Tag: Rules

Bali Announces 3 New Strict Rules That Will Affect Your Next Trip

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Travelers keep falling in love with Bali and many digital nomads are choosing this beautiful destination as their base.

It seems like the time this Indonesian Province had strict entry rules for tourists during the pandemic only made it more desirable, and since entry requirements were eased last year, tourists from all over the world rushed to this paradise.

However, the government is not entirely content with this tourism boom and has been implementing new rules and major changes affecting international travelers in the last few days.

Why? Well, there are multiple reasons.

One of them is that certain travelers have not been behaving properly and it has been publicly reported: from wild tourists getting naked next to sacred monuments to visitors driving scooters without a proper license.

Also, Viral TikToks have also been affecting Bali’s reputation and showing polluted beaches, dirty streets, and poor infrastructure, and local authorities are working hard to change this reputation.

Bali’s Governor Wayan Koster has officially announced new rules that will affect travelers in the upcoming days, including a list of Do’s and Don’ts for tourists.

These are the three main changes announced:

1) Travelers Must Carry Official Licenses To Drive Scooters

Driving scooters is one of the most popular experiences in Bali and almost anyone could do it.

Driving scooters freely—wearing only swimsuits—, without a driver’s license and dealing with the crazy scooter traffic was among the most popular videos shared by digital nomads in the province.

While it is not legal to rent a scooter without a driver’s license, it became common knowledge that visitors could rent a scooter without an official permit as rules were pretty flexible and motorbike rentals were not obliged to verify if a tourist had a driver’s license.

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Well, not anymore.

Travelers must have an international driver’s license or the local permit, a SIM.

According to the information shared by The Bali Sun, to ensure that rules will be obeyed, a Tourism Task Force has been deployed in Bali to fine violators, in alliance with the traffic police.

Scooters must only be rented from only certified scooter providers.

2) No One Can Step Foot On Mountains And Volcanoes

Governor Koster has made a more radical decision towards tourism activities in the mountains and volcanoes in Bali that will also affect locals.

As reported by The Bali Sun, It is now forbidden for everyone to visit any of Bali’s twenty-two mountains “unless there are religious ceremonies or disaster management and special activities that are not for tourism activities.”

This measure has been applied after foreign visitors were disrespectful towards the sacred mountains and nature.

Popular outdoor experiences like Mount Batur trekking are now banned, affecting nature lovers and locals that relied on these tourism experiences.

3) Visitors Can Only Stay At Registered Hotels And Villas

Travelers must be careful when booking their accommodation in Bali.

Officials in Bali announced there will be consequences for those staying at accommodations that do not pay taxes —including Airbnb, guesthouses, B&Bs, and guesthouses— and there could be investigations or raids taking place soon.

Tourists staying at official hotels and other registered accommodations shouldn’t have any problem.

However, it can affect digital nomads or villa renters that have arranged informal stays with friends, family or locals.

Visitors should make sure that the property has business credentials and double-check with owners that they have the right permits to avoid any risk.

About The New Do’s And Don’ts

Governor Koster had previously announced a list of do’s and don’ts for travelers and the official guidelines have been recently published.

Certain rules are just common sense for respectful travelers —but due to recent incidents, authorities thought they should clarify.

As mentioned in the list of “do’s’ ‘, tourists must respect sacred nature and religious symbols, as well as Balinese culture and its people, and dress accordingly when visiting holy spaces, in public spaces, and tourist attractions.

Other rules are related to the three main changes, and there’s also been a currency reminder: travelers must pay in Indonesian rupiah, use the Indonesian Standard QR Code, and exchange foreign currency at authorized businesses and banks.

Regarding the “don’ts” list, it has been mentioned that travelers can’t enter holy spaces in temples except for praying and wearing traditional Balinese clothes —women must not have their period.

Travelers can’t touch or climb sacred trees, pollute, or use single-use plastic.

Other rules mentioned just emphasize good behavior and want visitors to not spread hate speeches or act aggressively.

In general, these guidelines just reinforce existing laws and remind travelers to be respectful.

