The handful of countries still welcoming US tourists

(CNN) — Once one of the world’s most powerful travel documents, the might of the US passport has shriveled under the cloud of coronavirus, with doors slammed shut across the planet to American travelers.

Even as restrictions ease up in some places, Americans are still on the danger list. Earlier this month, the European Union omitted the United States from its list of 15 countries whose tourists are permitted to visit.

While most US travelers are staying close to home this summer, preferring short-distance car trips to international air travel, some voyagers won’t let a global pandemic curb their travel plans.

And there are still a handful of options.

Most of the Caribbean, for example, is open for US tourists. Other countries — including Mexico, Maldives and Turkey — aren’t exactly welcoming US travelers with open arms (more like a temperature check and a Covid-19 test), but they are allowing visitors to cross their borders for the first time since coronavirus shut down much of the world.

Whether travel to “open” international destinations is responsible or advisable is up to individuals to decide. But it’s worth noting that since the pandemic is ongoing, anything can change at any time.

While there may be bookable international flights to restricted countries, any outbound US passenger should check with the US Embassy and the airline before finalizing travel plans.

Here are the countries where it’s still possible for US passport holders to visit.

Albania

Across the Adriatic Sea from Italy, the former communist country of Albania resumed international commercial flights as of June 15, 2020.

“Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice,” it states.

Antigua and Barbuda

Further to that, visitors are subject to monitoring by local health officials for periods of 14 days and another Covid-19 test may be required while visiting, which could mean quarantining while waiting for the test result.

Aruba

Travelers arriving from the other 26 states can opt to have a test taken upon arrival, though the test must be prepaid and there is a mandatory quarantine while awaiting test results.

Aruba also requires travelers to be insured, to be protected from medical expenses should they test positive for coronavirus during their stay.

The Bahamas

Many accommodations on the islands now carry a “Clean & Pristine” certification, displaying signage to demonstrate that they are in compliance with the islands’ latest health and safety protocols.

Barbados

The form includes health questions, including whether the traveler has a negative Covid-19 test result.

Travelers can opt to take a Covid-19 PCR test upon arrival, though travelers from the United States who wish for a more seamless travel experience are strongly encouraged to pre-submit their negative test results via the immigration portal and arrive with proof of those results in hand.

Belize

When Belize reopens its airport on August 15, inbound US passengers will have to have downloaded the new Belize Health App (not currently operational) and supply the required details before boarding a flight to Belize.

The app provides travelers with an identification and QR code that will be used for contact tracing while in country. The app will check in daily to confirm visitors do not have symptoms.

Visitors should book hotels that have received Belize Tourism’s “gold standard certificate of recognition.” Only those hotels will be open as of August 15 and guests will be screened before checking in.

Belize also encourages visitors to take a Covid-19 PCR test at least 72 hours before travel and to present negative results in order to fast-track entry.

Bermuda

Visitors who do not have a negative Covid-19 PCR test result will not be given authorization to travel to Bermuda.

Upon arrival, passengers must present the pre-departure negative test results, submit to an additional Covid-19 test and quarantine in their accommodation until the results are ready, which takes between six and eight hours.

Additional testing is required after day three, seven and 14, depending on the length of stay, at various testing sites around the island.

The fee for the travel authorization covers the cost of testing.

Cambodia

If you’re sitting on $3,000 and want to fly to Phnom Penh International Airport to embark on a Cambodian adventure, this is now an option.

In a June 10 statement, the airport’s director, Sao Wathana, announced, “Upon arrival, all foreign passengers are required to deposit $3,000 at the airport to pay for the virus prevention services.”

Visitors will be required to take a Covid-19 test, and if negative, the remaining funds will be returned minus $160 to cover the cost of the test and a fully catered day in a waiting center.

A positive test result carries serious financial and social consequences, involving hospitalization and medical care, and the 14-day quarantine of all fellow inbound flight passengers and additional affiliated expenses.

Croatia

Ignoring the EU ban Americans traveling to Europe, Croatia began welcoming US tourists on July 10.

Dominican Republic

However, anyone presenting symptoms or registering a temperature above 100.6 F (38 C) will have to be tested. Passengers who test positive will be isolated and treated.

Visitors also need to provide contact information, but the gist is that when it comes to Covid-19 symptoms and testing, the DR is willing to take your word for it.

Dubai

Dubai resumed tourism on July 7. Visitors to the UAE are required to have medical travel insurance to cover any necessary Covid-19 treatment and present a negative Covid-19 PCR test result within 96 hours of arrival.

Travelers must complete a “health declaration form” before departing to confirm they are not experiencing any coronavirus symptoms.

Passengers can expect temperature checks and mandatory testing if they display symptoms.

