Want to go on a scuba diving vacation but think that no other countries are allowing Americans to visit? Believe it or not, there are actually 53 countries around the world that are allowing visitors from the United States. Many domestic and international tourist locations have been struggling in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic and restrictions on travel, but now have created safe guidelines to keep both the tourists and the locals safe and healthy. While not all of the 53 countries allowing Americans are ideal scuba diving locations (Ireland and South Korea are probably not at the top of many people’s dream diving locations), there are many locations around the world that are not only easy to travel to, but also frequently appear on lists of best diving vacations. Here are some locations to consider for your next diving vacation.
Mexico:
Our neighbors to the south has long been the go to vacation spot for divers, and that hasn’t changed in 2020 or 2021. While the land border is still closed between the United States and Mexico, travelers can still fly from the US to many popular vacation destinations such as Cozumel, Cancun, and Cabo San Lucas. Unlike many of the other countries that are allowing visitors, Mexico doesn’t have any testing requirements for entry but it is still important to check with the hotel you will be staying at about any local requirements such as mask mandates, curfews, and temperature checks. Our favorite location in Mexico is Cozumel and Underseas Scuba Center will be traveling there December 10-14 this year for the ultimate long weekend trip. If that trip is a little too soon for you to plan, Underseas Scuba Center will be traveling to Cozumel five times in 2021, February 18-22, May 20-24, July 8-12, September 30-October 4, and December 9-13. Want something with less relaxation and a little more excitement? Join us August 31 to September 4 on the west coast of Mexico for cage diving with Great White Sharks off of Guadalupe Island.
Dutch Caribbean:
Many popular Dutch Caribbean islands are allowing American visitors but not all of the islands have the same rules and requirements. If you want to see shipwrecks on your dives, Aruba is allowing travelers from all US locations, but will be required to fill out a health questionnaire as well as provide a negative test result within the past 3 days prior to arrival. Travelers even have the option to taking a PCR test upon arrival at the airport in Aruba. If shore diving is more of your style, Aruba’s sister islands Bonaire and Curacao should be on your vacation radar. However, Curacao is only allowing visitors from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Florida. Visitors from other states may petition for entry as well, or can quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. In addition, face coverings are required in many locations in Curacao such as supermarkets and stores. There is also a daily curfew in place from 9 pm to 4:30 am so don’t expect to see any nightlife or night dives. Traveling to Bonaire currently requires that you connect through Curacao, essentially limiting itself to visitors from the same states listed above. Both Bonaire and Curacao also require a negative COVID test result within 72 hours prior to arrival.
Ecuador and the Galapagos:
If you want to see gigantic marine life, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands is the destination for you. One of the most biodiverse locations in the world, traveling to Ecuador is often a once in a lifetime experience. Ecuador is requiring a negative test result 10 days prior to arrival to avoid quarantining in Ecuador. However, if you are planning on traveling to the Galapagos then you will need another negative PCR test result 4 days prior to your arrival to Ecuador. If you are planning on staying on a live aboard dive boat in the Galapagos, make sure to check the live aboard company for any additional testing requirements and any mandates or social distancing guidelines that are required by the boat operator.
Central America:
Many Central American countries have varying test result requirements to entry without a required quarantine period. Costa Rica is allowing visitors from all US locations, but require filling out a health pass form as well as proof of a negative test result in the 48 hours prior to arrival and proof of medical travel insurance. Visit Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast for gargantuan marine life like manta rays and sharks. Or you can visit Costa Rica’s Caribbean side for warmer waters and tropical reefs. Experience the world’s second largest barrier reef or the famous Blue Hole in Belize. To enter Belize, visitors must download the Belize Health App and provide proof of a negative test result in the 3 days prior to arrival. Visitors can also pay $50 to be tested upon arrival to the airport. Search for pirate treasure in Panama. Panama requires a negative test result 48 hours prior to arrival, or visitors can be tested at the airport upon arrival. While Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua are allowing visitors from the United States, Honduras has many restrictions and mandates in place for when you are in the country, while Nicaragua and Guatemala are still recovering from Hurricane Iota so you may want to check what is available to visitors before planning your vacation there.
The Rest of the Caribbean:
Many other Caribbean islands will allow visitors from the United States with varying timelines for testing results and quarantine guidelines. The Bahamas require a negative test result within 5 days of your trip, but travelers also cannot apply for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa until they receive that negative test, which can make planning ahead difficult. For Barbados, travelers must provide a negative test result 72 hours prior to arrival, but then are required to quarantine on the island until an on island test provides a negative result. Dominica gets more specific, requiring a negative test result that is more than 24 hours old but less than 72 hours prior to your arrival, as well as additional screenings upon arrival on the island. The Dominican Republic is no longer requiring a test for entry, but will be randomly testing 10% of all visitors as well as anybody that may be showing symptoms. In Grenada, one negative test is required for entry, but then all travelers either need to 1) stay at a quarantine approved hotel for at least 4 days, or 2) take a second test on the island to be allowed to travel about the island or to a different hotel. Many other popular diving locations in the Caribbean, such as the Cayman Islands, are not allowing visitors from anywhere at this time.
For any potential diving vacation, make sure that you do your research prior to travel. You wouldn’t want your trip to be ruined because your negative test result is too old. Also, make sure you know any local laws or mandates for any location you may be traveling to. Are restaurants open? Do you need to wear a mask in public? Are there specific hours for curfew? Local tourism departments should be able to answer these questions. In addition, make sure you are following all rules when traveling through any connections you are making, domestically or internationally. If you are connecting flights in the United States, make sure that you are aware of any mandates or quarantine rules for those locations as well.
As the situation with COVID-19 is constantly changing, it is incredibly important to make sure you are up to date with all of the current guidelines. Resources where you can find the most up to date information are the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/map-and-travel-notices.htmlas well as the US State Department’s website on travel advisories at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/Both websites include the most up-to-date information to travel on literally every country in the world.
For any questions you may have on travel and diving in these or other locations around the world, Underseas Scuba Center is more than happy to help you plan the dive vacation of your dreams. Find more information on our group trips here https://www.underseas.com/index.php/travel/group-trips
