Caribbean: Travel Health, Risks & Local Support www.travelplanet.cc
Comprehensive country directory with concise health-risk notes, national health authorities and leading international travel-medicine resources.
1. Pre-travel quick check
- 4–8 weeks before departure: Arrange a travel-medicine consultation; seek advice promptly even for last-minute travel.
- Vaccination and entry rules: Review routine vaccinations, destination-specific vaccines (Hepatitis A, Typhoid) and yellow-fever requirements, especially if transiting through South America or Africa [citation:6].
- Mosquito protection: Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika are significant risks across the Caribbean. Aedes mosquitoes bite during the day, so wear repellent and protective clothing at all times [citation:3][citation:4][citation:6].
- Malaria risk: Malaria is almost entirely confined to Haiti and a small border region of the Dominican Republic [citation:6]. Antimalarial tablets are recommended for these specific areas.
- Hygiene: Discuss safe food and water, diarrhoea prevention and a suitable travel medical kit. Be cautious with the ackee fruit in Jamaica, which must be fully ripe before eating [citation:3].
- Medical access: Arrange comprehensive insurance including evacuation, as medical facilities vary widely and may be limited on smaller islands. Cuba, for example, faces severe shortages of basic medicines [citation:2][citation:7].
- Current conditions: Re-check official outbreak notices (e.g., Chikungunya in Cuba [citation:11]), local authorities and travel health advice shortly before departure.
2. Leading travel-health institutes
Use these sources for destination-specific risk information, outbreak notices and preparation. They should support—not replace—an individual clinical consultation.
Germany, Austria & Switzerland
- German Society for Tropical Medicine, Travel Medicine and Global Health (DTG)GermanyProfessional society for tropical medicine and travel medicine; provides evidence-based professional resources and links to specialist expertise.
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM)HamburgMajor German research institute for tropical medicine and global health.
- Tropeninstitut.de – destination directoryGermany / DACHGerman-language destination pages for vaccines, malaria and other travel-health risks.
- Swiss TPH Travel ClinicBaselTravel-medicine consultation and tropical-medicine expertise.
- HealthyTravel.chSwitzerlandTravel-health information, vaccination and malaria guidance, and current news.
- Tropeninstitut WienAustriaTravel vaccinations and tropical/travel-medicine advice.
United States, United Kingdom & global
- CDC Travelers’ Health – destinationsUnited StatesOfficial U.S. destination-specific advice on vaccines, malaria prevention, food/water safety and health notices.
- CDC Yellow BookUnited StatesDetailed U.S. government travel-medicine reference for clinicians and travellers.
- TravelHealthPro / NaTHNaC – country directoryUnited KingdomUK travel-health information, country pages, outbreaks and professional resources.
- WHO Disease Outbreak NewsglobalOfficial international outbreak communications.
- PAHO country profilesAmericasHealth-system and country information for the Pan American Health Organization.
- WHO Region of the AmericasAmericasWHO information for the Region of the Americas.
3. Greater Antilles
For every country below, use the CDC destination directory and the TravelHealthPro country directory for current, detailed advice.
Cuba
Key health risks: Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika are endemic. An ongoing Chikungunya outbreak was reported in 2025 [citation:11]. Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended, and Typhoid is advised for travel outside all-inclusive resorts [citation:6]. Malaria is not a risk in tourist areas. Medical facilities in Havana are better equipped, but severe shortages of basic medicines are reported countrywide [citation:2]. Payment systems are disrupted; Visa and Mastercard are no longer accepted as of June 2026 – bring sufficient cash [citation:2].
Jamaica
Key health risks: Chikungunya, dengue, and Zika are endemic [citation:3]. Malaria was eliminated in 2012. Yellow fever vaccination is required for travellers arriving from risk countries [citation:3]. The ackee fruit is a local delicacy but must be fully ripe before eating to avoid poisoning [citation:3]. Diving and hiking (Blue Mountain Peak) are popular; advise against mountain climbing within 24 hours of diving [citation:3].