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June 3, 2023
The Latest Alcohol Rules For Tourists In Dubai After Government Reduces Prices

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Trips to Dubai just got cheaper for travelers who enjoy a drink on vacation with the government removing its 30% municipality tax on alcohol sales. The country has also removed its AED 270 (US$73) fee for liquor licenses that allow people to buy alcohol to drink at home. The reduction in fees and taxes has gone into effect now and will be trialed for a year.

Major alcohol purveyors are already celebrating the news on their social channels, instantly reflecting the new pricing on their stock in-stores but are caveating that the 5% VAT fee will still apply.

“You no longer need to make trips across the country to stock up on your favourite drinks. With the removal of 30% municipality tax and FREE alcohol licence, buying your favourite drinks is now easier and cheaper than ever!” said MMI Dubai, a major purveyor of alcohol, on its Instagram.

This move is expected to boost the appeal of Dubai as a destination for tourists and digital nomads, to compete with its neighboring countries that also carry hefty taxes on alcohol. Tourism is an important income stream for Dubai, with tourist numbers growing more than 180% in the first half of 2022, compared to the same time period a year prior, while new establishments are constantly popping up to meet this demand.

Do I Need A Liquor License To Drink At My Accommodation?

For tourists staying in hotels, the answer is NO.

Tourists that are staying in private accommodations like rentals or Airbnb’s will have different rules if they are looking to buy bottles to bring home. Tourists can apply for a free 30-day license to purchase alcohol, which is a simplified process that you can do at two of the main purveyors of alcohol in Dubai – MMI and African + Eastern. You just need to be at least 21 years of age and will need to bring your passport and a valid visitor visa to the store to obtain the license.

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Where Can I Buy Alcohol?

MMI and African + Eastern are the two main legally operated liquor stores in Dubai and collectively have almost 40 stores in Dubai, which stock the most popular wines, spirits, and beer brands.

Tourists also have access to the Legal Home Delivery service, which is the only legal alcohol delivery service in Dubai operated by MMI and African + Eastern. This service means you can avoid going into the store and opt for delivery to your accommodation instead, which is available 7 days per week between 10 am and 10 pm.

The system doesn’t currently offer same-day delivery, so you will need to order before 12 pm to get next-day delivery and order a minimum of UAE 150 (US$40). Currently, there is no limit set by law on how much alcohol you can purchase, as long as you have a liquor license to purchase it.

Where Can I Drink Alcohol?

Drinking alcohol is restricted to certain locations that are considered legal. This includes your residence or accommodation, and in licensed venues around the city.

Alcohol is not widely served in Dubai due to its Muslim population and Islamic laws, so you can only drink at officially licensed establishments such as hotels, restaurants, bars, and clubs that are targeted toward expats and tourists. It is recommended by the Embassy of the UAE not to ask for alcohol if it isn’t on the menu. If you come across locations with signs saying “dry,” this means they do not serve alcohol.

Dubai’s clubs normally kick into gear around 10am and close around 3am, with alcohol service stopping at around 1 am, but each location has its own schedule.

Is Alcohol Expensive In Dubai?

A wide range of alcohol is served in Dubai, but it typically comes with a larger price tag than home. Drinking alcohol in Dubai is considered a privilege, but the recent removal of the 30% of tax should make it more attractive for tourists.

Some remain skeptical that these savings will be passed on when drinking on-site at bars and restaurants. According to The Washington Post, a pint of Budweiser costs about $13 at a hotel bar close to Dubai airport, while Legal Home Delivery advertises prices for a 1L of Absolut Vodka at UAS 191 (US $52), while wines start from UAE 22 (US $6), excluding 5% VAT tax.

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January 9, 2023
Tourist Gets Scolded After Climbing Pyramid In Mexico – What Are The Rules For Visiting An Ancient Site?
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Earlier this week, a tourist was scolded and physically attacked by an angry crowd after climbing the historical pyramid of Chichen Itza in Mexico. After the incident went viral on TikTok, numerous users began wondering why her behavior was so strongly reprimanded and, most importantly: what exactly are the rules for visiting an ancient site?

