Editor’s Note – Due to the unpredictable nature of the pandemic and various governments’ responses to it, the information in this story is subject to frequent changes. It was current at the time of publication on November 13.
(CNN) – The United Nations recognizes 193 countries in the world. And it seems that everyone (along with numerous territories and observer states) has their own approach to travel and tourism during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Some tourism favorites, such as Turkey, have been welcoming visitors for months now without too many restrictions. Other destinations have opened their doors partially and with caution. This would include Argentina, which has only recently begun to allow citizens of neighboring countries only to visit.
Then there are the nations that have closed their gates to aspiring tourists.
This list covers many of the nations or territories that are not open to tourists or whose conditions are so restrictive that traditional vacations are nearly impossible. Some of these have never been big projects. But many others, especially in Asia, were some of the most popular places to visit in the world before the pandemic.
Until they reopen, we’ll have to make do with photos and videos to fuel our dreams of future visits. They are listed alphabetically by main continent or region and then by country or territory. Click the links for details:
Africa
There are 54 recognized sovereign nations on this vast continent, along with de facto independent territories and states. Some popular countries – such as Egypt, Ethiopia, South Africa and Tanzania – accept visitors or will soon.
CNN Travel will expand the Africa section as more information becomes available. Meanwhile, these are some of the countries still not open to tourists:
Algeria: The largest surface country in Africa is home to sophisticated architecture in the capital of Algiers and mesmerizing Saharan landscapes. But Algeria has no international commercial flights and travel is mainly limited to repatriation cases.
Burundi: While neighboring Rwanda is open, little Burundi in central Africa still doesn’t allow tourists.
Cameroon: Sometimes called “Africa in miniature” for its variety, tourists will have to wait to see it for themselves.
Asia
Asia has some of the most visited destinations in the world, but it is also the continent with the strictest limits on tourism during the pandemic:
Bhutan is known for its incredible landscapes, a hiker’s paradise.
Blue poppy
Bhutan: This tiny and blissful Himalayan nation – known for avoiding the most modern traps – was already one of the most isolated in the world before the pandemic. So it’s no surprise that it is now closed to tourists.
Brunei: An Islamic sultanate on the tropical island of Borneo, Brunei has never been a major tourist destination. But if you want to go, you’ll have to wait.
China: The most populous country in the world has some limited flights arriving from various nations, but none of these are for tourists. The Great Wall, the Forbidden City and the terracotta warriors will have to wait.
Hong Kong: Lively and energetic Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China, is closed to tourists at this time. An exception was made only for Singapore residents, thanks to a new “travel bubble” that will be launched on November 22nd.
The rooms and suites at the Umaid Bhawan Palace hotel in Rajasthan, India feel ripped from a bygone era, with Old World furnishings, soft upholstery, and dramatic taxidermized animals.
India: From the warm and languid backwaters of Kerala to the mighty Himalayas, India’s many wonders for now are severely limited to the rest of the world. The Kayak website reports that this restriction is valid on at least November 30th.
Indonesia: Known for its delicious food, crystal clear ocean waters, and Bali’s laid-back vibe, the massive chain of islands has reopened to some visitors but not tourists yet.
Japan: From the fast-paced energy of Tokyo and the historic beauty of Kyoto, Japan is open to some business travelers. But the tourists are waiting.
Kazakhstan: This landlocked Asian nation allows limited flights and visitors, but is not open to tourists ready to see its vast wilderness areas.
Laos: Less under the spotlight of Southeast Asian neighbors Cambodia and Vietnam, this charming and verdant land remains in the shadows, closed to all tourism.
Macau: International tourists hoping to visit this former Portuguese colony that has become a gambling destination, now a special administrative region of China, are out of luck.
Malaysia: From Kuala Lumpur’s urban charm to dazzling tropical beaches, the sights, sounds and flavors of multi-ethnic Malaysia will have to wait.
Mongolia: The breathtaking scenery of the vast Mongolian steppes is for now only in the eyes of its citizens.
Myanmar: Formerly known as Burma, this lonely Buddhist nation filled with exquisite temples and outstanding natural beauty has recently begun to open after decades of isolation. But the pandemic has put an end to all of that.
North Korea: This Communist-led nation isn’t called “The Hermit Kingdom” for nothing. Even before the pandemic, this was one of the most isolated nations in the world. Bottom line: no vacation in Pyongyang.
Philippines: So many beautiful islands! So many beautiful beaches! Unfortunately, they are closed to tourists.
The tea fields of Sri Lanka are a rich and wonderful green.
Courtesy of Sri Lankan Tourism
Sri Lanka: Vacationers will have to wait to enjoy the charm of this beautiful island nation (tea, elephants, unique architecture) off the east coast of India.
