Traveling In The Midst of A Pandemic: Where Can We Go?

In response to the current plight of the Covid-19 plandemic in the U.S, the EU essentially kicked the boot to American travelers by passing a resolution that bans U.S. travelers from entering the European Union (Chappell). This has led to an uneasy feeling that most American tourists are not used to: Exclusion.

However, it is July and the summer months are largely when Americans prefer to take a few weeks off work to travel, and many Americans are determined to take a vacation somewhere. So, for those of us itching to explore the four corners of the Earth instead of the four corners of our living room, some countries are allowing American tourists in. There may be testing or self-quarantining requirements.

While you may not be able to throw a fountain into the Trevi Fountain or scale the Eiffel Tower for a birds-eye view of Paris, Game of Thrones fans can rejoice because of Croatia. This is the country where many scenes of the behemoth show were filmed and has been open to American tourists since July 1st. Despite EU recommendations, Croatia is allowing any person who has proof of travel accommodations to enter the country, and that includes Americans (Kucheran).

Many have already taken advantage of Croatia’s exception with more than 1,850 Americans entering the entering the country in June.

Note that as of July 10th, a negative Covid-19 test taken no more than 48 hours prior must be presented for entry. Otherwise you must self-quarantine for 14 days (Thiessen).

Another country that will allow vacationing Americans to empty their wallets on its shores is a close neighbor that may not be on many Americans’ radars. Belize, a small country bordering the South-East corner of Mexico, will officially reopen for American tourism on August 15th (Kucheran). While Belize isn’t known as a destination hotspot, this Central American secret offers a unique experience to many tourists.

A roughly 2-hour flight from Miami International Airport, Belize offers Americans the chance to take in history, nature, and fun. Tourists can explore numerous Mayan ruins at Altun Ha while nature-lovers are offered opportunities for nature exploration such as scuba diving or cave tubing.

And for those who want to enjoy the sound of the sea’s rolling waves, Belize’s pristine beaches offer unparalleled beauty and relaxation at your fingertips (US News Travel). To enter Belize, Americans will need to fill out an online form verifying that they have taken a negative Covid-19 test at least 72 hours prior to arrival (Kucheran).

Other countries that are already allowing American visitors in or are schedule to do so include Serbia, Turkey, Malta, Bali, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Georgia, Dominican Republic, Georgia, and Aruba. While we may feel trapped, know that there are still opportunities to travel abroad, even with Covid-19 hanging in the air.