COVID-19, 10 Things You Need to Know Before Traveling to the Caribbean During COVID-19 Pandemic

You’ve been yearning for a sunny beach with clear blue skies and sand beneath your toes for a long time. You’ve been on hold for over a year, and so have your travel plans. The good news is that it’s easier than at any time since the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic began, to wander off to the Caribbean and enjoy all this magical paradise has to offer.

Several islands have adopted two-track entry regulations for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers, therefore it is important to know the latest developments before you travel.

So sit back and relax while we go over ten of the facts you’ll need to know before booking your dream vacation in the Caribbean.

1. Checking COVID-19 Restrictions

The first thing to keep in mind is that there are 13 independent Island countries within the Caribbean, plus several overseas territories, and all COVID-19 quarantines, vaccines, and testing requirements differ from one country to the next, from one day to the next with the ever-changing COVID-19 variants. Additional restrictions also exist for different countries of origin and their differing degrees of COVID-19 infection rates. 

Some islands require quarantines regardless of your vaccination status, while others do not require a COVID-19 test at all. Depending on your nation of origin, the rules may be different. So it is recommended to first check with your local travel agent or the Island’s tourism website for a particular island regarding the different travel options and requirements regarding COVID-19.

2. Checking Visa Requirements

Similarly, COVID-19 Travel visas also differ based on your country of origin. This would be another job for your local, trusted travel agent or tourism website. They will know what special visas or COVID-19 travel documents, if any, are required to travel to the Caribbean Island of your choice from the country of origin on your passport. Additionally, it is helpful to understand the protocols in place if you do contract COVID-19 on your travels for if you have to travel somewhere initially unintended due to contracting COVID-19. 

Some islands, like Jamaica, offer special COVID-Travel insurance, the cost of which is added to your airline tickets. Speaking of travel insurance…

3. Travel Insurance

Be sure to check with your private healthcare providers what your COVID-19 travel insurance is. Some companies offer travel insurance, while others do not. They may also differ in coverage based on where you are going. If you are going to a highly infected region, travel insurance might be lessened or voided entirely. There are multiple travel insurance options to look at, so make sure to check this out!

This is a preventative measure that you can take to ease your mind that you are taken care of in emergency situations. Now that you know what you need to find out and who you need to speak to, let’s look at some other things to know before your travels to paradise.

4. Get Vaccinated

This is the number one way to eliminate stress while planning your dream vacation to the Caribbean during COVID-19! As with visas, vaccination requirements differ, with some Caribbean countries requiring you to quarantine even with vaccinations. But, to avoid a guaranteed quarantine, and have a seamless transition from busy to bliss, recommendations are to get vaccinated.

5. Packing Necessities and Be Prepared To Quarantine

Other than your usual packing lists – clothes, toiletries, and everything else in between, there are some COVID-19 essentials to bring along too. Yet again, if ease of travel is what you’re hoping for, you need to keep 3-layer fabric masks and sanitizer on hand wherever you go.

It is recommended to pack enough for a quarantine (even if you aren’t already required to quarantine). Being prepared for this with all essentials will relax you even further knowing that you are prepared and are free to enjoy your holiday, even if you were to contract this virus!

Yay! You have all the necessities in order, now it’s time for the fun part of planning your dream vacation. These next few points will help you plan your best, COVID-safe, holiday to the Caribbean!

6. The Weather

To avoid any hurricanes throwing off your idyllic bliss, it is probably best to plan your travels to the Caribbean to avoid hurricane season. The hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30, with the worst part of the season being mid-August through September. 

Tip for travelers during this time – islands in the Caribbean’s southern tip are less prone to hurricanes than islands closer to North America. The beautiful islands of Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Dominican Republic, and Barbados are all outside of the Caribbean hurricane belt and a great alternative if traveling this time of year.

7. Activities Planning

The best way to avoid catching COVID-19 and getting stuck in your room quarantining is to plan your holiday activities with COVID-19 in mind. Finding alternatives for group excursions is a great way to do this. There is so much to explore in the Caribbean with your immediate family – kayaking, hiking, sightseeing, beaches, etc.

You’re in the beautiful Caribbean, you don’t want to spend your time inside, so take advantage of the inviting weather and opportunities that await outside your accommodations’ four walls. Try to plan activities that are outdoors and enforce natural social distancing without you having to think of it. As if you need another reason to limit your time indoors in this beautiful paradise!

