With Caribbean travel restrictions easing, many are asking what islands are open to tourists? The good news is, it just got a lot easier to visit the region with popular spots like St Lucia relaxing their entry rules and restrictions for vaccinated visitors.
Open to travelers from all countries, St Lucia is giving free rein to fully vaxxed vacationers who can move around the island’s beaches, resorts and restaurants without restriction. And many other islands have reopened to international tourism, with entry requirements changing as Covid rates rise or fall.
Want to keep up to date with the latest Caribbean travel restrictions? Then read our handy guide – and don’t forget to check back for regular updates.
St Lucia travel restrictions
Hailed for its gorgeous beaches and rich rainforests, this popular spot has relaxed its rules for fully vaccinated tourists. Subject to a negative PCR test and proof of vaccine, visitors can now enjoy the freedom to move around the island without limits on where they can go and what they can do.
Under the new protocols, travelers are considered fully vaccinated from two weeks after the second dose of a two-shot vaccine, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine. Non vaccinated visitors are still welcome on the island but will have to quarantine for the first 14 days at an approved property.
Latest St Lucia Covid updates
Here’s an overview of the latest St Lucia Covid updates and entry requirements. More information is available here.
- All arrivals aged 5+ must have a negative PCR test taken no more than 5 days before arrival.
- Must complete and submit an online travel registration and health screening form prior to arrival.
- Must adhere to all safety protocols including wearing a mask in public.
- Shall be subject to temperature checks and screening at the port of entry and throughout their stay.
- Shall be transferred by certified taxi to their Covid-approved private accommodation.
US travelers will need to show their vaccination cards. For visitors from the UK, the island will accept proof of vaccination through the NHS app or an NHS letter to demonstrate their Covid vaccination status. All pre-registered and fully vaccinated visitors will be able to move through customs quickly and will be given a special ID wristband which must be worn throughout their stay.
Barbados travel restrictions
Similar to St Lucia, Barbados is open with two-track entry for both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers. Subject to certain testing protocols, fully vaccinated visitors can enjoy Barbados fully, while unvaccinated travelers must quarantine first.
The island has developed a BIMSAFE app to offer a more streamlined experience for tourists – it can be downloaded prior to travel to Barbados, allowing visitors to complete their travel registration forms, upload their Covid test results and monitor their health upon arrival.
Standard PCR tests should be taken 3 day prior to travel and must be taken at an accredited laboratory via a nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swab. Travelers from countries of special consideration such as Brazil, India or South Africa will have separate special testing arrangements.
Barbados travel protocols at a glance
- All travelers are required to take a standard PCR test 3 day prior to travel. This should be taken at an accredited lab using a nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swab.
- Rapid PCR tests, self-administered tests and home kits using saliva samples are not accepted.
- Fully vaccinated visitors must take a second test on arrival, and unvaccinated travelers 5 days after arrival during which they must quarantine at approved accommodation.
- On return of test results (1-2 days) fully vaccinated visitors can enjoy Barbados fully, while unvaccinated travelers must quarantine, meaning a total quarantine time of 7-8 days.
- Additionally in Barbados there is a mask policy to follow, and travelers must first apply for an ED card.
Jamaica travel restrictions
For those who are traveling to Jamaica during Covid, the island continues to welcome international visitors, with certain health and safety protocols in place. It was one of the first Caribbean travel destinations to reopen after lockdown and has reopened many of its tourist attractions.
Jamaica travel requires a negative Covid test (PCR, NAA, RNA) or Antigen test, performed by an accredited lab taken within 3 days of travel. Arriving passengers must complete a Travel Authorization form between two and five days prior to arrival, and once approved they receive a certificate that must be submitted during the check-in process.
When on the island, visitors must remain within the Resilient Corridors on the north and south coasts, and must stay at approved accommodation.
Jamaica travel requirements at a glance
- Complete Travel Authorization and get a Covid-19 test within 3 days of travel.
- Present Travel Authorization and negative Covid test result at airport.
- Undergo health screening at airport and possible re-test at airport or designated facility.
- All persons arriving in Jamaica are subject to quarantine according to their assigned traveller category. Tourists who test negative are allowed to leave their accommodation but must stay in the Resilient Corridor.
- There is a ban on all flights arriving from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, India or Trinidad & Tobago until August 10.
Where in the Caribbean can I travel now?
Most Caribbean islands are currently open to international tourism with certain protocols in place such as presentation of a negative Covid-19 PCR test, and mask wearing while out and about. To streamline tourism, some are following in the footsteps of St Lucia with two-track entry regulations for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers.
Here’s a list of some of the most popular Caribbean travel destinations currently open to visitors. You can read more about their individual entry requirements in this article.
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Aruba
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- British & US Virgin Islands
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- Grenada
- Jamaica
- St Barts
- St Lucia
- St Maarten/St Martin
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Turks and Caicos
How to book a Caribbean vacation
Ready to book your Caribbean getaway? Top Villas offers a wide range of great-value villas in some of the Caribbean’s most popular vacation spots. Book with us and not only will you get beautiful accommodation at great prices, you’ll also benefit from round-the-clock customer service plus a wide range of fantastic travel extras.
Follow our simple online booking process and you can secure your holiday home instantly without any phone calls or fuss. It’s easy to check availability, get a quote and book instantly online. Or if you’d prefer to talk to one of our friendly villa experts, give us a call!
Enjoy total peace of mind
We are currently offering extra flexibly for your peace of mind. Our new flexible cancellation policies mean that you can reschedule or even cancel your stay for any reason, even if you are due to check in soon. Simply choose a property marked with Flex 14 or Flex 30.
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