If you’re like many die-hard travelers, you’re chomping at the bit to get a new passport stamp or two. The pandemic shutdowns cramped your style, but more nations have opened their borders to visitors, allowing you to once more jet off to foreign ports of call.
However, you won’t find doors open everywhere. What are your options? Here are five great trips to take in 2022 that will slake your wanderlust.
Special Caveats for Traveling During Covid
Traveling during Covid does require some extra precautions. Please note that the rules in many destinations prohibit unvaccinated travelers, so ensure you get your shot(s) before you go — including a booster if it’s been a while.
Furthermore, you will have to get tested before returning to the U.S. The Biden Administration recently shortened the window to 24 hours before your flight, given the new Omicron variant. Fortunately, many airports provide Covid screening tests for passengers.
1. Puerto Rico
Most Caribbean islands have reopened to tourists, but restrictions vary from nation to nation. Fortunately, Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States, making the rules easier to understand.
You’ll have a blast exploring old San Juan. Your visit to the Castillo San Felipe del Morro will leave you feeling like you stepped into an episode of “Game of Thrones.” Book a tour and explore how this 18th-century fortress defended against foreign invaders and attackers. Complete your historical tour with a trip to the Teatro Alejandro Tapia y Rivera. Take in a show or merely marvel at the gorgeous architecture.
You’ll find no shortage of beaches for working on your tan. If you can’t get enough sea turtles ever since you saw “Finding Nemo,” head to Culebra, where you can also catch a flamenco show on the sand.
2. Europe
Most European nations are also open to U.S. travelers. However, the rules are subject to change, so please check with the State Department before heading to the airport.
The beauty part of Europe is the proximity of many destinations, but you might want to pass on crossing too many borders for now. Instead, why not take that Paris deep-dive you always dreamed of doing? You can take in sites like the Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre with fewer crowds than you may have encountered in previous years.
3. Canada
There’s good news if you want to say no to the airplane and stay on the North American continent. Canada recently reopened its borders to U.S. leisure travelers. If you were one of many who relied on crossing the border to get needed medications for a fraction of what you’d find in the States, your long wait has ended.
You’ll find much to do in our neighbor to the north. The Canadian side of Niagara Falls is a marvel to behold, with glorious shops and restaurants. The Maple Leafs recently kicked off their new chapter — why not catch a hockey game?
If you’re on the other side of the Mississippi, why not head to Banff National Park for some of the most stunning nature photography you can find anywhere? If you’re planning for the spring, Cypress Hills in Alberta will delight you with fields of wildflowers like a carpet of scent and color.
4. Mexico
If you live closer to the south, you might run across the opposite border to enjoy a little fun in the sun. Margaritas in the sand in Puerto Peñasco? Yes, please!
You can enjoy one-of-a-kind adventures in Mexico. Enjoy swimming in a cenote, an underground chamber or cave that makes you feel lost in an enchanted realm. These formations couldn’t have occurred without the meteor that ended the age of the dinosaurs.
You can still find some ancient sea creatures in the crystal blue waters off the shore. Feeling adventurous? Forget swimming with the dolphins — book a ride in a shark tank and see those deep black eyes for yourself. You’ll never watch “Jaws” the same way again.
5. Peru
If you are a “foodie,” you might want to make your 2022 getaway a trip to Peru. The nation is home to Pia Leon, named the best chef in the world. Dining at her restaurant Kjolle alone is worth the price of your plane ticket.
Don’t eat so much that you can’t hike, though. You’ll need plenty of energy and perhaps an extra dose of oxygen to visit Machu Picchu high in the Andes mountains. It takes three to six days to make the trek, but you’ll find a hotel, restaurant and thermal baths at the top.
Take These 5 Trips in 2022
If you’re like many frequent flyers, you can’t wait to earn a few new passport stamps now that more countries have lifted restrictions. Take these five trips in 2022 and enjoy the journey!
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