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This summer won’t be as exciting as others. Unfortunately, with so many travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our destination choice is limited.
Above all, there is one burning question. Where can Canadians go during COVID-19? Or more specifically which are the countries Canadians are allowed in September 2020?
At the moment Canadian travelers are wondering where they can spend their summer vacation. Things are on a daily basis. Restrictions in different countries tend to go down but we’ve seen cases where they come back.
The uncertainty is so big that in fact many would rather give up and stay home or close by. After all, it is a better option than spending countless hours on research and yet again take a huge risk.
If you are not careful you can get in severe trouble. Stranded in a foreign country without being able to go home.
It is completely normal to be overwhelmed. Actually, you don’t have to figure out everything on your own. You can always hire professionals like us to handle that tedious part on your behalf. Anyways it is good to be informed about the current situation yourself.
We will discuss what is actually happening right now in the world of travel. It is important to know what are the current restrictions and recommendations of both the Canadian and foreign governments. So let’s discuss where Canadians can go in September 2020.
After you are done reading you will have the necessary information to make feasible travel plans. Otherwise, you risk planning in advance only to find yourself disappointed at the end. When you realize that your dream trip is impossible right now.
Why are there travel restrictions for Canadians?
The global lockdown made travel international tourism travel a sweet forbidden fruit. However, in recent months things are starting to slowly go back to normal.
Many countries are now dropping restrictions or least, making an international trip much more viable for tourists.
Still, the Canadian government advises people to refrain from international travel unless the matter is urgent. That means they are still advising against going on exotic vacation despite the restrictions are dropping.
Basically what they are saying is that you are taking a risk and you will be solely responsible for your decision. And this is completely understandable. As we all know it is still risky. Both for your health and your wallet.
If you find yourself stranded in another country without being able to leave for weeks it won’t be very pleasant. Not exactly the perfect end of relaxing summer vacation. But probably each and every person around the globe right now is aware of the situation.
At least every government is. That is why there are health and safety measures and travel restrictions. Many people find that as an opportunity to explore their own country. As it turns out many Canadians actually like the idea.
As in many other countries, travel restrictions within the territory of Canada for Canadian residents and citizens are not so heavy. In general, it is easier and definitely safer to travel inland.
After all, Canada is one of the countries that managed to get the disease under control. Unlike the USA which is the country with the most COVID-19 cases reported at the current moment, Canada has only around 117,000 cases of COVID-19. That is insignificant compared to other big countries.
It’s obvious why Americans are considered high-risk travelers. But still, there are restrictions for Canadians as well. Above all, we have to remember that these restrictions are for our own safety, not only the safety of others. So it is a two-way process.
Canadian Government Coronavirus travel advice
It is best if you follow all health measures strictly. In this way, you can be sure you are doing the necessary to protect yourself, your travel companions, and other people you interact with while traveling.
Social distancing is advisory. Also, always remember to wear a mask. Masks are still mandatory and you won’t be able to attend your flight if you forget your mask.
Also, bring along a bottle of disinfectant for your hands, and disinfecting wipes to clean surfaces, such as the plane seat and your suitcase after you arrive at your destination.
But following health and sanitation measures isn’t your only concern. Most countries right now require additional identity verification and health tests.
For example, upon arriving at the border you will typically be required to provide a negative PCR or another type of COVID-19 test made in the last 48 to 96 hours prior to your arrival.
Sadly, these tests are often not covered by your existing insurance policy. That means you will have to pay the money out of your pocket. Depending on the type of test the cost could also be ridiculously high.
Moreover, if the test result is positive you aren’t allowed to travel. That means you can potentially lose a significant amount of money. For all non-refundable purchases, you made, like an airplane ticket, a hotel room deposit, and more.
So before you decide to book it is crucial to investigate what documentation is required for the specific country. Furthermore, some countries still require 14-day self-quarantine when you arrive. Meaning you can spend your vacation locked in your hotel room.
Sadly even inland destinations like Nova Scotia and Manitoba may require you to self-isolate. That of course, depends on which part of the country you are traveling from.
On top of that, when you return from certain countries to Canada you are required to have a 14-day self-quarantine. So unless you are loaded with lots of patience and even more movies, don’t go to these countries.
To make it worse, the government advises people to do this proactively. Even if they aren’t returning from a high-risk country and required to do so by law.
After we‘ve stressed this out we can continue with the actual territory travel restrictions that Canadians are currently facing.
Where Can Canadians go During Covid-19
This summer as a general rule of thumb it is not smart to travel to far off destinations. The closer to home you are, the safer. You can typically get home easier if anything happens that way.
Luckily for Canadians, some close by countries already reopened for tourists. So you still have a chance to enjoy an amazing summer vacation.
Here are some of the most popular destinations you can travel to right now.
Mexico
Mexico is welcoming American tourists for a long time now. The best part is there aren’t any tough restrictions or requirements to enter the country. The only thing you need to do before you are allowed in Mexico is to fill in this form.
It is a simple health questionary which shouldn’t be a problem. Still, don’t hide any information intentionally as you might get in trouble.
Apart from that, you can start planning your Mexican vacation right away. The most popular vacation spots are currently open to tourists. That includes the state of Quintana Roo, where destinations like Tulum, Cancun, and Riviera Maya are situated.
