Editor’s Note: CNN Travel will be updating this article periodically. We advise that before making any international travel plans, travelers thoroughly consult country-specific travel advisories from their own country and of any country to which they wish to travel.
There have been more than 142 million Covid-19 cases worldwide and vaccination roll outs have been much smoother in some countries than others. This pandemic is far from over, even though many of us are now itching to make plans to travel or to reunite with loved ones.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide whether travel to international destinations is a risk worth taking. The health concerns are obvious. Virus variants are emerging. Countries might change their rules at a moment’s notice. You may have to adhere to tougher curfews and mask mandates than you do at home, and violations could involve hefty fines or worse. Local health services may be under strain.
If you want expert input into your decision, the US State Department and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide Covid-19 risk assessments by country. If you’re reading this elsewhere, please consult your local government advice.
Keep in mind that not only must you pay attention to the guidance regarding countries you wish to visit or transit through, your home country may have Covid testing or mandatory hotel quarantine you’ll have to undertake on your return. Meanwhile, new CDC guidance says fully vaccinated people can travel at low risk to themselves but still recommends against it because of rising numbers of coronavirus cases.
What follows is an alphabetical list of open countries and territories where it’s still possible for most international passport holders to go for a vacation:
Albania
Set on the Adriatic Sea, Albania remains open. While there’s no Covid-19 test requirements or quarantine to enter, expect a health screening. More info: albania.al.
Anguilla
This British territory in the Caribbean is accepting international visitors. You must be approved first. Click here to start the process and read up on extensive Covid-19 testing requirements, including the specific type of test you must get, as well as mandatory quarantines and insurance. More details: escape.ivisitanguilla.com.
Antigua and Barbuda
Travelers 12 and older to Antigua and Barbuda arriving by air must present a negative Covid-19-RT-PCR (real time polymerase chain reaction) test result, using a nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swab. It must be taken within seven days of the flight.
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. More info: Antigua and Barbuda government website.
Armenia
From the historical capital of Yerevan to wild national parks, Armenia is open to international tourists. Armenia was in a brief war last year with neighboring Azerbaijan, but a peace treaty was signed in November. To enter, you must have a negative result from a Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival or take a test upon arrival for about $40 and self-isolate until you get your result. More info: Armenia’s official Covid-19 travel website.
Aruba
Scroll down to the “Dutch Caribbean” entry below for information on Aruba and other islands in this group.
The Bahamas
Visitors 11 and older must have a negative Covid-19 PCR test result no more than five days old before arrival. Once you have the negative result, you can apply for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa here, where you must opt in for Covid-19 health insurance. You must also take a rapid test on day five of your stay unless you’re leaving. Get updates: Bahamas’ travel website.
Barbados
New protocols will start May 8. Until then, all travelers must complete an online travel form and submit it 24 hours before leaving. You must present a valid negative Covid-19 PCR test result, taken within 72 hours of arrival. All travelers must take a rapid antigen test on arrival.
You must then quarantine at an approved hotel or resort until you get a second test and negative result. The quarantine is a minimum of five nights. You must also wear an electronic tracking bracelet. More info: Visit Barbados website.
Belize
Known for diving and jungle wildlife, this Central American nation is open. To enter, you must download the Belize Health App and input your information no more than 72 hours before arriving.
You can bring an official vaccine card reflecting that you’ve gotten inoculated at least two weeks before arrival. Otherwise, have a negative Covid-19 PCR test result taken within 96 hours of arrival or a rapid test within 48 hours of arrival. Or you can be tested upon arrival at a cost of $50. More info: Belize Tourism Board.
Bermuda
This Atlantic island requires each inbound passenger 10 and older to apply for travel authorization at the cost of $75 per adult and $30 for flight crew and children 9 and younger. Upon arrival, passengers must present a negative Covid-19 PCR test result taken no more than five days before departure.
You’ll be tested again at the airport and quarantined while awaiting for those results. More tests are required on days four, eight and 14 of your visit. Click here for specific instructions for immunized travelers.
The island is under a week-long “Stay at Home” order until April 20. The airport and borders remain open and all non-essential businesses are closed.
More: Bermuda Tourism Authority.
Bolivia
This landlocked South American country of wildly varying landscapes allows visitors who have a negative Covid-19 test taken up to 72 hours before departure.
Travelers are required to quarantine for at least 10 days after entering and to provide a sworn statement of where they’ll be staying in the country. All travelers are required to take a second RT-PCR test one week after arrival, at their own expense.
Health screenings are in place at airports and travelers who are not permanent Bolivian residents are required to have health insurance with coverage for Covid-19.
Air borders are open, but changing rules regarding land borders with neighboring countries may make it difficult or impossible to enter or exit Bolivia by land.
More details: US Embassy.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Travelers may enter Bosnia and Herzegovina, known for cosmopolitan Sarajevo and gorgeous lakes, with a negative Covid-19 PCR test result that’s no more than 48 hours old. More info: Bosnia Border Police.
Botswana
Travelers can enter this safari favorite with a negative Covid-19 PCR test result taken no more than 72 hours before departure. If you fail to provide test results or show coronavirus symptoms, you will have to quarantine for 14 days at your own expense. Learn more: US Embassy.
Brazil
Brazil has been one of the hardest hit countries by the pandemic. It holds the second highest death toll in the world, second only to the United States, and the Brazilian variant of Covid-19 is rapidly spreading around the globe, thought to be more contagious.
South America’s largest country has banned entry by land and sea (with a few exceptions) and put stricter measures on visitors by air. You must fill out a health declaration and present a negative Covid-19 PCR test result taken with 72 hours of boarding the flight. Be sure to read about the requirements for various ages.
Brazil has banned flights to and from the UK since the announcement of the English variant of Covid-19, and nobody who has been in the UK in the past 14 days can go, other than residents, family members of Brazilian nationals, and some business travel.
Get details: Ministry of Health Covid-19 app | Brazilian Government website.
British Virgin Islands
Visitors need a travel certificate that you can get at the BVI Gateway website. There’s a $175 entry fee. You need a negative Covid-19 test result taken five days or less before travel to enter. You’ll also get another test on arrival and must quarantine four days while waiting for results. More info: BVI government website.
Colombia
All arriving passengers to Colombia should either have a negative result from a Covid-19 PCR test taken no more than 96 hours before departing; take a test upon arrival and quarantine while waiting for a negative result; or go into mandatory isolation for 14 days. Find out more: Colombia’s travel website.
Costa Rica
Visitors must complete a health pass form but are not required to take a Covid-19 PCR test or quarantine. You must have proof of travel medical insurance, which you can get in Costa Rica. More details: Visit Costa Rica website.
Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
US citizens must have a negative Covid-19 PCR test result no more than five days old before arrival. You must fill out a travel declaration form and pay the fee online. You’re encouraged but not required to quarantine for two weeks. Learn more: deplacement-aerien.gouv.ci.
Croatia
Croatia is once again open to leisure travelers, but access requirements are stricter than they had been previously and vary according to your country of origin. You must have proof of a negative result from a Covid-19 PCR test that’s no more than 48 hours old upon arrival, or you can take a PCR test immediately upon arriving and self-isolate until getting a negative result. You must also have evidence of an accommodation paid in advance and in full. A reservation alone is not enough. More details: mup.gov.hr.
Dominica
This Eastern Caribbean island is open. All travelers must present a negative Covid-19 PCR test result, recorded between 24 and 72 hours before arrival. You must fill an electronic Immigration and Customs form via Dominica’s online portal 24 hours before traveling.
Further travel protocols depend on how “high-risk” your country of origin is (see details here). More info: Discover Dominica.
Dominican Republic
