second PCR test upon arrival and quarantine until receiving the results; masks are required in public spaces.

What's open: Most businesses; markets have restricted hours; there is a 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew on Principe only.

São Tomé and Príncipe , a lush and tropical island nation located off the coast of western Africa in the Gulf of Guinea, released a three-phase plan for reopening the country beginning in June 2020. Currently, travelers are welcome, but there are social distancing restrictions in place and people are encouraged to remain at home for all but essential business.

According to the U.S. Embassy (which overseas Gabon as well as São Tomé and Principe), all arriving passengers must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure for the islands. Arriving passengers who are symptomatic must also take a PCR at the airport ($36) and quarantine until receiving the results.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for São Tomé and Príncipe is Level 4: Do Not Travel.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in São Tomé and Príncipe.

• 120 hours (5 days) hours before arrival • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Passenger Locator form required and face masks mandatory in all public spaces.

What's open: Hotels, most businesses and public transportation; restaurants, casinos and beaches are open with social distancing measures in place; a mandatory mask order remains in place countrywide.

International flights have resumed to Senegal, but most land and sea borders remain closed. According to the U.S. Embassy in Senegal , Americans are welcome to visit and must follow entry protocols. Senegal requires the original certificate of a negative COVID-19 test taken with five days of arrival. The West African country also requires all arrivals to submit a Public Health Passenger Locator form. Arriving passengers face health screenings.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Senegal is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Senegal.

• 48 hours before arrival • PCR or Antigen (only for travel originating in the U.S.) test required

Other restrictions: Face mask requirements and social distancing measures are in place.

What's open: Most hotels and businesses, but cafes and restaurants are open for outdoor dining, take-out or delivery only.

Serbia isn't part of the European Union, and according to the U.S. Embassy in Serbia , Americans can enter the country. To do so, they need to provide a negative PCR test taken within the previous 48 hours. If a U.S. citizen's travel originates in the U.S., they can provide either a negative PCR or Antigen test. The embassy reports that the Antigen test allowance includes passengers who transit another airport on their way from the U.S. to Serbia, but not those whose travel originated outside the U.S.

COVID-19 cases rose sharply in Serbia and throughout the Balkans in early March 2021 and the government announced that tighter measures may need to be introduced. On March 22, 2021, all cafes, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and shopping malls were ordered to close (except for takeout and delivery and, more recently, outdoor dining). Cultural institutions and public transportation are open, but at limited capacity. Face mask and social distancing measures remain in place and certain businesses must close early.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Serbia is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Serbia.

Other restrictions: Only fully vaccinated U.S. travelers were allowed until March 25, 2021, when arrivals opened to all U.S. travelers; all travelers (even those who are vaccinated) must provide PCR test results; all visitors also must obtain a Travel Health Authorization, have valid travel health insurance and stay at certified accommodations; face masks and social distancing are required; visitors who have been in South Africa, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Brazil within the 14 days prior to arrival are not permitted entry.

What's open: Most businesses and hotels, but tourists must stay only in certified properties and avoid prolonged interaction with the local community; there is an 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew.

The Seychelles , which has gone to extremes to protect itself from coronavirus (in May 2020, TPG cruise reporter Gene Sloan wrote about the small island nation off the coast of Africa banning cruise ships until 2022), began by welcoming just vaccinated Americans, but as of March 25, 2021, even non-vaccinated U.S. travelers can visit. Details can be found here . However, COVID-19 cases have been rising throughout April and May 2021, setting new weekly and monthly records.

In February 2021, the country announced that fully vaccinated U.S. travelers can visit, but as of March 25, 2021, both vaccinated and unvaccinated visitors can enter the country. They must obtain a Travel Health Authorization via the online portal, upload a negative result of a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of their flight, submit their flight and hotel details and have valid travel health insurance that covers, at a minimum, COVID-19 related isolation, quarantine and clinical care. Note: Visitors may only stay at licensed establishments or liveaboards that have been certified by the Public Health Authority .

Related: Seychelles reopening: Fire up the private jet

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Seychelles, as shown on the U.S. Embassy in Mauritius and the Seychelles website , is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Seychelles

South Africa

Other restrictions: Health screening upon arrival; without the proper test, travelers must quarantine for 10 days; face masks and social distancing are required in public spaces.

What's open: Most businesses (with limited hours and capacity restrictions); many hotels, safari lodges and game reserves and national parks are open; public transportation is running at reduced capacity.

South Africa re-opened to tourism on Oct. 1, 2020, and, according to the U.S. Embassy in South Africa , as of Nov. 11, 2020, U.S. citizens can enter the country for tourism purposes, but they need to present a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours from the time of departure, or they must remain in mandatory quarantine for 10 days at their own cost. Details can be found here .

In December 2020, both South Africa and the United Kingdom began reporting troubling new COVID-19 variants, which resulted in the widespread suspension of flights and travel to and from both the U.K. and South Africa. The U.S. government on Jan. 26, 2021 then banned travel from South Africa , with the exceptions of U.S. citizens and legal U.S. residents (travel from the U.K. and Brazil, where another COVID-19 variant has emerged, had already been banned).

South Africa suffered a dangerous second wave in December 2020 and January 2021, surpassing 1.5 million total cases and forcing a return to a Level 3 lockdown alert with restrictions that were eased back to Level 1 on March 1, 2021 as cases declined. But an Adjusted Alert Level 2 was issued on May 31, 2021, with bars and restaurants required to close at 10 p.m.

All arriving travelers will face a health screening. If a passenger has a negative test result, they will not have to quarantine. Those who don't present test results will need to quarantine for 10 days at their own expense. Travelers must also download the South Africa coronavirus mobile tracing app , and fill in all the information on that app.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for South Africa is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in South Africa.

South Korea

Other restrictions: Mandatory 14-day quarantine regardless of vaccination status and passengers must sign a release agreeing to quarantine before boarding their flight; visitors cannot board connecting flights within South Korea until after completing the mandatory quarantine.

What's open: Most hotels and businesses, subject to local regulations in response to outbreaks; public transportation is running and masks are mandated.

Americans can go to South Korea, but a mandatory two-week quarantine will make it undesirable for most travelers. Cases, which have been largely under control throughout the pandemic, have risen in May 2021.

While the country is technically open to foreigners on short-term visits, most (with limited exceptions) are subject to a mandatory quarantine at a government-designated facility at their own expense for 14 days. The U.S. Embassy in South Korea notes that this will cost approximately $100-$150 USD per night, and passengers will be required to sign a release form agreeing to these conditions before departing. As of Jan. 8, 2021 all travelers are also required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure; airlines will not permit passengers to board without the proper test results in their original form (English is acceptable). Additional details can be found here .

RELATED: I quarantined and tested abroad in South Korea — here's what it was like

The U.S. State Department's advisory for South Korea is Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in South Korea.

Switzerland

COVID-19 test required: Yes, unless the traveler is fully vaccinated or can show proof of recent recovery from COVID-19 within the past six months

Other restrictions: You must fill out an electronic entry form; there may be health screenings at the airport

What's open: Most hotels, restaurants and businesses; public transportation is running with masks required.

Switzerland is open to Americans, according to the U.S. Embassy , with one of the following: proof of full vaccination, proof of recovery from COVID-19 within the past six months or a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival.

U.S. travelers must also fill out an electronic entry form before arrival.

Inside the country, there aren't many restrictions: Businesses and restaurants are open, there's no curfew and domestic travel is allowed. However, take note there is a high level of COVID-19 in Switzerland, according to the CDC , and there may be more restrictions in specific cantons (states) of the country.

Related: How I got bored and burned 130,000 Aeroplan points for a weekend in Switzerland

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Switzerland is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Switzerland.