8. Destination Planning

There are also ways to limit your exposure to COVID-19 by planning your destination to avoid COVID-19 hotspots. With over 700 islands, you are sure to get your dream holiday in the Caribbean, while also keeping yourself and your family safe, no matter where you end up!

Another tip for destination planning is to limit exposure with an itinerary with fewer stops. Although a jam-packed holiday, while island-hopping around the Caribbean sounds amazing, it is not advised to travel to multiple destinations.

Taking the path less traveled, or in this instance booking holidays at the less popular Caribbean destinations, will provide you with a unique experience all the while avoiding tourists and Covid hotspots.

Picking one island that you can explore from ocean to forests, with no rush while getting to appreciate every aspect from food to culture, sounds brilliant! And it’s a fantastic excuse to come back later to explore the other islands!

9. Be Flexible and Stick to Pandemic Habits

You’re traveling to one of the most beautiful settings. Wherever you go, you will be rewarded with unique and wonderful experiences. So keep that in mind when planning, it is advised that you are flexible with destination and activities to avoid disappointment and unnecessary stress if the situation had to change due to the virus taking hold.

We’ve been wearing masks, social distancing, and sanitizing for well over a year now, and traveling is no different. Sticking to Pandemic habits is the best way to have a carefree holiday.

10. You MUST Have a Negative Covid Test Before You Return To The United States.

International passengers flying to the United States from the Caribbean islands, except Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, must show evidence of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours prior to boarding their flight to the United States. Airlines will deny you boarding if you do not produce a negative COVID test result. Pre-travel testing is something that many hotels in the Caribbean now offer for their guests… Before traveling, check with your Caribbean resort to see if they offer such a test.

So, all of this in the name of fun and a COVID-safe holiday? So worth it! You’ve got your prep list now, so what are you waiting for? Sun-kissed bliss awaits you in the Wonders of the Caribbean.

5 Bonus Tips For Taking a Caribbean Cruise During COVID-19 Pandemic

So you’ve got your sights set out at sea. But with cruises being a hotspot for COVID-19 with their close-quarter living, the following list will help you plan the cruise of your dreams in the Caribbean, all the while staying safe and not having to try soaking it in from your cabin. Here are 5 extra tips to accommodate when planning your Caribbean holiday on the water.

1. High-Risk or Unvaccinated Individuals Should Not Cruise

First and foremost, traveling via cruise if you are high-risk for COVID-19, or if you are not fully vaccinated, is something you need to seriously consider before booking. In fact, it is highly recommended that if you do travel as a high-risk or without being fully vaccinated, cruises are the last type of travel that you should be looking at. Bear in mind, one positive case on board and the entire ship will shut down and your holiday will be cut short. It’s not worth the risk, for you and your family, or for the other travelers and staff on board.

2. All Above Points Are Valid for Cruises, Too

The 10 things mentioned above for traveling to the Caribbean during COVID-19 all still need to be considered and prepped for. From COVID-19 cruise requirements, visas, travel insurance, vaccinations, packing essentials, weather, activities and destination planning, adaptability, staying consistent with pandemic norms, and getting a COVID-19 test before you return home, are all important no matter where you’re going!

3. Understand the Safety Protocols

Understanding the safety protocols for health emergencies is a must! For example, are there doctors on board? What are the protocols for health-related issues? Preparing and understanding what happens when there is a health-related issue all make it a lot less stressful if the unfortunate were to happen, leaving more time for you to enjoy your cocktails by the pool, in the middle of the ocean. As with all information regarding COVID-19, these requirements could change at any time, so be sure to stay up to date with restrictions surrounding your cruise.

4. Choosing a Smaller Ship

An intimate and smaller cruise ship leaves less room for COVID-19 to jump on board, too! Lessening the COVID-19 risks aboard the bigger cruise ships. Choosing between staying in a cabin on a massive ship with COVID-19 as opposed to traveling and exploring with a smaller group? The answer is simple.

5. Check Refund Information

Lastly, with cruises being such a hotspot for COVID-19, cruise cancellations due to COVID-19 are high! You don’t want to lose out on an awesome holiday or forfeit your hard-earned money, so be sure to check out cancellation and refund policies prior to booking.

As much as we want to resume normal life, if you’d like to avoid COVID-19, there is more than usual to prepare for, but worth it for your dream holiday! However, knowing the risks that cruise ships hold during COVID-19 have made the restrictions and requirements a lot tighter. Cruise companies want to avoid shutting down, and they are tackling this by upping their safety protocols. So the good news is that you should be safe if you stick to the pandemic habits and prepare well.