Where Can Americans Travel?
In this topsy-turvy year, it's hard to know what is open and what is closed within our own towns let alone the rest of the world. But one thing is certain: We're all getting a little stir crazy.
After a summer of vacations canceled, do we dare make plans for the holidays? And if we do decide to travel, is there a country welcoming Americans right now?
We have scoured the various continents to evaluate what countries are closed to American travelers and the alternatives that remain open, albeit with possible restrictions. Some do not require quarantining while others do — and this information changes weekly as countries monitor the world's health situation. We'll continue to update this story as things change, so you don't have to look through hundreds of embassies for details.
Note: Destinations with an asterisk have a mandatory quarantine.
The Caribbean
The following countries are not open to American travelers as of Sept. 8, 2020:
- Anguilla
- Bonaire
- British Virgin Islands
- Curacao
- Grand Cayman (closed through Oct. 1)
- Saba
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- St. Martin (French-side only)
Antigua and Barbuda
As of Aug. 9:
Upon arrival: Anyone 12 and older arriving by plane must provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken no more than seven days before arrival. Further screenings will be conducted at the airport.
Those arriving by sea do not need evidence but must go through screening at the Nevis Street Pier in St. John's.
If you are asked to take a coronavirus test upon arrival, you may have to pay a $100 fee.
Quarantine: It's not needed if staying at a pre-booked hotel. If staying at a house, a one-night quarantine is mandatory.
Visit the government website for up-to-date guidance.
Aruba
As of Aug. 11:
Upon arrival: Travelers arriving in Aruba will need to provide information on where you are staying, undergo a health assessment and provide a negative COVID-19 test (ages 15 and older). This test can be performed prior to your travel or upon arrival. You will also need to show you have the proper insurance to protect you both medically and non-medically during your stay.
Quarantine: If you wait to be tested on the island, you will be quarantined up to 24 hours until results come back.
While open for travel, the island nation currently requires additional testing for travelers arriving from the following states:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Nevada
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Visit the government website for up-to-date guidance.
Bahamas*
As of Aug. 9:
Prior to arrival: Travelers need to complete an electronic Health Visa up to 72 hours prior to arrival here. Take a COVID-19 test, and upload results to the Health Visa portal. (Children under 10 are not required to be tested.)
Upon arrival: Visitors must present a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 10 days prior to arrival.
Quarantine: A 14-day quarantine is in place, and during your stay, you are required to wear a mask. Anyone not complying can receive a $200 fine, one-month imprisonment or both.
Visit the government website for up-to-date guidance.
Bermuda
As of Aug. 11:
Prior to arrival: Travelers must complete an online Bermuda travel authorization process, which comes with a $75 fee per person. This includes COVID-19 testing in Bermuda. Children 9 and under are not required to be tested and pay a $30 authorization fee. Complete the form here.
Upon arrival: Visitors must present a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than seven days prior to arrival, preferably within 72 hours. Although you will have this result, you will still be required to take a test at the airport. You also must present proof of travel insurance to cover you during the duration of your trip.
Quarantine: For those who have arrived with proof of a negative test, a 24-hour quarantine at your hotel will be in place until the secondary test results are complete. Children 10 and up who do not get tested will have to quarantine for 14 days.
During your visit: You will be required to take additional COVID-19 tests on the fourth, eighth and 14th days of your trip.
Visit the government website for up-to-date guidance.
Dominica*
As of Aug. 12:
Prior to arrival: Complete an online questionnaire 24 hours before arrival.
Upon arrival: Present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of arrival. A thermal and antibody blood test will be taken at the airport; if positive, a full test will be performed.
Quarantine: A 14-day quarantine is mandatory.
Visit the government website for up-to-date guidance.
Dominican Republic
As of Aug. 9:
Upon arrival: Visitors must present a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than five days prior to arrival. If no proof of testing is available, a quick test will be performed upon arrival at no cost. (Children 5 and younger are exempt.)
Quarantine: If you test upon arrival, you must quarantine until results return.
