FAQs for Americans Traveling in the Caribbean
This destination-specific FAQ focuses on the needs and questions of US passport holders. Each section covers entry requirements, health and safety, money matters, local tips, and unique experiences. This is intended to be a quick-reference guide to help you plan confidently and authentically. Please double check Entry & Visa, as requirements can change unexpectedly.
Antigua & Barbuda
Entry & Visa:
US citizens do not need a visa for stays up to 180 days. A valid US passport and proof of onward/return travel are required.
Health & Safety:
No specific vaccinations required. Tap water is generally safe in hotels. Usual sun and mosquito precautions apply.
Money:
Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD) is the official currency. US dollars widely accepted, but change may be in XCD.
Local Tips:
Greet with a smile, dress modestly in towns. Tipping is customary (10-15%).
Unique Experience:
Don’t miss the Sunday party at Shirley Heights and the UNESCO-listed Nelson’s Dockyard.
Aruba
Entry & Visa:
No visa required for US tourists for up to 30 days (extendable to 180 days). Passport must be valid for duration of stay.
Health & Safety:
No special vaccines needed. Tap water is safe. Aruba is one of the safest Caribbean islands.
Money:
Aruban Florin (AWG), but US dollars widely accepted.
Local Tips:
Casual dress is fine, but cover up in towns. Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory.
Unique Experience:
Explore Arikok National Park and enjoy local “cunucu” cuisine.
Bahamas
Entry & Visa:
No visa required for US tourists. Valid passport and proof of onward travel needed.
Health & Safety:
No special vaccines. Be aware of strong sun and occasional hurricanes (June–Nov).
Money:
Bahamian Dollar (BSD), at par with USD. US dollars accepted everywhere.
Local Tips:
Island time is real—expect a relaxed pace. Tipping is standard (15%).
Unique Experience:
Swim with pigs in Exuma or visit the Junkanoo Festival (Dec/Jan).
Barbados
Entry & Visa:
No visa needed for US citizens for stays up to 6 months. Passport and return ticket required.
Health & Safety:
No special vaccines. Tap water is safe. Standard tropical precautions.
Money:
Barbados Dollar (BBD), but US dollars accepted.
Local Tips:
Greet locals, especially in rural areas. Dress modestly in towns, swimwear for beaches only.
Unique Experience:
Friday night fish fry at Oistins and exploring Harrison’s Cave.
Belize
Entry & Visa:
No visa for US tourists for stays up to 30 days (extendable). Passport and proof of onward travel required.
Health & Safety:
No specific vaccines, but CDC recommends Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Mosquito repellent is essential.
Money:
Belize Dollar (BZD), US dollars widely accepted.
Local Tips:
English is the official language. Tipping 10-15% is standard.
Unique Experience:
Snorkel the Blue Hole or visit the ancient Mayan ruins.
Bermuda
Entry & Visa:
No visa for US citizens for up to 90 days. Passport and return/onward ticket required.
Health & Safety:
No special vaccines. Tap water is safe. Sun protection is essential.
Money:
Bermuda Dollar (BMD), at par with USD. US dollars accepted everywhere.
Local Tips:
Dress smart-casual; beachwear is for the beach only. Tipping 15% is standard.
Unique Experience:
Cycle the Bermuda Railway Trail or explore the Crystal Caves.
Bonaire
Entry & Visa:
No visa for US citizens for up to 90 days. Passport required.
Health & Safety:
No special vaccines. Tap water is safe.
Money:
US Dollar is the official currency.
Local Tips:
Eco-friendliness is valued. Tipping 10-15% is customary.
Unique Experience:
World-class diving and snorkeling at Bonaire Marine Park.
British Virgin Islands (BVI)
Entry & Visa:
No visa for US citizens for up to 30 days (extendable). Passport required.
Health & Safety:
No special vaccines. Hurricane season is June–Nov.
Money:
US Dollar is official currency.
Local Tips:
Politeness is important. Tipping 10-15% is customary.
Unique Experience:
Sailing the BVI, especially The Baths at Virgin Gorda.
