What Luxury Caribbean Resorts are Open to Americans, and What are the Current Requirements for Travel?
New & Notable
Where is your passport welcome in the wake of COVID-19?
While not all clients are itching to use their passports, we wanted to proactively offer up a list of spots that are currently accepting American travelers. This list is current as of November 4, 2020 and meant as inspiration only; we are happy to speak directly with clients inquiring about future trips or holiday travel.
New Details
ANGUILLA
Visitors must complete an application form at www.ivisitanguilla.com to initiate the approval process. Negative COVID-19 RT PCR test taken no less than 3 days and no more than 5 days of arrival in Anguilla. A rapid PCR test will be taken on arrival in Anguilla, followed by another COVID-19 PCR test on day 10 or 14 of your stay in place accommodations. All persons are required to provide insurance which covers COVID-19 medical cost and full hospitalization, doctors' visits, prescription, and air ambulance. All visitors must wear a facial covering during transit and through ports of entry in and out of Anguilla.
When in Anguilla...
Visitors must undergo regular temperature testing and house monitoring. All visitors are required to stay in place at their certified hotels and villa for at least 10 days.
Vacation in Place- visitors must stay at hotel/villa
Visitors staying 5 or less days
$300 single, $500 per couple, $300 main applicant + $250/family member
Visitors staying 6 days to 3 months
$400 single, $600 per couple, $400 main applicant + $250/family member
This fee covers two (2) tests per person, surveillance and costs associated with the additional public health presence.
On November 15th , 2020, the sea shuttle services from the St. Maarten-Anguilla Ferry Terminal, located across from the Princess Juliana Airport (SXM), will once again operate into the Blowing Point Ferry Terminal on Anguilla. Calypso Chatters, Funtime Charters and GB Express are among the certified and approved companies authorized to resume the 25-minute private and semi-private shuttle services between Sint Maarten and Anguilla.
Hotel Reopening Dates
Open - Belmond Cap Juluca
November 14 - Cuisinart Golf Resort & Spa
December 17 - Malliouhana
Open - Quintessence Hotel
December 15 - The Reef
December 14 - Zemi Beach House Resort & Spa
New Details
ANTIGUA
All passengers arriving by air MUST have a negative covid-19 RT-PCR (real-time polymerase chain reaction) test result, taken within seven (7) days of their flight (children under 12 years of age are not required to have a negative covid-19 RT-PCR test result). This includes transiting passengers. Passengers arriving by sea are subject to quarantine according to guidelines issued by Port Health Authorities.
All arriving passengers or the head of a family will need to complete a health declaration form issued on your flight, to be shared with Port Health Authorities. A series of assessments will be undertaken by the Quarantine Authority or an authorized health officer, including interviews based on the completed Health Declaration Form, temperature checks and the intended place of stay to determine if persons should be tested on arrival. There is a cost of US$100 for the test on arrival.
Those staying at Jumby Bay Island must stay on the island.
Curfew 11 pm - 5 am daily until December 31
Hotel Reopening Dates
Open - Carlisle Bay
Open - Curtain Bluff
Open- Hermitage Bay
November 7- Jumby Bay Island
New Details
BAHAMAS
Visitors must obtain a COVID-19 RT PCR (swab) test five (5) days prior to arrival (name and address of the lab, where the test was performed, must be clearly displayed on the test result). Children age 10 and under are exempted.
Once in possession of a negative COVID-19 RT PCR test, apply for a Bahamas Health Travel Visa at https://travel.gov.bs/international .
Fees for the Bahamas Health Travel Visa, inclusive of Day 5 Rapid Antigen Test and mandatory health insurance, are as follows:
$40 – Visitors staying up to four nights and five days.
$60 – Visitors staying more than four nights.
Free - Children 10 years and under
For the duration of the visit, complete a daily online health questionnaire for symptom tracking purposes. Take a COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test on Day 5 of the visit (unless departing on day 5). Always wear a mask and always social distance in public places.
Beginning November 14, all visitors will be required to opt-in to mandatory COVID-19 health insurance when applying for their Health Travel Visa. The insurance will cover travelers for the duration of their stay in The Bahamas.
Hotel Reopening Date
Open- Albany
New Details
BARBADOS
Guests must arrive with a negative Covid-19 PCR test 72 hours before arrival. Guests will need to fill out immigration / customs form and upload negative test results at www.travelform.gov.bb (take a copy of your results with you at the airport). All arriving passengers must wear a mask and will have an automatic temperature check on arrival. Airport officials will validate your test results and guide you through Immigration & Customs and Baggage Claim. A trained service provider will transport you to your accommodation where you will quarantine for the next 2 days as a 2nd test is required 4-5 days after your first test which was taken in your home country (result return time of approximately 24 hours). Associated fees for the 2nd test will vary based on your specific requirements and the relevant service providers (Please contact your accommodation management regarding available options).
