Tag: Arrival

Unveiling Paradise: This Latin American Gem Sets New Tourist Arrival Record

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When you think of Latin America, it’s probably tourism giants like Mexico, Argentina and Colombia that come to mind, and that’s only understandable:

Between one’s luxurious Caribbean resorts and ancient Mayan sites and the others’ charming colonial cities and delectable street food, they’re often a first-time visitor’s preferred pick when planning a trip to the Global South, and they’re undoubtedly extremely popular.

That being said, there’s been renewed interest in what’s the historically-overlooked central part of LatAm, stereotypically known for being a no man’s land full of unmapped and marred with underdevelopment––but to which extent is all of that true?

And if so, why is Costa Rica of all places breaking its own all-time arrival record and positioning itself among the key players in the subcontinent’s market?

On Costa Rica’s Popularity Rise

A name you’re likely to have come across at some point in your Instagram feed or travel searches, Costa Rica is a small, transitory country in Central America boasting a vast biodiversity and naturally Rich Coastlines––pun intended, and yes, in the plural:

Not only is a quarter of its landmass comprised of protected greenery, making the country a sanctuary for wildlife, it offers access to both the Caribbean and Pacific Coasts, with up-and-coming resort towns and crowd-free beaches galore.

For the first half of 2024, tourism in Costa Rica soared, already registering a 14.5% increase year-on-year, and it’s likely to grow further, especially with the abundance of cheap flights traveling to San Jose––roundtrip flights from Miami starting from a shockingly cheap $232.

According to Tourism Minister William Rodriguez, 92% of visitors to Costa Rica arrive by air, mainly from the U.S. and Canada, and this year, the number of U.S. vacationers, in particular, has increased by 18% compared to the same period in 2023.

At this rate, it looks set for a record-breaking 2024.

The question is, what is it about this lesser-known Latin gem that has got them so hooked?

This Is What Makes Costa Rica Actually Great

Costa Rica’s main attraction is its thriving nature, which is probably one of the most diverse in Latin America, despite the country’s less-advantageous size: other than the honey-colored beaches, we’re talking volcanoes, cloud and rainforests, and lake-dotted provinces.

It plays host to a number of LatAm’s most magnificent natural landmarks, including La Fortuna Waterfall, a vertiginous, fast-flowing drop emptying into shallow, swim-friendly pools and surrounded by lush scenery.

The waterfall is already worth flying all the way to Costa Rica to see, but wait until you see the trail that leads you there, with the towering trees, chirping of rare birds, and even the occasional sighting of endangered spider monkeys.

At the foot of the majestic Arenal Volcano, Mistico Arenal is yet another national park you can’t miss during an excursion to Costa Rica, mainly for the scenic freshwater lake and the iconic hanging bridges you will find here.

Nearby, also boasting views of the volcano, Monteverde has a 1.3-mile long trail lapping around a cloud forest, and if you’re keen on escaping into nature for longer than a day, Tortuguero is the perfect spot to base yourself:

This large eco-reserve is located in the heart of the jungle, and according to Booking.com, there are at least 22 accommodation options, ranging from cheap hostels to pricier four-star hotels.

As for the park itself, it provides guided wildlife sighting tours––watch out for those big-toothed crocs if you’re going near the water!––boat rides through winding, nature-made canals, and as it borders the Caribbean Coast, there are even beaches in the proximity of the tourist facilities.

How Does Costa Rica Fare As A Beach Destination?

Unlike the Mexican Caribbean or Colombia’s Northern Coast, Costa Rica is not primarily a beach destination.

While it does boast over 800 miles of coastline, the country is, in fact, best known for its numerous waterfalls and untouched landscape.

What we’re trying to say is, don’t come to Costa Rica expecting to find a hotel-packed Cancun or a lively Cartagena anywhere on the Pacific or Caribbean sides: there are coastal resorts, but they’re far more laid-back, and tourism is (much) smaller in scale––and that’s the beauty of it.

