Where Can We Go and When

Author: Claire MacDonald
Photo: Claire MacDonald

Here it is, the new year. Thank goodness we can start fresh again in 2021. I think we will still have some significant hurdles, but we are Americans, and we will triumph. I am writing this in the first week of December, so be sure to check with your travel adviser on places that are open to the US and their requirements.

We are looking forward to traveling again. Unfortunately, the United States is considered a high-risk country. Most European countries, Canada, Japan, and other Asian countries, Australia and New Zealand are not allowing us to travel to their countries.

Right now, we can travel to most other states, and we have some options where we can travel outside of the lower “48”.

Our family flew from Las Vegas to Miami and then to Jamaica in August. No requirement for COVID tests or other tests besides waiting to have our temperature taken when we arrived in Jamaica.

Hawaii – When Rich and I went to Hawaii in early November, these were requirements: They required a negative COVID test within 72 hours of boarding the plane and a separate health form filed with the State of Hawaii 24 hours prior to departing. They sent back an email with a special seal which you had to show when departing the airport. While in Hawaii, masks were required almost everywhere, but you didn’t have to wear them when eating or drinking.

Paige and Leo (our daughter and son-in-law) just returned from Sandals Barbados in early November. They had to have a negative COVID test. They said everything was really clean and no masks required.

Turks & Caicos require a negative COVID test within five days of arrival, an online health questionnaire, and travel medical insurance to cover any COVID costs.
We have friends who just left for Cabo the second week of December. Again, no special requirements for COVID testing in Mexico.

You can still go to Puerto Rico, Costa Rico, Panama, Belize, Bermuda, and various other parts of the Caribbean. Most require a negative COVID test within 3 to 5 days prior to departure, while others require a negative COVID test in 72 hours prior to arrival.
You can still go on a safari in Africa. If Machu Picchu is on your list, Peru just requires a negative COVID test.
Want to go to Turkey? They previously have no testing requirements, but you need to complete an information form.

Some countries require additional health forms filed online within 24 hours of travel. They usually acknowledge receipt of the form prior to your departure.

Cruise lines are booking trips again. If you book a specific cruise, it may be delayed to a different date. We booked a Crystal Cruise for April 2020, and it was rescheduled to September 2020, and now it is scheduled for April 2021. We had a Windstar Cruise booked for June of 2020, and they gave us vouchers for a future cruise.

Travel insurance is always advisable and can cover COVID. Check with your travel agent. The airlines, cruise lines, and tour companies have been very good about taking care of us during this challenging time, but you need to be flexible. Hopefully, we will be able to start traveling more again soon.

For more information or questions about your next trip, call Paige MacDonald at A Destination Travel, 702-248-1234 or 702-606-0993.

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