As Hawaii remains in a shutdown gridlock, with seemingly no viable and concrete plan to reopen, we had a look at what some other tropical destinations are doing globally to welcome back tourism. These are some of the destinations visitors often choose as Hawaii vacation alternatives.
Two common threads are beginning to surface. The first is on-arrival testing, which we continue to say will by necessity become part of Hawaii’s plan, and should have been from the very beginning. (The State of Hawaii continues to say that there will be no testing available on arrival).
Also, some additional testing parters are coming forward (see French Polynesia below). Hawaii failed in only apparently partnering with CVS, who Jeff says he wouldn’t trust for sourcing chocolate let alone for having the wherewithal to provide Hawaii tests. (Details of that agreement have never been revealed).
French Polynesia.
Hawaii’s southern neighbor, which had just a fraction of Hawaii’s arrival numbers, is welcoming tourists starting July 15. There you must have a negative PCR test within 72 hours of departure. Then, 4 days after arrival, a second test is required. For pre-departure testing at their Los Angeles gateway, Tahiti has partnered with Reliance C0vid Testing for the readily available tests.
“In addition to the test required before departure, a self-test provided by French Polynesia, will need to be carried out on the fourth day after arrival in the destination. An envelope will be given to each traveler upon their arrival at the airport. This test consists of an oral and nasal swab, to be self-performed at the date indicated on the envelope containing a self-test kit with instructions and an information note.”
Caribbean Islands.
While no single Caribbean island has anything approaching Hawaii’s normal arrival numbers, overall, the Caribbean welcomed over three times the number of visitors that Hawaii did in 2019.
Netherlands Antilles. Aruba is welcoming visitors as of July 10. A PCR test either in advance or on arrival is also required with advance tests requiring online forms 12 hours before departure. While masks are not required, they are recommended when distancing is not possible.
British Antigua and Barbuda. Visitors provide a negative PCR test taken within seven days of departure in addition to tests on arrival at a cost of $100 per passenger. Masks are to be worn in public areas.
Bahamas. A negative PCR test taken within 10 days of arrival must be presented.
Barbados. Visitors must be tested either 72 hours in advance or upon arrival starting in July.
Caribbean-adjacent Bermuda. Complete online forms and pay $75 for on-arrival testing as well. That in addition to a PRC test taken within five days of departure for Bermuda. Visitors must self-isolate until they receive their on-arrival results.
Jamaica visitors began returning as of June 15. PCR testing is based on where visitors are coming from and is subject to change. High-risk passengers are provided tests on arrival. All visitors must remain in the tourism corridor of the island.
Puerto Rico opens on July 15, for visitors with a negative test within 72 hours of departure. Those without test results will have a mandatory isolation until results are obtained or perhaps longer.
Turks and Caicos islands will allow visitors starting July 22 and visitors must present a negative test result taken before departure. That was previously 3 days but was just changed to 5 days before departure. Masks required in public areas.
US Virgin Islands reopened on June 1. There are no test requirements at this time for US citizens.
Mexico.
While not an island, Mexico is an important competitive tourist destination for Hawaii. Visitors to Mexico face health screenings that include temperature checks and heat-sensing cameras. Those with fevers face the possibility of being returned or placed in isolation. No PCR testing requirements are currently listed as being necessary.
Are you traveling for vacation, and, if so, where will you be headed?
© Beat of Hawaii photo in French Polynesia.
We are a state in the United States. Not a country or autonomously governed territory. So we don’t get to write our own rules. Sadly all locations mentioned will not be on my vacation list. Making visiting much more expensive and a difficult task all the enjoyment out of travel. Not to mention all the planning and effort and if a cancellation becomes required good luck getting deposits and airline tickets back.
We’ve cancelled our trip and from everything I’m seeing (and hearing), it’s going to take year’s for Hawaii to recover. I understand the issues with the medical system on the islands, but there should be a way to reopen. I would think that you could require a test for everyone coming to the islands. If someone does not want to be tested – then ship them back home. It does not make since to me for some to get tested before coming and other not to. If someone tests negative and someone else does not get tested and has it – then anyone close to him/her could then carry it. What ever you do – it’s got to be safe. You also can’t stay closed for several more months. As if you do, then you will see some no longer consider Hawaii as a vacation spot.
I’ll add, we cancelled – rather than reschedule because from what I have read, a number of businesses have gone out of business. I say that because I’m on the email list for some of the places my wife and I like to visit and they are closing their doors, with no plans on ever reopening.
I’m really concerned about Hawaii’s future….
My family and I have hotel and flight arrangements for the coming Thanksgiving week; it was planned almost two years ago. Do you think that testing will be settled and finalized before then?
It’s been 2 1/2 years since we’ve been there for my niece’s wedding, so we really didn’t have time to just relax and enjoy Maui.
This virus isn’t going away it will be with us for a very long time. In the future C0vid will be treated like flu, but instead of seasonal outbreaks we will be looking at a year round infection cycle. Vaccines and treatments will become routine for us, but even with this in place the infection will spread. Hawaii’s only question is when will they be prepared or willing to deal with a surge of c0vid virus on the islands.
We are being held hostage by politicians with no vision or capacity to loosin there reins of power ! I live on Maui and there hasn’t been a case here in 2 1/2 months and yet here we are. Our governor is determined to turn the islands into a wasteland of poverty