Cayman Islands
Entry & Visa:
No visa for US citizens for up to 30 days. Passport and return/onward ticket required.
Health & Safety:
No special vaccines. Tap water is safe.
Money:
Cayman Islands Dollar (KYD), US dollars accepted.
Local Tips:
Tipping 15% is standard. Dress modestly in towns.
Unique Experience:
Stingray City and Seven Mile Beach.
Curaçao
Entry & Visa:
No visa for US citizens for up to 90 days. Passport required.
Health & Safety:
No special vaccines. Tap water is safe.
Money:
Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG), US dollars widely accepted.
Local Tips:
Tipping 10-15% is standard. English widely spoken.
Unique Experience:
Visit the colorful capital Willemstad and the island’s many beaches.
Dominica
Entry & Visa:
No visa for US citizens for up to 6 months. Passport required.
Health & Safety:
No special vaccines. Tap water is generally safe.
Money:
Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD), US dollars accepted.
Local Tips:
Eco-friendly practices are important. Tipping 10% is standard.
Unique Experience:
Hiking to Boiling Lake or Trafalgar Falls.
Dominican Republic
Entry & Visa:
No visa for stays up to 30 days. Tourist card included in airfare for most US travelers.
Health & Safety:
No special vaccines. Bottled water recommended.
Money:
Dominican Peso (DOP), US dollars accepted in tourist areas.
Local Tips:
Tipping 10% is standard. Spanish is the official language.
Unique Experience:
Colonial Zone in Santo Domingo and Punta Cana’s beaches.
Grenada
Entry & Visa:
No visa for US citizens for up to 90 days. Passport and return ticket required.
Health & Safety:
No special vaccines. Mosquito repellent recommended.
Money:
Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD), US dollars accepted.
Local Tips:
Greet with a smile; tipping 10% is standard.
Unique Experience:
Tour spice plantations and visit Grand Anse Beach.
Guadeloupe
Entry & Visa:
No visa for US citizens for stays up to 90 days. Passport required.
Health & Safety:
No special vaccines. Tap water is safe.
Money:
Euro (EUR). US dollars less accepted; credit cards widely used.
Local Tips:
French is official language. Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory.
Unique Experience:
Explore volcanic landscapes and Creole cuisine.
Guyana
Entry & Visa:
No visa for US citizens for up to 90 days. Passport and return ticket required.
Health & Safety:
Yellow fever vaccination required if arriving from endemic country. Mosquito precautions essential.
Money:
Guyanese Dollar (GYD), US dollars accepted at hotels.
Local Tips:
English is official language. Tipping 10% is standard.
Unique Experience:
Kaieteur Falls and indigenous village visits.
Jamaica
Entry & Visa:
No visa for US citizens for up to 90 days. Passport and return ticket required.
Health & Safety:
No special vaccines. Mosquito repellent advised.
Money:
Jamaican Dollar (JMD), US dollars accepted in tourist areas.
Local Tips:
Greet with “good morning.” Tipping 10-15% is standard.
Unique Experience:
Reggae music in Kingston and Blue Mountains hiking.
Martinique
Entry & Visa:
No visa for US citizens for up to 90 days. Passport required.
Health & Safety:
No special vaccines. Tap water is safe.
Money:
Euro (EUR). US dollars not widely accepted.
Local Tips:
French is official language. Tipping is appreciated.
Unique Experience:
Visit Mount Pelée and enjoy French-Caribbean cuisine.
Montserrat
Entry & Visa:
No visa for US citizens for up to 6 months. Passport and return ticket required.
Health & Safety:
No special vaccines. Volcano monitoring in place.
Money:
Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD), US dollars accepted.
Local Tips:
Small, friendly island. Tipping 10% is standard.
Unique Experience:
Volcano tours and hiking.
Puerto Rico
Entry & Visa:
US territory—no passport or visa required for US citizens.
Health & Safety:
No special vaccines. Tap water is safe.
Money:
US Dollar.
Local Tips:
Spanish and English spoken. Tipping 15-20% is standard.
Unique Experience:
Old San Juan and El Yunque Rainforest.