Dominican Republic
Key health risks: Dengue is a significant risk across the country. Malaria is present in a small border region with Haiti; antimalarial tablets are recommended only for itineraries that include this area [citation:6]. The main tourist resorts (Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, La Romana) have a very low malaria risk [citation:6]. Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations are recommended [citation:6].
Puerto Rico (US territory)
Key health risks: Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya are present. Medical care is of a high standard (US system). Yellow fever is not a risk, but proof of vaccination may be required for travellers arriving from endemic countries.
4. Lesser Antilles & Windward Islands
For every country below, use the CDC destination directory and the TravelHealthPro country directory for current, detailed advice.
Trinidad & Tobago
Key health risks: Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya are endemic. Malaria is not endemic. Good medical care is available. Carnival is a popular event; be sun-safe, drink responsibly and practise safe sex [citation:8].
Barbados
Key health risks: Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya are present. Malaria is not endemic. Good medical care is available. Be aware of sun exposure and use insect repellent [citation:6].
Grenada
Key health risks: Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya are present. Malaria is not endemic. Medical care is adequate on the main island, limited on outlying islands. Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended.
St. Lucia
Key health risks: Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya are present. Malaria is not endemic. Good medical care is available. Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended.
St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Key health risks: Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya are present. Malaria is not endemic. Medical care is limited, especially on the smaller islands. Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended.
5. Leeward Islands
For every country below, use the CDC destination directory and the TravelHealthPro country directory for current, detailed advice.
Antigua & Barbuda
Key health risks: Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya are present. Malaria is not endemic. Good medical care is available. Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended.
St. Kitts & Nevis
Key health risks: Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya are present. Malaria is not endemic. Good medical care is available. Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended.
Dominica
Key health risks: Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya are present. Malaria is not endemic. Medical care is limited; travel with a comprehensive medical kit and evacuation insurance. Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended.
Montserrat (UK territory)
Key health risks: Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya are present. Malaria is not endemic. Medical care is limited; the island has a small hospital.
6. Other Territories & Islands
For every country below, use the CDC destination directory and the TravelHealthPro country directory for current, detailed advice.
Bahamas
Key health risks: Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya are present. Malaria is not endemic. Good medical care is available. Hurricane season (June-November) poses a significant environmental risk.
Haiti
Key health risks: Malaria is present and antimalarial tablets are recommended [citation:6]. Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya are endemic. Medical care is severely limited; travel with comprehensive evacuation insurance. Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations are strongly recommended.
Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire (Dutch Caribbean)
Key health risks: Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya are present. Malaria is not endemic. Good medical care is available. Yellow fever vaccination is required for travellers arriving from risk countries.
Cayman Islands (UK territory)
Key health risks: Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya are present. Malaria is not endemic. Excellent medical care is available. Hurricane season (June-November) is a key environmental risk.
Turks & Caicos Islands (UK territory)
Key health risks: Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya are present. Malaria is not endemic. Good medical care is available. Hurricane season (June-November) is a key environmental risk.
Guadeloupe & Martinique (French territories)
Key health risks: Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya are present. Malaria is not endemic. Good medical care is available. A yellow fever vaccination certificate may be required for entry from endemic zones.
7. Emergency & local care
- Medical emergency: Contact local emergency services (varies by island). Save the number before travel.
- Treatment or evacuation: Contact your travel insurer or assistance provider early where the medical situation permits. Medical evacuation insurance is essential, especially for smaller islands [citation:2][citation:7].
- Red flags: Seek urgent medical help for high fever, breathing difficulty, altered consciousness, heavy bleeding, neurological symptoms, severe dehydration or rapid deterioration.
- After return: Seek prompt medical assessment for fever or significant symptoms after travel, and state every country/region visited and travel dates.
This directory must not be used for self-diagnosis or self-medication.
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