Another top destination that is currently welcoming tourists in Mexico is Los Cabos. The Pacific Coast resort city reopened on July 10th, 2020.
To make it even better, on July 23rd, 2020 the Health Safety Committee of Los Cabos lifted restrictions for all nautical activities. Meaning you can enjoy a boat cruise without any problem.
Yet, don’t let your guard down and be cautious if you plan to spend your vacation in Mexico. The country still has a very high density of Coronavirus cases.
Brazil
ontrary to the expectations, Brazil also lifted the COVID-19 restrictions on July 29 and started to allow tourists in the country. Since Brazil is the second country in the world I terms of confirmed COVID-19 cases many expected the officials will extend the travel ban.
However that didn’t happen and since July 29, 2020, you can travel to Brazil. Naturally, since the risk is apparently huge, you should take full responsibility for that.
A beach vacation at Copacabana is definitely not a bad choice if you are feeling brave right now.
Anyways just make sure you buy travel insurance for the time of your stay. Not only because it is good to have insurance if you travel at the current moment given the circumstances.
The government of Brazil requires you have insurance to enter the country. Any foreigner who stays in the country for a period of up to 90 days is required to have medical insurance for the whole period. So make sure you have it before you depart.
Unfortunately, other popular South American destinations like Colombia, Argentina, Peru, and Chile are still closed. At least until September 31st, 2020 by official information.
Carribean Islands
Also, the remote Island vacation you have been perhaps dreaming the whole year about is actually possible. Many Caribbean Islands are now open for summer travelers. Here are the top ones:
- Dominican Republic
- Aruba
- Bermuda
- Barbados
- Grenada
- Antigua and Barbuda
- St. Lucia
Whether you choose to go on a 4×4 Jeep offroad tour or go on a sail and snorkeling trip, all Caribbean islands can offer great places to relax, as well as some fun activities.
And, of course, breathtaking views. You can visit some of the national parks, like the Los Haitises National Park in the Dominican Republic, and see for yourself.
Another popular Island destination that surprisingly opened for tourists is the Maldives. So apparently as it turns out an exotic vacation is in fact possible.
Are Canadians allowed in the USA?
The Canada-US land border has been long closed. Plans for the border to reopen in late July or August didn’t come to existence. Instead, the closure extended once again. This time at least until September 30, 2020, by official information.
However, you may be surprised that Canadians are allowed to fly to the US. On the contrary, Americans aren’t allowed to enter Canada even by air unless they are traveling for a purpose other than tourism.
Still, the US may not be the best place to visit right now. As we already mentioned that is the territory with the highest Coronavirus contamination so far.
Are Canadians allowed in Europe?
At the end of June, the Council of the European Union announced a list of 14 countries.
From July 1, 2020, the citizens of these 14 countries were allowed to enter the EU’s borders and travel within the EU’s 27 member states as well as to Schengen area countries like Norway, Switzerland, and others.
The plan is to gradually lift border restrictions while still being cautious. As expected, Canada was one of the 14 countries on the list. The list itself and more information around travel restrictions can be found here.
However, keep in mind individual countries in Europe still can have their own rules and restrictions. So before you hurry to book that flight, make sure you check your European destination (or destinations) travel restrictions.
Also, bear in mind that the typical Spain or Italy European summer vacation may not be the best idea. The hot sun and the good wine may be tempting but be mindful before you decide. Both of these countries have been severely affected by COVID-19.
Are Canadians allowed to travel to Asia and Africa and the Middle East?
Unfortunately, most destinations in Asia and Africa and the Middle East are closed for Canadians and most of the western countries. Countries like China and South Africa are not in a hurry to take down restrictions.
And it is not advisable for Canadian citizens to go to China right now anyways. Not only because that is the place where the Coronavirus pandemic came from.
The pressure between Canada and China is growing due to political affairs. But what are some countries you are able to visit?
2. Egypt
Although South Africa and Morocco are currently closed, Egypt resumed flights and took down the measures starting July 1. Egypt is an absolute must in the bucket list of any travel lover.
Now you have the chance to visit the land of Pharaohs and the wonderful Pyramids of the Giza Plateau despite the restrictions
3.Dubai
Have you been craving this urban vacation for so long? Actually the country where Dubai is situated (United Arab Emirates) is closed off as other Middle East countries. There is one exception though.
The restriction doesn’t apply to tourists traveling to Dubai. You must have travel insurance and a negative COVID-19 test made no later than 4 days before arrival.
So you can grab your bags and go to see one of the most impressive cities in the world right away. Also, many other Middle East countries are expected to open soon so you can keep an eye on that.
Of course, we can’t cover each and every country. To find a specific country by country information you can see this amazing interactive map by IATA. To find even more in debt information you can visit the Travel.State.Gov web page.
Is there a way I can travel worry-free?
Now you are armed with a lot of knowledge to make your travel plans and avoid potential problems. But things are changing on a daily basis. Restrictions may come back.
If you are a frequent traveler you might get crazy trying to keep up with the updates. On the other hand, if you don’t have much travel experience it is still very risky to travel right now.
However, you are not alone in this fight. We as travel experts eat and breathe travel. This allows us to always stay one step ahead of changes. Check out the Pointspanda Coronavirus Concierge service and see for yourself.
You can go to the battlefield on your own or win the war before it even began by having us on your side.
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