Category: Island Life

Aruba Is Now Open for American Travelers

 

Aruba is now officially open for travelers from the United States. 

The Dutch Caribbean Island officially reopened for U.S. travelers on July 10, following a July 1 reopening for Canadian and European travelers, following an initial relaunch for visitors from neighboring Caribbean countries. 

In light of recent COVID-19 spikes in certain U.S. states, Aruba said it would be requiring travelers residing in 24 U.S. states to upload proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours prior to departure as part of a required online Embarkation/Disembarkation form (you can find it here). 

You can find the full list of states from which pre-arrival negative test results are required below:

aruba americans open

Travelers who reside in other U.S. states have the option of taking a PCR test within the 72-hour window and uploading it, or taking a PCR test at their own expense upon arrival at the airport. 

Aruba is requiring all visitors to purchase “Aruba Visitors Insurance” as part of their trip, although some hotels like the Renaissance are actually covering these costs in their rates. 

“We recognize this causes an extra step for those wanting to travel, and also know not everyone will be able to have access to this test in their state. These are necessary safeguards designed to keep Aruba safe and free of health risks,” the Aruba Tourism Authority said in a statement. 

So what’s open right now?

Most of Aruba’s leading resorts have reopened their doors, including the aforementioned Renaissance Aruba, the Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort, the Boardwalk Boutique Hotel and Divi’s resort portfolio in Aruba, too. 

aruba boardwalk
The Boardwalk Boutique Hotel in Aruba.

The Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort actually never closed, although it has completed a series of major upgrades, both cosmetic and health and safety-related.

And the Aruba Marriott has also reopened in its signature perch on Palm Beach.

“With Aruba being a popular destination for guests from all over the world, the island knew it had to be extremely careful in implementing safeguards so guests coming from areas where COVID-19 hit harder would not pose a risk to the island and our visitors,” said Ewald Biemans, owner and CEO of the Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort. “I’m confident in Aruba’s approach to COVID-19 safety and that Bucuti & Tara’s new high-tech, hospital-grade safety protocol will keep our guests safe to enjoy their romantic vacations and our staff and community safe.”

Aruba has not yet announced when it will be opening for South American and Central American visitors. 

“Aruba’s health and safety protocols will be revisited and reevaluated on an ongoing basis,” the ATA said. 

For more info, visit Aruba’s Health page.

The post Aruba Is Now Open for American Travelers appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Tell Congress that Puerto Ricans want nationhood, not statehood

… negates Puerto Rico’s right to exist. 
Most Puerto Ricans support statehood: False. Puerto Ricans have … assimilated. Puerto Ricans refer to Puerto Rico as “el País” (the country). Puerto Ricans are a …

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Sandals Reopens More Caribbean Resorts

 

Sandals Resorts International has reopened another three of its Caribbean resorts, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The company has officially reopened its all-inclusive Sandals Emerald Bay resort on Great Exuma in The Bahamas, along with the Sandals Grande St Lucian resort in Saint Lucia. 

That also includes the July 9 relaunch of the Sandals Negril Resort in Jamaica.

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Sandals Grande St Lucian.

The two resorts join a number of Sandals resorts that have already reopened, including the Sandals Grande Antigua resort and a pair of resorts in Jamaica: the Sandals Royal Caribbean and Sandals Montego Bay. 

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The Sandals Montego Bay, the brand’s flagship, reopened last month.

Sandals has also announced opening dates for several more of its properties in the Caribbean. 

That includes three more resorts in Jamaica: Sandals Ochi, which will open Sept. 3; Sandals South Coast, which will open Oct. 1 and Sandals Royal Plantation, pegged for Oct. 8. 

Saint Lucia’s Sandals Regency La Toc resort is slated to reopen Aug. 31, while the Sandals Halcyon Beach in Saint Lucia will reopen Nov. 1. 

And Sandals’ other resort in The Bahamas, the Sandals Royal Bahamian, is targeting a Nov. 1 reopening date, according to the company’s Web site.

All of the reopenings have come with Sandals’ new “Platinum Protocol of Cleanliness” health and safety program, which covers all aspects of the guest experience, from check-in to room hygiene to interactions.

For more, visit Sandals

— cJ

The post Sandals Reopens More Caribbean Resorts appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The Only Hotel on This Bahamas Island Is For Sale

 

This story is part of Caribbean Journal Invest, the authority on Caribbean hotel, real estate and tourism business news. Join to access this and other great features, including our biweekly newsletter. Subscribe to Read More.

The post The Only Hotel on This Bahamas Island Is For Sale appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Puerto Rico Gov. Wanda Vázquez says she has ‘nothing to fear’ over obstruction allegations

… mismanagement of emergency supplies after Puerto Rico was rattled by powerful earthquakes … , according to El Nuevo Día, Puerto Rico‘s largest newspaper.
Longo … never happened before,” said Cotto.
Puerto Rico’s newest justice secretary, Wandymar …

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