Roatan 2022: Travel Information

Into Honduras:

• VACCINATED: No test needed for entry. (Must hand carry paper copy of proof of vaccination. Please see Proof of vaccination section for more details.) 
• UNVACCINATED: A Negative rapid antigen, or PCR within 72hours of travel is required.
• All travelers: Must complete the Honduran Precheck form within 48 hours of travel and hand carry paper copies. (Information about this form will be sent closer to the travel dates.)

To Return to the US: A VIRAL TEST WITHIN 24 HOURS  (Rapid Antigen or PCR) 

• If you plan to travel internationally, you will need to get a COVID-19 viral test (regardless of vaccination status or citizenship) no more than 1 day before you travel by air into the United States. You must show your negative result to the airline before you board your flight.
• If you recently recovered from COVID-19, you may instead travel with documentation of recovery from COVID-19 (i.e., your positive COVID-19 viral test result on a sample taken no more than 90 days before the flight’s departure from a foreign country and a letter from a licensed healthcare provider or a public health official stating that you were cleared to travel).

A quote from the CDC website:

Last updated: 1/24/22 on the CDC website 

***  Effective December 6, 2021, all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older, regardless of vaccination status or citizenship, must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within one calendar day of travel.  Alternatively, travelers to the United States may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel.  Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions.

How to test before your return to the US:

• There is a lab company that comes to the hotel and does rapid antigen testing for $30, then provides results on paper. Cash only.
• There are also antigen test kits that you can purchase and perform yourself with a Wifi telehealth appointment, then the results are sent to you via email. You will need to read the directions and make an appointment with the company yourself. 
• One popular one is called the Binax NOW test. It is FAA approved. I found some sites that you can purchase them on.  This Link 3-Pack $99, This link 6-pack $150.

Proof of recovery:

• If you tested positive on or after 01/17/2022:  Alternatively accepted to the viral test within 24hrs of return to the US, is proof of recovery documentation.

Proof of recovery consists of:

• An official positive Covid-19 test result within 90days prior to travel.
• A letter from a licensed healthcare provider.
• But what happens if the proof of recovery 3-months window runs out while you are away? I am looking into this because I can see it being an issue, but do not have a concrete answer yet for you yet. I think you need to get a test to return home still. See “Proof of recovery section below”. Please contact me directly if you are in this position. 

While traveling, you may need to show proof of recovery if you have already had Covid-19. 

1. You will need an official copy of your positive Covid-19 test from no more that 90days prior to travel.
2. A letter from a licensed healthcare provider stating that you are in recovery.

*Although you may be no longer contagious, experts say you may show positive on a PCR test for months while your body expels the virus. These documents will be alternatively accepted to the viral test needed to return to the US.

If you have suffered recently from a Covid-19 infection, and were diagnosed by way of at home antigen (rapid) test, then there will be no way to prove your recovery without getting an official PCR test performed.

According to the CDC:

Last updated: 1/24/22 on the CDC website 

***  Effective December 6, 2021, all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older, regardless of vaccination status or citizenship, must provide a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within one calendar day of travel.  Alternatively, travelers to the United States may provide documentation from a licensed health care provider of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel.  Check the CDC website for additional information and Frequently Asked Questions.

Variables: As we know, the facts and rules of Covid-19, and the process of navigating covid-19 testing are ever changing. This page will be updated as need with changes to policy.  

Example: Tawney had Covid-19 this winter around January 1st, she found out using an at home rapid test and quarantined accordingly. However, she will be traveling to a foreign destination that requires a PCR test to enter the boarder in the Spring. Lets use our travel dates April 9-16, 2022 for this example.

Tawney Should:

1.  Schedule a PRC now to have an official documentation of positive infection with date stamp.
2. Call her licensed healthcare provider to obtain a proof of recovery statement.
3. This proof of recovery will be valid for 90days from positive test date, and will waive the need for additional testing for travel.
4. If your proof of recovery expires while traveling, ask your healthcare provider how to proceed. (Positive test from before 1/17/22 are NOT valid as proof of recovery.)

A Few Things to Consider:

• I am unable to find an official “Form” to use for “Proof of Recovery”. If I do, I will attach it to the documents section. From what I have deduced, a licensed healthcare providers note is sufficient. 
• If Tawney had Covid-19 (Jan 1, 2022- Jan 17, 2022 or prior). The proof of recovery will expire after 90days (3-months would be April 1-17, 2022) While traveling.
• A PCR 3-4weeks prior to departure from US for travel is wise. This test will tell you if Covid-19 is out of your system. If your Proof of recovery expires while traveling, then you will need a negative viral test to return to the US. 
• If the PCR 3-4 weeks prior to travel is still positive. Please contact your healthcare provider for an updated proof of recovery notice.

Dive Accident Insurance:

Thankfully I have never had to use it, but have met many who have.

• DAN (Divers Altert Network) dive accident insurance is secondary but DOES follow through on reimbursement (even if you miss dive days on a trip due to medically tended issues i.e. Ear infection as often diver suffer from this you can be reimbursed for the missed dives.)
• Dive Assure Dive Accident Coverage is another secondary dive accident insurance that only works outside of the US. Choose between short term, or annual Dive Accident quotes.

