What’s open? Where you can travel now!

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The summer travel season is fast approaching, and for those of us who haven’t traveled during the pandemic, or who have been limited to short road trips, the easing of travel restrictions is literally opening up a world of possibilities. While there is still time to plan an international trip this summer (and plenty of good deals available), it can be a challenge to keep track of which destinations are open and what you’ll need to do to travel there.

Here’s a quick overview of some popular summer travel destinations and what you need to know about visiting. Keep in mind that things change quickly so its best to work with Woodlyn Travel to help with planning.

Europe

While much of Europe is planning to open to American tourists this summer, a number of European countries are already open, including Greece, Iceland, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, Cyprus, and Georgia. Regulations vary for each country, but generally some combination of vaccination, negative COVID test, and mandatory quarantine upon arrival will allow tourists to enter.

Other European countries, including tourist popular spots like France, Spain, Italy and the U.K., have announced goals to open to non-essential travel by June. The devil is in the details, however, and we are waiting to see exactly how the re-opening will look. It’s safe to say that being fully vaccinated will make things go much smoother but outside of that we are all waiting to see how travel will look. Don’t let this hold you back, just approach European travel with caution - keep in mind cancellation policies and have a back up plan or buy travel insurance - If you’ve been longing for a European vacation, here are a couple hotel options we recommend:

Croatia (now open): Villa Dubrovnik - Perched on the cliffs with stunning views of the city and sea.

France: Shangri-La Hotel Paris - Incredible service in an unbeatable location, featuring complimentary upgrade to Eiffel Tower view

Monaco: Hotel de Paris- Monte-Carlo - Sophisticated vibe in a glamorous setting.

Mexico

Mexico has been open to travelers, with no requirement to be vaccinated or show a negative COVID-19 test at this time. There is also no mandated quarantine upon arrival, although your hotel or resort may ask you complete a health questionnaire. Land border crossings remain closed to non-essential travel but air travel is open and good deals on flights are readily available. Among the Mexican resorts a few favorites::

Grand Velas Los Cabos - All-inclusive luxury with dramatic ocean views and great dining.

Presidente InternContinetal Cozumel - Idyllic setting featuring white sand beaches and calm, turquoise waters.

Andaz Mayakoba Riviera Maya - Exclusive beachfront resort with amazing spa and pools.

The Caribbean

Tourism is big business in the Caribbean. Some destinations have already re-opened and are eager for visitors. Among the places currently open to US tourists are Aruba, the Bahamas, the US Virgin Islands, and Jamaica. Many countries have an easy online portal where you upload a copy of your vaccination or negative test before arrival. Keep in mind that a nice advantage of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands is that because they’re US territories you will not have to get a negative COVID test before returning to the US. If the Caribbean sounds like your speed, here are a couple hotel suggestions:

US Virgin Islands: The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas - Excellent accommodations and stellar service in a gorgeous setting.

Puerto Rico: Fairmont El San Juan Hotel - Authentic Puerto Rican hospitality minutes from historic Old San Juan.

Jamaica: Jamaica Inn Ocho Rios - Family owned boutique hotel on a premier private beach.

Belize: Blancaneaux Lodge - Tranquil resort in a remote, adventurous setting.

Asia and Oceania

Asia and Oceania have been cautious about reopening, and with limited exceptions popular destinations like Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Japan are not allowing American visitors. There are some exceptions however: French Polynesia and the Maldives are now open and offer amazing experiences for those looking for an adventure.

Maldives: Conrad Maldives Rangali Island - One-of-a-kind island setting, with exclusive free night offers available now.

Tahiti: Conrad Bora Bora Nui - Overwater villas in a classic South Pacific setting.


General guidelines for international travel

  • Be aware that unless you’re traveling to a US territory, you’ll likely need a negative test to return to the United States (yes, even if you’re vaccinated), and you may need to self-quarantine upon return as well.