Once a negative result is given, visitors will no longer be restricted to the property and can explore the island. A mask will be mandatory and businesses will have a hand sanitation area as well as a temperature check.
Hotel Reopening Date
Open - Sandy Lane
New Details
CANOUAN
Must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result done 5 days before arrival. Visitors must register 24 hours prior to arrival at https://stv.servicedx.com/formmgmt/travelform and send their negative result and their passport bio page directly to coronavirustaskforcesvg@gov.vc (please arrive with a printed copy of the result and completed arrival form in English)
Travelers will have a COVID-19 PCR test done on arrival as well as clinical assessment, testing would be approximately US$75 per person.
Must arrive with proof of a fully paid reservation in a government-approved hotel for five (5) nights where you will be quarantined. Will be tested and quarantined in the hotel room or villa until results are received. Once clearance is given, travelers can enjoy the resort facilities.
Hotel Reopening Dates
Open- Canouan Estate Resort & Villas
Open- Mandarin Oriental Canouan
New Details
DOMINICA
Travelers must submit a health questionnaire online at least 24 hours prior to arrival at http://domcovid19.dominica.gov.dm/ . Upload a negative PCR test result where samples were obtained within 1-3 days prior to arrival.
Travelers must present the following to airlines prior to boarding and upon disembarkation:
Negative PCR test result where samples were obtained within 1-3 days
Notification of health clearance to travel
Rapid Diagnostic Test will be administered on arrival. If positive a PCR test will be administered and a traveler must wait in a government-approved facility for results (at travelers’ expense).
Hotel Reopening Dates
Open- Cabrits Resort & Spa Kempinski
Open- Secret Bay
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Travelers no longer required to present a COVID-19 test certificate. Complimentary travel & health insurance will be granted to every visitor until December 31, 2020.
Curfew 7 pm-5 am Monday-Friday and 5 pm-5 am Saturday & Sunday
Nationwide curfews do not apply while you are on the property
Hotel Reopening Dates
Open- Amanera
Open- Casa de Campo
Open- Eden Roc Cap Cana
New Details
GRAND CAYMAN
Anticipating the opening of borders on January 1, 2021
More information to follow.
Hotel Reopening Date
January 1st- Kimpton Seafire
New Details
GRENADA
Must have a negative COVID-19 test taken within 7 days before travel (children 5 & under are except). Visitors are required to have a minimum 5-night reservation at an approved hotel. On day 4 visitors have the option of getting retested to be allowed to leave the hotel (with a negative result- takes 1-2 business days) or remain at the hotel for the duration of the vacation.
Fill out online pre-travel information at https://covid19.gov.gd/ (including acceptance of the Waiver Of Liability Agreement) and upload relevant documentation, if required (copy of negative PCR test, proof of confirmed reservations, AND payment for 5 nights).
Download Ronatrac Mobile App contact tracing app and register prior to travel, the app is not available for iPhone users yet, and they are currently exempt from this requirement.
Hotel Reopening Date
Open- Silversands Grenada
New Details
JAMAICA
All international travelers must have a Travel Authorization (https://travelauth.visitjamaica.com/) obtained before departure. Both the Travel Authorization and the Test Certificate must be valid on the date of arrival into Jamaica. Travel Authorizations are valid for 10 days from the date of approval. All residents of the USA who are 12 years of age or over, will be required to obtain an Antigen Test or COVID-19 RT-PCR Test. The test should be conducted within 10 days of the intended travel date at a medical laboratory that is accredited by the relevant national health authorities. Antibody tests & results from home-based test kits will NOT be accepted. Face coverings are mandatory to wear in public places.
Visit https://travelauth.visitjamaica.com/ prior to traveling
Curfew lifted
Hotel Reopening Dates
Open- Golden Eye
Open- Round Hill Hotel & Villas
Open- Tryall Club
PUERTO RICO
Travelers entering Puerto Rico must fill out a Travel Declaration Form through the Puerto Rico Health Department’s online portal (https://app.travelsafe.pr.gov/), get a molecular COVID-19 test (nasal or throat swab) no more than 3 days prior visiting the Island, and show proof of a negative result or they must quarantine until the traveler provides proof of a negative result. Travelers must obtain an Airport Exit Confirmation number & QR Code, which is automatically received when uploading their molecular test results to the Puerto Rico Health Department’s online portal.
