Top places to travel without a passport for Americans
Traveling is fun and all, but getting a passport can be such a pain.
The cost of a passport can be expensive, and the process takes a while. Plus, not everyone has the time to wait.
Whatever your reason is. There are still plenty of tropical places to visit outside of the contiguous United States
These tropical vacation spots will make it feel like you’ve left the country even when you haven’t. They are perfect for any traveler who doesn’t have a passport.
These are some awesome tropical vacations, where no passport is needed! Without leaving the United States, you can feel worlds away when visiting these tropical locations that are United States Territories.
Keep reading to learn more about some of the best tropical vacation spots you can visit as a United States citizen without a passport.
Top Tropical Vacations Without a Passport
The territories below belong to the United States even though they are not one of the 50 states. So all you need is a valid I.D. in order to visit them.
These tropical destinations are the perfect place to visit without a passport. However, these will probably spark your wanderlust and make you want to get your passport once you return.
They are great jumping stones to help get you started on your best island vacation the US has to offer.
1. Puerto Rico
The island of Puerto Rico is the perfect tropical destination.
It’s dreamy, with a diverse landscape and amazing beaches for relaxing under the warm sun.
One of the coolest things you can do in Puerto Rico is visit La Parguera, a bioluminescent bay where you can swim in glow-in-the-dark waters.
Yes, you heard that right. When there is movement in the water, tiny microscopic organisms light up a neon color.
When there is enough of them, you can see a glow-in-the-dark effect on the water. It’s mesmerizing and feels unreal.
Other unique things to do in Puerto Rico include visiting the tropical rainforest and visiting the old town, which has a real European vibe to it.
Be sure to check out the bioluminescence in Puerto Rico bay.
U.S. Virgin Islands
The U.S. Virgin Islands consists of three large islands, including St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John, and about 50 smaller islets in the Caribbean Sea. These are some great tropical islands within a short flight from the US.
You can visit the three main islands without a passport. They make for the perfect tropical beach vacation, and snorkeling is a must-activity in the turquoise waters.
2. St. Thomas
St. Thomas has the most shopping opportunities of the islands and it is a great place to purchase items duty-free. But most importantly St. Thomas has pristine beaches that you will want to park up on all day.
The island also has a strong culture, and you will find many opportunities to try island food, including fish and fungi, callaloo stew, rice and whelks, and more.
As for history, you can explore Fort Christian which was built in 1690 and is the second-oldest synagogue in the Western Hemisphere.
They also drive on the left side of the road here, which makes you feel like you are in another country.
3. St. Croix
If you have been dreaming of white sand beaches, you might want to add St. Croix to your list.
Throughout history, it has been in the hands of many different nations, including Spain, The Netherlands, England, France, and Denmark.
There are many historic buildings and monuments to explore.
It’s also home to Point Udall, the easternmost point in the United States.
St. Croix has its own unique culture and offers many activities, and of course, it has beautiful beaches.
4. St. John
St. John is most well known for its landscape.
For those looking to experience nature and spend time adventuring, this is the island for you. This is one of the best places to snorkel in the Caribbean.
You won’t have to go out very far to find turtles, rays, and lots of colorful fish.
As for land adventures, there are tons of hiking trails. The Virgin Islands National Park is 5,500 acres and protects more than half of the island.
St. John is the smallest of the three islands, but it’s gorgeous and our top pick.
5. Guam
Located in the Pacific Ocean, the tropical island of Guam is another U.S. Territory, so it is a great tropical vacation you can take without a passport.
One of the perfect tropical places to travel to if you are looking for something a little more off the beaten path.
There is a lot of history to explore, including World War II sites and there is still a lot of US military presence here.
The War in the Pacific is a National Historic Park in Guam that honors those who participated in WWII.
Guam is far from the contiguous U.S. It’s the most western territory of the U.S. It has a very distinctive and vivid culture that is worth immersing yourself in. Guam is a great place to visit.
Northern Mariana Islands
The Northern Mariana Islands are located in the Pacific Ocean and are a U.S. territory.
They are made up of a total of 14 islands.
The most popular are Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
These are great U.S. territories you can visit without a passport.
6. Saipan
Saipan is the largest island of The Marianas. You can explore the length of the island in just about an hour.
Be sure to check out all the natural scenery, including the beaches and the mountainous landscape.
