Let’s be real: 2020 hasn’t been a great year for travelers. The Covid-19 pandemic all but halted global travel and sadly, it’s going to be a while before things return to normal. But it’s not all doom and gloom! The travel industry is slowly but surely starting up again. I’ve put together this list of the best destinations for travel after Covid so that you can finally satisfy your wanderlust. 

In this article, I’ll be focusing on countries open to US citizens. If you’re not from the US, rest assured that if they’re letting us in, you’ll probably be fine… but of course, double check your government website just to be safe. 

Croatia 

European travel is pretty much out for US citizens right now, unless you’re planning a long trip and have time for a “travel corridor” loophole. If you don’t have that much time, Croatia is one of the few EU countries welcoming Americans. 

Croatia is a beautiful – and seriously underrated – country. It’s got everything you’d want from a European holiday: warm weather, charming cities, lots of history and picturesque beaches. A lot of Game of Thrones was filmed in Croatia, so it’s a must-visit for fans of the series. The city walls of Dubrovnik, for example, were used as King’s Landing in the show. 

Social distancing measures are in place throughout Croatia. Masks are mandatory in indoor public spaces, except for bars and restaurants. 

Travelers arriving in Croatia from the US must present a negative Covid test on arrival. The results have to be less than 48 hours old. After that, you can enjoy your vacation with no need to quarantine.

If you arrive without a recent PCR test, you’ll have to self-isolate for a minimum of seven days. Keep up to date with Croatian entry requirements for US citizens here.

The Maldives

I’m heading to the Maldives in November and I seriously can’t wait. 

The Maldives is easily one of the best destinations for travel after Covid. During a global pandemic, there’s probably no safer place to be than a luxury resort on a private island. 

The Maldives contained the spread of the coronavirus well, with 24 deaths at the time of writing this article. Luxury resorts are working hard to keep their guests safe.

You’ll have to fill in an immigration card upon arrival in the Maldives and pass temperature checks. You don’t have to take a PCR test but your chosen resort may require testing.

I wrote a super in-depth guide to travel to the Maldives during Covid. If you’re thinking of going, I highly recommend that you check it out. 

Turkey 

Turkey is a fascinating country, with a rich culture and stunning scenery. The beautiful Aegean beaches draw in admirers from far and wide. Meanwhile, the capital city, Istanbul, is a gateway to the old world. It’s also one of the best destinations for travel after Covid. 

The Turkish government responded quickly to the threat of Covid-19. Consequently, they were able to reopen borders on 11 June. Choose a resort with a government-backed “Healthy Tourism” accreditation to be on the safe side. 

US citizens need an e-visa to travel to Turkey but don’t have to show negative PCR test results or self-isolate. 

However, if you’re showing symptoms of the coronavirus on arrival, you’ll be tested. If you test positive, the Ministry of Health will provide you with treatment. You’ll also have the option to seek treatment at a private hospital, so make sure that your travel insurance policy covers this. 

Turks & Caicos Islands 

The Turks & Caicos Islands aren’t quite as famous as the Bahamas, but they’re every bit as beautiful. Better still, they’ve only been mildly affected by Covid and are open to US citizens.

In order to travel here, you need authorization from the TCI Assured Program. This means you have to:

• Test negative for Covid-19 five days before arrival
• Provide evidence that you have a health or travel insurance policy that covers Covid-19 
• Complete a health screening questionnaire 

For more information, check out the official government website here.

Barbados 

Barbados is synonymous with paradise – and it’s welcoming travelers with open arms! It’s hard to feel stressed about anything – even a global pandemic – when you’re sipping on coconuts on the beach. 

Barbados was one of the first countries to reopen for tourism and has only reported 155 cases of Covid at the time of writing. 

You don’t have to arrive in Barbados with a negative Covid-19 test but I strongly advise that you do. Otherwise, you’ll have to take a test and quarantine for 48 hours while you wait for the results. If you test positive, you’ll go into quarantine until you’ve recovered. Taking a test before you arrive saves a lot of time and anxiety. 

So now that you know where to travel after Covid, it’s time to get packing! Just remember that things can change very quickly right now, so remember to double (and triple) check travel regulations before you fly. 

In the meantime, why not check out my list of the 10 best beach destinations around the world?