Are you saving money for summer vacations, but suddenly you find out your passport has expired or is lost? You’ll be glad to hear that you literally don’t need a passport to visit some of the tropical regions.
In this article, we will share a list of beautiful destinations where Americans don’t need their travel document to enjoy sun, sand, and beach life.
Key Points
- US citizens do not need a passport for these places
- Cheap flight tickets
- Enjoy beach, snorkeling, and hiking
- Caribbean and Pacific island culture
- Incredible food, history, and local experience
1. Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is a self-governed Caribbean territory of the United States. It is normally considered domestic travel. You don’t have to deal with customs and currency exchange.
It was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493. In 1898, Spain and the US signed the Treaty of Paris, in which Puerto Rico was given to the US.
According to Luxy, Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, but they are not allowed to vote in U.S. presidential elections.
It is famous for its food, such as mofongo, arroz con gandules, frituras, and piña colada. If it’s your first time in Puerto Rico, then you should visit Old San Juan, El Yunque National Forest, and the Islands of Culebra and Vieques.
2. St. John, US Virgin Islands
St. John is part of the Lesser Antilles, located in the Caribbean Sea east of Puerto Rico. It doesn’t have its own airport. Visitors have to fly into St. Thomas (STT), and from there they have to take a 20-minute ferry from Red Hook to Cruz Bay.
You should visit Trunk Bay to relish its white sand and an underwater snorkeling trail, Maho Bay Beach to see wild sea turtles and stingrays in shallow water, and Waterlemon Cay for hiking.
To have fun, you can do scuba diving, take a catamaran tour around the island, and rent an open-air jeep. In terms of U.S. tropical islands
For food, it has kallaloo (a thick stew), fungi (a cornmeal and okra side), curried goat, and johnnycakes.
3. St. Croix, US Virgin Islands
St. Croix is the largest U.S. Virgin Island. It is spread about 40 miles south of St. Thomas. This island has been ruled by seven countries: Spain, Britain, France, the Knights of Malta, and Denmark.
At the end, the United States purchased it from Denmark for $25 million in gold coins in 1917.
It is famous for Liquid Gold. It has the famous Cruzan Rum Distillery, where you can taste the 20-year-old signature rums.
In addition, you can visit Point Udall to see monuments, the 16-acre St. George Village Botanical Garden of sugar, and Frederiksted Pier for scuba diving.
Based on Casa Diem Life, there are natural tide pools of volcanic rocks to swim in. Last but not least, if you love horseback riding, you can experience trail rides straight to the turquoise waters of the Caribbean.
4. Key West, Florida
Key West, Florida, is a tropical island city located at the southernmost tip of the U.S.
It is 90 miles north of Havana, Cuba. The total area of the island is 4.2 square miles.
At first, the Calusa and Tequesta tribes used to live here. Then pirates, wreckers, and cigar makers. In 1982, the people of Key West did a big protest to split from the U.S. to make an independent country.
In food, you will find the combo of Cuban, Bahamian, and seafood, such as key lime pie, conch fritters, and Cuban sandwiches.
After eating the mouthwatering food, Generali Global Assistance recommends visiting Duval Street, the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, Mallory Square, and Dry Tortugas National Park.
5. Hawaii
This destination might be the favorite choice of everyone reading this article. It is an isolated archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean. It is 2,000 miles away from the US mainland.
In 1795, Hawaii was the kingdom of King Kamehameha 1. During the 19th century, American businessmen and sugar planters grew in power and overthrew the Hawaiian monarchy.
Hawaiian food is a mixture of Polynesian and Asian food. You must try kalua pork, poke, loco moco, and malasadas. There are several fun activities you can do.
Snorkel at Hanauma Bay, take a helicopter tour, attend a luau, and hike the Diamond Head Crater.
6. Guam
Guam is located in Micronesia in the Western Pacific Ocean. According to Exceptional Villas, the Chamorro people have lived on this island for over 3,000 years.
It has a long history. After Chamorro, this place was under the control of Spain, Japan, and at last the United States.
Guam’s food is out of this world. It has kelaguen, red rice, finadene, and spam. You can order them at any restaurant over there.
Plus, you should definitely check out Tumon Beach, Two Lovers Point, Fort Soledad & Merizo Pier, and Ritidian Point.
In Summary
Turns out, you really do not need a passport to enjoy clear blue water, tropical weather, and island adventures. The culture, history, and food make these places more special.
So if your passport has expired or got lost, or you just want to take a break from work, these U.S. tropical destinations are not far away from you.
Sources & References:
- Luxy—Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, but they are not allowed to vote in U.S. presidential elections.
- Casa Diem Life – St. Croix has natural tide pools made of volcanic rocks.
- Generali Global Assistance – Places to visit in Key West, Florida.
- Exceptional Villas—Chamorro people have lived in Guam for over 3,000 years
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