Then, of course, youll have to allow time for clearing customs on both the front and back ends of the trip. Bring easy-to-eat snacks, such asgranola bars or sandwiches that dont require you to come in contact with an airport table or plane tray table. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. Travel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. Disneys Aulani resort on Oahu is one option if you want kid-focused and Hawaii all in one. If you're open to waking up at 3 a.m., the Haleakala National Park sunrise summit should not be missed. To ease my anxiety, I over prepared by washing our face masks, packing wipes and hand sanitizerand researching the new travel rules. Travel to Hawaii during Covid-19: What you need to know before you go Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua has its own take on a work and play package, called OOO (Out of the Ordinary)families can get away together and still be productive at work or school in residential suites with small kitchens; they can move to the poolside cabana if they just need to listen in on the Zoom call. Book it here. (Though if you aren't vaccinated, you will need a pre-arrival test or be subjected to a 10-day quarantine upon arrival.). Turks and Caicos is a pristine British overseas paradise made up of over 40 low-lying coral islands in the Atlantic Ocean. With nearly endless reservation options to fly or stay, book your next getaway near or far at Travel + Leisure GO. I Traveled to Hawaii During the Coronavirus Pandemic - Travel + Leisure Research your Caribbean island choice to get a feel for whether youd feel comfortable exploring beyond your resort or not. We pulled our masks tighter, wiped every inch of the seat, buckled up and hoped for the best. Think: A free night at the Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort in Hawaii or the St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino in the Caribbean. Flights from hubs such as the New York City area, Chicago, Charlotte, Miami and others are plentiful especially to major islands. Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor, or humpback whales? You have to get further up the coast where the beaches are wider, and even there, the water can be fairly rough.. What is the processing time and price? Starbucks was the only food establishment open in the interisland terminal when we traveled. Maui County. Next you visit Halona Blowhole, a natural geyser formed from melted and cooled lava. Editor's Note: Those who choose to travel are strongly encouraged to check local government restrictions, rules, and safety measures related to COVID-19 and take personal comfort levels and health conditions into consideration before departure. To adhere to safety regulations, the passenger numbers were limited for safe social distancing, and all tables were spaced six feet apart. Opt for a window seat or wherever you can be farthest away from other passengers. Kauai offers beautiful residential options, though inventory goes fast, and there arent as many home options as on Maui, says Neibaur. For those considering a luau, you'll be immersed in authentic Hawaiian culture at the open-air Old Lhain L'au.Speaking with Kawika Freitas, the director of public and cultural relations, I learned that luaus completely shifted to a new format to comply with Hawaii state and local COVID-19 mandates. "We've decided to postpone traveling because of the pandemic." Almost every Caribbean destination is open to travelers regardless of vaccination status. A country-by-country guide to coronavirus recovery, Why you should fly Hawaiian Airlines to Hawaii, round-trip flights to the islands for under $200, Southwest was offering 40% off Hawaii fares, Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card, The best ways to get to Hawaii using points and miles, British Airways fifth-freedom island-hopping routes, Island-hopping on Southwest Airlines in Hawaii, Little-known Caribbean islands to visit before everyone else, perfect Mauna Kea beach on the Big Island, Review of cruising the Caribbean on the Disney Dream, all-inclusive beach resorts you can book on points in the Caribbean, The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas, The best ways to use credit card award-night certificates in Hawaii, How to rent DVC points to stay at Aulani for less, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Renting a kayak is one of the best ways to explore the islands by water. The path to these falls is as beautiful as the destination itself, especially in the mornings when it is still not very cloudy. Be sure to see PuuPehe Sweetheart Rock and head to the central uplands to explore by horseback or rent a Jeep to explore on your own, she says. For experiences, join a local biologist and swim with sharks, roll up your sleeves to pull invasive seaweed from a fishpond, or replant a native Hawaiian forest.. Its important to monitor fares from both airlines since they offer great deals from their West Coast gateways. /* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. This experience is wildly popular, even during Covid, so it pays to reserve your tickets early. In the Caribbean, you'll have a better chance of seeing humpbacks (and dolphins) from mid-January to mid-March. Alaskan Airlines had another deal back in September that could get you to Hawaii for less than $100, and Southwest was offering 40% off Hawaii fares for early 2022 travel during the first week of October. A note about safety: Petty crime can happen anywhere, so you should pack your street smarts wherever you go. The waiter suggested the Australian rack of lamb, and after just one bite, I understood why the tender meat fell right off the bone. Another great way to experience a Hawaiian sunset is on a stand-up paddleboard. All restrictions on intercounty travel have been lifted, meaning no pre-travel testing or quarantining is needed for travel between the Hawaiian islands. Youll need your passport and may have to exchange currency, though many island vendors will accept U.S. dollars, and some islands do officially use the U.S. dollar. Alaska Airlines offers a once-a-year companion certificate to anyone who holds the Alaska Airlines Visa credit card. This was not what I had expected or prepared for! Readthe FAQs. The Mauna Kea, part of the Autograph Collection, has been a standard for Californians, and they have villas, as well.. If you want to visit more than one island on your tropical vacation, its generally easier to do that in Hawaii. