Caribbean - All You Wanted To Know About Visa & Health Regulations!

Christine Hogg

Christine Hogg is the Associate Digital Editor at PAX Global Media

We’ve compiled an extensive list with files from the Government of Canada’s website that covers everything from which vaccines your clients need, to any current health warnings or alerts, and visa requirements so that they’re ready to go once those tickets are booked.

Editor’s note: For the most up-to-date information, always consult travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories prior to travelling.

Anguilla

Malaria: No risk Yellow Fever: No risk Hep A/Hep B: Vaccination encouraged Visa: Not required, if staying less than 90 days Zika virus: Present risk

Credit: Anguilla Tourist Board

Antigua and Barbuda

Malaria: No risk Yellow Fever: No risk Hep A/Hep B: Vaccination recommended Visa: Not required Zika virus: Present risk

Antigua's Blue Waters Resort & Spa

Aruba

Malaria: No risk Yellow Fever: No risk Hep A/Hep B: Vaccination encouraged Visa: Not required, if staying less than 30 days Zika virus: Present risk

Bahamas

Malaria: No risk Yellow Fever: No risk Hep A/Hep B: Vaccination encouraged Visa: Not required, if staying less than 240 days Zika virus: Present risk

Barbados

Malaria: No risk Yellow Fever: No risk Hep A/Hep B: Vaccination encouraged Visa: Not required, if staying less than 180 days Zika virus: Present risk

Credit: Barbados Tourist Board

Belize

Malaria: There is a risk of malaria in certain areas and/or during a certain time of year in this country. Yellow Fever: No risk Hep A/Hep B: Vaccination encouraged Visa: Not required Zika virus: Present risk

Bermuda

Malaria: No risk Yellow Fever: No risk Hep A/Hep B: Vaccination encouraged Visa: Not required Zika virus: Present risk

British Virgin Islands

Malaria: No risk Yellow Fever: No risk Hep A/Hep B: Vaccination encouraged Visa: Not required Zika virus: Present risk

Cayman Islands

Malaria: No risk Yellow Fever: No risk Hep A/Hep B: Vaccination encouraged Visa: Not required, if staying less than 180 days Zika virus: Present risk

Costa Rica

Malaria: There is a risk of malaria in certain areas and/or during a certain time of year in this country. Yellow Fever: No risk Hep A/Hep B: Vaccination encouraged Visa: Visa not required, if staying less than 90 days Zika virus: Present risk

Cuba

Malaria: No risk Yellow Fever: No risk Hep A/Hep B: Vaccination encouraged Visa: Tourist card required (valid 30 days) Zika virus: Present risk

Dominica

Malaria: No risk Yellow Fever: No risk Hep A/Hep B: Vaccination encouraged Visa: Not required, if staying less than 180 days Zika virus: Present risk

Dominican Republic

Malaria: There is a risk of malaria in certain areas and/or during a certain time of year in this country. Antimalarial medication may be recommended depending on your itinerary and the time of year you are travelling. Yellow Fever: No risk Hep A/Hep B: Vaccination encouraged Visa: Not required if staying less than 90 days Zika virus: Present risk

Grenada

Malaria: No risk Yellow Fever: No risk Hep A/Hep B: Vaccination encouraged Visa: not required if staying less than 30 days Zika virus: Present risk

Guadeloupe

Malaria: No risk Yellow Fever: No risk Hep A/Hep B: Vaccination encouraged Visa: Not required if staying less than 90 days Zika virus: Present risk

Jamaica

Malaria: No risk Yellow Fever: No risk Hep A/Hep B: Vaccination encouraged Visa: Not required if staying less than 90 days Zika virus: Present risk

Martinique

Malaria: No risk Yellow Fever: No risk Hep A/Hep B: Vaccination encouraged Visa: Not required Zika virus: Present risk

Mexico

Malaria: There is a risk of malaria in certain areas and/or during a certain time of year in this country. Antimalarial medication may be recommended depending on your itinerary and the time of year you are travelling. Yellow Fever: No risk Hep A/Hep B: Vaccination encouraged Measles: Ongoing outbreak. Vaccinations recommended/updated Zika virus: Present risk

Puerto Rico

Malaria: No risk Yellow Fever: No risk Hep A/Hep B: Vaccination encouraged Visa: Not required, if staying less than 180 days Zika virus: Present risk

St. Kitts and Nevis

Malaria: No risk Yellow Fever: No risk Hep A/Hep B: Vaccination encouraged Visa: not required if staying less than 180 days Zika virus: Present risk

St. Lucia

Malaria: No risk Yellow Fever: No risk Hep A/Hep B: Vaccination encouraged Visa: Not required if staying less than six weeks Zika virus: Present risk

St. Martin

Malaria: No risk Yellow Fever: No risk Hep A/Hep B: Vaccination encouraged Visa: Not required, if staying less than 90 days Zika virus: Present risk

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Malaria: No risk Yellow Fever: No risk Hep A/Hep B: Vaccination encouraged Visa: not required Zika virus: Present risk

Credit: SVTG Tourist Board

Turks and Caicos

Malaria: No risk Yellow Fever: No risk Hep A/Hep B: Vaccination encouraged Visa: Not required Zika virus: Present risk

U.S. Virgin Islands

Malaria: No risk Yellow Fever: No risk Hep A/Hep B: Vaccination encouraged Visa: Not required, if staying less than 180 days Zika virus: present risk

Good to know

Both Dengue fever and chikungunya occur in all countries listed above.

Jamaica is currently experiencing an outbreak of Dengue, and Mexico is currently responding to a measles outbreak.

Dengue fever is a viral disease that can cause severe flu-like symptoms. In some cases it leads to dengue haemorrhagic fever, which can be fatal. Chikungunya is a virus that typically causes fever and pain in the joints. In some cases, the joint pain can be severe and last for months or years. Both are caused by mosquito bites.

Prior to travelling to any of the countries, travel agents should encourage their clients to ensure all their routine vaccinations are up to date, such as the MMVR, which protects against measles; the influenza vaccine, polio, and tetanus.