Aruba has updated its entry protocols, with new rules that waive pre-testing requirements for certain fully vaccinated American travelers. 

But it’s not quite that simple.

Crucially, the island is only waiving testing for U.S. residents who have been fully vaccinated and have a SMART Health Card vaccine record. 

For now, that means a relatively small number of U.S. travelers — SMART Health Cards are available for those who were vaccinated at Walmart and Sam’s Club Pharmacies, or at healthcare providers in California and Louisiana. (You can find more about the SMART program here). 

So even if you’re fully vaccinated, without that card, you’ll still have to go through Aruba’s existing pre-testing requirements. 

That means, you’ll have to show proof of a negative PCR test taken and received within three to four days before traveling to Aruba. 

That’s along with the island’s travel protocols that still apply to all travelers — verifiably vaccinated or otherwise.

Travelers have to buy Aruba Visitors Insurance, and all travelers have to fill out Aruba’s online ED card (you can find it here), among other protocols.

The move stands in stark contrast to countries like The Bahamas, which have very successfully waived testing requirements for fully vaccinated travelers, without the requirement of the added vaccination verification. 

For more on Aruba’s new protocols, visit Aruba. 

— CJ