Although most people are still staying home for now, some people are beginning to plan future travel for 2021 and beyond, and looking forward to exploring once it is safe again. Most countries remain closed to U.S. tourists, but some have begun to open their borders. Below, you’ll find all the information you need on countries reopening to U.S. tourists this winter. If you're preparing to travel, we can help you renew your passport and enroll in TSA PreCheck with Skip Plus.
Countries Allowing U.S. Tourists Beginning This Winter
Thailand
Thailand is a wildly popular international tourist destination, drawing nearly 40 million tourists in 2019. Visitors are attracted to the country’s affordability, warm weather and miles of beaches. Thailand, which has among the lowest COVID-19 cases in the world, shut down its borders to international tourists for months. After reopening to select visitors with work visas earlier this fall, Thailand is now allowing visitors from any country to visit, with certain protocols.
Thailand has opened applications for tourist visas to residents of any country, which allow you to stay in the country for up to 60 days (some low-risk nations can extend the visa, but U.S. visitors cannot). Upon arrival, visitors must show proof of a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to landing in Thailand (flights from the U.S. to Thailand can be nearly 24 hours with layovers). Then, all visitors will take another test. If they test negative, they will be subject to a 14-day quarantine in a state-run hotel. Those that test positive will quarantine in a state-run hospital. All visitors must have medical insurance.
Colombia
The South American nation of Colombia is home to a wide range of tourist attractions, from beaches to colonial cities to dense jungle. In 2019, it attracted over 4 million tourists. Like some other South American and Central American countries, Colombia began cautiously reopening earlier this fall. Colombia reopened to international tourism in September, with a negative COVID-19 PCR test required within 72 hours of arrival.
In the first week of November, Colombia removed the PCR test requirement for visitors. Visitors will have to respond to follow-up health checks via the country’s contact tracing app and will be subject to a health screening on arrival. Normal visa requirements apply, but U.S. citizens do not need a visa to visit Colombia.
Costa Rica
About 1.7 million tourists a year visit the Central American nation of Costa Rica, and the majority are from the U.S. and Canada. In order to recapture some of the tourism revenue lost during the first months of the pandemic, Costa Rica took an unusual approach to tourism: reopening in the fall to U.S. travelers with negative COVID-19 tests, but only from six low-risk states.
On November 1, the country reopened to travelers from all U.S. states, and removed the PCR test requirement. U.S. visitors must show proof of health insurance and are subject to health screenings.
Chile
Chile was visited by over 4 million tourists in 2019, many of them adventure tourists wishing to explore Chile’s diverse natural attractions, such as glaciers, caves, deserts, and mountains.
Chile is reopening to tourism on November 23, including U.S. tourists. Visitors will have to fill out a health form prior to arrival, provide proof of insurance and provide proof of a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to departure. Until December 7th, visitors from high-risk countries (including the U.S.) will have to quarantine even with negative test results; after December 7th no quarantine will be required but visitors will have to report their daily activities into the country’s contact tracing platform.
South Africa
South Africa is joining some other African nations in reopening their borders to travelers. In 2018, South Africa attracted more than 16 million tourists from all over the world, drawn to the country’s dramatic geography of mountains and coastline. Earlier this fall, South Africa reopened to select countries, but barred travelers from the U.S., Europe and Britain. As of November 11th, the country’s borders reopened to all travelers.
In order to enter South Africa, travelers will need to provide proof of a negative PCR test no older than 72 hours before arrival. Visitors will also be subject to a health screening and will need to download the country’s contact tracing app.
Complete List of Countries Open to US Travelers
Here's a more complete list as of November 27th, 2020, based on research by CNN. Each of the open countries have various restrictions from no tests, tests on arrival, to 14 day quarantines so check each individual country for more information.
Albania Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda Aruba The Bahamas Bangladesh Barbados Belize Bermuda Bosnia and Herzegovina Brazil Cambodia Colombia Costa Rica Croatia Dominica Dominican Republic UAE Dutch Caribbean Ecuador Egypt Ethiopia French Polynesia Ghana Grenada Guatemala Honduras Ireland Jamaica Kenya The Maldives Malta Mexico Montenegro Morocco Namibia Nicaragua North Macedonia Panama Peru Rwanda Senegal Serbia S. Korea St Barts St Kitts and Nevis St Lucia St Maarten Tanzania Turkey Turks and Caicos United Kingdom Zambia
Planning Future Travel? Consider One of These Countries
If you’re planning your next trip, consider visiting one of these nations which are now open to American tourists. The status of border reopenings in Europe and other regions is still uncertain, so even if you are hoping to travel in mid-2021 or later planning your trip to one of these five countries or others that are open to Americans will be the safest choice. As more countries begin to reopen to U.S tourists and lift their border restrictions, we will keep you up-to-date on the Skip Blog. If you are planning future travel, we can help you prepare by renewing your passport and enrolling in TSA PreCheck.