Vacationing in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica’s best-loved resort district on the Central Pacific Coast, you can expect truly unspoiled public beaches completely unclaimed by hospitality giants, more wildlife refuges, including a butterfly atrium and crocodile lagoon, and tourist-friendly treks.

There are some bars and nightlife venues scattered along the shoreline, but Tulum-goers should bear in mind this is not a major party destination––that’s not to say you can’t find the odd beach bar or entertainment venue within a short distance of your jungle retreat.

Accommodation is considerably less expensive here, too: an overnight stay at Hotel Plaza Yara, a four-star listing 800 meters from Manuel Antonio’s main beach, will set you back by $113 per night, while more-modest alternative Hospedaje Colibri costs as little as $23 to book.

Budget-Friendly Adventures

Costa Rica is a small nation, roughly the size of West Virginia, making it incredibly easy to explore, whether you’re traveling solo on a road trip through the jungle-dominated hinterland or being accompanied by a guide.

As smooth a ride as Costa Rica may be, compared to its Central American counterparts, anyway, we would still recommend the latter:

By booking a guided tour, you get to optimize your time, visit hidden gems that wouldn’t normally feature on mainstream travel brochures––and only locals have heard of––and maximize your safety when heading deep into the rainforest.

Departing from Costa Rican capital San Jose, there are countless activities to choose from this Arenal Volcano, Hot Springs & Zip Lining Tour (with meals) from $179, to the top-rated Tortuga Island Tour with Snorkeling and Lunch––warm seas and turquoise waters from as cheap as $115!

From La Fortuna, another popular base for tourists in Costa Rica, you can join a nighttime tour walking through the rainforest for the best possible chance of spotting elusive animals in their natural habitat, starting from $42.50.

Alternatively, in order to beat the crowds, book this $48 early-bird Arenal Volcano Tour with lunch and a hot spring visit added––running on a duration of only 6 hours, and avoiding the challenging sections of the hike, it is perfect for mobility-challenged individuals, or inexperienced trekkers in general.

Costa Rica Is One Of The Safest Destinations In LatAm

Safety is a major concern for Americans traveling in Latin America.

There is definitely a level of exaggeration on American media’s part, but we won’t sugarcoat it and paint LatAm as a perfectly safe destination: local crime levels are generally higher than most U.S. states or Europe, and extra precaution is needed when venturing into certain areas.

In Costa Rica’s case, however, safety issues are not as prominent.

That is because the country has a long-standing reputation of being a ‘neutral’ zone in the Central American strip, with a stable constitutional democracy and fast-developing economy setting it apart from nearby dictatorships and failing states.

Crime in tourism hotspots is not unheard of, yet it is by no means widespread, much like the Mexican Caribbean or Punta Cana.

The U.S. State Department itself classes Costa Rica as a moderately safe destination, having added it to Level 2 of its Travel Advisory, meaning Americans are not discouraged from visiting––on the other hand, they must exercise increased caution due to crime.

They add the Costa Rican authorities provide ‘additional security resources’ in areas tourists frequent, and by ‘increased caution‘, they mean avoiding flashing valuable items like expensive jewelry and electronic devices and booking activities through reputable providers only.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.

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August 29, 2024
The Dominican Republic Sets All-Time Tourist Arrival Record: Here’s Where Travelers Are Headed

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The Dominican Republic’s tourism industry is off to an incredible start this year. The country is smashing tourist numbers month over month, proving more visitors than ever are choosing the Dominican Republic as a vacation destination. With a beautiful and diverse landscape, an endless choice of activities, and welcoming people, it is easy to see why so many tourists visit each year.

Breaking Records By Air And By Sea

Last month alone, combined visitor arrivals by air and sea were just shy of 1 million. 661,088 tourists arrived by air during February, a 17% increase from 2022, and a 9% increase from pre-pandemic 2019. Even more extraordinary is the growth in cruise passenger arrivals.

This February, over 250,000 visitors arrived by cruise ship, representing more than double the number of cruise arrivals from 2019, and triple that of the same period last year.

