For those with wanderlust in their hearts and visions of paradise twinkling in their eyes, the options for international travel this summer continue to improve. From Africa to Europe and even Asia, Covid restrictions are being left behind as the competition for those all-important tourism dollars heats up once more. It's time to start thinking about summer 2022 international travel.
So, where do you begin? How do you narrow it down when you've got so much to choose from for summer travel? Are the meandering streets of ancient European capitals calling your name? Do the white sand beaches and crystal clear waters of Central America drift into your dreams at night? Perhaps those emerald rice terraces and hidden Buddhist monasteries plastered to your desktop background have you longing for adventure?
Have no fear; we're here to break down your best bets for international travel with this summer travel guide.
Note: All Covid-19 data is accurate as of April 14, 2022, but with restrictions ever-changing it's best to always check travel restrictions before planning your trip.
The Americas
An obvious favorite for many of us from the States due to the relatively low cost, proximity, and stunning scenery, both Central and South America are welcoming travelers en masse. And while more tourists arrive and reach the sun-drenched shores by the week, that doesn't mean it's impossible to find your own deserted piece of paradise. Many of our favorite spots are far from the well-trodden trail.
Costa Rica
This narrow stretch of mountains, rainforests, and beaches is one of the world's eco-tourism capitals. The diverse Costa Rican landscape is an adventurer's dream, and the country offers a wide range of outdoor escapes. It's no surprise that tourism accounts for such a large part of the local economy—well over a million tourists visited last year alone.
It's important to note that Costa Rica's climate is complex, and the rainy season actually runs from May through December. However, that doesn't mean the summer months are a wash; that's far from true. In fact, during these "rainy" months, the interior jungles may be getting drenched while the coasts often play host to gorgeous sunny days. Many travelers (including us) love the Costa Rican summer months; everything is vibrant and full of life, and the crowds are gone.
Overview: Travel is allowed with some restrictions.
Covid-19 Vaccine: No proof of a covid-19 vaccination is required.
Covid Test: No tests are required.
Quarantine: Not required.
Masks: Masks are required in public spaces.
Resource: Sherpa
Note: Vaccines and pre-travel Covid tests are required to join our FTLO Costa Rica trips.
Belize
The Caribbean gem is home to some of the most unspoiled white-sand beaches in the region and a mecca for snorkeling and diving. Although the hot summer months constitute the low season, the country's countless cays, bays, and lagoons attract guests from North America throughout the year. So if kicking back and relaxing on beach or boat sounds like a good time, consider checking out this turquoise paradise.
Similar to Costa Rica, the summer months in Belize mean lower prices, smaller crowds, and more paradise for you to enjoy. If you don't mind sporadic showers, it's a great time to check out the endless jungled islands. If you like your paradise with a bit of culture, you're in luck as well. There are colorful local festivals running throughout the summer months just waiting to be explored—check out the lobster festivals, they’re a foodie's dream and take place in San Pedro, Placencia, and Caye Caulker.
Overview: Travel is allowed with some restrictions.
Covid-19 Vaccine: Not required
Covid Test: Vaccinated travelers do not require a test. Unvaccinated travelers must test or take a test upon arrival.
Quarantine: Not required for vaccinated or negative tests.
Masks: Masks are not required.
Resource: Sherpa
Note: Vaccines and pre-travel Covid tests are required to join our FTLO Belize trips.
Colombia
From Cartagena's walled, colonial streets to the lush, jungled mountains of Medellin, Colombia has emerged from decades of tumult as a true tourism success story. With coasts on the Caribbean and Pacific, a vast stretch of the Andes Mountain range, and the second-highest level of biodiversity on the planet, the country is an excellent jumping-off point for outdoor exploration and a gateway to the rest of South America.
With its proximity to the equator, Colombia is not hugely affected by the change of seasons; however, the summer months do tend to be drier than the rest of the year. This is a fantastic time to visit, especially if you've got some Andes hiking in mind.
Overview: Travel is allowed with restrictions
Covid-19 Vaccine: Vaccine is required.
Covid Test: Negative Covid tests are not required for fully vaccinated travelers. Negative tests are required for those who received their second shot within 14 days of flying.
Quarantine: Not required.
Masks: Masks are required in indoor public spaces.
Resource: Sherpa
Note: Vaccines and pre-travel Covid tests are required to join our FTLO Colombia trips.
If you're looking for a longer stay in Colombia this summer, check out our sister company Sojrn's Spanish in Colombia chapter!
One of our favorite foodie and all-around destinations, Mexico is an excellent choice for a summer excursion with energetic cities, fascinating historical sites, and endless expanses of beaches on both the Caribbean and Pacific. The beautiful country is an American favorite for the ease and quickness of entry.
While we won't be kicking off our Mexico City trip again until the fall, there are many regions of Mexico that make for great summer getaways. As summer's the down season, there are more than enough beaches to cool down on and cheap flights to get you there.
