Countries Are Welcoming Back International Travelers As More People Get Vaccinated

With COVID vaccines being pushed into people’s arms and an update to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines clearing the vaccinated for travel, countries have begun to welcome back international travelers.

Health officials recommend waiting at least two weeks after becoming fully vaccinated to travel. They also recommend following COVID-19 precautions like wearing masks, social distancing, hand-washing, and avoiding crowds. The fully vaccinated can generally avoid quarantine, but they will need to provide a negative coronavirus test to board flights to the U.S.

Conde Nast Traveler advises anyone planning to travel abroad to check their destination country’s official government website along with the CDC website regularly for the most up-to-date travel info.

Here is a list of countries that welcome international visitors.

Seychelles

Seychelles is a small Indian Ocean nation located off the east coast of Africa. More than 100 tiny islands make up the country. The country currently has no quarantine requirements for visitors but requires a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before arrival. Visitors must also have travel health insurance that would cover the cost of COVID-19 care and quarantine if necessary. Vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers are welcome.

Iceland

Iceland is open to the fully vaccinated and previously infected. If you can show proof of vaccination or previous infection, you will not be required to provide a negative coronavirus test to board a flight but will be required to take one upon entry. It’s a little more complicated to travel there if you need have not received a vaccine or previously had the virus. International visitors must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of their flight to Iceland. You will be required to take a coronavirus test upon arrival, isolate for five to six days, and then take another test that produces a negative result before you can travel around the country without restrictions.

Georgia

Entry to Georgia is banned by land and sea. Still, visitors are welcomed by air — as long as you are flying directly from an approved country. Unvaccinated travelers must have a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of arriving and are required to take another test on their third day in the country. If you’ve traveled through the U.K. within two weeks of your arrival in Georgia, a 12-day quarantine is required. 

Ecuador

Vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers are free to visit Ecuador. Unvaccinated travelers are required to provide a negative COVID-19 test taken up to three days before arrival. No quarantine is required.

Guatemala

You can travel to Guatemala with a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of your arrival or within two weeks of becoming fully vaccinated. It’s also ok to travel there if you’ve recovered from coronavirus within the last three months. There is a possibility of refused entry if you’ve traveled to the U.K. or South Africa two weeks before arriving in the country.

Croatia

All visitors to Croatia need to show proof they have paid for the travel accommodations before entering the country. Travelers from low-risk countries can enter Croatia with no restrictions. Fully vaccinated tourists and previously infected visitors and those who can provide a negative COVID-19 test result within 48 hours of arrival are also welcome. Tourists have the option to take a COVID-19 test immediately upon arrival, then quarantine until a negative result comes back. Any traveler who cannot get tested upon arrival must quarantine for 10 days.

Montenegro

Fully vaccinated visitors from certain countries, including the U.S., are welcome to visit Montenegro. Travelers are also welcome with proof that they’ve been fully vaccinated for at least seven days and visitors with a negative COVID-19 test that’s been taken less than 72 hours earlier. Montenegro’s borders are open to travelers from low-risk countries without any restrictions.