During your visit: The island has a curfew in place between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. Monday through Friday and from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Visit the government website for up-to-date guidance.
Grenada*
As of Aug. 7:
Prior to arrival: Travelers must complete an online Health Declaration form and have insurance to cover the cost of medical treatment and isolation. You will also be required to download a tracing app to your phone that must be kept on for the duration of your quarantine. Download the form here.
Upon arrival: Present a negative COVID-19 test within seven days of travel. The U.S. is considered high risk, so you will have to be tested again within 48 hours of arrival.
Quarantine: A 14-day quarantine while wearing a geofencing watch.
During your visit: If you violate the quarantine, including turning off your tracing app, you can be fined $370 ($1,000 EC).
Visit the government website for up-to-date guidance.
Jamaica
For travel through Sept. 30, 2020:
Prior to arrival: Travelers must complete a Travel Authorization form. Complete the form here.
Upon arrival: Residents 12 and older from Arizona, Florida, New York and Texas must present evidence of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 10 days of arrival. Additional screening will take place upon arrival and may require another COVID test if arriving from a high-risk state.
Quarantine: For anyone tested at arrival, you will quarantine in your hotel room up to 48 hours until results are back. Travelers are required to stay on property during the duration of the trip.
Visit the government website for up-to-date guidance.
Martinique*
As of Aug. 7:
Upon arrival: Present a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of travel (children under 11 are exempt), and provide a sworn statement that you do not have symptoms and have not been in contact with anyone with COVID.
Quarantine: A seven-day quarantine after which another test is required.
During your visit: Curfew on the island is held between 9 p.m. and 4 a.m.
Visit the U.S. Embassy website for up-to-date guidance.
St. Bart's
As of Aug. 3:
Prior to arrival: Travelers must wear a mask during their flight to and from St. Bart's.
Upon arrival: Travelers 11 and older must show a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of their arrival.
Quarantine: If your trip is longer than seven days, you will be required to take an additional COVID-19 test on the eighth day. If the results return positive, a 14-day quarantine will be in place until a negative result occurs.
Visit the government website for up-to-date guidance.
St. Lucia*
As of Aug. 11:
Prior to arrival: Travelers must complete a Pre-Arrival Travel Registration form. Complete it here.
Upon arrival: Travelers 11 and older must show a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of their arrival and will undergo additional screening at the airport
Quarantine: A 14-day quarantine is required in which you will not be allowed to leave your hotel.
Visit the government website for up-to-date guidance.
St. Maarten (Dutch)
As of Aug. 1:
Prior to arrival: Travelers must complete an online immigration card and upload a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival. Complete it here.
Upon arrival: Travelers must present their negative test results and will undergo additional screening at the airport. (The French St. Martin is closed and Americans cannot cross the border.)
Quarantine: None
Visit the government website for up-to-date guidance.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines*
As of Aug. 12:
Prior to arrival: You are required to pre-pay for five full nights of accommodations to visit the islands. It is also mandatory to complete an online travel form, found here.
Upon arrival: Travelers must provide proof of negative COVID-19 results within seven days of arrival and proof of a fully paid reservation in an approved hotel.
Quarantine: A five-day quarantine at your hotel is followed by another COVID test before being released.
Visit the government website for up-to-date guidance.
Turks and Caicos
As of Aug. 12:
Prior to arrival: Travelers must complete pre-authorization online to board a plane to Turks & Caicos.
The portal includes uploading a negative COVID-19 test result taken within five days of arrival (children under 10 are exempt) and proof of travel insurance covering medical costs for COVID. Complete it here.
Upon arrival: Travelers will undergo additional screening at the airport, and some may be subjected to a spot check on COVID.
Quarantine: None
Visit the government website for up-to-date guidance.
Europe
The following countries are not open to American travelers as of Sept. 8, 2020:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- France
- Georgia
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- The Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
Albania
As of Sept. 8:
Upon arrival: Travelers must carry out a test at the airport.