Other restrictions: A Tajik visa is required for entry; travelers must fill out a Health Surveillance Form and undergo another PCR test upon arrival; a positive result may require transfer to a government facility for quarantine.

What's open: Most businesses, hotels and restaurants; public transportation is running and masks are required.

Tajikistan never did have a full lockdown, and most businesses, hotels and restaurants reopened on June 15, 2020. According to the U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan , all Americans need a Tajik visa for entry and must show results of a negative COVID-19 PCR test issued within 72 hours of arrival when boarding flights to Dushanbe; they are also subject to PCR testing at the airport upon arrival. Travelers must provide contact information and will be allowed to leave the airport, but if the result is positive for COVID-19, travelers may be transferred to a government quarantine facility.

The U.S. Embassy also notes that access to medical care in the country may be limited and that "the Government of Tajikistan frequently adjusts its entry and exit requirements in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and changes to policy are not immediately made available to the public." A non-expired visa is also required to leave Tajikistan.

The U.S. State Department has a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory in effect for Tajikistan related to both COVID-19 and the potential for terrorism.

COVID-19 test required: Yes, as of May 3, 2021

Other restrictions: U.S. travelers need a tourist visa and must complete and online Health Surveillance Form within 24 hours of arrival; arriving passengers face enhanced screening and those from countries with new COVID-19 variants will be subjected to a rapid test, followed by a 14-day quarantine if they get a positive result.

What's open: Most businesses, hotels, safari lodges and camps and national parks; public transportation is running.

Tanzania, which had been accepting tourists with no testing or quarantine conditions attached, now requires all travelers to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 72 hours of arrival and to complete an online Health Surveillance Form within 24 hours prior to arrival. Travelers will undergo screening upon arrival and those arriving from countries with a high number of COVID-19 cases (or those who have been in those countries within the past 14 days) will also be required to take a rapid test ($25) upon arrival in Tanzania, and a positive result requires a 14-day quarantine at their own cost.

The new requirements were put into effect by the country's new president Samia Saluhu Hassan to try to curb the spread of new variants.

Tanzania's late president John Magufuli had until a few weeks before his death denied widespread COVID-19 transmission (the government had not been reporting cases). Magufuli, 61, died on March 18, 2021 after not being seen in public for more than two weeks.

The U.S. Embassy in Tanzania is reporting that it has seen an increase in the number of cases reported to it since January 2021 and that the use of masks, social distancing and other prevention strategies are largely absent throughout the country. The U.S. State Department's advisory for Tanzania is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

U.S. tourists also need a visa to visit Tanzania. See details here .

Tanzania has received much criticism on how it has handled the coronavirus pandemic. The government hasn't actively revealed data about infection rates or death. President Magufuli had said that releasing the data was "causing panic" and at the start of the pandemic declined to close churches, saying that the virus "cannot survive in the body of Christ — it will burn." He also claimed Tanzania was free of coronavirus as of June 2020 due to prayer and the work of front-line workers. He even celebrated citizens who weren't wearing masks as a sign that people were no longer afraid and the virus was gone.

Related: Dreaming of Tanzania

Other restrictions: Travelers need a Certificate of Entry and valid medical insurance; they need to test upon arrival and undergo a 14-day in-room quarantine in specific hotels with confirmation of a booked stay before travel and testing during quarantine.

What's open: Many hotels and businesses, but it varies by region based on control measures following a recent surge in cases.

Thailand had remained closed to most foreign tourists, but in late 2020 began offering 60-day long-stay visas to residents of low-risk and medium-risk countries, including the United States. As of April 1, 2021, U.S. passport holders are no longer required to obtain a visa for a tourist visit of up to 45 days (valid through September 30, 2021). They still need to obtain a Certificate of Entry . Details are here .

Travelers also still need to book a reservation at one of Thailand's Alternative State Quarantine hotels . As of May 6, 2021, all U.S. passport holders must again quarantine in-room for 14 days (it had briefly been lowered to 10 days for unvaccinated travelers and 7 days for fully vaccinated travelers) due to rising cases in the country throughout April and May 2021. The most recent updates on travel to Thailand can be found here .

To enter Thailand, U.S. travelers need a Certificate of Entry (COE) issued by the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate ; a COVID-19 health insurance policy with a minimum coverage of US$100,000; confirmation of Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) hotel booking, and a medical certificate with a negative COVID-19 PCR laboratory result issued no more than 72 hours before departure.

During quarantine in Thailand, travelers must remain in their rooms and undergo a PCR test on the day of arrival and on days 6-7 and days 12-13.

For further information on visiting Thailand, check the U.S. Embassy in Thailand's website .

Related: Thailand will fully reopen to vaccinated travelers in a phased approach

Thailand has announced that it plans to waive quarantine requirements for travelers who are fully vaccinated in phases, beginning with travel to Phuket as of July 1, 2021 , where the tourism industry is looking to lure travelers with $1 per night hotel rates . Thailand has also promoted six resorts offering a "golf quarantine."

Thailand is still dealing with regional surges in infections and the U.S. State Department's travel advisory for Thailand is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Thailand.

COVID-19 test required : Yes, for unvaccinated travelers

Other restrictions: Pre-travel online health questionnaire; unvaccinated travelers must undergo a mandatory 7-day quarantine at a government-selected hotel (at their own cost), followed by a second PCR test taken between days 5 and 7; masks are required in all public spaces.

What's open: Most hotels, restaurants and businesses with limited capacity; there is a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew.

Tunisia is open to U.S. tourists, and according to the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia , unvaccinated visitors to this North African country must present the negative result of a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of their flight. All travelers must complete a pre-travel online health questionnaire (which they should print and sign and be prepared to show it upon flight check-in and/or to immigration authorities in Tunisia), download and use the Tunisian government's "track and trace" app on their mobile phones, and undergo a health screening upon arrival. Some travelers will be selected for a rapid COVID-19 test.

Vaccinated travelers must have documented proof to be exempt from testing and quarantine requirements. All unvaccinated visitors to Tunisia are required to self-quarantine for seven days at a government-selected hotel (at their own cost with proof of reservation upon arrival) and pay for a second PCR test, taken between days 5 and 7. The U.S. Embassy recommends contacting the Tunisian Embassy in Washington, DC for details.

Face masks and adherence to COVID-19 restrictions are required and those who don't obey local requirements can face stiff fines of 1,000 TND to 5,000 TND (approximately $366 to $1,800).

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Tunisia is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Tunisia.

Other restrictions: Arriving travelers must complete a passenger information form and undergo a medical screening; symptomatic passengers will be required to undergo testing and quarantine and treatment if positive.

What's open : Most hotels and businesses, with varying restrictions and operating hours, but restaurants are open for delivery only since April 29, 2021 when Turkey entered a three-week lockdown that restricted movement and intercity travel through May 17, 2021 (although tourists were exempt); some restrictions have been eased but there is a curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. from Monday through Saturday, and a full lockdown on Sundays beginning at 10 p.m. on Saturday and ending at 5 a.m. on Monday (again, tourists are exempt).

Turkey is welcoming tourists from a number of countries, including the U.S., according to the U.S. Embassy in Turkey . Country-specific restrictions are available here .

Related: Turkey is open to Americans

Since Dec. 30 2020, all international travelers six years of age and older are required to have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 72 hours of travel and submit it at airline check-in. Travelers without the required test results will not be allowed to board flights or enter the country. And since March 15, 2021, all travelers six years of age and older must also must complete a Turkey Entrance Form within 72 hours of their flight (a print out or mobile screen shot of the completed form must be presented before boarding).