Add to these impressive numbers the fact that this past January also saw record tourist arrivals. That all means that in the first two months of 2023, over 1.8 million tourists visited the Dominican Republic. With no signs of slowing, it seems the nation is well on its way to its ambitious goal of reaching 10 million visitors by the end of the year.

Why Tourists Love The Dominican Republic

The majority of the Dominican Republic’s visitors hail from the United States, Canada, and Colombia. They come seeking something special that can only be found here. A unique mix of culture, natural beauty, and relaxation that is easily accessible. The Dominican Republic has all that and more.

Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans For 2023 Starting At $10 Per Week

With over 100 all-inclusive resorts, relaxing and enjoying the pristine beaches is easy. In fact, many of the top resorts in the Caribbean are in the Dominican Republic. The diversity of the nation’s vast natural environment means that visitors can enjoy mountains, caves, lakes, and waterfalls, as well as the pristine beaches and offshore islands the country is famous for.

Additionally, visitors love to experience the Dominican culture – one that is welcoming and rich in music, food, and traditions.

Where Are All These Visitors Headed?

The majority of visitors head straight to La Altagracia Province – home to Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic’s golden child for tourism, and many of the top resorts. This beautiful region is where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean and where incredible beaches are just waiting to be enjoyed.

67% of foreigners stayed in the resort towns of Punta Cana, Bávaro, and Bayahibe. But, as regular Travel Off Path readers will know, there is more to the Dominican Republic than just Punta Cana.

The second most touristed destination is the capital region – Santo Domingo and the surrounding area. Santo Domingo is a vibrant city and UNESCO World Heritage site, as it was the first permanent establishment of the “New World”, and is home to some of the oldest institutions in the Americas.

Visitors love Santo Domingo for its diversity of offerings – you can see Colonial architecture, visit Boca Chica’s tropical beaches, explore sunken cenotes in the middle of the city, and enjoy funky clubs with delicious food. 8% of foreigners stayed in Santo Domingo Province.

8% of international visitors also stayed in Puerto Plata Province. Puerto Plata was the original tourist hotspot in the Dominican Republic and is still loved for its breathtaking landscape that includes the coast, mountains, rivers, and of course – beautiful beaches.

The area’s most popular attraction is the 27 Charcos of Damajagua, a complex of 27 waterfalls along the Damajagua river that can be explored on foot with a local guide.

The remaining destinations that have been pulling in international tourists are La Romana, where the renowned Casa de Campo resort is located (4%), Samaná, the northeastern coastal region where visitors enjoy wild beaches and rainforests welcomed 3% of visitors, and finally, 2% of tourists headed for the cosmopolitan city of Santiago de los Caballeros which is full of fascinating museums and cultural sites, and home to some of the best food and nightlife in the Dominican Republic.

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March 10, 2023
Random Testing On Arrival In Canada Could Force Tourists To Quarantine
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Although a majority of the Western World has dropped all of their entry requirements already, tourists visiting Canada still risk being sent to quarantine when randomly selected for testing on-arrival and given a positive Covid result – even if no longer infectious. Whether you’re vaccinated or recovered, Canada makes no distinction.

From the onset of the pandemic, the North American country has resorted to countless measures to curb the viral spread. Among the most controversial ones, unvaccinated Canadians were, for a period of time, unable to board flights in Canada, and most foreigners, Americans included, were routinely turned away at the border.

These stricter rules have been relaxed and the world has moved on, but Canada still hasn’t fully let its guard down and continues barring international travel:

Canada’s Strict Border Rules Keeps Punishing Tourists Regardless Of Vaccination Status

It’s September 2022, and tourists, Canadian expats and business travelers can enter Canada once more. The country is no longer completely sealed off from the rest of the world, as it had been throughout 2020, and with each passing month, cross-border connectivity with the United States gets stronger – be it more flights, or reinstated railway links.

On the downside, Ottawa lawmakers have shown a firm reluctance in easing Canada’s much criticized travel rules – rules many deem outdated and unjustified by science. Yes, non-Canadians can visit for non-essential purposes, but they must tick a number of boxes to be eligible for travel. Among those there is a requirement to be fully vaccinated.