Ecuador

The Galapagos islands’ tourist sites reopened to visitors on July 13, though at present, with the quarantine rule is in effect, a visit to the UNESCO heritage site is a major time investment.

Egypt

Egypt relaxed restrictions on tourism July 1, and there are regular direct flights on EgyptAir from New York City and Washington, DC, to Cairo.

In terms of precisely what awaits US passport holders upon arrival, details are hard to come by. Coming prepared with a negative Covid-19 test result that is at most 48-hours old and proof of medical insurance is advisable

French Polynesia

Travelers seeking the ultimate in tropical isolation are welcome to the islands of Tahiti and Bora Bora on July 15.

Passengers must also complete a “sanitary entry form” (one per family), detailing their current state of health and agree to report symptoms and submit to additional testing should it be deemed necessary upon arrival or during the stay.

Jamaica

As of July 15, due to the increase in coronavirus cases in the United States, passengers arriving from New York, Florida, Arizona and Texas are required to upload negative Covid-19 test results to receive travel authorization. The test date must be within 10 days of arrival.

Each passenger must present the travel authorization along with their passport at the point of departure.

All travelers “from areas where there is high community transmission of the virus” will be tested at the airport upon arrival and required to quarantine in their chosen accommodations until the results are ready, usually within 48 hours.

Only hotels, villas or guesthouses within the “resilient corridor” are accepting guests. According to Visit Jamaica, “the resilient corridor includes the coastline from Negril to Port Antonio. Only businesses within the corridor that have been trained and assessed for adherence to Covid-19 protocols are allowed to open to tourists.”

Kosovo

No testing or quarantine is required for travelers arriving in Kosovo.

“Despite being open to tourists, the Embassy strongly suggests US visitors cancel or postpone any travel plans to Kosovo this summer.”

The Maldives

One of the world’s most desirable holiday destinations, the Maldives is reopening to all international tourists on July 15. US travelers are not required to be tested prior to departure, but will need to complete a health declaration upon arrival.

All tourists must have booked their accommodations in advance.

Mexico

Though the land border between the United States and Mexico remains closed, US travelers can fly to Mexico.

No testing requirements are currently in place, although Mexico’s recent reopening has coincided with increased cases of coronavirus.

Travelers can expect temperature checks and other additional screenings upon arrival.

North Macedonia

Rwanda

Rwanda’s national parks make it one of the most desirable destinations in Africa, but currently only if you can afford a private charter to get there.

Any tourists who wish to visit attractions like the Volcanoes National Park must take an additional Covid-19 test at the airport, and expect to quarantine in their hotel until the results are ready.

Serbia

St. Barts

The island of St. Barts reopened to international travelers in late June. As of July 10 visitors are required to show a negative Covid-19 PCR test result, taken within 72 hours of arrival.

Those staying longer than a week will need to pay about $150 for an additional test on their eighth day.

Currently, travelers can get to St. Barts via Antigua and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Both airports require the same documentation: a negative Covid-19 PCR test result, taken within 72 hours of arrival.

St. Maarten Princess Juliana Airport remains closed to commercial flights from the US.

St. Lucia

Visitors must have confirmed reservations at a Covid-certified property (currently there are seven) for the duration of their trip. And tourists must stay where they have registered, unless the hotel has coordinated an approved excursion.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Visitors must be granted “VINCYCOVID App*Approval” and complete the “VINCYCOVID questionnaire.”

In addition, all passengers will be screened for symptoms upon arrival, including temperature checks.

Tanzania

Incoming passengers are required to fill out a “health surveillance form” upon arrival.

Turkey

The majority of Turkey’s borders have been open since June 12. There are currently no restrictions for US citizens traveling to Turkey, although passengers must complete an information form and prepare to be checked for coronavirus symptoms upon arrival.

Turks and Caicos

The most recent information related to US travelers who wish to visit Turks and Caicos is as follows:

As of July 22, visitors must provide a negative Covid-19 test result and the test must have been taken within five days of arrival. Children 10 and under are not bound to this requirement.

Travelers must also complete an online health screening questionnaire and carry travel medical insurance to cover any Covid-19-related costs (from quarantine to hospital care).

Ukraine

The US is considered a “red zone” country in Ukraine, meaning it has more than 40 active coronavirus cases per 100,000 people. To gain entry to Ukraine, passengers should download the “Dii Vdoma” app and choose one of three options.

They can either take a Covid-19 PCR test within 24 hours of crossing the border, enter an isolation unit, or quarantine at their destination, which they can register via the app.

Travel health insurance is also a requirement, to cover any costs related the treatment of Covid-19.

United Kingdom

US travelers have always been allowed to travel to the United Kingdom — they just have to submit to a mandatory, 14-day quarantine.