Thankfully, Mexico is fully embracing international travelers, with hotels, restaurants, bars, and nightlife back in full swing. Mask mandates and general health precautions are in place in most public areas, but that hasn't stunted tourism too much.
Overview: Travel is allowed.
Covid-19 Vaccine: Not required, but recommended.
Covid Test: Negative Covid test results are not required to enter Mexico but are recommended.
Quarantine: Not required.
Masks: Masks are required in some public spaces.
Resource: Sherpa
Note: Vaccines and pre-travel Covid tests are required to join our FTLO Mexico City trips.
Europe
After a brief hiatus, the past year has seen a substantial rebound for European travel, with more borders open today than ever these past two years. For most European destinations, summer is peak season, so summer 2022 international travel across the pond is sure to be a happening time. If romantic cobbled alleyways and a glass of wine paired with Mediterranean views are calling your name, consider one of these mainstays of history, architecture, and culture.
Italy
From the famed, sun-drenched beaches of the Amalfi Coast to the streets and squares that gave birth to modern democracy, Italy is always high on the list for American travelers. Perhaps your stomach's been rumbling for a hearty bowl of Bolognese, or maybe your nose perked up at the gnocchi in your local Italian restaurant, and you've been longing ever since for the real thing. Whatever the reason, Italy in the summer is a sure thing for a good time.
The summer months are nothing short of spectacular. The weather is perfect (perhaps hot for some, not for us), the Med is a bathwater delight, and the skies are blue and clear. We do have to point out that August is Ferragosto in Italy, or essentially a month of nationwide holiday. Prices shoot up, and crowds flock to the mountains and sea.
Overview: Travel is allowed with restrictions
Covid-19 Vaccine: Vaccine is not required.
Covid Test: Negative Covid tests are not required for fully vaccinated travelers. Negative tests are required for unvaccinated travelers.
Quarantine: Not required.
Masks: Masks are required in public spaces.
Resource: Sherpa
Note: Vaccines and pre-travel Covid tests are required to join our FTLO Italy trips.
If you're looking for a longer stay in Italy this summer, check out our sister company Sojrn's Wine in Tuscany chapter!
Croatia
We’re not sure if Game of Thrones did it or if it was just Croatia’s time to shine, but tourism in this charming Mediterranean nation has been booming recently. Summers are undoubtedly the season to visit as the weather is perfect, from the ancient, castled walls of Dubrovnik to the cascading falls of Krka National Park. Of course, when it’s really time to unwind, that oh so inviting Mediterranean welcomes friends new and old.
Some of our favorite spots are actually out at sea, so make sure you’ve got a few days to do some off-the-beaten-path exploration as well. Check out the medieval town of Hvar, and spend an afternoon or evening living it up in Croatian paradise.
Overview: Travel is allowed with restrictions
Covid-19 Vaccine: Vaccine is not required.
Covid Test: Negative Covid tests are not required for fully vaccinated travelers. Negative tests are required for unvaccinated travelers unless they choose to quarantine for 7-days upon arrival.
Quarantine: Not required.
Masks: Masks are required in certain settings. Health pass may be required for public activities.
Resource: Sherpa
Note: Vaccines and pre-travel Covid tests are required to join our FTLO Croatia trips.
Spain
Summers in Spain are vibrant and energetic. It's a period of hot days, warm nights, excitement, and culture. By evening, the streets and plazas of cities, villages, and small towns across the country come alive with activity, and the sounds of couples, friends, and families laughing reverberate through narrow alleys. If you're interested in culture and enjoying an authentic experience, a Spanish summer may be for you.
Locals often siesta during the hotter hours, and the electricity begins to pulse through the streets around 5 pm. Tapas and pintxo joints open their doors, and some of the continent's best food and wines are served up.
Overview: Travel is allowed with restrictions
Covid-19 Vaccine: Vaccine is not required.
Covid Test: Negative Covid tests are not required for fully vaccinated travelers. Negative tests are required for unvaccinated travelers.
Quarantine: Not required.
Masks: Masks are required in public spaces.
Resource: Sherpa
Note: Vaccines and pre-travel Covid tests are required to join our FTLO Spain trips.
If you're looking for a longer stay in Spain this summer, check out our sister company Sojrn's Art & Architecture in Barcelona chapter!
Portugal
We're not going to lie to you; there's no bad time to go to Portugal. It's hard to go wrong with the friendly locals, delicious delicacies, and insanely cheap prices. And we didn't even mention the history. Or the architecture. Not even the wine! Drink the wine. Drink all of the wine.
Portugal in summer is something else. From the colorful streets of Porto down to the exciting capital of Lisbon and the golden coast of the Algarve, it's a nation that shines brightest in the summer sun.
