Stress-Free Travel Destinations

Countries Offering Easy Access
While travel is recovering nearly two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, many international destinations are still requiring visitors to take additional steps for entry, including requiring proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in many cases. Other places are requiring visitors to secure a negative coronavirus test result ahead of travel and some are even mandating quarantine and travel insurance to cover individuals in the event that they contract COVID-19 during their trip. Still, there are plenty of countries Americans seeking a stress-free getaway can visit with few or no restrictions right now.

Keep in mind that each of the following 12 destinations is listed at either a Level 3 or Level 4 on the U.S. State Department’s travel advisory scale, with officials advising Americans to reconsider or avoid travel due to the pandemic.

Colombia
In South America, Colombia is currently welcoming international travelers without testing or quarantine requirements. Visitors will only need to complete their Check-Mig registration 24 hours prior to their flight. The country currently has 20 airlines in operation connecting eight destinations nationwide with 22 countries around the world, according to its travel website.

Costa Rica
Costa Rica is also open to Americans from all 50 states. Visitors will need to complete a digital Health Pass but will not require COVID-19 testing or quarantine. Fully vaccinated individuals and travelers under the age of 18 can also visit without a travel insurance policy this fall.

Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic remains one of the most accessible destinations in the Caribbean amid the ongoing pandemic as Americans can visit without proof of vaccination, a negative coronavirus test result or quarantine requirements. However, random testing is being conducted on a small percentage of arrivals at airports and all visitors must complete the free and fast electronic entry and exit form. The E-Ticket combines the Traveler’s Health Affidavit, Customs Declaration and International Embarkation/Disembarkation forms.

France
Most of Europe has reopened to travel in 2021 and fully vaccinated travelers will only need proof of vaccination in order to enter France without COVID-19 testing or quarantine. France accepts the CDC card as sufficient proof, according to the U.S. Embassy. “Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers must provide a compelling reason for travel, a negative PCR test performed no more than 72 hours before departure or an antigen test performed no more than 48 hours before departure,” the Embassy states.

Greece
Visitors to Greece must complete the online Passenger Locator Form before they arrive. However, Americans and residents of the European Union and some other countries can bypass entry testing requirements if they have proof that they’ve been fully inoculated with an approved COVID-19 vaccine.

Ireland
Americans can also cross the Atlantic to Ireland this fall without testing or quarantine requirements with valid proof of vaccination against COVID-19 and a Passenger Locator Form completed in advance departure. Travelers can also avoid any headaches with acceptable proof of recovery from the virus in the past 180 days.

Malta
Malta became the first European country to achieve herd immunity back in May and is currently open to Americans who can prove that they’ve been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. As of August, CDC vaccination cards must be verified through the VeriFLY app in order to be accepted as a valid vaccination certificate. Travelers must also complete the Digital Passenger Locator Form.

Mexico
Mexico will be a popular and stress-free getaway for many Americans this winter season as travelers won’t need to worry about testing negative for the coronavirus ahead of their flight or self-isolating on arrival. Tourists can also visit without proof of vaccination against COVID-19.

Panama
In Central America, Panama is very much open to tourism and fully vaccinated travelers can enter with proof of inoculation and an electronic sworn affidavit completed prior to check-in. Unvaccinated individuals will have a harder time, however, as they must present a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken within 72 hours of travel and quarantine for another three days until they produce a second negative test result.

Portugal
Travelers can visit Portugal with a valid EU digital COVID certificate proving that they’ve been fully vaccinated against the virus or a negative test result, including a PCR test taken no more than 72 hours of travel or a rapid antigen test taken no more than 48 hours before boarding. Travelers will also need to complete and submit a Passenger Locator Card.

Spain
Spain is welcoming fully vaccinated travelers from the United States this fall. In addition to proof of inoculation, visitors will need to present a QR code generated through the Spain Travel Health portal. They can obtain this through the website or by downloading the SpTH app in the Google Play or App Store.

Switzerland
Switzerland is open to Americans who can prove that they’ve been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus and are able to complete a brief entry form that includes basic traveler information and a few questions related to COVID-19.