COUNTRIES WHERE FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE CAN START PLANNING TRIPS WITH NO RESTRICTIONS
Update: As I'm writing this I'm seeing breaking news that Europe will be open to all vaccinated American travelers this summer. So, if you don't see anything in the lists below that you like, you'll surely be able to find a destination in the EU that will satisfy your travel bug.
No doubt that like me you have missed traveling and can't wait to get back on the road again. To help with your planning now that the light is visible at the end of this long, tough road, I thought I would share some interesting spots that are open for business again.
Some spots are accepting fully vaccinated peeps from the US without the need for additional testing or quarantining. Definitely for the lazy travelers who just want to show up and start living their best life:
Belize - Fully vaccinated individuals may visit two weeks after they receive all their shots.
Croatia - Anyone who is fully vaccinated won't be required to quarantine or provide negative COVID test results.
Iceland - No quarantining or testing is required to enter the country if you're fully vaccinated.
Estonia - Welcome to Estonia if you're fully vaccinated with no quarantining or testing required.
Romania - No quarantining or testing if you're fully vaccinated.
Here are some random places of interest that are currently allowing visitors with some restrictions. Most require negative test results 72 hours before your flight and some level of quarantining after arrival, but if any of them are on your bucket list it might be worth it. My applause in your general direction if you decide to endure quarantining, as someone who has gone through a 14-day quarantine, it totally sucks. Like, whatever level of suckiness you can imagine, triple it and that's about the level of suck we're dealing with here.
Argentina
Barbados
Croatia
Cuba
Dominican Republic
Egypt
Ghana
Poland
South Africa
South Korea
Thailand
Ukraine
If you don't see anything above that appeals to you, there is are more listed here, check this list too, and here.
Don't forget that many of the countries you'll be visiting may not have widely vaccinated their citizens yet, so don't go crazy when you get there. Be prepared for the fact that you'll likely have to wear masks and social distance, otherwise you'll risk freaking out the locals and/or getting in trouble with the authorities. So be sure to pack some masks, hand sanitizer, and don't be an ass. Be respectful of the local rules whether you agree with them or not, just as you would respect local cultural customs in normal times.
Keep in mind also that things might be closed or have restricted hours/capacity, so plan your trip well to avoid disappointment. It's not yet business as usual, but we will be there soon!
Let me know where you decide to go if you do take advantage of this early return to traveling, and share lots of pictures and videos so that we can all live vicariously through you! I can't promise that I won't hate you for a moment and secretly make a voodoo doll of you, but I promise that I won't stick any pins into the doll, and I will shortly after be very happy for you and cheer you on.
Finally, don't forget to travel safely whether you are vaccinated or not. Check out the post that I wrote on how to keep yourself safe while traveling for Thanksgiving for tips. Information and conditions are changing every day, so make sure to do your research before booking any trip to make sure all your information is current and correct. Take care and happy travels!