Curfew 10 pm - 5 pm until November 13
For travelers that are connecting in Puerto Rico on their way back to United States, as long as they do not spend over 24 hours in Puerto Rico, they are not required to quarantine upon their return to the United States if their home state has placed Puerto Rico on their quarantine list.
Hotel Reopening Dates
Open- Dorado Beach, a Ritz Carlton Reserve
Open- St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort
New Details
ST. BARTH
Negative COVID-19 RT PCR test was taken within 3 days of arrival flight. If staying for more than 7 days, the traveler will be required to take another test while on the island (cost 150 EUR). Transit passengers in St Martin are required to fill out an entry form (requested for arrival & departure) Electronic Health Authorization System (EHAS) (https://stmaartenehas.com/application-form/)
Guests traveling via private charters to St Barth OR via Puerto Rico to St Barth will have to fill up a form for tracking purposes.
Mandatory mask for everyone over the age of 6 everywhere that has a shop, a school or an administration. Maximum of 6 people per dining table and guests will have to leave all phone numbers, names and email for tracking purposes
Hotel Reopening Dates (reopening from regular seasonal closure)
Open - Cheval Blanc St. Barth Isle de France
Open - Eden Rock St. Barth
November 25- Christopher St. Barth
Open - Hotel Barriere Le Carl Gustaf
Open - Hotel Manapany
Open - Le Toiny St. Barth
Open - Le Barthelemy Hotel & Spa
December 17- Le Sereno Saint Barthelemy
Open - Villa Marie
Open- Villas
ST. KITTS & NEVIS
Complete the entry form on the national website (www.knatravelform.kn) and submit a negative PCR test completed within 72-hours of travel from an accredited laboratory (List of accredited labs to be provided by the Ministry of Health, at a later date). Undergo a health screening at the airport which includes a temperature check and a health questionnaire.
Download the SKN COVID-19 contact tracing mobile app (to be used for the first 14 days of travel or less).
1-7 days: visitors are free to move about the hotel property, interact with other guests and partake in hotel activities.
8-14 days: visitors will undergo a PCR test (USD 100, visitors’ cost) on day 7. If the traveler tests negative on day 8, they are allowed, through the hotel’s tour desk, to book select excursions and access select destination sites (list to be announced later).
14 days or longer: visitors will need to undergo a PCR test (USD 100, visitors’ cost) on day 14, and if they test negative the traveler will be allowed to integrate into St. Kitts and Nevis.
Hotel Reopening Dates
Open - Four Seasons Resort Nevis
New Details
ST. LUCIA
All arrivals (5 years and over) must have a negative result from a PCR test taken no more than 7 days before arrival in Saint Lucia. The test result must be submitted by email before traveling to TravelSaintLucia@gmail.com. Print and travel with a copy of your test results, the auto-response email from the form submission and the TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION LETTER that you will receive
All arrivals 18 years and older must complete (1) A Travel Registration form (online – 7 days before travel, print and travel with a copy of the auto-response email) and (2) a Health Screening form (download, print and travel with the completed form)
If your booking is last-minute, (fewer than 7 days prior to travel), fill out the online travel authorization form as above. The auto-generated confirmation email that you will receive immediately after submission should then be forwarded to travelinfo@stlucia.org
All arrivals must receive (and travel with a printed copy of) a letter of authorizing travel to Saint Lucia based on Verified reservations at a COVID-19 certified property
Hotel Reopening Dates
Open- Jade Mountain
Open- Sugar Beach a Viceroy Resort
Open- Cap Maison
New Details
ST. MAARTEN
Will need a negative COVID-19 RT PCR test taken (Antibody or Antigen Tests will not be accepted) within 5 days of arrival flight and travel insurance. The original result of this test must be uploaded as soon as possible as part of the health authorization application procedure in order to be processed. Processing takes 6-8 hours. Children age 10 and under are exempted from the mandatory rt-PCR test. If health authorization is pre-approved, you will receive a (printable) authorization via e-mail, which must be presented to the health and immigration authorities upon arrival. The original rt-PCR test result should be presented to the health authorities upon request.
For travelers originating from a high-risk country; 14 consecutive days of self-monitoring of body temperature and possible flu-like symptoms is mandatory. Travelers in this category will receive an automated daily email for 14 days providing a link for submitting the required information online. If you are remaining for a shorter term on the island, you will have to submit the information for the time you are on the island.