Upon arrival, travelers will be asked to fill out another passenger information form and undergo medical screenings for infection, and anyone showing symptoms upon arrival will be tested for coronavirus. Anyone who tests positive will be referred to a Turkish hospital or to a dormitory for quarantine.

Restrictions put into place in September 2020 mandate the wearing of face masks at all times when in public and travelers should note a couple of precautions unrelated to COVID-19:

• The U.S. State Department's travel advisory for Turkey is Level 3: Reconsider Travel.
• U.S. travelers will still need to apply for a visa before entering Turkey. You can do so via e-visa application, which takes about three minutes.
• The State Department's travelers' checklist here .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Turkey.

Turks and Caicos

• 3 days before departure • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Travel pre-authorization and health insurance valid in Turks & Caicos for COVID-19 treatment is required; masks are mandated in public spaces.

What's open: Most resorts and beaches are open; restaurants are open at 30% capacity.

Turks and Caicos, a group of 40 low-lying coral islands popular with tourists in the Caribbean, reopened for international visitors, including U.S. travelers, on July 22, 2020. The Providenciales Airport (PLS) reopened that day.

This British Overseas Territory includes the island of Providenciales, also known as Provo.

More: What you have to know for Turks and Caicos reopening

Travelers age 10 and older to Turks and Caicos are required to take a COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours (updated July 28, 2021) of visiting the islands and obtain travel pre-authorization via the TCI Assured Portal . Health insurance valid in Turks & Caicos for treatment of COVID-19 is also mandatory. Masks are also required in public places and the government recently re-imposed an 11 p.m. curfew through at July 30, 2021.

For the latest information on requirements, visit the Turks & Caicos Tourism website .

The Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board told TPG:

"We are proud to have safely welcomed travelers to our beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands over the past year and are updating travel requirements to ensure ongoing vigilance and in consideration of the efficacy and turnaround of available COVID-19 tests," said Honorable Josephine Connolly, Minister of Tourism for the Turks and Caicos Islands. "More than 60 percent of the adult population in the Turks and Caicos Islands is fully vaccinated, making us one of the most inoculated countries in the world; combined with our updated TCI Assured program, we are confident in the overall wellbeing of our communities and visitors as travel to the destination continues to flourish."

Related coverage: Why I love Turks and Caicos

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Turks and Caicos is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution . Visit the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas , which oversees Turks and Caicos, for additional information.

• 120 hours before departure (and 120 hours before departure from Uganda, but United States' requirements call for testing within 72 hours for those traveling back to the U.S.) • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Health screening, temperature check and PCR testing upon arrival for all non-vaccinated U.S. travelers and travelers from other Category 2 countries.

What's open: Many businesses and restaurants; casinos with restricted hours; and all national parks; there is a 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew.

Americans can currently travel to Uganda, known as one of the top destinations for gorilla trekking. The country's national parks reopened to tourists in October 2020. However, as of May 1, 2021, the Government of Uganda recommends that all non-vaccinated travelers from the United States (and all Category 2 countries) postpone any non-essential travel to Uganda, according to the U.S. Embassy in Uganda .

The embassy notes that arriving passengers must have a negative PCR COVID-19 test from an accredited laboratory in the country of origin taken not more than 120 hours before departure for Uganda. Passengers will be subjected to temperature and health screening upon arrival at Entebbe Airport, and unvaccinated U.S. travelers must take another PCR test and awaits the results. Travelers who test positive will be taken to a Ministry of Health facility for treatment, at their own cost.

The Government of Uganda also now requires that all departing passengers present a negative PCR COVID-19 test taken not more than 120 hours before departure. This requirement is mandatory for all departing passengers out of Uganda even if the destination country does not require it. But the U.S. now does: As of Jan. 26, everyone aged two and older traveling to the U.S. from Uganda must show a negative viral COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of departure before being allowed to board their flights.

Uganda had eased some of its lockdown restrictions, allowing some businesses like hardware shops, restaurants and wholesale stores to reopen. Masks are required in public.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Uganda is Level 3: Reconsider Travel due to COVID-19 and the risk of kidnapping.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Uganda.

Other restrictions: Health screening upon arrival; proof of medical insurance valid in Ukraine is also required.

What's open: Ukraine is under adaptive quarantine until at least June 30, 2021, with different restrictions by region; mask-wearing is mandatory on public transportation (which is limited to essential workers only in Kyiv) and in indoor public spaces.

Americans are currently able to enter the country, according to the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine 's website, although the Ministry of Health "considers the United States a country with a high incidence of COVID-19." Ukraine itself has seen a resurgence of the virus in recent weeks and remains under adaptive quarantine.

All U.S. citizens entering Ukraine from the U.S., must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 72 hours of arrival (children under 12 are now exempt) and must also demonstrate that they have medical insurance covering all expenses related to COVID-19 treatment while in Ukraine.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Ukraine is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Ukraine.

United Arab Emirates

• 72 hours (for Dubai) and 96 hours (for Abu Dhabi) before departure • PCR test required

Other restrictions: In Abu Dhabi, an additional test upon arrival and a 10-day self-isolation with a third test on day 4 or day 8 depending on the length of stay had been required for U.S. travelers, but the U.S. was recently added to the "green list" of quarantine-free countries and self-isolation for Americans traveling from the U.S. to Abu Dhabi has been lifted; face masks and social distancing are required in public spaces.

What's open: Most hotels, restaurants, malls and beaches are open at reduced capacity.

The United Arab Emirates is open to tourism and Americans are welcome.

Dubai reopened to tourists on July 7, 2020, and tourist visas (required for U.S. travelers) are being issued in all emirates, including Abu Dhabi, which began welcoming back international travelers on Dec. 24, 2020, with testing and quarantine protocols in place, depending on the traveler's country of origin.

To enter Abu Dhabi, tourists over the age of 12 will be required to present a COVID-19 PCR test negative certificate done within 96 hours of departure and undergo a second test upon arrival, with results delivered in 90 minutes. If the traveler is from from "green list" country (good news: the U.S. was just added to the list) and receives two negative tests, they are not required to quarantine. All other travelers, even if they test negative, are required to self-isolate for 10 days. And all travelers will be required to take a third COVID-19 PCR test on day 6 and another on day 12 if staying that long. Details are available here . Travelers can also check for updates on Etihad Airlines website .

Tourists over the age of 12 traveling to Dubai are also required to have a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure and some travelers, depending on their country of origin, will be tested again upon arrival. All travelers must also download the COVID-19 DXB app and register their details. However, visitors entering Dubai are not required to quarantine. For additional information on traveling to Dubai, check the Emirates airline website .

All test results for both emirates must be presented either in English or Arabic in original, physical form. Digital copies will not be accepted. Travelers with severe and moderate disabilities may be exempted from the test requirement.

All arrivals will also be subject to thermal screenings. If a traveler is suspected to have COVID-19 symptoms, Dubai airports have the right to re-test to ensure the tourist is free of the virus.

Tourists must comply with preventive measures and safety procedures and must self-isolate for 14 days if they test positive. The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority of the UAE (NCEMA), as well as the official website of the UAE , has stated that anyone entering the UAE from another country who receives a positive test result upon arrival must undergo a self-quarantine of 14 days. Violating home quarantine is punishable with fines of AED 50,000 ($13,600).

Related: Dubai and Abu Dhabi are open

The U.S. State Department's advisory for the UAE is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in the UAE.

United Kingdom 

Other restrictions: All arriving travelers must fill out a passenger locator form and quarantine for 10 days (plus book a testing package in most cases), with different quarantine testing requirements for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; face masks are required in all public spaces.

What's open: England, Scotland and Wales are emerging from lockdown; outdoor dining at restaurants has been allowed since April 12, 2021 in England; Scotland has also lifted some restrictions.