Chichen Itza is a large archaeological zone in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, comprising the ruins of a 1,272-year-old city dotted with Late Classic architectural gems. Its most iconic symbol, the Temple of Kukulcan, is a traditional Mayan step pyramid where sacrifices and other pre-Columbian religious practices were carried out.

Purely out of respect and due to local conservation efforts, tourists must refrain from entering areas closed for visitation or face the consequences:

A Woman Faces An Angry Mob After Breaking Visitation Rules In Mayan City

If you follow all the latest Cancun and Riviera Maya news closely on our sister website The Cancun Sun, you know by now a tourist identified as Abigail Villalobos made headlines after reaching the very top of the Temple of Kukulcan, a sacred Mayan pyramid that’s part of the Chichen Itza complex, which dates back hundreds of years.

Visiting Chichen Itza as a whole, you will find several signs indicating which paths and attractions are open to tourists and which are not. The pyramid itself is usually cordoned off to remind day-trippers climbing is not permitted, but this was no impediment for Mrs. Villalobos, who proceeded to climb and ungraciously dance atop the monument:

@loopsider

Ce n’est pas parce qu’il y a des marches qu’il fallait les emprunter…la touriste en question a été arrêtée par la police et risque une amende de plusieurs dizaines de milliers de pesos.

♬ Shame On You – Ellie

Making her way down, she was greeted by an angry crowd of onlookers, who started booing, pulling her hair, and chanting ‘jail, jail, jail‘, or even ‘sacrifice‘. Mrs. Villalobos was escorted away from the mob by local staff and has been issued a fine of US $250.00, or the equivalent of 5,000 Mexican pesos, for breaking visitor rules.

Unlike other pyramids in Mexico, most notably the temples in Teotihuacan, the sacrificial chambers of Kukulcan remain off-limits since 2006, when an elderly tourist from California fell down the UNESCO-listed building and tragically died. Nowadays, ticket-holders can only walk around the pyramids but not ascend the steep steps due to security concerns.

What Are The Rules For Visiting A Historical Site?

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These may vary depending on a site’s state of preservation, but there is an ‘Etiquette’ that should be followed when touring ancient sites. The Society for American Archaeology lists a few of them, and although they refer specifically to monuments found in the United States, they may also apply to Chichen Itza, and any other ruins of historical relevance in Mexico:
- Visitors must avoid moving or disturbing anything from the site, as they may be ‘evidence’ left by its former inhabitants;
- When finding an artifact, examining it from a distance, drawing it, and photographing are allowed, but it must be left in its original position;
- Unless there is proper infrastructure in place, such as boardwalks, avoid stepping on ancient structures and mounds, as you may inflict damage;
- Leaning, sitting, standing, or climbing on ‘prehistoric’ walls is strictly forbidden;
- Staying on tourist paths and trails is advised, as it helps preserve the site for future generations;
- Waste should always be disposed of appropriately: any food leftovers, cigarettes, or trash in general lying on the ground can attract wild animals, known to be ‘very destructive’;
- Whenever possible, pets should be left behind when entering archaeological zones (for the exact same reason as the one listed above).
Other additional rules that are exclusive to Chichen Itza include, obviously, not scaling the temples. This may be permitted across other archaeological zones in Mexico, but for the sake of this specific Mayan city’s conservation, as well as due to safety, some monuments must be observed from afar – and security tends to be very strict, as evidenced above.

Additionally, camera tripods are not permitted, irrespective of size, as they are considered ‘professional equipment’. In order to bring tripods and/or video-cameras to the site, visitors must arrange a permit in advance. Bringing your mobile phone, tablets, and other smaller devices with the sole purpose of taking pictures is allowed.

You Don’t Need To Conquer Summits To Soak Up The Incredible Mayan History

Fortunately, most of Chichen Itza can be explored by foreigners, albeit with limitations as to which temples can be approached. Conquering the summit of the pyramid is no longer possible, but Americans are free to closely examine other landmark buildings, such as the Akab Dzib, with a perfectly preserved, well-cut stone facade.