All visitors must register at https://stmaartenehas.com/application-form/ before arriving. Border between St. Maarten and St. Martin has reopened.
Hotel Reopening Date
December 1- Belmond La Samanna
New Details
TURKS & CAICOS
Negative COVID-19 RT PCR test within 5 days of arrival flight for all travelers (children younger than 10 are exempt). Travel insurance that covers COVID-19 in-country medical treatment, the cost of quarantine, and repatriation/medivac is also mandatory. A traveler may begin the application process 72 hours prior to arrival in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Visitors must register at www.turksandcaicostourism.com before arriving.
A nightly curfew has been reimposed until November 16, 2020, from 12 AM - 5 AM. Restaurants must close at 11 PM daily.
Hotel Reopening Dates
Open- Amanyara
Open- Beach Enclave
Open- COMO Parrot Cay
Open- Grace Bay Club
Open- The Palms
Open- The Shore Club
Open- Wymara Villas
New Details
VIRGIN GORDA
Visitors may begin to arrive at the Terrance B. Lettsome Airport (EIS) on Tortola from December 1, 2020. Prior to travel, guests are to visit the BVI Gateway Online Portal to complete a travel declaration and upload proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 5 days prior to travel as well as proof of medical insurance that includes coverage for COVID-19. Approval will come in the form of a BVI Gateway Traveler Authorization Certificate and upon arrival at the new Welcome Center in the airport, officials will perform health screening including a temperature check and COVID-19 PCR test.
Visitors are asked to recover from their travels and unwind in the luxury of their villa or suite while awaiting the results of the airport-administered test - this should take no more than 24 hours and means they are not waiting for results at the airport. Visitors are required to download a contact tracing app to their cellular phone or, in place of that, purchase a wearable device (tracking bracelet).
There is a mandatory 4-day quarantine period in the resort, another COVID-19 PCR test is required to be able to leave the resort.
More information on this will be forthcoming.
Hotel Reopening Dates
December 4- Little Dix Bay
December 1- Oil Nut Bay
New Details
COSTA RICA
Negative RT PCR test will no longer be required. Travelers will still be required to complete Costa Rica's electronic Health Pass which asks for information on travel plans and show proof of travel insurance from either a national Costa Rica insurer or another provider that covers COVID-19 expenses.
In the case of international insurance, tourists must request from their insurer a certification issued in English or Spanish, noting: 1) the validity of the policy during the dates of visit to Costa Rica, 2) guarantee of coverage for medicals expenses in cases of COVID-19 related medical treatment in the amount of 50,000 USD and, 3) minimum coverage of 2,000 USD for extended lodging expenses due to COVID-19 related illness. It is also possible to purchase a Costa Rican medical insurance policy through the National Insurance Institute (INS) or Sagicor of Costa Rica, covering the duration of your stay in Costa Rica.
Hotel Reopening Dates
November 12- Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica
Open - W Costa Rica Reserva Conchal
Open - Nayara
MEXICO
No restrictions if flying to/from the country
Hotel Reopening Dates
East Coast
Open- Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya
Open- Banyan Tree Mayakoba
Open- Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa
Open- Chable Maroma
Open- Chable Resort & Spa
Open- Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Open- Hotel Esencia
Open- Nizuc Resort & Spa
Open- Rosewood Mayakoba
Open- Viceroy Riviera Maya
West Coast
Open- Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita
Open- St. Regis Punta Mita Resort
Open - One&Only Mandarina
Los Cabos
Open- Chileno Bay Resort & Residence
Open- Esperanza an Auberge Resort
Open- Grand Velas Los Cabos
Open- Las Ventanas al Paraiso
Open- Le Blanc Spa Resort
Open- Montage Los Cabos
Open- Nobu Los cabos
Open - One&Only Palmilla
Open- Solaz, a Luxury Collection Resort
Open- Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal
Open- Zadun, a Ritz Carlton Reserve
The above information is based on current requirements for US citizens and is subject to change at any time. Health forms can be downloaded on the websites provided. Additionally, all travelers are required to provide original versions of the negative test results upon arrival. Travelers should be ready to be screened before entering the arrivals area at the intended destination as well as while in transit.
Those experiencing symptoms must quarantine in their accommodations until they receive a negative result. They may also be taken to a government facility and treated for at least 14 days at their cost (housing/medical).
Masks are widely required in public spaces.
Please refer to your state's official government website for up to date return travel protocols.
Final Thoughts
Should you travel? This is a deeply personal choice. We’re always here to guide you through the best ways to do what you wish, safely and effectively. If you have questions about planning, don’t hesitate to reach out.