Overview: Travel is allowed with restrictions
Covid-19 Vaccine: Vaccine is not required.
Covid Test: Negative Covid tests are not required for fully vaccinated travelers. Negative tests are required for unvaccinated travelers.
Quarantine: Not required.
Masks: Masks are required in indoor public spaces.
Resource: Sherpa
Note: Vaccines and pre-travel Covid tests are required to join our FTLO Portugal trips.
France
With perfect weather and beautiful scenery around every bend, summers in France are what vacation dreams are made of. The purple lavender fields of Provence bloom, the Tour De France draws crowds, and the fireworks of Bastille Day bring families to town squares across the country. From the cobbled streets of Paris down to the Riviera, it’s an exciting time to travel the region.
France has gone in and out of lockdown a few times and has seen varying degrees of Covid surges over the past two years. Currently, the outlook for the summer months looks excellent, but as things change so quickly, it’s always a good idea to double-check before you book.
Overview: Travel is allowed with restrictions.
Covid-19 Vaccine: Vaccines are required to enter.
Covid Test: Negative Covid tests are no longer required for travelers.
Quarantine: Not required.
Masks: Masks are required in some public spaces.
Resource: Sherpa
Note: Vaccines and pre-travel Covid tests are required to join our FTLO France trips.
If you're looking for a longer stay in France this summer, check out our sister company Sojrn's Fashion in Paris chapter!
Greece
Day after day of stunningly blue skies and clear, calm seas are on the agenda for anyone heading to Greece this summer. Of course, with reliably fantastic weather, it's no surprise that Greek summers draw the crowds.
The country's picturesque coastline and islands, clad in blue-roofed, whitewashed homes, are a major draw for tourists the world over. There can be crowds, and prices do go up; however, the golden beaches and crystal-clear seas more than make up for all that. This is one of our favorite summertime destinations.
Overview: Travel is allowed with restrictions.
Covid-19 Vaccine: Vaccine is not required.
Covid Test: Negative Covid tests are not required for fully vaccinated travelers. Negative tests are required for unvaccinated travelers.
Quarantine: Not required.
Masks: Masks are required in public spaces.
Resource: Sherpa
Note: Vaccines and pre-travel Covid tests are required to join our FTLO Greece trips.
If you're looking for a longer stay in Greece this summer, check out our sister company Sojrn's Greek Culture in Athens chapter!
Ireland
In the summer, the rolling fields of Ireland come alive in brilliant shades of greens—there’s no better time to hike, trek, or travel through this friendly nation of five million. The days are long, the nights short, and counties from Kerry to Clare and Cavan are just waiting to be explored.
The summer months also bring numerous cultural festivals, including one of our all-time favorites, the Puck Fair, where a goat is caught and crowned king. Yeah, you should check this one out.
Overview: Travel is allowed with restrictions.
Covid-19 Vaccine: Vaccines are not required to enter.
Covid Test: Negative Covid tests are no longer required for travelers.
Quarantine: Not required.
Masks: Masks are recommended in some public spaces.
Resource: Sherpa
Note: Vaccines and pre-travel Covid tests are required to join our FTLO Ireland trips.
Scotland
Much like Ireland, the best time to visit Scotland is the summer. The weather is much nicer than the rest of the year, and it’s generally more predictable. You can expect temperatures to be reliably (mostly, this is Scotland, after all) in the high 50s and low 60s and the soaring scenery to be carpeted in life. The days in June are long; with 18 hours of sunlight, you’ve got an incredible opportunity to see the great outdoors.
The capital of Edinburgh is brimming with activity, and everyone is outside enjoying the respite from the nation’s more tumultuous seasons. There seem to be festivals, events, and shows put on every single day of the summer.
Overview: Travel is allowed.
Covid-19 Vaccine: Vaccines are not required to enter.
Covid Test: Negative Covid tests are no longer required for travelers.
Quarantine: Not required.
Masks: Masks are recommended in some public spaces.
Resource: Sherpa
Note: Vaccines and pre-travel Covid tests are required to join our FTLO Scotland trips.
Asia
The road to recovery from Covid for many Asian nations has been long, arduous, and full of setbacks; however, it looks like much of the continent is finally rounding the bend. For the hustle and bustle of some of the world's most fun and chaotic nations, consider checking out some of our favorites.
Turkey
The summer months are great for visiting this transcontinental nation. If you're in Istanbul, this is a perfect time to get out on the water and explore the Bosporus. If you're inland, the landscape can bake during the heat of the day, but the mornings and evenings are ideal for exploring the endless thousand-year ruins of ancient civilizations.
During June, July, and August, the real draw is the sea, which seems to turn to wild shades of blues and greens beneath the Turkish sun. Water temperatures reach over 70 degrees, and the swimming, snorkeling, and beachside lounging are fantastic.
Overview: Travel is allowed with some restrictions.