Taiwan: This beautiful island savored for its cuisine has one of the best records in the world for containing Covid-19. So you know what it means: no vacation here.
Thailand: With its exciting capital Bangkok, friendly people and multitude of mild beaches, Thailand is one of the world’s favorite destinations. Only a small list of people can participate and this does not include short-term vacationers.
Sake is more than just a drink. See what happens when one of Vietnam’s top chefs gets creative and uses this rice wine in his dishes.
Vietnam: Lovely Hanoi. Busy Ho Chi Minh City. Otherworldly Ha Long Bay. No wonder people love going here. But it is hermetically closed to any tourism. In fact, Vietnam is one of the most closed countries in the world for now.
Australia and South Pacific
Here is the status of no visitation of one of the most remote and beautiful regions in the world, where the containment of Covid-19 is taken very seriously.
Australia: The wonders of Sydney, Melbourne and the Great Barrier Reef will have to wait until this continent-nation reopens to tourists.
Cook Islands: The great scuba diving and rugged wonders of Rarotonga are off limits to tourists.
Micronesia: Made up of four states, including Yap, and more than 600 islands, the Federated States of Micronesia have had no confirmed cases of Covid-19 and are not inviting vacationers to risk that record.
Cape Reinga is the northernmost point of the North Island of New Zealand. The lighthouse is a popular tourist attraction.
Shutterstock
New Zeland: Who wouldn’t want to go there? New Zealand is extraordinarily beautiful with glaciers, volcanoes and beaches, and has done a great job of managing the pandemic. But unsurprisingly, tourists can’t return yet.
Solomon Islands: Steeped in WWII history and surrounded by the blue Pacific, the Solomon Islands registered their first case of Covid-19 in early October and are closed to international visitors.
Vanuatu’s famous land divers inspired bungee jumping.
Ian Lloyd Neubauer / CNN
Vanuatu: Wreck dives, freshwater pools, and land divers (leaping from towers while attached to vines) will have to wait while Vanuatu is closed to visitors for at least the end of the year. The nation registered its first Covid-19 case in November.
Europe
Unlike Asia, most of Europe has been much more open to travelers, at least other Europeans and select nations with low coronavirus infection rates. (U.S. citizens aren’t on the invitation list for many of them, though). With the resumption of Covid-19 in Europe in November, we will be monitoring if things change. In the meantime, here is a short list of non-tourist areas:
Georgia: Located between Russia and Turkey, the allure of Georgia, including the Caucasus Mountains and its renowned wine region, is off-limits to tourists at this time.
Middle East
The Middle East has long captured the imagination of travelers. But here’s a short list of popular places you’ll have to wait for:
The southwestern coast of the Dead Sea in Israel. This body of water has fascinated people for millennia.
Bill Weir / CNN
Israel: This history-rich country is just emerging from a second Covid-19 blockade. Tourists will have to wait for cosmopolitan Tel Aviv, ancient Jerusalem and the Dead Sea.
North America
The nations and territories of North America have had a widely varying response when it comes to tourists, but most are at least partially open now. Here are the places you will have to wait to see:
British Virgin Islands: These sun-kissed British businesses in the Caribbean keep tourists at bay, but only until the end of November. Starting December 1, Tortola and the other BVI islands will reopen to vacationers. Find out more here.
Canada: This vast land has so much to offer: sophisticated cities like Vancouver and Montreal and the stunning wilderness of the Canadian Rockies and the rugged Atlantic and Pacific coasts. We will have to settle for photos, memories and dreams of future travel until the friendly Canadians decide they can safely get the tourists back.
South America
South American favorites like Peru and Brazil are open, but some nations are still banned:
Chile: The beautiful lakes, the soaring peaks of the Andes, the intriguing Atacama Desert and the beautiful wilderness of Chile’s Patagonia remain closed to tourists for now.
Suriname: Famous for its multicultural capital of Paramaribo, this former Dutch colony on the northeastern coast of South America is closed except for rescue flights from the Netherlands.
When it reopens, the charm of the capital of Uruguay, Montevideo, awaits you.
Shutterstock
Uruguay: This lively little neighbor between giants Brazil and Argentina is loved for its beaches, the cosmopolitan capital of Montevideo, and tasty meats. While some foreigners may enter for other reasons, tourism is out of the question right now.
More resources
Below are some links where you can find more details:
The US State Department has country-by-country for US citizens which often contain information of interest to citizens of other nations as well.
Some countries may not appear in this summary because CNN Travel could not confirm the status of their restrictions with the official government or tourism sources or because they had very limited tourist traffic before the pandemic. This list will be updated periodically as more information becomes available or situations change.