On top of that, they must submit personal information and agree to being tested on arrival. The policy, briefly paused at the peak of the summer travel chaos, was quickly reinforced as soon as congestion eased. While not all are subject to testing, those who do get picked must comply, and must test at an off-site location, no longer located in the arrival hall.

Interestingly, once their testing is conducted, tourists are not required to isolate while waiting for their results. If positive, they will be contacted by authorities and expected to isolate for 10 full days from the date of issue, regardless of having been allowed to walk freely at first, and irrespective of holding a vaccine certificate or recent recovery proof.

Are Canada’s Travel Rules Even Consistent At This Point?

To further add to the confusion, the province of Ontario, of which Toronto is a part of, has recently ended a five-day quarantine requirement residents faced when testing positive for Covid. Evidently, this goes against the federal resolution and the ten-day isolation period still applying to some tourists landing in Ontario.

The apparent inconsistency has been noted by visitors: as reported by Global News Canada, a San Francisco-based traveler was recently selected for testing upon arrival at Toronto Pearson Airport, soon after the program’s resumption. The result was allegedly delayed for ‘several’ days, until she contacted the lab for further information.

She was then ‘shocked’ to find out it came back positive and she needed to isolate for 10 days from that date. The San Franciscan assumed it was a ‘typo’, considering she and her partner had recovered from the disease recently and had voluntarily isolated for twelve days ahead of traveling. This mounted up to nothing, as a quarantine order was still issued.

The woman, Mrs Denise Chenier, had received a booster dose and reportedly obtained negative rapid antigen tests at their final destination in Thunder Bay while waiting for the official results, suggesting the detailed PCR test picked up a former infection. Prior to that, she had already spent a number of days in Canada quarantine-free.

Mrs Chenier is not the only complying American having their vacation plans ruined by the testing policy: roughly 1 in 20 travelers are affected, with both vaccinated and unvaccinated U.S. citizens facing mandatory isolation when failing to obtain a negative PCR. For that reason, having persistent viral levels is still a concern, at least in Canada.

The Problem With False Positives

Nearly three years into the pandemic, now we know PCR tests may pick up both current and recent infections, even if the patient has already recovered. In some cases, the viral load remains high for weeks or months after the disease has subsided; this can lead to the so-called ‘false’ positives, and in Mrs Chenier’s case, or an arguably unnecessary 10-day quarantine.

Ottawa is aware of these problems, but continues defending PCR usage as the ‘gold standard’ for detecting the virus. Conversely, yet another infectious disease specialist, Colin Furness of the University of Toronto, has rebuked the Canadian Government’s decision, joining a growing list of experts calling for these hurdles to be removed.

‘You’re shooting at a dartboard with a blindfold on‘, argues Mr Furness, in light of the recent data showing fully vaccinated, or recovered individuals who are perfectly healthy and non-infectious may still be required to quarantine when issued false positives. He believes the ‘current plan’ is not at all effective in doing disease surveillance, nor transmission control.

Besides the obstacles facing the tourism sector, these random tests are partly to blame for Canadian airports’ tarnished reputation as some of the worst for delays in the world. With an average 5,000 people being marked for testing each day, bottlenecks at the border have become more common, as well as agitation and other incidents.

What Are The Rules For Entering Canada Right Now?

This is the criteria for being eligible for travel to Canada today:
- Non-Canadians must be fully vaccinated*
- They must have no Covid symptoms upon boarding
- All travelers must download the ArriveCAN app, where they must upload their personal information, including proof of vaccination
- Pre-departure tests are no longer required, but random on-arrival tests are taking place
- Masks are required on all Canada-bound flights, trains, and other cross-border service
*Recovered individuals may be eligible to enter when presenting proof of at least one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, or at least two doses of another Covid vaccine accepted by Canada, alongside their recovery certificate issued within the last year

Read More:

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Air Canada and United Expand Travel Connections Between Canada And The U.S.

