During the pandemic, many large “brand name” Western countries repeatedly closed, reopened with conditions, or changed entry rules with little notice. By contrast, several less prominent destinations in Latin America and Eastern Europe remained comparatively open to foreign travelers, including Americans and citizens of many other countries.
The main practical lesson is that travel flexibility often depended less on passport strength alone and more on choosing regions that stayed off the main political and media radar.
Regions That Stayed More Open
Two broad regions stood out as comparatively accessible:
- Central America and northern South America
- Eastern Europe and nearby non-Schengen countries
These regions offered more practical travel options than the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Western Europe, and many Asian countries during the same period.
Entry rules still changed frequently, and requirements differed by nationality. Some countries allowed Americans to enter while imposing stricter rules on UK citizens or other nationalities. Testing, quarantine, airline enforcement, and last-minute rule changes remained common risks.
Latin America and the Caribbean
Several countries in Latin America were described as among the most open destinations during the period discussed.
Countries open with no test at the time included:
- Mexico
- Dominican Republic
- Colombia
- Costa Rica for some nationalities
Colombia changed its rules at short notice in early 2021, adding a test requirement the night before one planned flight. That example shows why travelers needed to monitor rules up to the last moment, even in relatively open countries.
Mexico was described as highly open in practice, including Mexico City, Mérida, and beach areas. Many Americans used Mexico as a place to stay while restrictions remained tighter in their home states.
The Dominican Republic positioned itself as one of the most open countries. Costa Rica also remained relatively accessible.
With a test, much of Latin America was accessible, with notable exceptions:
- Chile
- Argentina
- Uruguay
Uruguay was described as having many advantages generally, but it remained stricter during the pandemic period. Chile was also described as more restrictive despite being an otherwise interesting and developed destination.
Other relatively accessible countries mentioned included:
- Ecuador
- Guatemala, with vaccine-based access
- El Salvador, with vaccine-based access
- Several Central American countries, often with test requirements
The broader accessible zone was described as stretching from Mexico down through Panama, plus Colombia and Ecuador.
Eastern Europe
Eastern Europe was the second major region that stayed comparatively open.
Countries that could be entered without a COVID test at the time included:
- Albania
- North Macedonia
- Romania, depending on nationality
Romania was notable because it is part of the European Union but outside the Schengen Area.
Countries accessible with a test included:
- Serbia
- Montenegro
- Armenia
Serbia and Montenegro were described as relatively easy to enter with the correct test documentation. In some cases, airline staff appeared to enforce requirements more strictly than border officers.
Armenia was also described as open for business, with normal life continuing if travelers arrived with the required test.
Why These Countries Stayed Open
Several reasons were given for why these regions stayed more accessible.
First, many of these economies needed tourism, foreign visitors, and economic activity. Countries that are not default tourist choices for Western travelers could gain attention and competitive advantage by staying open.
Second, local political and social cultures differed. In parts of Latin America, prolonged restrictions were viewed as harder to sustain because people were more likely to protest or push back against long closures. This contrasted with many Asian countries, where governments were described as more likely to follow a “benevolent king” model: strong central control justified as being in the public interest.
Third, countries with less global spotlight may have been more willing to remain practical and economically open, while Western countries and major Asian hubs often imposed more layered restrictions.
Practical Travel Lessons
Travelers needed to be prepared for fast-changing rules. Even open countries could suddenly add testing requirements, and airlines could enforce documentation before boarding.
Key practical points:
- Check entry rules close to departure.
- Check airline requirements, not only government rules.
- Expect rules to differ by nationality.
- Assume test requirements can change quickly.
- Consider non-Schengen Eastern Europe if Western Europe is closed or restricted.
- Consider Mexico, Central America, Colombia, and Ecuador when looking for accessible options in the Americas.
- Do not rely only on famous destinations; off-radar countries may offer more freedom and easier entry.
Broader Implication
The pandemic highlighted a wider point about residence and mobility planning. People who disliked how their home country handled restrictions had an opportunity to evaluate other jurisdictions and decide whether they wanted a backup residence, a more flexible travel base, or a different long-term home.
Open countries in Latin America and Eastern Europe provided immediate alternatives for people seeking normal daily life, restaurant access, and fewer movement restrictions while many Western and Asian countries remained closed or unstable in their reopening policies.
