Friday newsletters always feature luxury travel contests, tips, series, or news.
Today (September 17, 2020): Which countries are open for tourism?
Although many governments across the globe are still advising against “nonessential” international travel, several countries have eased their Covid-19 border restrictions and have reopened for international tourists. The latest country to do is South Africa, which will reopen to international tourists on October 1st. It is not yet known which countries’ citizens will be allowed to visit South Africa, but authorities will decide this based on an assessment of how well nations are controlling the spread of Covid-19 within their borders.
Here’s the complete list of countries that are open for tourism. Most countries have special requirements to enter, such as filling out travel declarations and providing negative Covid-19 test results before departure. However, keep in mind that information regarding travel in covid-19 times is changing at a rapid pace, so be sure to check with local and federal authorities before traveling. Also, it’s important to reiterate that safety during this time cannot be guaranteed although there are some things you can do to reduce the risk of an infection.
Countries open for tourism (without travel restrictions)
| Albania |
| Belarus |
| Brazil |
| Mexico |
| North Macedonia |
| Serbia |
| Turkey |
| Zambia |
Countries open for tourism (with travel restrictions)
| Bermuda | negative Covid-19 test result within 5 days + $75 |
| Cambodia | negative Covid-19 test result within 72 hours + $2,000 USD Covid-19 deposit |
| Costa Rica | negative Covid-19 test result within 48 hours, travel insurance and health form |
| Croatia | negative Covid-19 test result within 48 hours |
| Dominica | negative Covid-19 test result within 72 hours |
| Dominican Republic | negative Covid-19 test result within five days |
| Dubai | negative Covid-19 PCR test result within 96 hours of arrival, travel insurance and health form |
| Ecuador | mandatory 14 day quarantine and negative Covid-19 test result within 7 days |
| Egypt | negative Covid-19 test result within 72 hours |
| Ethiopia | negative Covid-19 test result within 72 hours, 14-day quarantine |
| French Polynesia | negative Covid-19 test result within 72 hours |
| Ghana | negative Covid-19 test result within 72 hours |
| Grenada | negative Covid-19 rapid result test result on arrival |
| Haiti | mandatory 14 day quarantine |
| Honduras | negative Covid-19 rapid result test result on arrival |
| Ireland | self-isolate for 14 days |
| Jamaica | negative Covid-19 test result less than 10 days old |
| Kenya | negative Covid-19 test result within 96 hours |
| Maldives | negative Covid-19 test result within 72 hours |
| Malta | must transit through a safe corridor country after staying 14 days in that country |
| Montenegro | negative Covid-19 test result within 72 hours |
| Morocco | negative Covid-19 test result within 48 hours and a serological test (can be outside 48 hours) |
| Namibia | negative Covid-19 test result within 72 hours |
| Rwanda | negative Covid-19 test result within 120 hours of departure |
| South Korea | mandatory 14 day quarantine |
| St. Barts | negative Covid-19 test result within 72 hours |
| St. Lucia | negative Covid-19 test result within 7 days |
| St. Maarten | negative Covid-19 test result within 72 hours |
| St. Vincent & Grenadines | negative Covid-19 test on arrival, additonal test on arrival |
| Tanzania | Covid-19 tests on arrival |
| Turks and Caicos | negative Covid-19 test result within 5 days |
| United Kingdom | self-isolate for 14 days |
The countries of the European Union (EU) are have also opened their borders to EU citizens after months of closure during the coronavirus pandemic, although some are now imposing new travel restrictions to head off a COVID-19 resurgence. For countries outside of the bloc, the EU has opened its external borders to a select group of countries, based on their coronavirus outbreak. The list is updated every fortnight. As of now, citizens of Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay and China can enter. But member states are not, however, legally obliged, to follow the EU’s recommendation.
Thanks for the list. We have a cruise still scheduled in December to S. America and Antarctica and ae still pondering cancelling.
Good list to know for the future. While I may not personally recommend anyone do any travel, unless absolutely necessary, it’s important to know what’s open, how long to quarantine for, and the like.