Whether you are looking for a relaxing couple’s getaway, a fun-filled family vacation or a trip with your extended tribe to reconnect, Caribbean islands have re-opened to tourism with enhanced health and safety measures and the ultimate in social distancing opportunities!
As fall weather is in the air at home and the prospect of another long winter of indoor isolation is sinking in, it’s natural to let your mind wander and dream of a tropical island getaway. Back to reality, and the good news is that over a dozen Caribbean islands have re-opened for tourism and you can start planning your fantasy island getaway today!
From popular resort havens like Jamaica, Dominican Republic and Aruba to exotic escapes on St. Lucia, Antigua, Barbados or Grenada, islands highlighted in green on the map below are currently welcoming guests with varied entry requirements.
There are more than 7,000 islands among the 25 countries and territories that make up the broader Caribbean region. To help fuel your wanderlust, let’s take a deeper dive into three of the more popular island destinations welcoming tourism for this fall and winter.
Golden sunsets, soft white beaches, vibrant blue skies, swaying coconut palms — the DR has it all. Ideal for those seeking romance or that all-inclusive resort lifestyle, here is where memories are easily made and never forgotten. Home to some of the most magnificent palm tree-lined sugar white beaches and oceanfront golf courses in the Caribbean, DR also offers a wide array of activities for non-golfers, such as swimming with stingrays, feeling the power of the wind while windsurfing or parasailing, fishing for blue marlin and barracuda, snorkeling and glass-bottom boat rides, and the always romantic horseback riding on the beach.
Why Dominican Republic:
Popular resort destinations in Dominican Republic:
For some, the main reason you hop down to Jamaica is to catch some rays on a sugar-white-sand beach and hoist tropical rum cocktails to your lips. The only exercise they crave is taking a refreshing dip in the azure sea and raising their hands to signal the resort waiter for another drink. But for other travelers, those with a restless soul and a need for speed, a vacation isn’t complete without at least a few thrills, chills and unique adventures. Fortunately for this fun-seeking group, Jamaica offers plenty of exciting activities in addition to its world-famous beaches, such as climbing 600 feet up Dunn’s River Fall; jumping off a waterfall at Blue Hole; biking down the island’s highest point, Blue Mountain Peak; ziplining at Mystic Mountain and snorkeling in crystal clear Boston bay.
Why Jamaica:
Popular resort destinations in Jamaica:
Lush, colorful, eclectic and full of surprises, this eastern Caribbean nation is an island made for romance. A perfect day here could include enjoying the spectacular views at Smugglers Beach; discovering the island’s fascinating historic culture at Pigeon Island National Landmark; hiking up one of the Pitons, the verdant volcanoes that are St. Lucia’s most recognizable landmarks; soaking in the volcanic waters and getting painted in mineral-rich mud at Sulphur Springs Park, the Caribbean’s only “drive-in volcano;” exploring the incredible marine ecosystem of Anse Chastanet reef, which begins just 10 yards from the beach; and dining at Cliff at Cap, a restaurant set on a rocky bluff with stunning views across the ocean to Martinique.
Why St. Lucia:
Popular resort destinations in St. Lucia:
Precautions and entry requirements differ from island to island, but they could include travelers providing proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test within as few as three to five days of arrival, submitting self-health declarations, downloading a health app and more. With this in mind, it’s vital to consult your travel professional or read the latest news from official tourism authorities before going.
