The Bahamas is officially open for tourism.
The 700-island destination reopened its borders for international tourism on July 1, part of a phased reopening that began with a reopening for boaters and private aviation on June 15.
Most crucially, incoming travelers must present a COVID-19 RT-PCR negative test upon arrival (that’s the swab test).
Those arriving must present test results no more than 10 days old.
The testing protocol does not apply for children under the age of two; children between the ages of 3 and 10, provided their state or country doesn’t administer tests for children under that age (a proof of testing restriction must be submitted).
All travelers must also present an electronic Health Visa (you can find it here) prior to departure; travelers must upload their test results and provide contact information.
There is no quarantine required upon arrival — but travelers who show symptoms of COVID-19 may be transferred to an area away from other passengers for further testing.
The reopening means hotels and vacation rentals are now open to guests, with airlines relaunching their service.
The first airline to return to The Bahamas is Southwest Airlines, which returns July 1 from Baltimore-Washington.
On July 2, JetBlue will resume its daily service between New York and Nassau, as will Delta Air Lines from Atlanta, which is flying twice daily on that route.
United will be relaunching its daily flights from Houston and Newark on July 6, while weekly Denver-Nassau service on Saturdays will resume July 11.
And American Airlines will be launching daily flights from Charlotte to Nassau; Miami to Exuma and Miami to Eleuthera, all on July 7.
Twice-daily flights from Miami to Nassau will also launch July 7.
So what’s open? Resorts like the Warwick Paradise Island, Riu Palace Paradise Island and Island House all reopening on July 1, along with Nassau’s legendary Graycliff hotel.
That’s along with a number of Out Islands resorts like Fernandez Bay Village on Cat Island, the Kahari Resort and Staniel Cay Yacht Club in Exuma, Valentines Resort on Harbour Island and the Carriearl Boutique Hotel in The Berry Islands, for example.