The countries welcoming US tourists now – and some resources for your visit | CNN

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Editor’s Note: CNN Travel updates this article periodically. It was last updated in its entirety on June 28.

CNN —

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, US passport holders have seen an ever-morphing list of international travel options and rules.

The sparse selection in the spring and summer of 2020 has given way to nearly worldwide access two years later. In the end, it’s up to you to decide whether travel to international destinations is a good idea.

The health risks are obvious if you’re not fully vaccinated. Venues and events of interest to travelers might impose restrictions. Nations might change their rules with little notice after you’ve made plans or you’re already on your trip.

The US State Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide risk assessments by country to help you decide.

What to find out before you go

What follows is a curated list of countries and territories, alphabetically organized by continent or region, where US passport holders are allowed entry for leisure travel.

Click the links by each destination for crucial information on:

• Whether you’re required to be fully vaccinated to enter. Some countries on this list accept only fully vaccinated Americans, while others have dropped that requirement or never had it.

• Possible exemptions from various rules for the fully vaccinated, people recovered from a recent case of Covid-19 or children.

• Whether you sitll need to negative results from Covid-19 tests to enter and health insurance requirements.

• What safety rating the CDC gives the destination.

The links to various government and tourism sites next to each country will help you gather the most current information, always subject to change, to plan for your journey.

Africa (sub-Saharan)

Global Warming Images//Shutterstock

A boat is left on the beach at Cape Maclear on the shores of Lake Malawi in the nation of Malawi in southern Africa.

Africa offers a huge variety of travel options – outdoor adventures in just about any climate and a wide array of cultures and urban experiences. There are 54 countries on the continent – each with its own response to the pandemic.

The nations of northern Africa can be found in the Middle East and North Africa grouping further below.

Asia

CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT/AFP/AFP/Getty Images

Houseboat rides in the backwaters of Kerala, India, are popular.

Generally, Asian destinations have been much slower to reopen to international tourism than the rest of world. However, more and more places have opened their doors to Americans on vacation.

Australia / Pacific Islands

National Parks Australia

Phillip Island is a popular getaway near Melbourne.

Like Asia, this region has been taking a very cautious approach. Still, there have been a few Pacific island groups allowing US tourists to visit. And fully vaccinated Americans can now visit Australia.

Europe

Antonio Sacchetti/Turismo de Portugal

A train ride from Porto along the Douro River Valley provides breathtaking views in Portugal.

In late June, the CDC had many European nations in its “Level 3: high risk” for Covid-19 category. Still, the continent holds some of the most sought-after destinations in the world.

Middle East / North Africa

Courtesy Sarah Walton

With its massive dunes, multicolored sands, Bedouin and camels, Oman looks like something out of a movie.

Courtesy Sultinate of Oman Tourism

Yes, there are old castles and beautiful beaches, but most visitors come to Sur to watch the mother turtles who migrate here each year lay their eggs.

Courtesy The View

The jewel of this small village is the immense Bahla Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Courtesy Sarah Walton

Though most of the village has been abandoned for more than 100 years, many dwellings have withstood the test of time.

Courtesy Sultinate of Oman Tourism

Each year, the wadis (valleys) around Rustaq fill with water, creating stunning waterfalls and refreshing pools. The Wadi Darbat (pictured) empties into the Persian Gulf.

Courtesy Sultinate of Oman Tourism

Unlike the rest of Oman, Salalah's summer temperatures are actually tolerable, thanks to the cooling monsoon season. A UNESCO-listed frankincense plantation and biblical sites are among the area's popular attractions.

Courtesy Sarah Walton

The fjords in Oman remain warm year round, with average winter temperatures of about 23 C (73 F).

Courtesy Sarah Walton

From the peaks of the Al Hajar Mountains, Wadi Ghul drops down almost one kilometer.

Courtesy Sarah Walton

Jebel Akhdar ("The Green Mountain") stands out among the mountain ranges because of its unexpected greenery. Pomegranates, figs, roses, almonds and barley are all grown on its peak.

Rich in culture and history, destinations in the Middle East and North Africa are also trying to deal with a modern pandemic just like the rest of the world.

North America / Caribbean

Courtesy Tourism Corporation Bonaire

Bonaire is a haven for scuba divers and has fascinating sea life.

North America and the Caribbean now give US leisure travelers plenty of travel options with a relatively short plane ride. Be sure to check disembarking rules if you take a Caribbean cruise.

South America

Aizar Raldes/AFP/Getty Images

A view of Copacabana, a Bolivian tourist town on Lake Titicaca.

South America’s pandemic journey has mirrored the rest of the world in terms of mixed responses. Brazil has been wide open for the long haul while Argentina just recently opened to US travelers.

Omitted countries

This is a curated list and not a complete catalog of every single destination open to visitors from the United States.

CNN Travel has omitted certain countries if they: had very limited numbers of American travelers before the pandemic; are very isolated or have little to no tourism infrastructure; have ongoing or recent armed conflicts, terrorism or rampant crime and unrest; have a current credible threat of warfare; have antagonistic relations with the US government; or have entry requirements so extensive and complicated that they put the country out of reach of almost all US citizens.

However, you can click here to directly check for the status and entry requirements of any country or territory in the world you wish to visit.