Quarantine: None
Visit this website for up-to-date guidance.
Andorra*
As of Sept. 8, 2020:
Upon arrival: Provide proof of health insurance.
Quarantine: A mandatory 15-day self-isolated quarantine.
Armenia
As of Sept. 8:
Upon arrival: Travelers must take a COVID-19 test or quarantine for 14 days.
Quarantine: None with a negative test
Visit this website for up-to-date guidance.
Belarus
As of Aug. 3:
Upon arrival: Temperatures are being taken at the airport, but no additional testing is required.
Quarantine: None
Visit the U.S. Embassy website for up-to-date guidance.
Croatia
As of July 10:
Prior to arrival: A paid reservation is necessary to enter Croatia from the U.S. Visitors are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result taken within five days of arrival (children under 10 are exempt) and proof of travel insurance covering medical costs for COVID. Complete it here.
Upon arrival: Travelers will undergo additional screening at the airport, and some may be subjected to spot check on COVID.
Quarantine: None
Visit this website for up-to-date guidance.
Ireland*
As of July 4:
Upon arrival: You are required to complete a Passenger Locator Form indicating where you will self-isolate.
Quarantine: Visitors are required to do a 14-day quarantine that, if broken, comes with a nearly $3,000 fine and/or imprisonment up to six months.
Visit this website for up-to-date guidance.
North Macedonia
As of Aug. 7:
Upon arrival: No restrictions
Quarantine: None
Visit this website for up-to-date guidance.
Serbia
As of Aug. 10:
Upon arrival: No restrictions
Quarantine: None
Visit this website for up-to-date guidance.
Turkey
As of Aug. 7:
Upon arrival: No restrictions
Quarantine: None
Visit this website for up-to-date guidance.
Ukraine*
As of July 24:
Upon arrival: U.S. citizens are considered high risk and will have to take a COVID test at the airport.
Quarantine: Self-quarantine will be in effect until the test results reveal a negative result, up to 24 hours.
Visit this website for up-to-date guidance.
United Kingdom*
As of Aug. 7:
Upon arrival: Temperature screenings may be performed.
Travelers must fill out locator forms with contact details. If you refuse to do so or violate quarantine in England you can be fined £100 for refusing and £1,000 for not quarantining.
In Northern Ireland and Scotland, the fine for refusing to fill out a locator form is £60.
The fine in Wales is £1,920 for refusing to fill out the locator.
Quarantine: A 14-day quarantine is mandatory.
Visit this website for up-to-date guidance.
Africa
The following countries are not open to American travelers as of Sept. 8, 2020:
- Algeria
- Angola
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Comoros
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Ivory Coast
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia (at least until Sept. 30)
- Niger
- Republic of the Congo
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Burkina Fasio*
As of Aug. 1:
Upon arrival: You must supply proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken with five days of arrival. Another health screening will be performed at the airport.
Quarantine: None
Prior to departure: You are required to present another negative COVID-19 test taken within five days of your departure and will not be allowed to enter the airport without one.
Visit this website for up-to-date guidance.
Chad*
As of Aug. 4:
Upon arrival: You must supply proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken with seven days of arrival. If you stay longer than seven days, you will have to undergo another test at a cost of $27 (15,000 CFA). (Children 11 and younger are exempt.)
Quarantine: A seven-day quarantine is mandatory.
Visit this website for up-to-date guidance.
Djibouti
As of Aug. 12:
Upon arrival: You will be subject to a health screening and CFA test upon arrival.
Quarantine: None
Visit this website for up-to-date guidance.
Gabon
As of Aug. 12:
Upon arrival: You will be subject to a health screening upon arrival.
Quarantine: None
Visit this website for up-to-date guidance.
Egypt
As of June 17:
Prior to arrival: Citizens from the United States must apply online for an eVisa to visit Egypt.
Upon arrival: As of Sept. 8, 2020, all travelers must have a negative COVID-19 test taken up to 48 hours before arrival.