Americans can travel to the United Kingdom, but are recommended not to and will face strict testing requirements and a 10-day quarantine and in most cases two tests on days 2 and 8 (in England only, quarantine can be reduced after one negative COVID-19 PCR test taken on day 5 under its Test to Release scheme ). The U.K. also now requires all arriving travelers to fill out a passenger locator form within 48 hours of travel and to present proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure for the U.K.

On Feb. 8, 2021, the U.K. also increased the fine for non-compliance and anyone who fails to comply will be subject to a fine of 1,000 pounds ($1,360). The government also revealed stiff fines and even jail time for those who try to circumvent the mandates or lie on their required passenger locator forms ; the latter could be a 10,000 pound ($13,789) fine or 10 years in jail. Details are here .

COVID-19 infections and deaths have begun to level off after hitting record highs in January 2021. Lockdown measures are gradually being eased in England, Scotland and Wales with some shops reopening; restaurants and pubs reopened April 12, 2021 for outdoor dining in England; Scotland has also begun to lift its lockdown restrictions . But the prevalence of the Delta variant, which originated in India, threatened to put the brakes on the speed at which the U.K. re-opens to American tourists—although U.S. President Joe Biden and U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson on June 9, 2021 announced a new joint task force to work toward easing restrictions .

All four nations that comprise the U.K. have separate testing and quarantine requirement: England's are here , Scotland's are here , Northern Ireland's are here and Wales's are here .

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his team announced on April 5, 2021 that the country would introduce a "traffic light" system for international travel beginning as early as May 17, 2021 . Passengers coming from so-called "green" countries will not need to quarantine on their arrival, but U.S. travelers, listed on the "amber list," are not among the first group.

Related: Will Americans be able to vacation in the U.K. this summer?

The U.K. has been especially hard-hit by the coronavirus and the new restrictions are a result of the chaos that erupted in December when a more infectious COVID-19 variant was found to be widely circulating in London and southeastern England.

The U.S. State Department's current advisory is Level 3: Reconsider Travel .

Visit the U.S. Embassy in the United Kingdom 's website for regular updates.

The quarantine rules do not apply to international passengers transiting U.K. airports.

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in the United Kingdom.

U.S. Virgin Islands

COVID-19 test required:

• 5 days before departure • PCR or rapid Antigen test required (or positive antibody test result within four months of travel)

Other restrictions: Masks are mandatory when going into businesses and attractions and when using public transportation.

What's open: Resorts, hotels, villas and Airbnb accommodations are open; beaches are open, subject to social distancing; capacity guidelines are in place for restaurants, retail businesses and attractions, taxi vans, safari vehicles and limo services.

The U.S. Virgin Islands, which includes St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix, was under a state of emergency until July 11, 2020, but began welcoming back tourists on June 1, 2020, with restrictions. After a surge in cases, the islands returned to a "stay at home" order on Aug. 13, 2020, but again reopened to tourism on Sept.19, 2020.

Every traveler five years of age or older (even those who have completed their COVID-19 vaccinations) is currently required to submit to the U.S. Virgin Islands Travel Screening Portal a negative COVID-19 test result (molecular, PCR or rapid Antigen) obtained within five days of commencement of travel to the Territory or a positive COVID-19 antibody test taken and received within four months of travel date. Visitors must produce the original test result and the travel certification from the portal upon arrival. As of Jan. 25, 2021, travelers age five and older are not allowed to board flights to the U.S. Virgin Islands without travel certification from the portal. Details can be found here .

No quarantine is required for healthy visitors who have negative test results.

Travelers who are asked to quarantine will be expected to do so at their own expense, and according to the government, "are responsible for all associated costs, including transportation, lodging, food, and medical care."

Related: U.S. Virgin Islands reopening

A note for travelers returning from the U.S. Virgin Islands: The U.S. now requires proof of a negative COVID-19 viral test for all international arrivals by air , but passengers traveling back to the U.S. mainland from the U.S. Virgin Islands will not be required to have taken a test.

Other restrictions: U.S. travelers need a visa for entry; health screening and rapid Antigen test upon arrival; face masks are required in all public spaces.

What's open: Most hotels, restaurants and businesses are open; public transportation is operating.

Uzbekistan is open to Americans. In fact, it promises to compensate tourists up to $3,000 if they catch COVID-19 .

U.S. citizens need a visa for entry, according to the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan , and a negative COVID-19 PCR test is required within 72 hours of departure to the country. Tourists face health screenings on arrival, as well as a rapid Antigen test (at a cost of approximately $9). Passengers must wait for results and if they test positive, they will be taken to a health facility for treatment and quarantine; they will not be able to go to a hotel, as hotels will not take COVID-19 positive travelers. After two weeks and a negative test, they will be released from quarantine.

The U.S. State department's advisory for Uzbekistan is Level 4: Do Not Travel .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on COVID-19 cases in Uzbekistan.

Other restrictions: Health screening and temperature check upon arrival

What's open: Most businesses, hotels, safari lodges and camps, restaurants, national parks and tourist sites; public transportation is operating.

Zambia , home to Victoria Falls and known as a top safari destination, is open to international travelers, including Americans. However, according to the U.S. Embassy in Zambia , a second wave of cases is winding down in the country and the CDC has recently issued a Level 2: Moderate Level of COVID-19 warning for the country. Still, the Embassy recommends U.S. travelers reconsider visiting the country at the moment.

Zambia now requires a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of boarding your flight (changed from 7 days). Tourists also need a visa (apply online for an e-visa here ). There are no quarantine requirements right now, but there are reports of some health screenings and symptomatic individuals may be required to submit to testing and/or quarantine.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Zambia is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Zambia.

• 48 hours before arrival (test issued within that time) • PCR test required

Other restrictions: Quarantine in a hotel or private residence for 10 days; masks and social distancing are required in public spaces.

What's open: Mostly essential businesses; restaurants are take-out and delivery only unless serving hotel guests; bars are closed; public transportation is running on a limited basis.

U.S. citizens can travel to Zimbabwe, according to the U.S. Embassy , and must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test issued within 48 hours of arrival. However, as cases surged in January 2021, a nationwide lockdown with a curfew (now 10:30 p.m. to 5 a.m.) was put into place and extended with slightly relaxed restrictions on March 1, 2021. Cases have greatly declined, but amid the January surge, four officials in the Zimbabwe government died of COVID-19. As of May 7, 2021, all international arrivals, regardless of vaccination status, are required to self-isolate at a hotel or private residence for 10 days.

Zimbabwe reopened its borders to international flights on Oct. 1. 2020.

Travelers who arrive in Zimbabwe without the required test must get tested upon arrival and quarantine in a government holding facility until getting a negative result.

The U.S. State Department's advisory for Zimbabwe is Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution .

Check the Johns Hopkins University website for updates on cases in Zimbabwe.

Important caveats and things to know

COVID-19 continues to spread around the world. While some countries have done a good job of containing the virus, there is still much we don't know. Travel is still considered a risky undertaking, especially for non-vaccinated individuals. Know the rules and regulations for the place you are planning to visit and make sure you have completed all the necessary steps (like pre-departure testing in most cases). There is also the possibility countries could change their minds on reopening at the last minute (like we saw in Portugal and Iceland , which has since opened up to vaccinated Americans) so make sure you are booking refundable tickets and hotels or purchasing travel insurance.

What about Europe?

Most of the E.U. is still closed to Americans, but countries are reopening on a weekly basis, mostly to fully vaccinated travelers (the latest are France and Spain) and leadership of the European Union recently indicated that vaccinated Americans will be welcome within the E.U. this summer. Currently, Croatia, Greece and Italy have reopened to Americans and Americans can go to the U.K., but a 10-day required quarantine and restrictions on internal travel make the prospect less than ideal. The lifting of some U.K. restrictions, however, could just be weeks away.

