Curaçao will open to residents from three US states in November

The Caribbean island of Curaçao announced that it will open its borders to residents of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut from November, with more states to follow soon.

The sunny Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao will soon take its first tentative steps to reopening its tourism industry to the US. From the first week of November it will welcome residents of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, the first US travelers to be granted access since travel restrictions were imposed earlier this year. The island, which is known for its colorful Dutch architecture, museums, street art and white-sand beaches, has also introduced a number of steps that visitors must take to help things run smoothly.

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A view from Queen Emma Bridge, Willemstad, Curacao, Netherlands ©SirimasB/Shutterstock

First, all incoming visitors must present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 72 hours of traveling, and upload their results to the new Digital Immigration Card within 48 hours prior to travel. They'll also have to fill in a brief health questionnaire on the app. In addition, residents of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut must present a valid state-issued ID as proof of residence.

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Nena Sanchez Gallery Exterior Wall.jpg — Curaçao is filled with colorful streets and shopfronts ©Eduardo Gato/Curaçao Tourist Board

For its part, Curaçao Tourist Board developed a mobile app called “Dushi Stay" (dushi meaning “sweet” in Papiament, the local language) which gives travelers "access to entry requirements, new island-wide protocols, emergency contact numbers and health tips, as well as a guide to open restaurants, attractions, beaches, etc."

Playa Porto Mari ©Eduardo Gato/Curaçao Tourist Board

Residents of the tri-state area will join travelers from other low-risk countries in visiting Curaçao later this year. Curaçao Tourist Board said it will monitor developments throughout the rest of the US and will prepare to open to other gateway cities as soon as conditions allow.

If you're keen to get there, from November 7, United Airlines will offer a weekly non-stop service from Newark Airport to Curaçao, followed by a twice-weekly service from JFK Airport with JetBlue from December 9.