A lot of people think that you can’t travel to other countries without a valid passport. While this may be true for most overseas destinations, there are actually quite a few places you can visit without one. If you’re in desperate need of a vacation and don’t have a passport, you can still plan an exciting trip.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is a US territory so, if you are an American citizen, you do not need a passport to travel there as long as you are carrying a valid ID card or your birth certificate. Considering it is 1000 miles from the US mainland, it is an exotic destination where you can enjoy the main island as well as the smaller surrounding islands too. Puerto Rico is mountainous and has lots of steep and challenging terrain which makes it an ideal destination if you like hiking or walks in the mountains.
Guam
Guam is over 7000 miles from the US mainland so you would be forgiven for thinking you need a passport to visit. However, Guam is actually an unincorporated territory of the United States meaning US citizens can travel there using valid ID or proof of citizenship. Guam is in the North Pacific Ocean and has a warm climate with daytime temperatures of around 90 °F all year round. It also has some incredible beaches which many people consider some of the best in the world.
Guam is over 7000 miles from the US mainland so you would be forgiven for thinking you need a passport to visit. However, Guam is actually an unincorporated territory of the United States meaning US citizens can travel there using valid ID or proof of citizenship. Guam is in the North Pacific Ocean and has a warm climate with daytime temperatures of around 90 °F all year round. It also has some incredible beaches which many people consider some of the best in the world.
Canada
US citizens can enter Canada without a passport as long as they have a NEXUS card. This is a travel document that you can apply for and it allows you to skip the usual security and customs processes as it highlights that you are a low-risk passenger. You can use your NEXUS card to travel to Canada by land, sea, or air so it gives you a great deal of flexibility. It's worth bearing in mind though that you will have to have a face-to-face interview and pay a fee to get a NEXUS card.
US Virgin Islands
If you are looking for a passport-free trip to the Caribbean, then the US Virgin Islands are a great choice for you. The US Virgin Islands are made up of the 3 islands of St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas as well as around 50 smaller islets and cays. They are located around 40 miles from Puerto Rico so they could be an additional place to travel to while you are visiting Puerto Rico as you won’t need a passport for either destination.
If you are looking for a passport-free trip to the Caribbean, then the US Virgin Islands are a great choice for you. The US Virgin Islands are made up of the 3 islands of St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas as well as around 50 smaller islets and cays. They are located around 40 miles from Puerto Rico so they could be an additional place to travel to while you are visiting Puerto Rico as you won’t need a passport for either destination.
American Samoa
American Samoa is a little over 7000 miles away from the mainland US and is in the South Pacific Ocean. It is made up of 5 islands, 2 atolls and covers an area of 76 square miles. It is an incredible place to visit and has some truly breathtaking landscapes. US citizens can move freely in and out of America Samoa although, logistically, it can be quite challenging to travel there as flights are less common than they are to other US territories.
Northern Mariana Islands
The Northern Mariana Islands are another US territory so US citizens will only need a valid ID card or their birth certificate to visit. They are made up of 14 islands, all located in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, and are home to some very impressive sights and landscapes. Flight time from the mainland US to the Northern Mariana Islands usually takes between 12 and 16 hours so it is definitely an exotic and distant passport-free destination.
The Northern Mariana Islands are another US territory so US citizens will only need a valid ID card or their birth certificate to visit. They are made up of 14 islands, all located in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, and are home to some very impressive sights and landscapes. Flight time from the mainland US to the Northern Mariana Islands usually takes between 12 and 16 hours so it is definitely an exotic and distant passport-free destination.