You can trek through the jungle, explore caves, snorkel, and participate in many different activities.
The island also has rich culture from the Chamorro and Carolinian indigenous groups.
We highly recommend trying their food, listening to their music, and learning more about their heritage.
In addition, there are archaeological sites, prehistoric structures, and World War II sites to explore, including a Japanese lighthouse and an abandoned airfield.
Saipan is a great choice for a tropical vacation without a passport.
7. Tinian
You can explore Tinian in just a few hours if you don’t have a ton of time but, there is a lot to explore on this tiny island.
There are World War II landmarks worth checking out, and Tinian is also known for its diving.
From pristine, secluded beaches, you can experience some of the best scuba diving in the world.
8. Rota
Rota is another very tiny island part of the Northern Mariana Islands. It’s also known for its scuba diving and water sports.
As well as local cuisine, great weather, gorgeous views, and welcoming hospitality.
Why not do a little island hopping in the Northern Mariana Islands and visit more than one Island.
American Samoa
American Samoa is made up of 5 islands and several atolls which are ring-shaped islands with a coral rim.
The islands include Tutuila, Aunu’u, Ta’u, Ofu, and Olosega, with Tutuila being the most popular to visit.
America Samoa doesn’t get very many visitors, most come from cruise ships and visit for the day, but it’s a great tropical place to visit without needing a passport.
There are hiking opportunities and natural beauties to explore.
You can learn about the traditional culture. From wonderful beaches to mountains to volcanoes, the landscape of these islands is diverse.
9. Tutuila
This is the island that most people visit when they come to America Samoa.
Here you’ll find the international airport as well as the capital of America Samoa.
Most of the population lives on this island as well.
It’s easy to travel to Aunu’u from Tutuila, but the other islands are a bit harder to reach.
The National Park of America Samoa is spread across the islands of Tutuila, Ofu, and Ta’ū.
10. The Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are made up of a string of islands about 120 miles off the southern coast of Florida.
Key West is one of the islands that make up The Keys and it is the Southernmost point of the U.S.
The Keys can be accessed from mainland Florida by the Overseas Highway.
Here you’ll feel like you’re a million miles away from the U.S. The Keys have a dynamic laidback atmosphere and vibe.
They have beautiful beaches that are great places for snorkeling and scuba diving.
Be sure to not forget any of these essential items for your Key West Packing List
11. Hawaii
One of the most popular and best island vacations you can take within the USA has to be Hawaii.
This tropical location is a part of the 50 United States.
Hawaii is made up of over 100 islands, including eight major islands, several atolls, and many smaller islets.
People normally visit Maui, Oahu, Big Island, and Kauai.
Some people also visit Lanai and Molokai, which are a bit more off the beaten path. Hawaii extends over 1,500 miles in the Pacific Ocean.
Hawaii is known for its picture-perfect beaches and diverse landscapes, including rainforests, mountains, and volcanoes.
Each of the islands has its perks, visit them all if you can!
Maui is called The Valley Isle and is the second largest Hawaiian island. This island has some of the very best beaches.
There are plenty of great things to do in Maui including whale watching, and out of all the islands, it has some of the best sunrises and sunsets.
Oahu is called the Heart of Hawaii. It’s home to the capital city of Honolulu and some of the most legendary surf towns.
Also known as Hawaii Island, Big Island is known for its diverse landscape. Big Island has five volcanoes and lots of other geological interests.
Often nicknamed the Garden Isle, this island has some of the most dramatic and diverse landscapes and natural scenery.
Other places in the United States that feel tropical and might make you forget you’re still in the United States include cities in California like San Diego, Malibu, Big Sur, and Port Aransas, Texas, to name a few.
Cruises
Another opportunity to visit tropical locations without having a passport is by cruise. If you take a “closed loop” cruise which means you start and end at a U.S. port, there are locations you can visit and bypass needing a passport.
You will be able to visit countries like The Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, and Mexico without a passport.
These are opportunities you wouldn’t have otherwise.
So going on a cruise is a great option to consider if you’d like to leave the country for your next vacation, but don’t have a passport.
There are so many great Tropical Vacations without a passport that you can take that are worth visiting.
You don’t even need a passport with so much to explore just in your home country. There are so many tropical and worthwhile destinations at your fingertips.
So hopefully this list has inspired you to book that ticket and head to one of these tropical vacation destinations.
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