Related: Want to travel to Europe this summer? Here's what you need to know.

Additional reporting by Katherine Fan, Ariana Arghandewal, Jordyn Fields, Donna Heiderstadt, Zach Honig, Brian Kelly, Brian Kim, Samantha Rosen, Victoria Walker, and Zach Wichter.

Update April 12, 2024

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• COVID-19 travel advice

Considering travel during the pandemic? Take precautions to protect yourself from COVID-19.

A coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine can prevent you from getting COVID-19 or from becoming seriously ill due to COVID-19 . But even if you're vaccinated, it's still a good idea to take precautions to protect yourself and others while traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you've had all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses, including boosters, you're less likely to become seriously ill or spread COVID-19 . You can then travel more safely within the U.S. and internationally. But international travel can still increase your risk of getting new COVID-19 variants.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you should avoid travel until you've had all recommended COVID-19 vaccine and booster doses.

Before you travel

As you think about making travel plans, consider these questions:

• Have you been vaccinated against COVID-19 ? If you haven't, get vaccinated. If the vaccine requires two doses, wait two weeks after getting your second vaccine dose to travel. If the vaccine requires one dose, wait two weeks after getting the vaccine to travel. It takes time for your body to build protection after any vaccination.
• Have you had any booster doses? Having all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses, including boosters, increases your protection from serious illness.
• Are you at increased risk for severe illness? Anyone can get COVID-19 . But older adults and people of any age with certain medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 .
• Do you live with someone who's at increased risk for severe illness? If you get infected while traveling, you can spread the COVID-19 virus to the people you live with when you return, even if you don't have symptoms.
• Does your home or destination have requirements or restrictions for travelers? Even if you've had all recommended vaccine doses, you must follow local, state and federal testing and travel rules.

Check local requirements, restrictions and situations

Some state, local and territorial governments have requirements, such as requiring people to wear masks, get tested, be vaccinated or stay isolated for a period of time after arrival. Before you go, check for requirements at your destination and anywhere you might stop along the way.

Keep in mind these can change often and quickly depending on local conditions. It's also important to understand that the COVID-19 situation, such as the level of spread and presence of variants, varies in each country. Check back for updates as your trip gets closer.

Travel and testing

For vaccinated people.

If you have been fully vaccinated, the CDC states that you don't need to get tested before or after your trip within the U.S. or stay home (quarantine) after you return.

If you're planning to travel internationally outside the U.S., the CDC states you don't need to get tested before your trip unless it's required at your destination. Before arriving to the U.S., you need a negative test within the last day before your arrival or a record of recovery from COVID-19 in the last three months.

After you arrive in the U.S., the CDC recommends getting tested with a viral test 3 to 5 days after your trip. If you're traveling to the U.S. and you aren't a citizen, you need to be fully vaccinated and have proof of vaccination.

You don't need to quarantine when you arrive in the U.S. But check for any symptoms. Stay at home if you develop symptoms.

For unvaccinated people

Testing before and after travel can lower the risk of spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 . If you haven't been vaccinated, the CDC recommends getting a viral test within three days before your trip. Delay travel if you're waiting for test results. Keep a copy of your results with you when you travel.

Repeat the test 3 to 5 days after your trip. Stay home for five days after travel.

If at any point you test positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 , stay home. Stay at home and away from others if you develop symptoms. Follow public health recommendations.

Stay safe when you travel

In the U.S., you must wear a face mask on planes, buses, trains and other forms of public transportation. The mask must fit snugly and cover both your mouth and nose.

Follow these steps to protect yourself and others when you travel:

• Get vaccinated.
• Keep distance between yourself and others (within about 6 feet, or 2 meters) when you're in indoor public spaces if you're not fully vaccinated. This is especially important if you have a higher risk of serious illness.
• Avoid contact with anyone who is sick or has symptoms.
• Avoid crowds and indoor places that have poor air flow (ventilation).
• Don't touch frequently touched surfaces, such as handrails, elevator buttons and kiosks. If you must touch these surfaces, use hand sanitizer or wash your hands afterward.
• Wear a face mask in indoor public spaces. The CDC recommends wearing the most protective mask possible that you'll wear regularly and that fits. If you are in an area with a high number of new COVID-19 cases, wear a mask in indoor public places and outdoors in crowded areas or when you're in close contact with people who aren't vaccinated.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• If soap and water aren't available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub your hands together until they feel dry.
• Don't eat or drink on public transportation. That way you can keep your mask on the whole time.

Because of the high air flow and air filter efficiency on airplanes, most viruses such as the COVID-19 virus don't spread easily on flights. Wearing masks on planes has likely helped lower the risk of getting the COVID-19 virus on flights too.

However, air travel involves spending time in security lines and airport terminals, which can bring you in close contact with other people. Getting vaccinated and wearing a mask when traveling can help protect you from COVID-19 while traveling.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has increased cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces and equipment, including bins, at screening checkpoints. TSA has also made changes to the screening process:

• Travelers must wear masks during screening. However, TSA employees may ask travelers to adjust masks for identification purposes.
• Travelers should keep a distance of 6 feet apart from other travelers when possible.
• Instead of handing boarding passes to TSA officers, travelers should place passes (paper or electronic) directly on the scanner and then hold them up for inspection.
• Each traveler may have one container of hand sanitizer up to 12 ounces (about 350 milliliters) in a carry-on bag. These containers will need to be taken out for screening.
• Personal items such as keys, wallets and phones should be placed in carry-on bags instead of bins. This reduces the handling of these items during screening.
• Food items should be carried in a plastic bag and placed in a bin for screening. Separating food from carry-on bags lessens the likelihood that screeners will need to open bags for inspection.

Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds directly before and after going through screening.

Public transportation

If you travel by bus or train and you aren't vaccinated, be aware that sitting or standing within 6 feet (2 meters) of others for a long period can put you at higher risk of getting or spreading COVID-19 . Follow the precautions described above for protecting yourself during travel.

Even if you fly, you may need transportation once you arrive at your destination. You can search car rental options and their cleaning policies on the internet. If you plan to stay at a hotel, check into shuttle service availability.

If you'll be using public transportation and you aren't vaccinated, continue physical distancing and wearing a mask after reaching your destination.

Hotels and other lodging

The hotel industry knows that travelers are concerned about COVID-19 and safety. Check any major hotel's website for information about how it's protecting guests and staff. Some best practices include:

• Enhanced cleaning procedures
• Physical distancing recommendations indoors for people who aren't vaccinated
• Mask-wearing and regular hand-washing by staff
• Mask-wearing indoors for guests in public places in areas that have high cases of COVID-19
• Vaccine recommendations for staff
• Isolation and testing guidelines for staff who've been exposed to COVID-19
• Contactless payment
• Set of rules in case a guest becomes ill, such as closing the room for cleaning and disinfecting
• Indoor air quality measures, such as regular system and air filter maintenance, and suggestions to add air cleaners that can filter viruses and bacteria from the air

Vacation rentals, too, are enhancing their cleaning procedures. They're committed to following public health guidelines, such as using masks and gloves when cleaning, and building in a waiting period between guests.

Make a packing list

When it's time to pack for your trip, grab any medications you may need on your trip and these essential safe-travel supplies:

• Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol)
• Disinfectant wipes (at least 70% alcohol)
• Thermometer

Considerations for people at increased risk

Anyone can get very ill from the virus that causes COVID-19 . But older adults and people of any age with certain medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness. This may include people with cancer, serious heart problems and a weakened immune system. Getting the recommended COVID-19 vaccine and booster doses can help lower your risk of being severely ill from COVID-19 .

Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19 . If you're unvaccinated, staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 . If you must travel and aren't vaccinated, talk with your health care provider and ask about any additional precautions you may need to take.

Remember safety first

Even the most detailed and organized plans may need to be set aside when someone gets ill. Stay home if you or any of your travel companions:

• Have signs or symptoms, are sick or think you have COVID-19
• Are waiting for results of a COVID-19 test
• Have been diagnosed with COVID-19
• Have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 in the past five days and you're not up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines

If you've had close contact with someone with COVID-19 , get tested after at least five days. Wait to travel until you have a negative test. Wear a mask if you travel up to 10 days after you've had close contact with someone with COVID-19 .

• How to protect yourself and others. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• Domestic travel during COVID-19. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• Requirement for face masks on public transportation conveyances and at transportation hubs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/face-masks-public-transportation.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• International travel. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel/index.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• U.S citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and immigrants: Travel to and from the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel-during-covid19.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• Non-US. citizen, non-U.S. immigrants: Air travel to the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/noncitizens-US-air-travel.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• People with certain medical conditions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• Stay up to date with your vaccines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• Pack smart. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/pack-smart. Accessed Feb. 4, 2022.
• Travel: Frequently asked questions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/faqs.html. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) information. Transportation Security Administration. https://www.tsa.gov/coronavirus. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
• WHO advice for international traffic in relation to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/articles-detail/who-advice-for-international-traffic-in-relation-to-the-sars-cov-2-omicron-variant. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
• VRHP/VRMA Cleaning guidelines for COVID-19. Vacation Rental Management Association. https://www.vrma.org/page/vrhp/vrma-cleaning-guidelines-for-covid-19. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
• Safe stay. American Hotel & Lodging Association. https://www.ahla.com/safestay. Accessed Feb. 7, 2022.
• Khatib AN, et al. COVID-19 transmission and the safety of air travel during the pandemic: A scoping review. Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases. 2021; doi:10.1097/QCO.0000000000000771.

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U.S. travel resources

• Check CDC recommendations for travel within the U.S.
• Review testing requirements for travel to the U.S.
• Look up restrictions at your destination .
• Review airport security measures .

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Before Your Trip

Booking your tickets.

Match Names on Tickets and Documents

Purchase your travel tickets in the exact same name that appears on your passport or official ID. Ensure that all travel documents match that name precisely.

If the names don't match, your travel carrier or the Transportation Security Administration may require additional documents to verify your identity before allowing you to board.

Each Country is Different

Learn the required travel documents for each country you will visit. Find out about specific travel warnings, U.S. import restrictions, and other rules that apply to the countries on your itinerary by visiting www.state.gov/travelers .

Find the latest on making your return to the United States problem free - go to www.cbp.gov/travel .

Documents You Will Need

Carry - do not pack - all travel documents.

• All U.S. citizens need U.S. passport books if re-entering by air. Land and sea border crossings accept additional travel documents, such as U.S. Passport cards and Trusted Traveler cards. Child travelers have additional options - see the Traveling with Children section.
• Green card (Form I-551), or document for lawful permanent residents, or advance parole (Form I-512) if your Form I-551 is pending.
• A visa or other entry document for the countries you will visit.
• Receipts or registration ( CBP Form 4457 ) for new electronics, such as a camera or laptop, that you are taking abroad. (Only suggested if the goods are less than six months old.)
• Proof of rabies vaccination for dogs traveling abroad. Check the requirements for other pets at www.aphis.usda.gov .
• Valid license for driving overseas and for use as a second form of photo ID.
• Permits and/or certificates if bringing restricted animal or plant products - go to www.aphis.usda.gov .
• Medications in their original packages. Bring only the amount of medication you will need. Prescription medications have to be under the traveler's name.
• Envelope to hold the receipts of your purchases abroad.

Traveling with Children

When U.S. citizen children under the age of 16 arrive by land or sea from Canada or Mexico they may present an original or copy of their birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Naturalization Certificate.

Groups of Children: U.S. citizen children under the age of 19 arriving by land or sea from Canada or Mexico and traveling with a school group, religious group, social or cultural organization or sports team, may present an original or copy of their birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Naturalization Certificate. The group should have a letter on organizational letterhead with:

• The name of the group and supervising adult(s).
• The names of the children on the trip and their primary address, phone number, date and place of birth, and name of at least one parent or legal guardian for each child.
• A written and signed statement of the supervising adult certifying that he or she has parental or legal guardian consent for each child.

April 26, 2024

15 Things To Do Before Traveling Abroad – The Ultimate Checklist

You’ve booked your international flight, scored a unique Airbnb, and your anticipation is at a fever pitch. There’s nothing left to do than count down the days until the trip of a lifetime, right? Wrong. There are so many things you need to do.

I’m here to help. I’m an avid international traveler and have curated a list of essential things everybody should do before traversing the globe. If you can complete everything on this list, consider yourself ready to travel.

1. Secure Your Passport

The most important thing to worry about while traveling is the physical possession of your passport, so keep your passport safe before and especially during travel.

If you still need to get a passport (or yours has recently expired), the clock is ticking. In the past few years, the processing time for new or renewed passports has been longer than usual, so take that into account if you still don’t have your physical passport.

2. Buy Travel Insurance

If you have health insurance in the United States, you may be surprised to discover that it does not cover health emergencies that may happen overseas. Fortunately, international health and travel insurance is more affordable than you think.

Thanks to a digital nomad plan that costs about $60 per month, I’m fully insured, no matter where I travel in the world. That’s not bad for complete peace of mind.

3. Research Your Destination

It’s best to familiarize yourself with where you’ll call home for the next days, weeks, or months. Research your destination thoroughly using all the tools at your disposal. Go down an internet rabbit hole and get all the details concerning where you’re going.

By researching ahead of time, you’ll find yourself infinitely more comfortable living in an unfamiliar location, and cultural differences won’t surprise you as much.

4. Learn To Speak a Few Key Phrases

No international locale research is complete without learning a few essential phrases in a new language. I advise you to learn common phrases like hello, goodbye, and “Where’s the nearest restroom?”

It’s time to think back to when you were bored in your high school foreign language classes and recall everything you can. You’ll find that knowing how to say crucial phrases makes your experience more enjoyable and garners much-needed respect from locals.

5. Make Copies of Documents

Although nothing beats having important physical documents (passport, driver’s license, credit cards) in your possession at all times, even the most seasoned traveler occasionally loses something. Protect yourself by making photocopies of essential documents before you leave.

If you somehow misplace your passport or it gets stolen, at least you’ll have something to work with as you attempt to rectify that particular situation.

6. Obtain an International Driver’s Permit

I admit it; I was woefully unprepared to travel through Europe the first time I went. “I don’t need an international driver’s permit,” I told myself. “I’ll just walk everywhere.” That was a bad decision.

Don’t get me wrong, I had an unbelievable time. But I would’ve loved to drive through the Italian countryside at least once or twice. Fortunately, I obtained my IDP through my local AAA location, and I’ve been driving through Europe ever since. Don’t overlook this often-forgotten checklist item.

7. Tell Your Bank Your Travel Plans

Imagine traveling halfway across the globe, attempting to buy something like toothpaste, and being horrified and embarrassed when your credit card won’t work. This situation happens more than you think.

Fortunately, all it takes is a quick phone call to your credit card issuer (or a few taps on your smartphone app). Your credit card use will remain unencumbered by “Wait, why is this card suddenly being used in Croatia?” alerts. Doing so will make using your card overseas far easier.

8. Give Pertinent Information to Family

Families worry. You know it, I know it, and the best way to put their minds at ease is to give them a few tidbits of information about your travels. I usually provide my parents with my Airbnb addresses and a light itinerary (“Oh, we’re going to Amsterdam that weekend.”), and that keeps their stress in check.

