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Entry and Exit Requirements
Entering: Every island in the Caribbean has its own entry
requirements. Most countries allow you to visit for up to two
or three months if you show proof of U.S. citizenship and a return
or onward ticket. Some countries, however, require that you have
a valid passport. If you are arriving from an area infected with
yellow fever, many Caribbean countries require you to have a certificate
of vaccination against yellow fever. Some countries have an airport
departure tax of up to $25. For authoritative information on a
country's entry and exit requirements and on its customs and currency
regulations, contact its embassy, consulate, or tourist office
in the United States.
Returning - Caution! Make certain that you can return
to the United States with the proof of citizenship that you take
with you. Although some Caribbean countries may allow you to enter
with only a birth certificate, U.S. Immigration requires that
you document both your U.S. citizenship and identity when you
reenter the United States.
The best document to prove your U.S. citizenship is a valid
U.S. passport. Other documents of U.S. citizenship include an
expired U.S. passport, a certified copy of your birth certificate,
a Certificate of Naturalization , a Certificate of Citizenship
, or a Report of Birth Abroad of a U.S. Citizen.
To prove your identity, either a valid driver's license or a
government identification card that includes a photo or a physical
description is acceptable.
If you lose or have your U.S. passport stolen while overseas,
report it immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S.
embassy or consulate. A lost or stolen birth certificate or driver's
license cannot be replaced outside the United States. There are
several countries, most notably Barbados, the Dominican Republic,
Grenada, Haiti, and Jamaica, where airlines have consistently
refused to board American citizens with insufficient proof of
U.S. citizenship. The resulting delays can be inconvenient as
well as expensive.
Bringing Your Own Boat or Plane
If you plan to arrive in the Caribbean in your own boat or plane,
contact the embassy, consulate, or tourist office of each country
you plan to visit to learn what is required for entry and exit.
Besides title of ownership, most ports of entry will require proof
of insurance coverage for the country you are entering. Some countries
require a temporary import permit for your boat or plane.
Authorities in the Caribbean are familiar with U.S. regulations
for documentation of air and sea craft. They will detain improperly
documented craft that enter their territory. In some countries,
authorities will confiscate firearms found on a boat or plane
unless the owner or master can show proof that U.S. licensing
and export procedures have been followed. In addition, some countries
impose stiff prison terms for the importation of illegal firearms.
Customs, Firearms, and Currency Regulations
Customs formalities are generally simple in the Caribbean. As
a rule, one carton of cigarettes and one quart of liquor are permitted
duty free into the islands. Most countries tax additional quantities
at a high rate. In general, tourists are permitted to enter with
other commodities required for personal use. If you wish to bring
firearms into any country, inquire at the country's embassy or
consulate about the permit required. As noted above, some countries
in the Caribbean impose a stiff prison term for importing illegal
firearms.
Currency regulations vary. Inquire about them when you check
on entry requirements. In some countries, you must declare all
currency and are not allowed to take out more money than you brought
in. Other countries limit the amount of their own currency that
can be brought in or taken out.
Check with your travel agent about extra fees and taxes that
may be overlooked in the tourist literature. Examples are hotel
taxes, obligatory restaurant gratuities, and airport departure
taxes.
When you convert your money to local currency, retain receipts.
You will need to show them if you wish to reconvert money upon
departure. It is usually advantageous to reconvert local currency
before departure. Although U.S. currency is used along with local
currency, in some places there may be an advantage to using local
currency.
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