International Travel Requirements

A valid passport is required for international travel for all US citizens. Select destinations around the globe are requiring proof of vaccination or other documentation for entry.

See destination-specific COVID-19 entry requirements:
Canada | Europe | European River Cruises | Ocean Cruises | Latin America | Africa | Asia | The Middle East

Since these requirements are subject to change, we recommend checking back as your trip approaches for any updates. Please click through to the "Learn More" links in each section below to find the most current "official" entry information for each destination.

The US is no longer requiring a negative COVID-19 test for entry. Learn more.

All the requirements listed below are in addition to Backroads’ own policies.

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Explore specific COVID-19 entry requirements and regulations organized by destination below. For the most relevant information, look for the name of your specific Backroads itinerary.

Getting to Your International Backroads Trip

Some international destinations currently require proof of vaccination to enter, often including proof of a booster shot. While some destinations will accept a negative COVID-19 test in lieu of proof of vaccination, these requirements are constantly evolving. We therefore advise all guests traveling on international Backroads trips this year to bring proof of vaccination–and booster–in the form of both a physical vaccination card and a digital version (photo of the card). Traveling internationally without proof of vaccination, while technically possible in some destinations, presents increased risk of travel interruption. Backroads will not offer reimbursement to those unable to join a trip or take part in certain activities due to not being vaccinated or not meeting testing requirements. 

A few international destinations also require a negative COVID-19 test for entry—either in lieu of proof of vaccination or in addition. If your destination requires testing, pay close attention to whether rapid tests are accepted or the test has to be a PCR test. 

On top of vaccination and/or testing requirements, some countries require visitors to complete some type of Health Form or “Passenger Locator Form.” We suggest printing your completed health form to expedite your travel process. Some destinations require visitors to upload proof of vaccination (or negative test result) into a website or app before departure or arrival.

You can explore requirements for all international destinations on the Sherpa Travel Restrictions Map, and details by destination and trip are listed below. However, you should always check government websites and airline materials for the most accurate and current information. See links for each region below.

Coming Back to the US

The US no longer requiring a negative COVID-19 test for entry. There are no special requirements for Americans returning to the US from abroad.

CANADA

US citizens must have a valid passport for air travel to Canada. Please be aware that you are personally responsible for your own admittance to and exit from Canada. They are strict with some of their policies, for instance, possible denial of entry due to past DUIs. To ensure you have the most current information on entry eligibility requirements, visit canada.ca.

Canada has removed all COVID-19 travel restrictions and is now welcoming visitors from the US with no special requirements.

EUROPE

A valid passport is required for travel to Europe for all US citizens. Note that some countries require your passport to be valid for a specified amount of time beyond your departure date (up to 6 months). Be sure to check the expiration date and physical condition of your passport and verify the travel document requirements for the countries you are planning to visit during your trip at travel.state.gov.

None of the European countries where we operate currently have any testing or vaccination-related travel requirements. For ship-based trips, see below.

EUROPEAN RIVER CRUISES

AmaWaterways is no longer requiring guests to provide proof of vaccination to board their ships.

OCEAN CRUISES

Iceland

Iceland has removed all COVID-19 travel restrictions and is now welcoming visitors from the US with no special requirements. Learn more.

Ship Requirements: Ponant requires that guests provide a completed Health Declaration form in person upon embarkation. We recommend you complete this form and bring it with you on Day 1 to avoid any embarkation delay. Learn more.

Venice to Croatia

Our Venice to Croatia Ocean Cruise Tours start and end in Italy, and we will cross borders into Croatia and Montenegro. These countries have removed all COVID-19 travel restrictions and are now welcoming visitors from the US with no special requirements.

Ship Requirements: Ponant requires that guests provide a completed Health Declaration form in person upon embarkation. We recommend you complete this form and bring it with you on Day 1 to avoid any embarkation delay. Learn more.

Tahiti

Tahiti Islands: have removed all COVID-19 travel restrictions and are now welcoming visitors from the US with no special requirements. Learn more.

Ship Requirements: Ponant requires that guests provide a completed Health Declaration form in person upon embarkation. We recommend you complete this form and bring it with you on Day 1 to avoid any embarkation delay. Learn more.

Antarctica

Antarctica has removed all COVID-19 travel restrictions and is now welcoming visitors from the US with no special requirements. 

Ship Requirements:

Our ocean cruise operator, Ponant, requires that guests provide a completed  Health Declaration form in person upon embarkation. We recommend you complete this form and bring it with you on Day 1 to avoid any embarkation delay.

LATIN AMERICA

All countries in Latin America where we run trips have reopened to tourism. Some destinations currently require proof of vaccination and/or a negative test result for entry.

Argentina

Argentina (UPDATE 11/2/22) has removed all COVID-19 travel restrictions and is now welcoming visitors from the US with no special requirements. Learn more.

Belize

Belize (UPDATE 10/3/22) has removed all COVID-19 travel restrictions for travelers entering the country by plane, and is now welcoming visitors from the US with no special requirements. Learn more.

Chile

Chile (UPDATE 04/10/23) requires either proof of vaccination OR a negative PCR test, taken within 48 hours of your last point of departure before entering Chile. Minors under the age of 18 are exempt from COVID-19-related requirements. Learn more.