The Nun’s House is another inviting attraction, described as ‘one of the most imposing of all the architectural groups in Chichen Itza‘. The main section is about 33 feet high, featuring an elaborate staircase that, in primeval times, connected the upper and lower temples. The exterior is richly decorated in the Chenes style, with the usual ‘monster mouths’ framing the entrance.

Like most Mayan cities, Chichen Itza was built in close proximity to cenotes, a complex system of submerged caves the Mayans believed to be the gateway to the underworld. Unlike the Kukulcan Temple, tourists can both access and swim in them. As you can see, there are a lot of ways to soak up a place’s History and have an amazing time without being disrespectful.

If you’re flying to the Mexican Caribbean this winter, discover our top 3 historical Mayan ruins for an incredible day-trip from Cancun.

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November 26, 2022
Spain’s New Air Conditioning Rules Could Have Travelers In A Sweat

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Spain’s latest rules about the use of air conditioning in public spaces could have the millions of travelers that visit the country each year in a sweat. Famed amongst other reasons for its warm, sunny climate and idyllic beaches, Spain’s hot weather is one of its main attractions, with travelers escaping their colder climes to enjoy the sun, sea and sand that have made it one of Europe’s most popular destinations for travelers.

However, curbs on air conditioning usage aren’t the only recent changes that travelers will have to contend with in Spain. The country has also put controls on the use of heaters – for those rare weeks that shorts and sandals aren’t suitable in the country – as well as introducing a series of strange rules regarding beach behaviour that could be a bit of a minefield for travelers. Here’s everything you need to know about the country’s new air conditioning restrictions, plus a recap of other local rules it would be handy for travelers to know.

Spain’s New Air Conditioning Rules – Information For Travelers

For many travelers in Europe and beyond, trips to Spain are a buzzword for fun in the sun, a destination that’s rarely likely to disappoint for sun-seekers and beach bums alike. Parts of Spain that are a hit with travelers, such as Seville, Murcia and Granada, have average daily temperatures in the 90s during the hotter months of the year – temperatures that send travelers running for the respite of the air conditioning unit. However, that could all be set to change.

According to new measures brought in by the Spanish government, the air conditioning in public buildings in Spain will no longer be allowed to be set lower than 27 degrees Celsius (81 Fahrenheit) in the summer, leaving travelers with no choice but to ensure the sticky situation. The move has been made with energy saving in mind, along with the desire to reduce the country’s use of gas from Russia, in line with policies from the European Union.

Whilst travelers will be relieved that the air conditioning restrictions won’t affect them in their hotel rooms, bars or restaurants, they’re sti likely to feel the heat in various different places, such as shops, cinemas, shopping centers, cultural spaces, public transport, airports and stations. Metro systems in places like Barcelona and Madrid can be uncomfortable at the best of times, but peak times at 81 degrees could well be unbearable for travelers.

The country has made several other changes in a bid to further reduce their energy consumption. Public spaces are now forbidden to set their heating systems above 19 degree Celsius (66 Fahrenheit) – meaning travelers may want to pack a scarf and an extra sweater in the cold winter months, particularly in the more frost-inclined North of the country. Businesses have also been told to switch off their storefront lights after 10PM and to keep their doors closed.

However, the proposed changes have been met with fierce opposition. Coming so soon after touristic industries were decimated by Covid-19, there are those who feel such changes send the wrong messages to travelers. Madrid’s regional leader Isabel Diaz Ayuso tweeted that Madrid would not comply with the changes, adding that the proposed changes “generate insecurity and scare away tourism and consumption.” The limits on air conditioning and heating usage are set to run from now until November 1st, 2023, and it remains to be seen if others will fight them.

Spain is also home to several local laws that travelers would be better off knowing before heading to the country. In the likes of Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca, travelers can be fined US $266 for wearing bikinis or going topless outside beaches, whilst going nude at non-nudist beaches could see travelers slapped with a fine of around US $800. Travelers can also be fined for using shampoo on beaches, sleeping on beaches or having a BBQ on the sand.

