April 12, 2021
Spring is here, and many people are excited by the possibility of traveling again. However with constantly changing CDC guidelines, and many countries and regions having their own regulations and policies, it’s a bit trickier to travel to your favorite sunny destinations than it has been in the past. Don’t worry though--team SunHeist has put together an exciting list of places you CAN travel! From domestic getaways, to international adventures, check out our top picks you can visit now at the time of this post!
Staying in the US
As of the beginning of the month, the CDC made a statement that fully vaccinated adults are at a very low risk of contracting Covid-19 through domestic travel--and have therefore made a statement that it is safe for those adults to do so again! That being said, many States and municipalities do have their own rules; so, our personal recommendation is to enjoy some of the less densely populated areas!
Check out some of these adventure-ready spots:
West--New Mexico. With beautiful mountains, dessert plains, and low population density, this state is perfect for getting outside. If you want to see NM’s tallest mountains, head north to the area around Taos near the Colorado border. Wanting something with a bit more action? Lovely Santa Fe, with a population under 86,000, is popular with artists from around the world seeking beautiful colors in the sky for inspiration.
South--Alabama. The panhandle of neighboring Florida often gets more attention, but with that comes more people! Spend a few days along the beautiful, less populated Gulf Shores coast with white sand, warm water, and plenty of beach space. There are also lots of great opportunities to enjoy fresh seafood right on the water! Just make sure to pack your polarized SunHeists so you don’t get cocktail sauce on your new shirt because of glare!
Northeast--Vermont. It’s not just for skiing! The 2nd to last populated State in the country has many gems for the outdoor adventurer to admire. Looking for a hike? Try Smuggler’s Notch State Park. Prefer to hit the trails on a mountain bike? Stowe and the surrounding areas is the place for you. Even Vermont’s largest city of Burlington only has a population of 45,000--so you can be around more action with a lot less people than other places! Spend a bit of time in the Green Mountain State exploring beautiful forests, rivers and lakes this spring or summer, and you won’t be disappointed.
Midwest--Minnesota. Whether or not you like water, the “land of 10,000 lakes” has a lot to offer. Take a drive from Duluth to Grand Portage along the shoreline of Lake Superior, and be treated to some of the most stunning roadways in the US. Interested in learning more about our national animal symbols? Visit the National Eagle Center in Wasbasha along the Mississippi River; or, the North American Bear Center in Ely. For those interested in water sports, going to the boundary waters for canoeing, kayaking, or paddle-boarding is a must. You will be right on Canada’s doorstep enjoying some of the cleanest air and water in the US, lots of amazing sites, and solitude! We recommend bringing a pair of our wrap-around Aspen shades to protect your eyes from all angles.
International Travel
This is certainly where things get a lot more tricky! From proof negative tests, to quarantines, to insurance requirements, each nation is currently handling things a bit differently. For the sake of convenience, we have purposefully left off destinations with multi-day (or week) quarantines--as it is not practical to spend your entire vacation trapped in a hotel!
The Carribean and Central America
Costa Rica-- Home to incredible coastlines, ecologically diverse rainforests, and coffee, there is certainly something for everyone in CR. Want to see an active volcano? Take a tour of Arenal, just under 3 hours north of San Jose. Interested in spending time in the trees? Visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest where you will be able to participate in a wide mix of activities from canyoneering, to exotic bird watching, to ropes courses in the jungle canopy. Why not wear a pair of our Brown Tortoise Willows with Green Mirror lenses to blend in?
*While current travel requirements do not require testing or quarantine, they DO require a health screening on the Department of Health website, and an international travel insurance policy to provide you with care and accommodation in the result of a medical emergency.*
Curacao-- This Dutch island may not be the first in the Caribbean to jump to travelers’ minds, but certainly is worth checking out! Known for incredible snorkeling and scuba diving reefs, a getaway here will provide you with air and water temperatures hovering right over 80 degrees. Like golf? Courses here are dramatically set against the ocean
*Current travel requirements include an immigration form, passenger locator form, and proof of a negative text within 72 hours of your departure to Curacao.*
Mexico-- Our neighbor to the south certainly relies immensely on US tourism for its economy. This may explain why there are no travel restrictions for Americans who wish to visit! That being said, we still think you can play it a bit safe by picking lesser known destinations. Places like Cancun, Cabo, and Cozumel are going to be busy. Interested in food? Oaxaca is known for some of the most exciting cuisine in Mexico! It’s also just a few hours away from beautiful SW beaches on the Pacific like Puerto Escondido. Interested in western Mexican culture? Check out Guadalajara. The region is well known for Mariachi music and tequila; amongst other cultural treasures.
*Currently there are no travel requirements for US travelers to Mexico, however many experts recommend travel insurance.*
The Rest of the World and Parting Thoughts
From Europe to Africa, South America to Southeast Asia, more and more options are opening up for US travelers each month of 2021 so far. Please keep in mind that everything is changing very quickly--and while news sources do their best to keep updating their pages, you should continuously check on governmental health department Covid-19 rules and policies right until the day you leave, and even while you are away on your trip!
Currently, the United States is requiring all travelers, including citizens and residents to provide proof of a negative test in the international country they are visiting no more than 3 days before their return flight to the US. Some hotels, and cities are providing free return trip testing to Americans--but there also reports of some destinations running low on these tests. Be sure you have a solid plan (and backup plan) in place to ensure you are able to test properly before coming home. As always, stay safe and protect yourself as best you can through good hygiene, distancing, etc. When you DO finally get to that sunny destination you’ve been missing, be sure to tag us @sunheisteyewear so we can all live vicariously through you!
Safe travels!