For those on our Chile Patagonia & Fjords Cruise Walking & Hiking Tour, our ship operator, Australis, requires proof of vaccination upon boarding.

Colombia

Colombia has removed all COVID-19 travel restrictions and is now welcoming visitors from the US with no special requirements. Learn more. 

Costa Rica

Costa Rica has removed all COVID-19 travel restrictions and is now welcoming visitors from the US with no special requirements. Learn more.

Cuba

Cuba has removed all COVID-19 travel restrictions and is now welcoming visitors from the US with no special requirements. Learn more. 

Ecuador

Ecuador has removed all COVID-19 travel restrictions and is now welcoming visitors from the US with no special requirements.

Guatemala

Guatemala has removed all COVID-19 travel restrictions for travelers entering the country by plane, and is now welcoming visitors from the US with no special requirements. Learn more.

Peru

Peru has removed all COVID-19 travel restrictions and is now welcoming visitors from the US with no special requirements.

AFRICA

Countries in Africa have mostly reopened to tourism. Many currently require a negative test for entry.

Morocco

Morocco has removed all COVID-19 travel restrictions and is now welcoming visitors from the US with no special requirements. Learn more.

Namibia, Botswana, Zambia & Zimbabwe

Namibia, Botswana, Zambia & Zimbabwe have removed all COVID-19 travel restrictions and are now welcoming international visitors with no special requirements.

South Africa & Botswana

South Africa (UPDATE 2/21/22) has removed all COVID-19 travel restrictions and is now welcoming visitors from the US with no special requirements.

Botswana (UPDATE 2/21/22) has removed all COVID-19 travel restrictions and is now welcoming visitors from the US with no special requirements Learn more.  

Tanzania

Tanzania (UPDATE 2/21/22) has removed all COVID-19 travel restrictions and is now welcoming visitors from the US with no special requirements. Learn more.

ASIA & THE PACIFIC

Many countries in Asia have now reopened to tourism. Most require proof of vaccination and/or a negative COVID-19 test to enter. 

Bali (Indonesia)

Bali is now welcoming travelers from the US with no testing requirements. Please note that you may be required to complete a Bali Ministry of Health declaration form upon arrival. Learn more.

Bhutan

Bhutan (UPDATE 10/2/23) Bhutan is welcoming tourists from the U.S with proof of health insurance covering COVID-19. Bhutan also requires travelers to provide an upright color scan of their passport. Passports must be valid for a minimum of 6 months from entry.

Cambodia

Cambodia (UPDATE 10/10/22) Has removed all COVID-19 travel restrictions and is now welcoming visitors from the US with no special requirements. Learn more. 

India

India (UPDATE 2/21/22) has removed all COVID-19 travel restrictions and is now welcoming visitors from the US with no special requirements Learn more.

Japan

Japan (UPDATE 12/19/22) has removed all COVID-19 travel restrictions and is now welcoming visitors from the US with no special requirements. Learn more.

Laos

Laos (UPDATE 2/21/22) has removed all COVID-19 travel restrictions and is now welcoming visitors from the US with no special requirements. Learn more.

Nepal

Nepal has removed all COVID-19 travel restrictions and is now welcoming visitors from the US with no special requirements. Learn more.

New Zealand

New Zealand has removed all COVID-19 travel restrictions. All travelers must apply for a NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) pass prior to arrival. Learn more.

Thailand

Thailand (UPDATE 11/10/22) has removed all COVID-19 travel restrictions and is now welcoming visitors from the US with no special requirements. Learn more.

Vietnam

Vietnam (UPDATE 10/10/22) has removed all COVID-19 travel restrictions and is now welcoming visitors from the US with no special requirements Learn more.

THE MIDDLE EAST

Countries in the Middle East have mostly reopened to tourism. Many currently require a negative test for entry.

Israel & Jordan

Israel (UPDATE 2/21/22) has removed all COVID-19 travel restrictions and is now welcoming visitors from the US with no special requirements. Learn more.

 

Jordan has removed all COVID-19 travel restrictions and is now welcoming visitors from the US with no special requirements. Learn more.

Israel

Israel (UPDATE 2/21/22) has removed all COVID-19 travel restrictions and is now welcoming visitors from the US with no special requirements. Learn more.

 

Oman

Oman (UPDATE 1/31/23) has removed all COVID-19 travel restrictions and is now welcoming visitors from the US with no special requirements.

For all international departures, in the event that borders are not fully open to US travelers (meaning no quarantine required with proof of vaccination and/or negative test results), we will be forced to postpone. All booked guests on trips we are forced to postpone can put their funds on account or receive a full refund. We will aim to make the final call no later than 30 days prior to the departure.

Backroads is committed to abiding by all state-level and regional requirements for the health and safety of our guests, leaders and local partners. It is a requirement that Backroads adhere to these regulations in order to operate in each region. We take that very seriously and we ask that all our guests do the same. If we become aware that guests are in violation of entry or testing requirements, they may not be able to participate in the trip. Backroads will not provide refunds, nor reimbursement of any expenses incurred by guests as a result of being removed from a trip, including medical expenses, testing fees, quarantine, evacuation expenses, added air or hotel expenses, etc.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact our office at 800-462-2848. We’re open Monday through Friday from 7am – 5pm PT and weekends 7am – 3pm PT.