Read More:

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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 6, 2022
CDC Ends Covid Program For Cruises, Now Cruise Lines Decide Their Own Rules

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States updated its website on Cruise Ship Guidance and announced the removal of the monitoring of the COVID-19 protocols for cruises in the country.

The agency stated: “As of July 18, 2022, CDC’s COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships is no longer in effect and this page will no longer be updated. New guidance for cruise ships to mitigate and manage COVID-19 transmission will be available in the coming days. For more information, please see the cruise travel.”

In March, the CDC had already removed travel advisories for cruises —meaning that vaccinated travelers were no longer advised to avoid cruises—, but the agency still monitored cruises and suggested a Covid-19 program.

Under the CDC covid-19 guidelines for cruises, cruise companies were advised to follow recommendations, and the agency supervised cruises and assigned vessels different colors depending on risks and covid cases detected onboard. Ships could also apply for the agency’s three voluntary programs: Not Highly Vaccinated, Highly Vaccinated, and Vaccination Standard of Excellence.

Now, the CDC will only provide guidance and suggestions, and cruises have the right to choose their own COVID-19 protocols.

What does it mean for travelers?

Cruise companies are no longer required to comply with the CDC’s programs, and have now the freedom to decide what the protocols on board will be. Travelers will now have to follow each cruise line’s rules and requirements and not the CDC’s advice.

Since the CDC’s update was recently shared —and surprised many in the industry—, cruise lines have not yet pronounced statements or changes related to this new announcement. Cruise companies will have to define what will be the best protocols for their own vessels, considering the routes, passengers, and even their own infrastructure and current sanitary measures.

The cruise industry is heading back to a “normal” experience, and probably travelers —vaccinated and non-vaccinated— will have fewer restrictions and fewer covid-testing requirements very soon.

Cruise Protocols Are Changing

Large cruise companies that made constant efforts to comply with the CDC’s programs might soon make changes and will probably be more flexible with travel requirements.

For example, the CDC’s requirements for cruises operating in US waters to be considered “Vaccination Standard of Excellence” or “Highly Vaccinated Ship” were exigent and precise, like “at least 95% of crew and 90% of passengers fully vaccinated or up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines”.

Meeting the suggested standards used to give cruise companies green categories and higher approval, but this is already changing.

Princess Cruises, the Carnival Corporation Brand, has already recently updated its protocol to expand options for unvaccinated travelers and ease restrictions despite the CDC’s program in the United States.

The company stated: “At Princess, we want to make your vacation as easy, hassle-free, and safe as possible. We respect that every guest has choices, and regardless of your vaccination status, we have amazing vacations for you to enjoy.”

Also, a few days ago, major cruise lines like Norweigan Cruises, Holland America, and P&O Cruises announced the removal of the pre-departure testing requirement.

Destinations Still Affect Restrictions

Travelers must remember that now COVID-19 restrictions will change in the United States and cruise companies will decide their own rules, but other countries still have strict demands and local measures that have to be respected.

Princess Cruises, in its recent update, also reminded travelers that the new flexible program does not apply to cruises stopping in Canada: “Please note that cruises that begin, end or visit Canada will require sailing guests ages 12 and above who are not Canadian citizens be fully vaccinated, unless they are granted a medical exemption.”

Vessels visiting the Caribbean must comply with local restrictions. Popular destinations like Antigua and Barbuda still required travelers to be vaccinated to disembark and provide a negative covid test, while Aruba, the Bahamas, and Barbados welcome unvaccinated travelers.

Read More:

Greece And British Virgin Islands Ease More Covid Rules For Travelers

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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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July 21, 2022
Greece And British Virgin Islands Ease More Covid Rules For Travelers
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Two and a half years into the pandemic, numerous countries are dropping their excessively bureaucratic travel rules and/or easing mandates that have essentially barred tourists from visiting. The latest to have done so are Greece and the British Virgin Islands, two vacation hotspots that seem ready to move on from Covid… At last.