Quarantine: None
Visit this website for up-to-date guidance.
Kenya
As of Aug. 11:
Upon arrival: All travelers must have a negative COVID-19 test taken up to 96 hours before arrival.
Quarantine: None
Visit this website for up-to-date guidance.
Liberia
As of Aug. 10:
Upon arrival: A test will be provided upon your arrival.
Quarantine: You will be contained at the airport's holding unit until your test results come back negative.
Visit this website for up-to-date guidance.
Nigeria*
As of Sept. 8:
Upon arrival: Travelers must present a negative COVID-19 test taken within 96 hours of arrival or carry out a test at the airport.
Quarantine: A mandatory institutional 7-day quarantine is in effect. Then a second COVID-19 test is mandatory and if it is negative you are free to leave.
Rwanda
As of Aug. 1:
Prior to arrival: All travelers must have a negative COVID-19 test taken up to 72 hours before arrival and email it to the Rwanda government before departure.
Upon arrival: You will be given a second test upon arrival.
Quarantine: You must remain quarantined in your hotel until the test result comes back, up to 24 hours.
Visit this website for up-to-date guidance.
Sao Tomé and Principe
As of Aug. 12:
Upon arrival: You will be subject to a health screening upon arrival.
Quarantine: None
Visit this website for up-to-date guidance.
Tanzania
As of Aug. 12:
Upon arrival: Travelers will need to provide a negative test certificate upon arrival and should complete a Health Surveillance Form.
Quarantine: None
Visit this website for up-to-date guidance.
Togo
As of Aug. 10:
Upon arrival: All travelers must have a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than five days before arrival. A second test at arrival is mandatory and at your cost. You are also required to complete a health application.
Quarantine: You will need to self-isolate until the results of the second test return negative.
Visit the government website for up-to-date guidance.
Oceania
The following countries are not open to American travelers as of Sept. 8, 2020:
- Australia (closed until at least Oct. 24)
- Cook Islands
- Fiji
- Kirbati
- Marshall Islands
- Nauru
- New Zealand
- Niue
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Pitcairn Island
- Tonga
- Samoa
- Soloman Islands
- Vanatu
- Wallis and Futuna
French Polynesia
As of Aug. 12:
Prior to arrival: Complete online registration within three days of travel. You will need a receipt of this at check-in. Complete registration here.
Upon arrival: You must carry results of a negative COVID-19 test and a health document issued by the French Polynesian authorities.
Quarantine: None
Visit this website for up-to-date guidance.
Guam*
As of Aug. 12:
Upon arrival: Present a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival. You may be required to take another on the seventh or 10th day of your stay.
Quarantine: Mandatory 14-day self-quarantine
Visit this website for up-to-date guidance.
New Caledonia*
As of Aug. 12:
Upon arrival: Travelers are required to complete a health declaration form upon arrival.
Quarantine: A mandatory 14-day self-isolated quarantine.
Visit this website for up-to-date guidance.
Tuvalu*
As of Aug. 12:
Prior to arrival: Travelers from the U.S. and other high-risk countries must remain in a low-risk country for five days before entering Tuvalu.
Upon arrival: All travelers must have a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than three days before arrival. Additional screening will take place at the airport.
Quarantine: None
Visit this website for up-to-date guidance.
The Middle East
The following countries are not open to American travelers as of Sept. 8, 2020:
- Bahrain
- Iran
- Iraq
- Israel
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Palestine
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Syria
- Yemen
Jordan*
As of Sept. 8
Upon arrival: Travelers must present a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival or carry out a test at the airport.
Quarantine: A mandatory 7-day institutional quarantine is in effect, followed by 7-day at-home quarantine with tracking monitor
Visit this website for up-to-date guidance.
Lebanon*
As of Aug. 12:
Prior to arrival: All travelers must show a negative COVID-19 test taken within four days of travel to receive a boarding pass.
Upon arrival: The U.S. is a high-risk state, and therefore, travelers are required to take an additional COVID test upon arrival and be quarantined within their hotel until the results come back. The test is at your expense and is $50. Another test will be given 72 hours after arrival.
