Travel insights from Andrea Sedlacek, editor of The Compass

Your Guide to Entry Requirements for 7 Popular Caribbean Countries

Every country’s entry requirements are different and it can be hard to remember if a passport needs six months of validity or three, what form a traveler needs to fill out or even if they need their passport! We’ve gathered the entry requirements for U.S. citizens for seven popular Caribbean countries so you don’t have to go hunting on the U.S. State Department’s website.

Mexico

  • Passport – Must be valid at time of entry and have a page available for the stamp
  • Entry form – Must be completed upon entry but can be filled out ahead of time

Other helpful info:

  • Official currency is the Mexican peso but U.S. dollars are widely accepted
  • Legal drinking age is 18
  • Spanish is the official language but English is widely spoken

Dominican Republic

  • Passport – Must be valid at time of entry and have a page available for the stamp
  • Tourist card – As of April 25, 2018, this $10 tourist card is likely included with airline tickets, but card can be purchased at the airport. Double check with the airline before your clients travel so they know what to expect.

Other helpful info:

  • Official currency is the Dominican Republic peso, but U.S. dollars are accepted by businesses in tourist destinations, including restaurants, bars, department stores, souvenir shops, and supermarkets
  • Legal drinking age is 18
  • U.S. driver’s licenses are valid for the traveler’s length of stay

Jamaica

  • Passport – Must be valid at time of entry and exit, and have a page available for the stamp

Other helpful info:

  • Official currency is the Jamaica dollar but U.S. dollars are widely accepted
  • Legal drinking age is 18
  • English is widely spoken
  • U.S. driver’s licenses are valid for the traveler’s length of stay

Puerto Rico

  • Passport – No passport needed, as Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory

Other helpful info:

  • Official currency is the U.S. dollar
  • English is one of the country’s official languages, so it’s widely spoken
  • Legal drinking age is 18
  • Since Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, it must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, so hotels, airports and public transportation must be accessible. It’s still recommended to contact your client’s hotel before they travel just to confirm they have the equipment your client needs.
  • As of June 2018, 89% of Puerto Rico’s hotels are operating normally, with new ones announced frequently. All ground transportation is operating normally, as the country is bouncing back from the hurricane.

Bahamas

  • Passport – Must be valid at time of entry and exit, and have two blank pages
  • Immigration form – Upon arrival, every visitor must fill out an immigration form and keep a portion of the card for their departure

Other helpful info:

  • Official currency is the Bahamian dollar but U.S. currency is widely accepted
  • English is the official language
  • Legal drinking age is 18

Saint Lucia

  • Passport – Must have six months of validity at time of entry, and have one blank page

Other helpful info:

  • Official currency is the Saint Lucia dollar but U.S. currency is widely accepted
  • English is the official language

Turks & Caicos

  • Passport – Must be valid for the duration of the stay
  • Ticket – All visitors must hold a roundtrip ticket
  • Forms – All visitors must fill out an immigration form and a customs form upon entry

Other helpful info:

  • Official currency is U.S. dollar
  • English is the official language
  • U.S. driver’s licenses are valid to use for 30 days

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