We love every moment of traveling abroad, but there are many reasons to consider visiting destinations without a US passport.
Maybe you’re staying closer to home this year to save money. Or perhaps you were victimized by a delay in processing your passport. Or maybe you decided on a whim that you needed to feel the sun on your face and your toes in the sand to temporarily cure your seasonal blues.
Well, you’re in luck. No matter your reason, here are four places you can visit without a passport.
Where can you travel without a passport?
According to the U.S. government, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands are U.S. territories or freely associated states that U.S. citizens can access without a passport.
According to the government, U.S. citizens may be able to visit Guam without a passport. According to the Guam Tourism Authority, U.S. citizens (age 18 and older) may enter Guam with a genuine ID or a valid U.S. federal or state-issued photo ID and a copy of their birth certificate. .
US Virgin Islands
Chee Wheatley/Getty Images
The three islands of the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix) are beautiful year-round. It is characterized by sparkling turquoise waters and soft sandy beaches surrounded by lush forests. It’s the perfect place for adventurous water sports or just relaxing on the beach.
Each island hosts its own Carnival celebration throughout the year, featuring parades, colorful costumes, music, dancing, and food that celebrate Caribbean tradition and culture.
Visitors can also explore Danish forts and plantations to gain a greater appreciation for slavery and colonialism in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The US Virgin Islands has a year-round tropical climate that is consistently warm, but the risk of rain and hurricanes increases from July to October. It’s best to visit in spring or early summer, when the weather is sunny and the crowds are thinner after the snowbirds have returned.
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puerto rico
Flamenco Beach on Culebra Island, Puerto Rico.discover puerto rico
If you’re looking for a quick tropical getaway without spending a full day of travel time, look no further than Puerto Rico. Direct flights from eastern cities such as Miami, Orlando, and Atlanta will get him to San Juan within four hours. It’s the perfect place to enjoy an afternoon soaking up the sun.
In addition to its year-round beach climate, Puerto Rico is also known for its dynamic culinary scene, arts districts (including the vibrant street art of trendy Santurce), and biodiverse ecosystem.
The island is home to three of the world’s five glowing bioluminescent bays, with Mosquito Bay known as the brightest. Hike or zipline through a rainforest, snorkel among marine life on a tranquil island protected by a barrier reef, or relax on Puerto Rico’s idyllic beaches.
You’ll never be far from delicious food, but if it’s your first visit to Puerto Rico, be sure to try mofongo, a traditional mashed and fried plantain dish. Puerto Rico’s history as a purveyor of rum goes back hundreds of years, so it’s no wonder it’s also the birthplace of the pina colada (if you need something to wash down your mofongo with, that’s what you need).
Puerto Rico is also one of the most affordable Caribbean islands, with a variety of accommodation options ranging from eco-friendly mountain cabins to luxury beachfront resorts.
Guam
Liesel Tanglao/The Point Guy
Guam is the only island in the Pacific Ocean on this list. Due to its location, it is easiest to go via Honolulu. Hawaii’s capital has limited direct United flights, but flights from major Asian cities such as Tokyo are also available. Osaka, Japan. and Seoul, South Korea.
On Guam, you can explore miles of beaches and learn about the island’s storied history through Spanish forts, World War II battlefields, and artifacts from Guam’s pre-colonial culture. A visit to the Guam Museum is a good starting point, followed by an educational outdoor adventure at Guam’s Spanish Fort and Valley of the Latte.
When you’re ready for some fun in the sun, head to Tumon and the surrounding beaches to enjoy the calm, crystal-clear waters. Alternatively, hike to secluded spots like Shark’s Cove Beach and Tanguison Beach for some snorkeling.
Guidance on whether a passport is required to enter Guam is somewhat vague, so double check entry requirements before visiting.
Cruise without passport
Viking Sea near Fort St. Catherine, Bermuda.White Rain/Viking Cruise
In addition to these passport-free land destinations, there are certain locations where you can cruise without a passport.
An international agreement called the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative allows U.S. citizens traveling on certain cruise itineraries to use a government-issued photo ID and proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate or a certified copy of a birth certificate) as documentation. can. In some cases, a passport card may be used in place of a photo ID or birth certificate.
This includes round-trip cruises departing from U.S. ports to destinations in Alaska, the Caribbean, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Mexico, and Canada.
While passports are not required by law on certain cruises, some ships have restrictions on the tours you can choose from without a passport. Additionally, if an unexpected problem occurs, you may be stranded without the option of flying home from a foreign country.
conclusion
Even if you don’t have a passport, you will still need a valid government-issued photo ID to visit each destination.
A birth certificate (or certified copy) may be required, so be sure to check the country’s specific requirements before visiting. When Real ID requirements go into effect in 2025, you will need to upgrade to a Real ID-compliant driver’s license.
If you have a passport, we recommend traveling with it as a backup plan, but even without one, know that your next tropical trip is within reach.
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