  • Double check that passport! After being grounded for a year it’s easy to forget if your passport is still valid. If you need to get it renewed before traveling, start your paperwork now! Routine renewals take 10-12 weeks, while expedited service is usually 4-6 weeks (although passport expediting services sometimes claim they can get it a week or two faster). If your trip is less than 4 weeks away, you’ll have to make an appointment to visit a passport office in person, and unfortunately these appointments are completely booked for the next couple months.

  • Although a country may officially be open to tourists, the CDC and the State Department are still discouraging non-essential travel to some areas. Check their websites for guidelines, which are updated frequently.

  • If you want to book a trip to a country that isn’t open yet, but you think it will be by the time you travel (let’s say a trip to Germany in August), be sure you understand the cancellation policies for the hotel and airfare when you book. With a little planning you won’t lose a dime if the country decides not to open. Or consider travel insurance, which can help cover the costs of last minute changes.

Exploring the National Parks with an Annual Pass

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America’s national parks have been a mainstay of road trips and summer vacations for generations. Whether you’re hiking Zion or kayaking through the Everglades, crossing a few parks off your bucket list every year is a great way to get out into the wild and appreciate this country’s natural beauty. But if you’re not careful you can actually rack up a tidy little bill paying admission fees: seven day park passes usually cost around $35, while an annual pass for a single park is typically $70.

Fortunately, there’s a good alternative: the “America the Beautiful - the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.” (For this article, we’re just going to call it the annual pass. Much easier, right?) At just $80, the annual pass pays for itself in just a couple park visits, and having it ready to go in your wallet or glove box makes hitting the road to explore a new park that much simpler.

Here are a few things to remember about annual passes:

  • The passes are accepted not only at National Parks but at lands administered by a whole host of federal agencies: the National Forest Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and Army Corps of Engineers. So you can do a ton of exploring on a single pass. Just be aware that it doesn’t cover state parks, which have their own system of passes.

  • A single pass provides entry for everyone in your vehicle. If the site charges by the person it covers the pass owner and 3 individuals age 16 or over. Kids under age 15 are free with or without a pass.

  • Remember that an annual pass only covers entry into the park. Generally you’ll still have to pay for things like camping fees, off-road vehicle permits, or other “expanded” amenities.

  • There are a couple different ways to buy a pass. The important thing to note here is that you need to have an actual physical pass to enter a park- you can’t show your receipt or a screengrab. If you’ve got an REI nearby and you need to pick up some gear anyway, you can get a pass in person at the store. Just call ahead to make sure they have them in stock. They’re available from the REI online store as well.

  • If you’ve got some time before you’re trip and you’re willing to pay a $5 processing fee, you can order the pass from the from the official USGS website, but be warned that the pass can take a week or more to arrive.

  • If you’re pressed for time, you can always get a pass in person when you arrive at most sites- just check the complete list of issuing sites before you go.

  • A pass is good for one year from the date of purchase, ending on the last day of the month, which is indicated by a little hole they punch on the pass when you buy it. So if you buy your pass on April 30th, 2021, your pass will expire on April 30th, 2022. But if you wait one day and buy it on May 1st, it will be good through the end of May 2022. So try to buy early in the month if you want the most bang for your buck. And if you buy your pass in person at the end of the month, but you’re not actually using it right away, ask if they’ll stamp the hole for the following month.

  • There’s no free replacement if your pass is lost or stolen. A ranger can’t just look you up in their computer and issue you a new pass if you can’t find yours. So don’t forget where you stashed it during the off season!

  • Are you traveling with a 4th grader? Then they’re your ticket in! All 4th graders qualify for a free annual pass that works just like the full version. Just visit https://everykidoutdoors.gov/index.htm to print up your pass. And due to the coronavirus pandemic, 5th graders qualify as well through the end of August 2021. Just head to https://www.nps.gov/kids/fifthgrade.htm to print your voucher.

  • There are lots of other annual pass options out there to be aware of. Members of the military, their dependents, veterans, and Gold Star families can qualify for a free military pass. Seniors age 62 and over can buy an annual pass for just $20 or a lifetime pass for $80. And if you’re REALLY into the parks, you can get a free pass when you put in 250 volunteer hours. (We’re going to just pay the $80 bucks, but to each their own!) For more on all the options visit the official USGS website.