These international destinations are open to US tourists

By Latest World Report On Feb 15, 2022 114 0

Editor’s Note — CNN Travel updates this article periodically. It was last updated in its entirety on September 22. Entries on Grenada and Panama were added and the entries on the Bahamas and Costa Rica updated on October 2. The US State Department advises that travelers consult country-specific travel advisories via their website or consult the CDC’s latest guidance. Before you make any international travel plans, check these sites first.

(CNN) — Once one of the world’s most powerful travel documents, the might of the US passport has shriveled during the Covid-19 pandemic.

With US coronavirus cases around the 7.4 million mark, many nations continue to view America with trepidation. The European Union has omitted the United States from its list of countries whose tourists may visit. Americans still can’t vacation in their neighbor to the north, Canada, nor head to many Asian favorites such as Japan.

While most US travelers are staying close to home with short-distance car trips, some still want to go abroad. For those people, there are still popular vacation options such as Mexico, Ireland and South Korea. And the list has been slowly growing.

Whether travel to “open” international destinations is responsible or advisable is up to you. It’s worth noting that since the pandemic is ongoing, anything can change at any time.

What follows is a list of countries, in alphabetical order, where it’s still possible for US passport holders to go for a vacation:

Albania

On the gorgeous Adriatic Sea, Albania has resumed international commercial flights. The US Embassy website states that while there’s no Covid-19 test requirements, you can expect a health screening.

“Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice,” it also states.

Antigua and Barbuda

Turners Beach on Antigua’s southwest coast.

Shutterstock

US travelers to Antigua and Barbuda “arriving by air must present a negative Covid-19-RT-PCR (real time polymerase chain reaction) test result, taken within seven days of their flight,” according an advisory on the country’s tourism website.

Visitors are subject to monitoring by health officials for 14 days and another Covid-19 test may be required, which could mean quarantining while waiting for the result. Masks are required in public spaces. Violations can involve stiff fines and even jail time.

Armenia

Turkey’s intriguing neighbor to the east is open for US tourists to explore. Travelers will need to take a Covid-19 PCR test upon arrival or face mandatory isolation for 14 days. Passengers who get tested must isolate until they get a negative result. A list of testing sites can be found on Zvartnots International Airport’s website.

Aruba

Visitors to Aruba will be required to undertake a Covid-19 test.

Courtesy of Aruba Tourism Authority

All US visitors 15 and older are required to fill out a health assessment. You must also have a negative Covid-19 test result with either a test prior to travel, a test upon arrival or a dual-testing process. You must also purchase specific Aruba visitors insurance.

Aruba also has a list of US states it considers higher-risk, and people from those states will require additional testing. As Aruba changes this list time to time, you should check for your state here before you make plans. The list was last updated on September 24.

The Aruba tourism site has all the specific health requirements for incoming passengers, which are considerable and too long to detail here.

The Bahamas

UPDATE: Visitors to these sun-kissed islands must request an online health visa before travel. You must then upload and later present negative Covid-19 RT-PCR test result no more than five days before travel.

Hotel guests must vacation in place for 14 days or the duration of their trip, whichever is shorter. But starting November 1, the government plans to eliminate the mandatory quarantine. Updates can be found on the islands’ Covid-19 travel website.

Bangladesh

US citizens may travel to this culturally rich South Asian nation. The US Embassy in Bangladesh says you must have a “medical certificate with English translation” stating you’re negative for Covid-19, with the test taken within 72 hours of travel. You must also “home quarantine” for 14 days even with a negative test.

Barbados

Barbados reopened to tourists on July 12.

Marnie Hunter/CNN

US citizens must complete an online form and submit 24 hours before travel, the US Embassy reports. You must present a valid Covid-19 PCR test result, taken within 72 hours of arrival. As the US is designated a high-risk country, you must still quarantine for 14 days at an approved hotel or resort and you’ll be monitored daily for symptoms. After five days of submitting the entry test, visitors can take a second second…