Dive Travel Insurance:

If you are choosing to purchase private travel insurance, I have purchased several in the past 2 years since Covid-19 started. There are more out there as well, these are just ones I have experience with or have heard positive things about:

• DAN travel insurance. It used to not cover Covid-19 as a sickness, but now it does. Use this link to learn more .

Get a DAN TRAVEL INSURANCE QUOTE. Single Trip Quote/Annual Quote.

                                                            Please list New England Dive #2782626 as your referring dive center. 

• Dive Assure Travel Insurance This quote will also ask about a referral source, please choose New England Dive as your Dive/Travel operator.  
• Travelsafe was a Cadillac insurance based on age and cost of trip. Pricey but I purchased this in March 2021 before the vax rollout. It made me feel better about financially sustaining if I got stuck out of the country. Coverage applies to medical, trip interruption, and property coverage. Get a quote.

• GeoBlue is by Blue Cross Blue Shield, I felt it was more of a catastrophe insurance, but cheap enough why not. It was comforting to have international medical coverage. Get a quote.

 If you have specific questions about what’s included please call the insurance company direct to make sure you know what you are buying.

We do not require travel insurance for the trip. But do remind people that if you test positive upon returning to the US, you will need to be able to physically and financially sustain a 10-day quarantine &  any medical fees (if needed) on site.

Diver PACKAGE INCLUDES:

*7 Nights Accommodation (1- Bedroom Villa based on Double OCC. or 2- Bedroom Villa based on Quad Occupancy). Efficiency style based on single occupancy.

*Breakfast, lunch, dinner, ALL- drinks (includes premium liquor)

*15  Boat dives, 1 Night Dive (includes tank, weights & belt)

*All taxes (19% Honduran tourism tax)

*Pool, Paddle board, & Kayak.

*Night time entertainment (including live music and cultural shows)

*Lounge chairs and towels at pool and beach

*Free WiFi

*Airfare if pre-purchased

*US coach bus transfers from Wallingford to corresponding airports if pre-registered

*On-island transfers from airport to the hotel

Non-Diver PACKAGE INCLUDES:

*All of the above except diving.

15 Boat Dive Package

• 2-AM BOAT DIVES

• (Lunch/surface interval at hotel )

• 1- PM BOAT DIVE 2:00p

• 1- NIGHT DIVE (Likely WED or THURS)

This dive schedule is included, but not mandatory. If you would like to sit out, then please let someone know so the boat does not wonder & wait. 

If you would like to continue your skills with additional training please contact the crew at New England Dive to hear about opportunities available during your trip. (additional fees may apply.)

Oh my, sooo much! 

Non- motor powered water sports (like kayaks & paddleboards) are included with your stay. The resort is centrally located on West Bay Beach. All beaches are public here. Not only is there a little shopping mall right next to the hotel, there are many local eateries and beach vendors. The first few feet of beach (and the chairs) are reserved for hotel guests. Locals walk up and down the beach with trinkets, knickknacks, and T-shirts.  And I got one hell of a shoulder massage from the sweetest lady. 

There is also a water taxi if you would like to visit West End from West Bay. 

There are jungle tours, and REALLY good ziplining in Roatan as well. 

• THERE ARE NO PAPER AIRPPLANE TICKETS, when we get closer to our travel date an email with an E-ticket will be sent to you. 
• At the bottom of the ticket there is an itty bitty individual reservation number. This is the number you will need to link your reservation to your American Airlines app and receive notifications about your flight. 
• There is no on-board entertainment on American Airlines. The American Airlines App is also how you will receive WiFi on the plane to use your own devices for entertainment. 
• You are allowed 1-personal item that fits under the seat in front of you. (i.e. a purse or bookbag.) and 1-overhead carry on bag at no charge.

• American Airlines Baggage Policies:

  • Checked Bags (1st= $30/ 2nd= $40)  Each Way
  • Carry-On Bags
  • Other Baggage Information

**An update to complete this information at the correct timestamp will be emailed to you in the future.**

Within 30 days of our return date (Around March 16, 2022-April 1, 2022)

• Please use this link________ to use Docusign and complete the New England Dive waiver.
• There may also be a Hotel Waiver, Hotel pre-checkin, Dive Waivers.
• There is also an entry process for the Honduran Government. Its a trip. I will supply that to you in a separate email with a tutorial on how to complete it within 48 hours of travel. 
• PRINT ALL COPIES OF IMMIGRATION and COVID RESULTS/ VACCINATION RECORDS and hand carry them on paper.

• THERE ARE NO PAPER AIRPPLANE TICKETS, when we get closer to our travel date an email with an E-ticket will be sent to you. 
• PRINT ALL COPIES OF IMMIGRATION and COVID RESULTS/ VACCINATION RECORDS and hand carry them on paper.
• Notify banking and credit cards of international travel, so they do not freezer your funds thinking you were hacked when used abroad.
• PRINT AND HAND CARRY copies of any special insurances you may have purchased. (Just in case.) I DO NOT NEED COPIES OF THESE. They are yours. If you are a single traveler and need help, I gotch-you. Just let me know what pocket of the suitcase and I’ll ride with you as long as I can and/or notify your contacts for you. But none of us will need these, just nice to have them.
• Please keep a copy of your important Documents in paper form, and/or an email incase they get lost.