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). To simplify your Hawaii Covid Travels Between Islands, iVisa.com provides these three following options : Standard Processing; the slow, steady, cheaper option. Both will reopen October 15. As I enjoyed a drink and observed the sun dropping into the sea, any anxiety I had of traveling alone during the holidays melted away. The day of my departure, the Hawaiian Airlines check-in line was nonexistent. Both destinations have fantastic, balmy weather year-round, palm trees and fragrant tropical flowers, white- or black-sand beaches, forests filled with hiking trails, plenty of offshore activities and a ton of ways to get there and stay with miles and points. Ever since Hawaii mandated a 14-day quarantine for all arrivals on March 26, it has been stop and go for reopening its borders. The park offers picnic facilities, restrooms and concession stands. Rush Processing; the relatively quicker and costlier option. If youre traveling to the Caribbean from June to August and worried about a hurricane, pick an island such as Barbados or Trinidad thats outside of the traditional hurricane-prone zone. King calls Oahu his least favorite simply because of the crowds, in pre-COVID times: Honolulus international airport has always welcomed many direct flights from mainland USA and Asia, and travelers tend to spend at least some time in Oahu. Hawaii is home to amazing natural wonders and landscapes and is rich in history and culture. Currently, all travelers must either undergo a 10-day quarantine or if traveling from a handful of countries (listed above) to any island . At Sea Song at Kahili Bay, a secluded rental house that sleeps eight, imagine cooking in that cozy kitchen with a view of the water. Of course, right now, coronavirus safety precautions have temporarily changed travel to Hawaii and the Caribbean. My guide picked me up at my hotel and asked a variety of health questions, in addition to the customary temperature check. Emanating elegance, this hillside restaurant served a beautifully crafted seasonal prix-fixe menu highlighting the island's local ingredients. As if air travel with kids isnt stressful enough, throw a pandemic into the mix. Here are some recent reviews of points hotels in those destinations: Hawaii points hotel reviews: Westin Moana Surfrider | The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas | Hilton Waikoloa Village | Grand Hyatt Kauai, Caribbean points hotel reviews: Park Hyatt St. Kitts | Westin St. John Resort Villas | Kimpton Seafire Grand Cayman | Scrub Island, Autograph Collection. If youre a fan of powder-soft white sand and crystal-clear blue water, the Caribbean may have more options. If youre staying in a house or villa, request that your provisions come from a local farmer or rancher, she said. Hawaii, like many other states, has its own travel procedures amid the COVID-19 pandemic. After a 25-minute drive, I arrived at the breathtaking Wailea Beach Resort. The most popular, Hawaii, is affectionately referred to as the Big Island and is where most new visitors will land first. There are a number of Caribbean islands that are on the U.S. Level 2 and 3 travel advisory lists. From Houston, Honolulu is about eight hours away by air, while a flight to Jamaica lasts about half as long, assuming youre booking nonstop flights. The following Southwest credit cards are offering a 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months. Europeans from the English to the French to the Dutch to the Spanish all staked claim to certain islands, and their influence is also still felt in many places. According to The Inter-American Development Bank tourism accounts for 34-48% of GDP for the countries like the Bahamas, Barbados, and Jamaica. If youve got your heart set on a tropical cruise, your options are much more plentiful and therefore more affordable in the Caribbean. (The one exception for now is the Big Island of Hawaii: If youre arriving at Kona airport, you must take a second test upon arrival in addition to showing a negative test result. What it's like to travel to Hawaii right now | CNN 5. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. The Four Seasons is evaluating its reopening date, with a decision coming soon.). Young children unable to keep masks on and people withmedical conditions or disabilities whichpreventmask useare exempt. This point is an excellent photo spot and was once the place where spectators stood to watch Amelia Earhart take her first solo flight from Hawaii to the mainland United States. To avoid airport delays and stress, print and fillout theState of Hawaii Traveler Health Format home 24 hours prior to your flight. If you are an early bird and a germaphobe (who isnt these days? In 2020, tourist arrival dropped by 75% which caused . And both airlines offer buy-one-get-one fares. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. The North Shores famous bike path will take you alongside some of the most picturesque beaches that Hawaii has to offer. The island is more rural and doesn't have resorts. The latest On December 17, the Hawai'i Department of Health urged people on the islands to exercise caution as Covid-19 surged. Travel to Hawaii during Covid-19: What you need to know before you go This hike is great as part of a day trip to the monument. At the arrival desk, a receptionist asked to see my negative COVID-19 result, then handed me a lei that I put on myself for a contactless welcome. For your safety it is highly recommended to stay on marked routes, read and follow all the warning signs, and stay out of restricted areas. I took a trolley that looked like a Disney transplant to the car rental area where a friendly attendant asked for proof of my negative COVID-19 test prior to handing me the keys. In the Caribbean, unless theres ferry service from one island to another as is the case between St. Thomas and St. John it can be expensive and inconvenient to fly between them. Check outthese tipson how to get your keiki to keep their masks on. If everything is not in order, prepare for a 10-day quarantine or to be sent back on the next flight. Hawaii Covid Travels Between Islands: Simplified - iVisa.com If youre into wildlife, you can see dolphins, sea turtles and stingrays in both Hawaii and the Caribbean. Interest in visiting the islands is running high, but the price of paradise can be multiple Covid tests, expensive stints in quarantine, long waits in line and more. If you are concerned about the noise, dont be. This is a developing story. Should you want to use Southwest points to get to Hawaii (or the Caribbean) those points count toward earning a Companion Pass. Even though all beaches in Hawaii are public, this property is secluded at the very end of a beach, with its own private access. Best Hawaiian Islands to Visit: World's Best 2021 - Travel One traveler shares her recent experience of visiting Maui amid the pandemic, including the flight, hotel, restaurant, activities, and more. Related: When will international travel return? The most popular tours are still in effect, even during COVID, and there is much to see and do in this Pacific Island chain.

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