Reopenings & Requirements

Last updated April 24, 2023

Select destinations around the globe are requiring proof of vaccination or other documentation for entry.

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

Since these requirements are changing frequently, we recommend checking back regularly 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 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

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

EUROPE

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-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 is open to international travelers who show proof of vaccination OR a negative COVID-19 test result (from a PCR test within 72 hours or a rapid antigen test within 48 hours).

If you have completed your vaccination scheme within 14 days entry to Colombia, you will need to provide a negative COVID-19 test result (from a PCR test within 72 hours or a rapid antigen test within 48 hours) in addition to your vaccination certificate.

All travelers will also need to fill out a Health Form within the 72 hours prior to departure. If the normal form's website is down travelers can find a contingency website here. 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 (UPDATE 2/24/23) has removed all COVID-19 travel restrictions and is now welcoming visitors from the US with no special requirements.

Guatemala

Guatemala (UPDATE 10/3/2022) 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 (UPDATE 9/12/22) is open to international travelers who show proof of vaccination OR a laboratory-certified negative antigen or PCR test result taken within 48 hours of arrival.  All travelers to Peru must also complete an Electronic Health Affidavit. Learn more.

Please note that Peru regulations currently require the use of KN95 masks on airlines and trains. Fabric or disposable masks will not be accepted. Guests traveling on trips in Peru should bring permitted masks for transportation use.  

AFRICA

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

Morocco

Morocco is open to all international travelers with proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test. There may be additional rapid testing required upon arrival. Learn more.

Namibia, Botswana & Zambia

Namibia (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.

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.

Zambia is open to international travelers with proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test. Learn more. 

Zimbabwe is open to international travelers with proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test. Learn more.

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) is open to international travelers with proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test. 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 vaccinated travelers from the US with no testing requirements. Learn more.

Bhutan

Bhutan (UPDATE 9/12/22) As of September, Bhutan is welcoming tourists from the U.S who have been fully vaccinated and boosted, along with proof of health insurance covering COVID-19. Bhutan also requires travelers to provide an upright color scan of their passport that has been valid for a minimum of 6 months prior to 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) is open to travelers with proof of vaccination and booster OR a negative COVID-19 test result (from a PCR test within 72 hours prior to departure). 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 is open to travelers with proof of vaccination OR a negative COVID-19 test result (from a PCR test within 72 hours prior to departure). Learn more.

New Zealand

New Zealand is open to travelers with proof of vaccination. 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.