The travel industry may be in turmoil amid the wave of flight delays and cancellations, pushing the virus aside and giving us something else to worry about. Irrespective of these more pressing issues, Covid remains a secondary concern, especially when world leaders like the U.S., Canada, Brazil and France are yet to fully lift their own entry requirements.

Luckily, these two sunny destinations are no longer aligned with them:

Greece Ends Mandatory Quarantine For Infected Tourists

In April 12, Greece scrapped all of its Covid mandates and allowed tourism to resume. Prior to that date, the Hellenic Republic had stood firmly on the side of Europe’s pro-restriction group. Throughout most of the crisis, it barred unvaccinated foreigners from visiting and imposed a series of restrictive measures to keep Covid from being imported from abroad.

Surprisingly, in the months leading up to summer, Greek Health officials took a U-turn and decided the country would now join other Mediterranean competitors, including Croatia and Montenegro, in reopening the external EU border. Since then, foreigners have been allowed to enter Greece restriction-free, as it was prior to 2020:
- No vaccination is required
- No pre-departure or post-arrival tests
- No quarantine
- No health registration form
While this was already incredible news for the travel industry, Greece had retained some of its internal Covid curbs, indicating it was not declaring Covid an endemic disease – just yet. Now, even this is slowly changing, as authorities announce that mandatory isolation for infected tourists has been scrapped.

You read that right. In case you get infected traveling in Greece, you will not be required to undergo isolation at a government-listed hotel. All quarantine rooms have been converted back into tourist accommodations, and the five-day isolation period for Covid-positive travelers has ceased applying.

You were infected by Covid during your island-hopping adventure in Greece? No worries! Although you’re advised to isolate until the virus has been cleared, you’re free to carry on traveling as usual, as if you had caught the flu or any widely disseminated respiratory disease treated as endemic.

You will also not be forbidden from accessing any of the following:
- Public transport within Greece, including ferries, trains or planes*
- Museums and cultural sites
- Restaurants and indoor venues
*Valid for domestic routes only (e.g. if you’re infected and flying from Greece to a country that requires a negative test for entry, you will of course not be allowed to board the aircraft)

Despite not being subject to isolation, infected tourists must continue wearing FFFP2 or KN95 face masks if they choose not to quarantine. In other words, Greece’s recent lifting of face masks in all indoor settings does not apply to them, at least until the end of the voluntary quarantine period and/or subsequent negative test.

The British Virgin Islands Scrap All Entry Rules And Declares Covid Endemic

The British Virgin Islands (BVI) may not be as popular in the Caribbean as the likes of Jamaica or the Dominican Republic, but it is always a good sign when more nations, however small, let go of their draconian measures. If you’re visiting the BVI on a cruise in the weeks to come, you may be thrilled to learn that you’re no longer treated as a potential health threat for the archipelago.

On July 15, he Commonwealth collective of small islands lifted its only, yet much criticized entry requirement: that of mandatory pre-departure testing, applying to all irrespective to immunization and/or recovery status. Now that testing has been scrapped, there are officially no Covid mandates left to be observed when crossing the BVI border.

According to Petrona Davies, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, this relaxation is based upon the ‘reduced impact of Covid and the move from pandemic to endemic’. Based on this statement, we can safely assert that the British Virgin Islands is officially leaving Covid behind as it returns to a pre-pandemic state of normality.

Mrs. Davies confirmed that, after two years of living in a state of emergency and the vaccination campaign, the virus is having a ‘very minimal impact’ on the population. Cases may oscillate, but mortality rates have ‘significantly decreased’. She cites the positive health trend as the reason why they are reopening borders and allowing ‘pre-Covid’ tourism.

In sum:
- No vaccination requirements (including boosters)
- No pre-departure testing
- No post-arrival testing
- No quarantine
- No mandatory proof of Covid health insurance
- No masks indoors or outdoors
Don’t Forget To Get Insured Of The Relaxed Rules

These may be exciting times now that Covid is being treated more like a mild disease and less like a major health threat, but we should not let our guards down: international travel is still very much in a state of chaos, from long delays for passport renewal to the spate of cancellations affecting air passengers.