Covid-19 Vaccine: Vaccines are not required to enter
Covid Test: Negative Covid tests are no longer required for travelers who are vaccinated. Unvaccinated travelers need a negative test or note showing recent Covid recovery.
Quarantine: Not required.
Masks: Masks are recommended in some public spaces.
Resource: Sherpa
Note: Vaccines and pre-travel Covid tests are required to join our FTLO Turkey trips.
Jordan
Petra. Everyone should make it to Jordan at least once in their life just to see Petra. Words won’t do it justice because it will leave you speechless. Jordan’s friendly people, surreal desert landscapes, and breathtakingly starry skies are just icing on the cake; little extras that solidify this Middle Eastern destination as one of our favorites.
The climate varies here as the landscapes rise and fall. The summer months can be sizzling in some regions and perfect in others. However, there’s no rain, and that makes it one of the best times to visit in our opinion. Most of the nation's music and dance festivals also take place in June, July, and August, so it's a good time to catch some culture.
Overview: Travel is allowed with restrictions
Covid-19 Vaccine: Vaccine is not required.
Covid Test: Negative Covid tests are not required.
Quarantine: Not required for vaccinated travelers.
Masks: Masks are required in public.
Resource: Sherpa
Note: Vaccines and pre-travel Covid tests are required to join our FTLO Jordan trips.
Vietnam
Home to thousands of years of history, frenetic motorbike-mad cities, and the best and cheapest damn cuisine in the world, Vietnam is a food, culture, and nature lover's paradise. From Uncle Ho's mausoleum and the ancient capital of Hanoi to the jagged cliffs and soaring, twisting mountainside roads of Ha Giang, there's excitement around every corner in this nation of 97 million.
For those with time on their hands and adventure in their heads, Vietnam is an excellent choice for a lengthy summer trip. With so much history and so much to see, it isn't easy to soak it all up in a week, so make it a longer visit if you can. The weather always seems to vary across this long nation; however, the summer months often see more rain than the rest of the year and are a tad cooler.
After a years-long battle with Covid, Vietnam has just recently reopened to the world. Travelers are not required to be vaccinated; however, a negative PCR test must be shown from within 72 hours of departure or 24 hours for antigen.
Overview: Travel is allowed with restrictions
Covid-19 Vaccine: Vaccine is not required.
Covid Test: Negative Covid tests are required for travelers.
Quarantine: Not required.
Masks: Masks are required in public spaces.
Resource: Sherpa
Note: Vaccines and pre-travel Covid tests are required to join our FTLO Vietnam trips.
Africa
Home to some of the world’s most captivating parks and, in our opinion, the most fascinating flora and fauna on earth, Africa is slowly coming alive from the permafrost of Covid. While this wild continent might not be a traditional summer destination, the months that kick off shoulder season are great for beating the crowds and experiencing rich and diverse cultures from Cairo to Cape Town.
Morocco
With vibrant colors, overwhelming aromas, and strange melodies ringing out from every bazaar, tea shop, and riad, visiting Morocco is an all-out assault on the senses and a frenetic, chaotic cultural experience. While the nation and much of the continent, for that matter, bakes in the heart of the summer, April, May, September, and October are the best months to visit and explore for yourself.
If you’re considering crossing the Sahara by camel, getting lost in the mazes of Marrakech, or falling in love with Fez, do it in the shoulder seasons.
Overview: Travel is allowed with restrictions
Covid-19 Vaccine: Vaccine is required.
Covid Test: Negative Covid tests are required for travelers.
Quarantine: Not required.
Masks: Masks are required in public spaces.
Resource: Sherpa
Note: Vaccines and pre-travel Covid tests are required to join our FTLO Morocco trips.
South Africa
The home of Kruger National Park, Table Mountain, and endless expanses of bushland and wilderness teeming with biodiversity, South Africa is for the adventure lovers out there. While the sprawling nation of 60 million is always waiting to be explored, in the Southern Hemisphere, the climate is reversed, and our summer months can actually be a bit chilly and wet. We recommend April or October, when it's warmer, dryer, and overall, much more pleasant.
This spectacular country has had a difficult go with Covid and has seen at least four massive spikes in caseloads. Today, however, things are finally settling down, and the nation is welcoming back foreign travelers.
Overview: Travel is allowed with restrictions
Covid-19 Vaccine: Vaccine is not required.
Covid Test: Negative Covid tests are required for unvaccinated travelers.
Quarantine: Not required for vaccinated travelers.
Masks: Masks are required in indoor spaces.
Resource: Sherpa
Note: Vaccines and pre-travel Covid tests are required to join our FTLO South Africa trips.
If you've never met us before, we're FTLO Travel! A group tour company for 20 and 30 something year old young professionals. We design and run laid-back trips around the world that connect you to new, like minded people while still have the adventure and cultural enrichment of solo travel. Check out our trips here.