Saba
Entry & Visa:
No visa for US citizens for up to 90 days. Passport required.
Health & Safety:
No special vaccines. Tap water is safe.
Money:
US Dollar.
Local Tips:
Eco-friendly island. Tipping 10% is standard.
Unique Experience:
Diving and hiking Mount Scenery.
St. Barthélemy (St. Barts)
Entry & Visa:
No visa for US citizens for up to 90 days. Passport required.
Health & Safety:
No special vaccines. Tap water is safe.
Money:
Euro (EUR). US dollars accepted in some places.
Local Tips:
French is official language. Tipping is appreciated.
Unique Experience:
Luxury beaches and French-Caribbean cuisine.
St. Eustatius
Entry & Visa:
No visa for US citizens for up to 90 days. Passport required.
Health & Safety:
No special vaccines. Tap water is safe.
Money:
US Dollar.
Local Tips:
Small, quiet island. Tipping 10% is standard.
Unique Experience:
Diving and hiking The Quill volcano.
St. Kitts & Nevis
Entry & Visa:
No visa for US citizens for up to 90 days. Passport and return ticket required.
Health & Safety:
No special vaccines. Mosquito repellent recommended.
Money:
Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD), US dollars accepted.
Local Tips:
Politeness matters. Tipping 10% is standard.
Unique Experience:
Scenic railway and Brimstone Hill Fortress.
St. Lucia
Entry & Visa:
No visa for US citizens for up to 6 weeks. Passport and return ticket required.
Health & Safety:
No special vaccines. Mosquito precautions advised.
Money:
Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD), US dollars accepted.
Local Tips:
Greet with a smile. Tipping 10% is standard.
Unique Experience:
The Pitons and Sulphur Springs.
St. Martin / Sint Maarten
Entry & Visa:
No visa for US citizens for up to 90 days. Passport required.
Health & Safety:
No special vaccines. Tap water is safe.
Money:
Euro (EUR) in French St. Martin; Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG) and US dollars in Dutch Sint Maarten.
Local Tips:
French and Dutch spoken. Tipping 10-15% is standard.
Unique Experience:
Maho Beach plane spotting and Grand Case dining.
St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Entry & Visa:
No visa for US citizens for up to 30 days. Passport and return ticket required.
Health & Safety:
No special vaccines. Mosquito repellent advised.
Money:
Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD), US dollars accepted.
Local Tips:
Politeness matters. Tipping 10% is standard.
Unique Experience:
Island-hopping and Tobago Cays snorkeling.
Suriname
Entry & Visa:
E-visa required for US citizens. Passport and proof of accommodation needed.
Health & Safety:
Yellow fever vaccine required if arriving from endemic country.
Money:
Surinamese Dollar (SRD). US dollars accepted in some places.
Local Tips:
Dutch is official language. Tipping 10% is standard.
Unique Experience:
Paramaribo’s colonial architecture and rainforest tours.
Trinidad & Tobago
Entry & Visa:
No visa for US citizens for up to 90 days. Passport and return ticket required.
Health & Safety:
No special vaccines. Mosquito repellent advised.
Money:
Trinidad & Tobago Dollar (TTD), US dollars accepted in some places.
Local Tips:
English spoken. Tipping 10% is standard.
Unique Experience:
Carnival in Port of Spain and birdwatching in Tobago.
Turks & Caicos Islands
Entry & Visa:
No visa for US citizens for up to 90 days. Passport and return ticket required.
Health & Safety:
No special vaccines. Tap water is safe.
Money:
US Dollar.
Local Tips:
Tipping 10-15% is standard. Island time is real—expect a relaxed pace.
Unique Experience:
Grace Bay Beach and snorkeling at coral reefs.
US Virgin Islands
Entry & Visa:
US territory—no passport or visa required for US citizens.
Health & Safety:
No special vaccines. Tap water is safe.
Money:
US Dollar.
Local Tips:
English spoken. Tipping 15% is standard.
Unique Experience:
St. John’s Virgin Islands National Park and St. Thomas shopping.