I advise against telling them every detail about your upcoming trick; offer just enough information to appease them (and whoever else who wants to know where you’ll be). Someone needs to know your basic schedule in case of an emergency.

9. Get a Travel Credit Card

Applying for (and receiving) a travel credit card has two significant benefits. First, you won’t be saddled with backbreaking foreign transaction fees that add a few dollars in conversion fees to every purchase. Perhaps more importantly, a sound travel credit card enables you to earn points on every purchase that can be redeemed for even more memorable travel.

I live and die by my travel credit card (the Chase Sapphire Reserve), and thanks to my diligent use, I often travel for free more often than not.

10. Download Essential Smartphone Apps

Before you leave for your overseas adventure, download every smartphone app you think you’ll need. Uber, Google Maps (with pre-downloaded local maps), and a solid translator app are good starts.

With any luck, you’ll already have these apps installed on your phone. Still, it’s always a good idea to double-check what apps you already have and what new apps have been created since the last time you traveled. Who knows — the app that transforms your travels could be only a few taps away.

11. Pack Light

When packing, I follow the “one week’s worth of clothes, max” rule. I also forgo packing toiletries like shampoo and full-size versions of toothpaste and deodorant because I can easily buy those items once I arrive.

Your shoulders and back will appreciate that you decided to pack so little. You’ll feel physically better and have plenty of room left in your luggage to bring home clothes and keepsakes you purchase along the way. Not only that, but the packing process itself will be a breeze.

12. Create a Rough Itinerary

One of the biggest mistakes a traveler can make is overplanning and creating a schedule that’s so hectic that finding a moment of quiet is nearly impossible. My advice is straightforward: plan one or two daily activities and wing the rest of your trip. Doing so will inject excitement into the proceedings.

You never know when an unexpected adventure will present itself. By keeping your itinerary open-ended, you can take advantage of golden opportunities for fun.

13. Clean Your House

I’m one of those travelers who can’t have fun if I know my home isn’t clean when I return. I know I’m not the only one who feels this way. Cleaning your house before embarking on your trip prevents pests (like ants) from invading your home, and it will put a smile on your face when you finally walk through your doors after a great adventure.

I know it sounds trivial to recommend this, but I can’t stress it enough: you’ll enjoy your trip more if you know you’ll eventually come close to a clean home. Trust me on this.

14. Double-Check Baggage Requirements

Unfortunately, in 2024, there is no “one size fits all” rule governing individual airline baggage rules and restrictions. In other words, a bag that may be allowed as carry-on luggage on one airline may be considered as checked baggage only on another. This can be a pinch point for many travelers.

Thankfully, a little research goes a long way. Familiarize yourself with your airline’s baggage policies and avoid paying unnecessary fees at your departure gates.

15. Arrive at the Airport Early

When the magical day finally arrives, the last thing you want to do is put yourself in a position where you could miss one of the most important flights of your life. Arriving at your departure airport is paramount. Don’t tempt fate by cutting it too close.

While missing your flight and taking a later one probably won’t ruin your trip, it’s nonetheless the worst possible beginning to something that should be fulfilling and wonderful.

Chris Phelan

• Chris Phelan https://technabob.com/author/chrisphelan1gmail-com/ Mistreated Characters That Were Right About Everything
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• Teenagers going on holiday without their parents

Having your son or daughter go on holiday without you for the first time can be one of the most traumatic experiences for a parent, but one of the most exciting for a teenager.

How old should they be to go? And where? What should they pack? Our guide may help prepare for the inevitable day when you wave them off.

Posted: 25/1/2022 | By Amanda Duffy

When can they go away without you?

If going abroad, the laws are different depending on which country your teen is going to. For instance, under-18s travelling to Portugal must have travel authorisation from their parents and could be refused entry if they can’t prove someone is taking responsibility for them during their stay. Other countries, such as Spain and Greece, are more lenient but you should check with the country’s  embassy  before booking.

It’s also worth checking with the airline as they all have different rules when it comes to under-18s travelling without their parents.

Make sure your children have travel insurance to protect them when they go.

Where should they go.

Of course, where your teenager goes on holiday is dependent on where they want to go and how comfortable you are with them going to certain parts of the world. Some teenagers will decide they want to stay close to home and stick to the UK, while others may want to jet off to Ibiza or explore an entire new continent. You need to consider how responsible they are, how much experience they have travelling alone , who they are going with, what they are going to be doing and, ultimately, how much you trust them.

Talking to your teen

It’s unlikely you will let your teenager leave the house without some words of advice, but rather than preaching and nagging, you should talk to them as an adult, explaining your concerns and getting them to think about how they would react in certain situations. Example situations on a teenage holiday without parents include what they would do if one of their friends drank too much and became unconscious, one of them had an injury, or they became separated from the group and needed to get back to their hotel. Your teen needs to be aware of the potential dangers of being on holiday, without being frightened or thinking the worst could happen.

What they should pack

When it comes to clothes and toiletries, your teen should know what they need by now – just make sure they have enough of them to last the length of their holiday. However, while running out of shampoo may not trouble your teen too much, making sure they have enough money and medication (if they require it) will. So check how much money they are taking and consider giving them an emergency credit card in case they get into trouble. If they take medication, include a letter from your child’s GP explaining what the medication is for.

As well as the all-important passport , tickets and Global Health Insurance Card ( Ghic ) – as well as copies of each – you should also make sure your child has adequate travel insurance to cover any medical bills or any lost or stolen valuables.

Package holidays

Package holidays are always going to be one of the best holidays for teenagers. A week in the sun with friends and the chance to party and meet new people may fill them with excitement but it is also likely to fill you with dread as a parent. The key point is that most travel companies will require either written parental permission or one of the travellers to be over 18. Check with the individual tour operator to make sure that your son or daughter has the correct permissions before they book.

UK holidays

For many, staying closer to home is the best holiday for a teenager travelling without their parents, perhaps staying in a caravan or a tent near a holiday town. But many caravan or camp sites won’t take groups of under-18s or single-sex groups, so you may have to search around for a suitable site or accommodation that will take them. However, youth hostels in the UK will accept those aged 16 and over, and there are hostels all over the UK.

Another option for a first teenage holiday without parents is one of the many music festivals that happen every summer up and down the UK. Over-16s can get into Reading and Leeds festivals, V Festival and Glastonbury without an adult. Some of the smaller festivals include Camp Bestival in Dorset and Latitude Festival in Suffolk.

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Visas for U.S. citizens traveling abroad

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Where Americans Are Traveling in 2024: By the Numbers

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Americans are traveling abroad in droves.

The number of U.S. citizens flying to international destinations reached nearly 6.5 million passengers in March, according to the International Trade Administration. That’s the highest March total in over five years and shows that the post-pandemic “revenge travel” trend is the new normal.

It wasn’t just March, which usually sees a spike in international departures for spring break. In every month of 2024 so far, more Americans left the country than last year and 2019. These trends point to a blockbuster summer for overseas travel.

Nearly half of Americans (45%) plan to travel by air and/or stay in a hotel this summer and expect to spend $3,594 on average, on these expenses, according to a survey of 2,000 U.S. adults, conducted online by The Harris Poll and commissioned by NerdWallet.

That's despite rising travel prices that have caused some hesitancy among would-be travelers. About 22% of those choosing not to travel this summer cite inflation making travel too expensive as a reason for staying home, according to the poll.

So where are traveling Americans going? And what does it mean for those looking to avoid crowds of tourists and higher travel prices?

