COVID-19 Travel in 2021

Wondering what the current restrictions are for COVID-19 travel in 2021?

I am going to give you a breakdown of the places you can still visit along with commonly asked travel questions in this post!

It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since the whole Covid-19 debacle started.

Funny story, a year ago around this time I was in Cancun with my mom when I heard the news that our President had closed all travels to &  from the U.S.!

Needless to say, I was very concerned and called my husband right away.

Should I go home tonight? Are we going to be allowed back in the country? Should I change my ticket right now?

So many questions ran through my mind in those moments away from my home.

I guess you can say that this is what happens when we hear half of the news or we only read the headlines!

When I got the full rundown on what the current restrictions meant, I learned that the U.S. had suspended all flights to and from Europe.

So I was able to stay where I was and enjoy the gorgeous blue water beaches of Cancun! 

Today there are many nations still in lockdown, like most Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

However, other nations are open and welcoming American travelers.

After 1 year of lockdowns, many people are ready to travel again and I am constantly fielding calls and emails from clients asking me where they can go.

I thought I would round up those questions and share them all with you in this blog post!

COVID-19 Travel in 2021!

“Where can I travel right now?”

At the time of writing this, March 2021, the following locations are open for travel!

The below islands currently have light restrictions or no Covid test requirements for travel.

• Hawaii
• Saint Lucia 
• The Dominican Republic  
• Mexico  
• Costa Rica 
• Puerto Rico
• Turks and Caicos

Most of them do require a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours/5 days or 10 days of your departure date.

I have broken out each location by their specific requirements for travelers below!

Most of the Caribbean Islands are open and welcoming visitors!

***Is there a specific island or country in mind that you’d like to visit? Please contact me for the specific requirements!***

“Where can I travel to right now that’s warm?”

All these islands are nice and warm during the day, with cooler evenings.

“Where can I travel to that doesn’t require a negative COVID-19 test?”

The 3 destinations with the lightest travel requirements are currently Mexico, The Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica. 

“Where can I go if I do take a test?”

There are many more destinations you can travel to if you take the test and meet additional requirements. 

“Where can I travel to if I’m already vaccinated?“

Unfortunately, the vaccine doesn’t replace the requirement for a negative COVID-19 test as far as travel right now.

Even if you have been vaccinated you must still provide a negative COVID-19 test.

Here are the 7 destinations and their full travel requirements.

**Please note, these requirements can change at any time**

Hawaii

The islands of Maui, Oahu, Lanai, and Hawaii continue with the state’s Safe Travels pre-travel testing program.

Travelers must have their negative test results prior to departing.

Kauai will rejoin the Safe Travels program effective on April 5th.

Since Hawaii is part of the U.S you’re not required to provide a negative COVID-19 test to return to the mainland of the U.S.

Saint Lucia

US citizens 5 and older traveling to Saint Lucia must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within five days of arrival (vs. the previous seven days).

Visitors must also complete a travel registration form and arrive with a printed copy.

You must have confirmed reservations at a COVID-certified property for the duration of the trip. 

I have clients currently in Saint Lucia right now escaping the NY winter and having an amazing time! 

The Dominican Republic

Travelers headed to the Dominican Republic no longer have to show a negative PCR COVID-19 test result on arrival.

DR authorities will give breath tests to a small percentage of random passengers and anyone showing symptoms.

You must also fill out a health affidavit.

The Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism now offers free viral antigen testing to all international visitors staying in hotels.

The US Embassy says PCR test results have been reliably available within 72 hours but could be affected by increased demand.

Mexico

The land border between the US and Mexico remains closed through at least March 21, but US travelers can still fly into Mexico.

No testing requirements are in place to enter Mexico.

You can expect temperature checks and other screenings upon arrival. 

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is allowing residents from all US states access.

Visitors must complete a health pass from but are no longer required to take a COVID-19 PCR test. You must have proof of travel medical insurance.

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico requires a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to visiting. 

Because Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory it’s excluded from the CDC requirement to provide a negative COVID-19 test to return to the mainland United States.

Turks and Caicos

Visitors to the Turks and Caicos must fill out a travel authorization form and provide a negative COVID-19 test result taken within five days of arrival.

Children 9 and younger are exempt.

Travelers must complete an online health questionnaire and carry travel medical insurance to cover any COVID-19 travel-related costs in 2021.

“So should I travel now?“

Still concerned about travel in 2021 with COVID-19 restrictions?

So can we travel? Of course! But there are more things to consider now than even and we also have to be more flexible and adaptable.

I’ve been booking lots of trips for my clients lately because most of them don’t mind taking a test if it’ll permit them to travel again.

So it’s up to you to decide what your comfort level is with traveling.

If you asked me what my personal plans are, I would say that I will continue to travel.

Travel is not only my passion, it’s also my job.

Taking into account my travel plans is also that I have no personal health restrictions. 

I’ll mainly be sticking to trips either in the U.S. or the Caribbean because flight schedules to most countries are pretty uncertain and difficult right now.

My next travel adventure will be to attend a Destination Wedding & Romance Travel Conference in the Dominican Republic this April!!

I’ve picked to stay at a resort that provides COVID-19 tests to make my testing easier for my return to the U.S.

It makes me very comfortable knowing this!

I will also be purchasing travel insurance, which I always strongly recommended to all my clients when they travel.

“What about far and away destinations?“

Although some destinations like South Africa, Turkey, Montenegro, Morocco, and many more are open to tourists my personal travel plans will be closer to home for a while.

Right now, since there are very few travelers going to these faraway destinations – like Africa for example, many direct flights have been suspended. 

To fly to far and away countries from the U.S.,  you may have to make 2 or 3 connections.

I’m personally not ok with working in 2 or 3 connections into my own travel plans.

Please note that All air passengers 2 and older must show proof of a negative Covid-19 test that’s no more than 72 hours old to enter the United States. That includes US citizens returning from trips to other countries.

The good news? Many of our preferred resorts are on top of it and are providing testing directly on the property.

Of course, you can travel in the U.S without taking the test to almost all 50 states ( with exception of  NY, MA, ME)

New travel trends!

The good news is that I’ve heard that my two favorite countries; Italy and Greece are planning to open up to travelers this summer!

I’m already planning clients’ trips to Italy and Greece for 2022!

I have many clients traveling to Maui, which requires no test upon return to the mainland.

Some clients of mine have just returned from their trip Maui and they had the most wonderful time!

I love recommending Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming for the outdoor experiences at our amazing national parks!

Keep in mind that these requirements are changing on a monthly/weekly/ basis.

Have you made to decision to travel in 2021 despite COVID-19 restricitons? If you are considering traveling but worried about any requirements in your chosen location please >>> reach out to me here!

Stay healthy & safe, and happy travels!!