This article originally appeared on Travel Off Path. For the latest breaking news that will affect your next trip, please visit: Traveloffpath.com

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September 2, 2022
Canada And Australia Tourism Suffering As Many Countries Setting All Time Arrival Records

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The world has finally started to reopen this year, leading to some of the most intense travel demand ever seen. It’s made for a chaotic travel season, but it’s also meant that many countries and destinations are breaking tourism records. Croatia, Greece, Austria, Los Cabos, Cancun, and many other areas are smashing previous arrival records from before the pandemic. However, not all countries see the same tourism growth. Specifically, Canadian and Australian tourist arrivals are still much lower than pre-pandemic levels.

How Bad Is It?

Canada and Australia are both far below their pre-pandemic visitor counts, but Australia is the worst. Travel data shows Australian arrivals down by 65% when compared to pre-pandemic levels. Likewise, Canada is down by 31% compared to pre-pandemic levels when combining international air arrivals and land arrivals from the United States.

What’s The Hold-Up?

Many countries around the world began dropping all Covid requirements as early as March in order to bolster tourism efforts. Canada and Australia were much more cautious in their approach. Both countries have had some of the harshest rules and regulations regarding Covid. The countries only recently started to ease requirements. Australia is now completely reopen but has only been that way for about a month. The country dropped all of its Covid entry requirements in early July, making it one of the slowest tourist destinations to do so.

Canada is worse regarding entry requirements and lagging far behind the most developed countries, as it still has several strict rules in place. Unvaccinated travelers still cannot visit Canada without compelling reasons, such as a death in the family. However, even if unvaccinated travelers can gain entry to Canada, they will be subject to Covid testing and a mandatory 14-day quarantine. As other countries completely strip away all Covid rules, Canada’s approach seems draconian. Especially after the continued loosening of guidelines from the CDC.

Canadian Travel Woes

As if the strict measures weren’t bad enough, Canada has hit several other bumps on the road to tourism recovery. Most notably, Toronto Pearson International Airport is currently the worst airport in the world for flight delays. Between May 26^th and July 19^th, Pearson had 52.5% of their scheduled flights delayed. Travelers are aware of how bad delays and cancellations have been this summer, but Toronto Pearson takes the cake. If Covid entry requirements weren’t holding travelers off from a trip to Canada, the state of its largest airport certainly might be.

Another significant roadblock for travel to Canada is the ArriveCAN app. The app was initially intended to serve as a Covid-19 screening app for travelers to prove their vaccination status before arrival. Non-compliant travelers were subject to delays, a quarantine, or even a $5000 CAD fine. The app has received criticism for privacy concerns and numerous bugs that have made its use frustrating for travelers.

Recently the app glitched out and told vaccinated travelers that they had to quarantine or face a $5000 CAD fine. Many travelers are unaware of the app or may not even have a smartphone. This leads to further delays at border control as short-staffed border control workers have to take time away to walk travelers through the app.

The Bottom Line

Canada and Australia had some of the strictest responses to the Covid-19 pandemic and have been slow to ease Covid-era requirements. When compared to countries like Greece, which doesn’t even require travelers to quarantine after testing positive, Canada and Australia’s responses look especially harsh. Although Australia has reopened completely and Canada is partially open, travelers have not felt comfortable going back to these destinations.

Travelers may have lost trust in these destinations and fear getting caught up in the mix of freshly implemented travel restrictions on holiday. While many tourist destinations around the world continue to outpace previous arrival records, it looks like Canada and Australia will be waiting a long time for their recovery.

This article originally appeared on Travel Off Path. For the latest breaking news that will affect your next trip, please visit: Traveloffpath.com

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

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August 18, 2022
Canada Suspends Random Covid Testing On Arrival To Reduce Travel Disruption

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After the United States dropped the testing requirement for vaccinated travelers, including returning American citizens, Canada has now decided to suspend random tests on arrival temporarily as airports struggle with rising travel demand. Starting June 11, only unvaccinated passengers will be subject to testing landing in Canada.

