The strictness (and leniency) of entry protocols in the Caribbean are reshaping travel trends in the region. A handful of Caribbean countries are open to fully vaccinated travelers only, alongside other protocols like pre-entry tests or health declaration forms. Now, trends show unvaccinated travelers are gravitating to the islands that will let them in, while the vaccinated want places that keep the unimmunized out. “We have found our customers to be more interested in traveling to Caribbean destinations with more strict and firm policies and travel restrictions related to Covid-19,” said Matt Berna, Intrepid Travel‘s managing director of North America. Here are the Caribbean nations and territories that make the list to accept vaccinated travelers only.
Anguilla
Anguilla. Image via Lonely Planet
Anguilla is accepting applications of visitors from all countries who meet travel requirements, and adult travelers who have been vaccinated at least 21 days before arrival to the island. Apply for entry, submit a negative COVID-19 test taken 2-5 days before travel, and test on arrival for US$50. Once your negative-on-arrival results are cleared, only the fully vaccinated can then explore the Caribbean island freely (quarantine has been waived as of November 1). Learn more here.
Grenada
Photo by Elaine Brewer on Unsplash
All foreign visitors must be fully vaccinated, as Grenada’s entry protocol does not apply to citizens and residents of Grenada or persons 13 years and older. Travelers over the age of 5 must present a negative RT-PCR test on arrival, along with their Pure Safe Travel Authorization Certificate and medical insurance. Thereafter, fully vaccinated travelers were quarantined for up to 48 hours at their approved accommodation whilst awaiting the results of their PCR test to allow for exploration on or after day 5 of travel.
Guadeloupe
View of Terre-de-Haut from atop Le Chameau. Guadeloupe. Photo by Viktor Ruppert on Unsplash
In June of 2021, the French territory reopened to the fully vaccinated with proof of vaccination, and the results of a negative PCR or antigen test no more than 72 hours (PCR) or 28 hours (Rapid) before travel. Travelers must also present their sworn statement they do not have symptoms of COVID-19 nor contact with someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19. Children under 11 are exempt from testing.
Guyana (starting Dec. 1)
Tallest wooden structure in Georgetown, Guyana. Photo by Dinesh Chandrapal on Unsplash
At the end of December, the Guyanese government will only permit fully vaccinated travelers. Guyana is accepting vaccines approved by US FDA and the World Health Organization—Sinovac, Sinopharm, Johnson and Johnson, Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca—as well as the Cuban-produced Soberana and Russian-produced Sputnik. All travelers must also present a negative COVID-19 PCR test; results within 72 hours of travel grant immediate entry, while a result older than 3 days (but no more than 7 days) requires a second PCR test on entry.
Martinique
Anse Noire, Les Anses d’Arlet in Martinique. Photo by cyril mazarin on Unsplash
All visitors must be fully vaccinated and must present a negative PCR test result taken 72 hours prior to arrival or an antigen test result taken 48 hours before arrival. Travelers under 12 are exempt from this requirement. All travelers must present a completed health declaration form upon arrival. There is no quarantine requirement. More information here.
Montserrat
Montserrat. Image via One Girl One World
All visitors must be fully vaccinated, show proof of a negative PCR test taken within five days prior to entry, complete and submit the online Access Declaration Form no later than three days prior to arrival, quarantine for five days and take a PCR or rapid antigen test on day three or four. Children 5 and over must also submit a negative PCR result. Children over 2 years of age must be tested on day three or four of quarantine.
St. Barts
All visitors 18 and over to this French Caribbean territory must be fully vaccinated, and all those 10 and older need proof of a negative PCR test taken no more than three days prior to travel or a rapid antigen test done no more than two full days prior to travel. Visitors who transit through St. Maarten need to pre-register to enter and must show results of the negative PCR test. U.S. visitors traveling to St. Barts through San Juan must show results of the negative PCR test.
St. Kitts and Nevis
Visitors must complete a travel authorization form and include proof of vaccination. Once verified, travelers will receive authorization of their vaccination card and a KN number. They must then upload results of a negative PCR test done 72 hours prior to departure and proof of booking at one of the travel-approved accommodations. The Vacation In Place quarantine has been reduced from four days to 24 hours, after which travelers are tested ($150). Following a negative test result, travelers are free to explore.
Turks and Caicos
Turks and Caicos. Photo via Libby Giambrone/Unsplash
All visitors 16 years and over must be fully vaccinated to enter. Travelers are required to show proof of vaccination through the TCI Assured pre-travel program and portal prior to entering the country. The portal will accept vaccination proof (Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Comirnaty, Spikevax, and Vaxzevria). Proof of vaccination in the form of a digital copy or paper copy, inclusive of vaccine cards issued by the CDC, will be accepted.
The vaccination requirement is in addition to the existing protocols, which require a negative Covid-19 PCR or antigen test result done within three days of travel as well as medical/travel insurance that covers medical evacuation, a completed health screening questionnaire, and certification that the traveler has read and agreed to the privacy policy document.
Trinidad and Tobago
Maracas Beach. Photo by Thruston Benny on Unsplash
The dual Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago accept three categories of travelers only: vaccinated citizens, unvaccinated citizens, and other vaccinated visitors. However, all travelers must present a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before travel. Unvaccinated nationals will enter 14 days of mandatory state-supervised quarantine, at their own expense. However, children under 18 traveling with vaccinated adults will not have to go into quarantine. Unvaccinated non-national travelers will not be allowed in.
The Cayman Islands (starting Nov. 20)
