Jamaica was among the first destinations to reopen to travelers last year and remains one of the most accessible and enticing places for Americans in 2021. The Caribbean island country was forced to put what likely would have been a record-breaking tourism year on hold in 2020 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic but has rebounded in the months since by enacting strict protocols designed to keep both visitors and locals safe. For travelers eyeing a trip to Jamaica in the months to come, here are some important things to know.

As of April 20, 2021, the U.S. State Department is advising Americans to avoid travel to Jamaica due to COVID-19. The U.S. government also encourages travelers to exercise increased caution in some parts of the country due to crime. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Jamaica due to COVID-19, recommending U.S. citizens avoid travel but take precautions if they must visit, including getting fully vaccinated, undergoing testing and practicing social distancing and wearing masks during travel. Visitors should also wash their hands often and monitor their health for signs of illness.

Currently, all travelers who are age 12 and over must present a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test result in order to check-in for a flight to Jamaica. The test must be taken no more than three days prior to your arrival in Jamaica and needs to be administered by a medical laboratory with a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) registration or ISO 15189 certification. Click here to use the Jamaica Tourist Board's helpful Test Date Calculator. In addition to a negative test in many cases, international travelers will need to gain travel authorization, which requires them to submit personal, health and intended stay in Jamaica information. Travelers will also need to save an electronic or printed copy of the travel authorization to show to their airline at check-in or upon boarding their flight.

U.S. visitors to Jamaica will also need to test prior to their return trip home. Fortunately, the country is increasing COVID-19 testing capacity in response to the CDC's new requirement that all U.S.-bound air travelers produce a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of departure effective January 26, 2021.

Jamaica has established a pair of "resilient corridors" to protect visitors and citizens from COVID-19. The two corridors, which stretch along the island's northern coast and include places like Negril, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, incorporate more than 80 percent of Jamaica's tourism areas and only one percent of the country's resident population. They also meet the strict COVID-19 protocols approved by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). Within the resilient corridor, the tourism service delivery operators permitted to accept guests have been inspected and are compliant with the required standards of training, protective equipment and processes. All employees and guests are required to observe enhanced protocols for hand hygiene, social distancing and face-coverings in public spaces.

Travelers to Jamaica will have plenty of opportunities to save and score awesome perks in 2021. For example, Jewel Paradise Cove Adult Beach Resort & Spa guests can save up to 60 percent during the adults-only, all-inclusive resort's Spring Reset Sale available for bookings through May 6, 2021, for travel through March 31, 2022. Travelers can also save big on a handful of other properties throughout the island, including 65 percent off and free 24-hour cancellation at Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall in Montego Bay.

Traveling to Jamaica is considerably easier with the help of a trusted travel advisor but it's almost essential amid the COVID-19 pandemic. There are many reasons why travelers benefit when they plan and book with a travel advisor, including saving precious time and money and avoiding unnecessary stress. However, in the era of COVID-19, a qualified travel advisor can also keep you informed on the latest travel restrictions and requirements as well as come to your rescue in the event that something unexpected occurs. Visit TravelSense.org to begin your search based on your ideal destination and the type of trip you have in mind.