As you step off the plane or dock at the port, you're not just arriving at a new location; you're embarking on an adventure that promises to be as vibrant and diverse as the islands themselves. From the moment you arrive, every sight, sound, and scent tells a story of culture, natural beauty, and warm hospitality. This guide is designed to ease your transition from traveler to explorer, ensuring your first experiences are as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Welcome to the Caribbean - your journey begins now!
Airport/Port Arrival
Navigating through a new airport or port can be one of the first adventures on your trip. Here's a list of main airports and ports in the Caribbean countries we've discussed, serving as your initial gateways to these island paradises:
Customs and Immigration
Upon arrival, you'll pass through customs and immigration. It's crucial to be prepared and understand the requirements to ensure a smooth process:
- Visa Requirements
Visa requirment varies significantly across countries and this is dependent on your nationality. Many Caribbean nations offer visa-free entry for short stays to citizens of the U.S., Canada, the EU, and other countries.Howeve, some provide Visa on Arrival/eVisa and again this depends on your nationality as well. Click here for a list of immigration requirement for countries and their respective websites for additional information.
- Pre-Arranged Visa
A few countries might require travelers from certain nations to obtain a visa before arrival.
It's essential to check the specific visa requirements for your destination and nationality well in advance of your trip. Government websites and official tourism sites are reliable sources for the most current information.
Immigration/Passenger Entry Form
A number of countries will require an immigration form to be completed before you arrive in the country, this is separate from the visa requirement and is usually given while en route on the plane, so make you to travel with your pen. This is usually a simple form with questions from your name to the flight traveling on. Some countries such as Jamaica have digitzed their form and requires the completion before travel, this can be found from the link below:
https://enterjamaica.com
See a full list of Immigration and Customs websites for the respective countries below.
Customs Declarations
You may need to declare certain items upon arrival, such as large amounts of currency, tobacco, alcohol, or goods exceeding a certain value. Be sure to check the customs regulations of your destination country.
Health and Safety ProtocolsGiven the changing global health landscape, be aware of any health and safety protocols at your destination, including vaccination requirements, COVID-19 regulations, and quarantine rules.
Immigration and Customs Links
Antigua and Barbuda Immigration Department:
https://www.antiguaimmigration.gov.ag/
Immigration Aruba (DIMAS):
https://www.arubaimmigration.com/
Barbados Immigration Department:
https://www.barbadosport.com/immigration/
The Bahamas Department of Immigration:
https://www.bahamas.com/immigration
Belize Immigration and Nationality Services:
https://www.belize.com/tourism/immigration-customs/
Bermuda Department of Immigration:
https://www.gov.bm/department/immigration
British Virgin Islands:
http://www.bvi.gov.vg/services/application-virgin-islands-visa
Bonaire:
https://english.rijksdienstcn.com/immigration-naturalisation
Cayman Islands Customs and Border Control:
https://www.cbc.gov.ky/
Curacao:
https://www.gobiernu.cw/
Dominican Republic: Dirección General de Migración (General Directorate of Migration):
https://migracion.gob.do/en/
Dominica Immigration Department:
http://dominica.gov.dm/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=125&Itemid=212
Grenada Immigration and Passport Department:
https://grenadaembassyusa.org/consulate/consular-visitors/
Ministry of Home Affairs Guyana:
https://moha.gov.gy/
Jamaica Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA):
https://www.pica.gov.jm/
Mexico - Instituto Nacional de Migración (National Institute of Migration): https://www.gob.mx
St Kitts and Nevis Immigration Department: https://sknis.gov.kn/
St. Lucia Immigration Department: https://www.govt.lc/ (Search for "Immigration" on their website)
St. Maarten: Immigration is handled by the Netherlands: https://www.sintmaartengov.org/government/Pages/default.aspx
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Immigration Department:
https://security.gov.vc/security/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=77&Itemid=104
St. Barts: French territory - refer to French immigration websites.