Visitors will also have to download a tracing app.
Quarantine: None
Visit the government website for up-to-date guidance.
United Arab Emirates
As of Aug. 12:
Prior to arrival: Fulfill entry visa requirements and obtain travel insurance.
Upon arrival: Travelers must present a negative COVID-19 test taken within 96 hours of arrival or carry out a test at the airport. Proof of medical travel insurance is also required. You will have to sign a Health Declaration form as well.
Travelers also must download the DXB app and register all travel details on the app.
Quarantine: None
Visit this website for up-to-date guidance.
Asia
The following countries are not open to American travelers as of Sept. 8, 2020:
- China
- Indonesia (announced it will not reopen until 2021)
- Japan
- Malaysia
- Sri Lanka
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Uzbekistan
Cambodia*
As of Aug. 12:
Prior to arrival: Any U.S. citizen wishing to travel to Cambodia must pay a $2,000 deposit to the Embassy, which covers quarantine costs and COVID-19 testing.
You must also purchase health insurance through a local provider for $90, and it needs to be valid for 20 days.
Upon arrival: Travelers must present a negative COVID-19 test issued no more than 72 hours before arrival and take an additional COVID-19 test upon arrival.
Quarantine: A mandatory 14-quarantine will take place at a location of the Cambodian authorities' designation.
After arrival: Another COVID-19 test is administered on the 13th day of quarantine, and you will then have to self-isolate at the location of your choice under supervision of local authorities for another 14 days.
Visit this website for up-to-date guidance.
Maldives
As of Aug. 13:
Upon arrival: No restrictions
Quarantine: No quarantine
Visit this website for up-to-date guidance.
Nepal*
As of Sept. 8
Upon arrival: Travelers must take (and pay for) a COVID-19 test
Quarantine: A mandatory 14-day quarantine is in effect.
Visit this website for up-to-date guidance.
South America
The following countries are not open to American travelers as of August 12, 2020:
- Argentina
- Bolivia
- Chile
- Colombia (closed until at least Aug. 31)
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
Brazil
As of Aug. 7:
Prior to arrival: You will need proof of purchase of health insurance valid in Brazil for the entire period of your trip.
Upon arrival: No restrictions
Quarantine: No quarantine
Visit this website for up-to-date guidance.
Ecuador*
As of Aug. 12:
Upon arrival: Travelers must present a negative COVID-19 test taken within seven days of arrival or carry out a test at the airport.
Quarantine: A mandatory 14-day quarantine is in effect.
Visit this website for up-to-date guidance.
Central America
The following countries are not open to American travelers as of Sept. 8, 2020:
- Belize (closed until September, minimum)
- Costa Rica
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
- Nicaragua (open but all U.S. flights suspended)
- Panama
Honduras
As of Sept. 8:
Upon arrival: Travelers must present a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival or carry out a test at the airport.
Quarantine: None
Visit this website for up-to-date guidance.
North America
The following countries are not open to American travelers as of Sept. 8, 2020:
Mexico
As of Aug. 12:
Air travel is welcome; land travel is restricted to essential travel only until at least August 20.
Upon arrival: You may be subject to a health screening and temperature check.
Quarantine: None
Visit this website for up-to-date guidance.
United States
Outside of the continental states, the following have requirements:
Alaska: All travelers must arrive with a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours. If you arrive without a test, you will pay $250 for a test to be administered and be quarantined until the results arrive.
Hawaii: A mandatory 14-day quarantine was reinstated Aug. 11. As of Sept. 1, 2020, all travelers must carry proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours to avoid the quarantine. Find more updates here.
Puerto Rico: Only essential travel is permitted to the island at this time.
U.S. Virgin Islands: If you arrive from a state with more than 10 percent COVID-19 cases, you will need to provide a negative COVID-19 test taken within five days of your arrival. Additional screenings will take place at the airport. Find more updates here.