When flying abroad, make sure you get insured in order to minimize risks of being left stranded, or facing under a financial strain due to flight disruption and other emergency expenses. You can find out more about different insurance policies, including those fit for long-term travel, on this link.

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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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July 19, 2022
Top Trending Vacation Destinations Revealed (With Entry Rules)

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The top trending vacation destinations around the world have been revealed. By calculating the increases in search volume for travel destinations on the popular social media site Pinterest, trend experts WeThrift have worked out which destinations around the world are trending amongst travelers and could be set to welcome huge crowds this summer. Here’s a look at the top trending destinations – and what you need to be able to visit.

Top Trending Destinations – Information For Travelers

Porto

Research carried out by WeThrift found that Porto, Portugal was the top trending destination in the world, with a 62% increase in searches on Pinterest.

A quintessential European weekend break destination, the colorful riverside town is more than worth a trip for any traveler, with millions flocking there to enjoy its famous pastries and traipse around its cobbled streets. To enter Portugal, travelers must show either proof of vaccination, proof of recovery, or a negative Covid-19 test result (taken within 72 hours for PCR tests or 48 hours for rapid antigen tests).

Corfu

Close behind Porto was the Greek island of Corfu, which had a 61% increase in search volume. With its pristine coastline, dramatic sheer rock faces, deep blue sea – and not to mention fresh, healthy cuisine – it’s easy to see why Corfu looks set to be a hit this summer. It’s also extremely easy to visit, with Greece having removed all of its Covid-19 related entry requirements.

Lake Como

With a 44% increase in searches, Italy’s spectacular Lake Como is the third most trending destination. With views of the huge, sprawling lake long since dominating the social media pages of travel bloggers and pages alike, it seems as though all that daydreaming of escaping to Como during lockdown is set to come true this summer. Like with Portugal, travelers must show either proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or a negative Covid-19 test result in order to be able to enter.

Mallorca

Known for its beaches, Spanish architecture, and wineries, the Spanish island of Mallorca is trending with a 35% increase in searches. The largest of the Balearic Islands, Mallorca’s charms have been wooing Europeans for decades, and is now firmly in the crosshairs of travel-starved people the world over. Travelers to Spain must be fully vaccinated – with a booster if the latest shot was taken more than nine months ago. The country recently made changes to allow unvaccinated travelers to enter with a PCR test taken within 72 hours or an antigen test taken within 24 hours.

Mykonos

The second Greek island to feature on the list, it seems travelers have been dreaming posing amongst a backdrop of traditional blue and white Greek buildings once more. Searches for Mykonos rose 32%, with the island equally as popular with young people embracing the party side of then as it is with families looking for a more laid-back experience.

Few cities are as breathtaking as Istanbul – an opinion clearly shared by the masses as it received a 26% increase in searches. The city has it all; from the historical remnants of empires gone by littered all over the city, to a thriving nightlife scene – not to mention sprawling bazaars, passionate locals and stunning views – Istanbul is worthy of a place on any traveler’s list. Fully vaccinated travelers with proof don’t need to test before entering, whilst unvaccinated travelers must show either a PCR test taken within 72 hours or an antigen test taken within 48 hours.

Having long since established itself as a firm favorite amongst travelers the world over, the most famous party island in the world looks set to go back into full swing this summer, with interest in Ibiza soaring by 26%. Like Mykonos, there’s more to their island than its clubs, with the north end proving to be much calmer and its beautiful beaches catering to all types of traveler.

With the vast majority of Thailand’s entry hurdles now removed, the wildly popular destination is back in business. Searches for Phuket – the country’s largest and most popular island – rose by 26%, with travelers keen to explore the nightlife of Patong or scenic beaches of Rawai, Kata and Nai Harn once more. All travelers to Thailand must have a Thailand Pass, which can be applied for here – but it looks as if this requirement could be on its way out over the next few weeks.

Read More:

Top Domestic U.S. Destinations For Travelers This Summer Revealed

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022

10 Countries In Asia Plan On Introducing A Vaccine Passport For Travel

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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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May 22, 2022