Places You Can Escape To During Quarantine — If You’re Rich
Who doesn’t dream of escaping from the limitations of COVID-19 to somewhere tropical, remote, exotic or exciting? For most of us, however, due to costs and restrictions, getting much further away than driving distance is mostly a pipe dream.
Read More: How Much It Costs To Live in 15 COVID-Free Countries
For the uber-rich, however, travel, even under heavy restrictions, is a no-brainer. Those with the cash to go anywhere they can afford are seeking out locales with limited numbers of people, and low or declining COVID-19 infection rates, according to CNBC. These range from tropical respites such as private islands to coastal towns with access to surf and sun. From private jets to luxury villas, the rich know how to quarantine in style. Here are five places the rich are visiting to escape quarantine.
Last updated: March 5, 2021
The Hamptons, New York
Many of the East Coast elite are escaping to the Hamptons, a series of beach towns and villages on eastern Long Island, New York. The Hamptons are long known for attracting the wealthiest vacationers from all over the country. These islands are approximately a two-hour drive from Midtown, Manhattan (without traffic).
For wealthy West Coasters who want to make this trip, a first-class airline ticket from SFO to JFK starts at $1,084 and goes up from there. Travelers by air may expect increased airline restrictions, including face-covering requirements, social distancing guidelines and no longer being served meals on airplanes.
See: Why It’s Smart To Book Your Late 2021 Travel Now
Tulum, Mexico
With just 43 rooms spread across a conveniently large 50 acres, Tulum, Mexico’s Hotel Esencia has a reputation for being a favorite vacation spot of the Hollywood elite and the wealthy. This coveted hideaway is the former estate of an Italian duchess.
The hotel’s room rates start at around $900 per night and go up from there. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently recommend that people in the United States do not travel there due to risks for catching COVID-19, Mexico is still open to travelers, though restrictions may apply at various locations; including mandated face coverings and social distancing.
Look: How To Budget and Plan For a Vacation in 2021
Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
Martha’s Vineyard, an island off Massachusetts, is known for its rich and famous visitors (including numerous U.S. presidents) who spend summers on the island. Since COVID-19 hit, many visitors got a head start as early as spring and haven’t stopped coming.
According to The Boston Globe, private jets have been “pouring in,” and those jets can cost anywhere from $1,300 to 3,000 per hour on the smaller end and up to $13,000 per hour for nine or more travelers. With prices like those, the wealthy are probably putting up serious cash to stay, as well, if they don’t already own homes on the island.
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Tahiti, French Polynesia
For the very rich and famous, taking a little jaunt to Tahiti, even when health officials warn against nonessential travel, is a no-brainer. Reality TV star Kim Kardashian West dashed off to a private island in Tahiti for her 40th birthday, bringing along a host of friends and family after claims of strict quarantining and testing.
Currently, Tahiti requires a specific kind of COVID-19 test to be taken before flying in, as well as an additional self-test to be taken four days after arrival (provided by the government). A curfew is also in effect on Tahiti between 9 p.m. and 4 a.m. A first-class flight from Kim’s home in California to Tahiti starts at around $728 and runs well over $2,000.
Related: 65 Splurges of the Filthy Rich
The Caribbean
Who can blame a billionaire for wanting to quarantine on his $590 million dollar yacht in the Grenadines, Caribbean? Well, many people did find his post about isolating in luxury to be “tone-deaf,” according to The Guardian, but David Geffen was unapologetic about what his money could buy.
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