The move comes as numerous airports around the globe battle staffing constraints and an overwhelming demand. Although this is surely a step in the right direction, this is by no means a definitive decision. The Canadian Government has reiterated the relaxation has a validity date and, soon enough, random testing will be reinstated:

Vaccinated Travelers Can Avoid Random Tests Until June 30

From June 11 to June 30, incoming vaccinated travelers will no longer be selected for random testing landing at one of Canada’s main points of entry. Even though the country has scrapped pre-departure testing for the vaccinated a while ago, it had continued to enforce the highly criticized post-arrival random testing measure.

This means that, over the next three weeks, only the unvaccinated will still be required by law to undergo testing, if selected by health authorities, when landing in Canada. On July 1, the requirement for the vaccinated to undergo random testing will return, albeit with significant changes: as stated by the Government, all testing will be moved ‘off-site’.

In other words, travelers will not be required to provide a sample at the airport itself, being moved instead to a different location in a bid to ease the burden placed on understaffed airports. As of now, the Canadian Government has not yet specified how the changes will be effected, or exactly what ‘off-site’ means.

From our understanding, ‘lucky’ travelers could now be conducted to testing facilities outside the airport’s arrival halls, seeing that testing sites that have been set up in their vicinity will be dismantled in the upcoming weeks. This is yet to be confirmed by Canada, and we will keep our readers updated once more information is provided.

Airports In Canada Call For Measure To Be Fully Scrapped

For weeks, airports in Canada have urged the Government to further ease its strict Covid screening at the country’s international hubs as unavoidable cancellations are already set to have a devastating effect on passengers this summer. Enforcing random testing on-arrival would only worsen disruption and prompt further delays.

The Greater Toronto Airport authority (GTAA) has been calling for the program to be suspended for weeks, acknowledging that, in its current state, the hub cannot manage both increasing passenger numbers and enforce the country’s Covid policies. As GTAA states, arrival figures will increase by ‘some 50 per cent’ during summer.

In a recent interview with CBC, Tourism Minister Randy Boissonnault revealed the Government decided to grant the three-week pause in order to help reduce disruption at airports. According to him, the suspension will give the government enough time to set up off-site testing booths away from the increasingly busy arrival halls:

‘It’s going to make sure that the airports flow more quickly’, added Boissonault. He acknowledged that airports are not designed to house mini health care centers and that the revised policy will help staff and ease congestion. Although the measure will be reintroduced shortly, for the Minister, ‘this is a good step in the right direction’.

Transport Minister Omar Alghabra also conceded the Canadian Government ‘recognizes the impact that significant wait times at some Canadian airports are having on travelers’. Alghabra confirmed authorities will continue working with airports, airlines, and other key sectors of the travel industry to find long-term solutions.

Although the suspension will help airports in Canada, and the subsequent translocation of testing centers ensure airport staff can carry out their work uninterrupted, frustration among passengers may continue to grow, as random testing is set to return next month. As the Government has already confirmed, the vaccinated will not continue being exempt from July 1.

Government Believes Policy Is Necessary Despite Experts’ Recommendations

Addressing the public’s animosity towards the measure and defending the measure, Marie-France Proulx, a spokesperson for the Health Ministry, has asserted that randomized testing is ‘the only way’ to detect new variants being imported into Canada, especially now that provinces and territories are no longer doing massive testing.

Randomized testing is not the only concern shared by those traveling to Canada in the post-Covid world. Recently, the Government has come under fire for proposing a new law enabling border officers to search the phones of those arriving in Canada, further alienating restriction-wary travelers that are favoring countries with no strict policies in place.

Within the Parliament, Opposition Conservatives have pressed the Trudeau Administration to lift all remaining Covid restrictions for those visiting Canada, including the vaccination requirement and randomized testing. The latter’s three-week pause may be seen as a positive development, but it is still a small victory for opponents.

As health experts themselves call for randomized testing to be scrapped for good, we may see the Canadian Government reconsidering its tough stance. Many see the policy as ‘unnecessary’ now that there is ‘widespread natural and vaccine-induced immunity’, and one that only increases bureaucracy at airports.

In sum, if you’re vaccinated, you have until June 30 to enter Canada without fear of being picked out for testing.

Read More:

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June 13, 2022