New travel patterns

Nearly every region in the world saw an increase in U.S. visitors in March 2024 compared with March 2023, according to International Trade Administration data. Only the Middle East saw a decline of 9%. Yet not every region saw the same year-over-year bump. U.S. visitors to Asia saw a 33% jump, while Oceania and Central America each saw a 30% increase.

Comparing 2024 with 2023 only tells part of the story, however. The new patterns really emerge when comparing international travel trends to 2019. For example, Central America received 50% more U.S. visitors in March 2024 compared with March 2019. Nearly 1.5 million Americans visited Mexico, up 39% compared with before the pandemic. That’s almost as many visitors as the entire continent of Europe, which has seen a more modest 10% increase since 2019.

Only Canada and Oceania saw fewer visitors in March 2024 than in 2019, suggesting that interest in these locations has not rebounded. Indeed, the trends indicate a kind of tourism inertia from COVID-19 pandemic-era lockdowns: Those destinations that were more open to U.S. visitors during the pandemic, such as Mexico, have remained popular, while those that were closed, such as Australia, have fallen off travelers’ radars.

Price pressures

How these trends play out throughout the rest of the year will depend on a host of factors. Yet, none will likely prove more important than affordability. After months of steadiness, the cost of travel, including airfare, hotels and rental cars, has begun to sneak up again.

About 45% of U.S. travelers say cost is their main consideration when planning their summer vacation, according to a survey of 2,000 Americans by the travel booking platform Skyscanner.

That’s likely to weigh further on U.S. travelers’ appetite for visiting expensive destinations such as Europe, while encouraging travel to budget-friendly countries. It could also depress overall international travel as well, yet so far, Americans seem to be traveling more.

For those looking to avoid crowds while maintaining a budget, Skyscanner travel trends expert Laura Lindsay offered a recommendation many of us might need help finding on a map.

“Albania has been on the radar of travelers looking for something different,” Lindsay said. "Most people have yet to discover it, but flights and tourism infrastructure are in place, and there are fewer crowds in comparison to trending European destinations like Italy, Greece, or Portugal.”

On the flip side, American travelers looking to avoid crowds of compatriots would do well to avoid Japan, which has seen a staggering 50% increase in U.S. tourists between March 2019 and 2024.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

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Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

On a similar note...

I spent 9 months traveling the world. I had a great time, but I'd never do it again.

• I spent nine months traveling the world , and I wouldn't do it again despite having a great time.
• Because I was on a tight budget, I often found myself turning down cool experiences to save money.
• I also struggled to make genuine friendships and missed having a space to call my own.

When I was working remotely in 2021, my boyfriend and I packed up and traveled to 22 countries across Europe and Latin America.

Although these were some of the best days of my life, I quickly learned that a lot of the videos I saw on social media that glorified full-time travel didn't always showcase the downfalls of the lifestyle.

More and more people are becoming digital nomads — countries like Italy have even implemented specific visas for remote workers. But during my nine months abroad, I learned that the lifestyle isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Here's why I wouldn't travel full time again.

I found myself constantly looking for places and experiences that felt like home

While traveling full time, I found myself constantly looking for places and experiences that felt like home.

In some ways, it was cool to feel like a local in a new city. However, when I returned home and took shorter vacations, I started to value the places I was visiting for their differences rather than trying to find some semblance of home.

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Nowadays, I like having a home base. Shorter trips help me to break up the monotony of life without sacrificing the comfort of home.

It felt like I was constantly thinking about money

When I was traveling full-time, I was on a strict budget . I either drained my wallet or ate cheap food to maintain some sort of financial security while on the road.

I talked myself out of going to every museum I wanted to and purchased cheap meals for dinner instead of indulging in local cuisine that might have been out of my budget.

The moments I would slip up on my spending were when I forgot this wasn't a never-ending vacation, but rather, my new everyday life.

During the first two weeks of our trip, I wanted to go to all of the must-try restaurants in Paris . However, I soon realized that came at the cost of establishing a strict daily budget for the remainder of our three weeks there.

Of course, it was worth it in the end to save money so that I could travel for nine months. However, now that I take a few shorter trips a year, I have more flexibility to make them everything I want them to be.

My friendships at home changed, and the new ones I made were fleeting

I think what travelers yearn for the most is community. When I was traveling, it was really hard to find the same quality of friends that I have at home.

When I did meet friends abroad, it was often short-lived. I found that many people traveling full time were only in a city for a few days. Even when I did find someone I connected with, it was hard to maintain a long-distance friendship.

Traveling full time also took a lot out of my friendships at home, as it seemed like they learned to live without me.

When I returned home, it felt like we didn't have as much in common as we used to. It took me months to get my friendships back to where they were before I left.

I missed having a space to call my own

While traveling, I stayed in 25 different places across nine months. Although seeing so many new places was cool, I missed having a space to call my own.

After spending so many nights in beds that weren't my own, it was an indescribable feeling to come back home. In fact, when I got back, I was able to create a space that took inspiration from the places I'd been.

I think traveling is something everyone should prioritize, but there are ways to see the world that don't involve doing it full time.

Nowadays, I plan to take at least four international trips a year, ranging from one to two weeks. This allows me to live a travel-filled life without giving up the comforts of home, career, and relationships.

Watch: Exclusive interview with Elon Musk on Twitter fame, loneliness, and the future of AI

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Looking for cheaper Eras Tour tickets? See Taylor Swift at these 10 international cities.

Swifties who want to snag tickets to Taylor Swift’s colossal Eras Tour know the experience won’t come cheap.  

This year, the billionaire will only visit three U.S. cities – Miami, New Orleans and Indianapolis – and prices for the in-demand shows are astronomical . For the Oct. 18 show in Miami, for example, cost of a single ticket ranged between $1,615 and $8,524 on StubHub.com as of Wednesday afternoon.

So, how else can fans see one of the world’s biggest singers? Go abroad .

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In the past 30 days, searches for ‘Taylor Swift Europe tour 2024 tickets’ have increased by 300% in the U.S., indicating that some people are ready to take a long-haul flight to see the wildly popular artist live, according to travel website Islands.com .

Concert-goers who head to Europe for their Swift experience may actually save more money in the long-run . Not only are ticket prices across the pond cheaper, but many European cities, like Warsaw and Lisbon, are also budget-friendly, offering inexpensive food and lodging. 

Was the travel worth it? Beyoncé and Taylor Swift's summer concerts drew fans from afar

To determine the most affordable Eras Tour stops, Islands.com researchers compared the cost of a two-night trip, including one cheap ticket on StubHub.com, two nights at a four-star hotel, six inexpensive meals, two five-mile taxi rides, and one domestic beer. However, researchers didn’t account for airline tickets or concert merchandise.

With safety at the top of travelers' minds, the researchers also factored in the city’s safety rating out of 100. 

To stay extra safe, the State Department encourages travelers to register with the U.S. embassy in the country they're visiting any time they travel abroad. That can be done at step.state.gov .

10 cheapest destinations for the Eras Tour in 2024

10. Vienna, Austria - total average cost: $1,089, safety score: 69.72

9. Cardiff, U.K. - total average cost: $1,061, safety score: 61.83

8. Lyon, France - total average cost: $1,047, safety score: 44.3

7. Lisbon, Portugal - total average cost: $1,028, safety score: 70.15

6. Munich, Germany - total average cost: $1,000, safety score: 78.88

5. Paris, France - total average cost: $971, safety score: 41.83

4. Stockholm, Sweden - total average cost: $935, safety score: 53.86

3. Hamburg, Germany - total average cost: $903, safety score: 57.51

2. Gelsenkirchen, Germany - total average cost: $749, safety score: 51.33

1. Warsaw, Poland - total average cost: $712, safety score: 72.98

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Looking for cheaper Eras Tour tickets? See Taylor Swift at these 10 international cities.