If you’ve been asking yourself, “Where can I travel without a passport?” then this article is for you. Do you yearn for new views and intriguing landscapes? After all, a trip to Fiji, Morocco, or the Maldives sounds appealing right now.
Unfortunately, they all necessitate the purchase of an expensive little blue booklet known as a US passport. There are many intriguing, distinctive, adventurous, and even exotic destinations to visit without a passport.
We’ve got you covered, whether you’ve forgotten to renew your passport, don’t want to deal with the process, or want to add some interesting domestic places to your bucket list.
Throughout the country, there are volcanic islands, tropical settings, lush jungles, unspoiled beaches, coral-filled waterways, desert panoramas, alien landscapes, red rock canyons, mountain peaks, European-inspired landscapes, and small fishing communities.
Continue reading if you’re planning a vacation and wondering where to go without a passport from the United States.
We’ve chosen the best places to visit without a passport for luxury-seeking honeymooners, adrenaline seekers seeking thrills and adventure, photographers, and tourists.
Where Can I Travel Without a Passport?
So, the answer to your query, “Where can I travel without a passport?” is that a US resident with a passport can now travel to 189 countries throughout the world without a Visa.
1. Acadia National Park, Maine
Do you want to go on a tough Canadian vacation? Yes, you will want a passport for that. Acadia National Park, with its rugged beaches, jagged mountain peaks, and wooded wilds, is another option.
Acadia National Park, located in New Brunswick and across the Bay of Fundy from Nova Scotia, is one of the closest places to Canada without a passport.
The 47,000-acre park covers the majority of Mt. Desert Island on the East Coast. Acadia National Park, established in 1916, was the first national park east of the Mississippi.
The region is known for its spectacular fall foliage and pleasant summer weather, but it is also beautiful whether covered in snow or bursting with wildflowers.
Photograph the massive Cadillac Mountain, the immensely popular 1858 Bass Harbor Head Light Station, Atlantic Ocean sunrises, beautiful beaches, and wildlife, including bears, moose, and whales.
Cross-country skiing, hiking, biking, camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing are all great ways to stay active. After all that excitement, dine on lobster in the quaint and historic fishing community of Bar Harbor.
Stay at a nearby hotel, such as the Maples Inn Bed and Breakfast or the Acadia Hotel – Downtown.
2. Aleutian Islands, Alaska
To visit the Last Frontier, you do not need a passport. The Aleutian Islands, also known as the Aleutian Islands, are a group of 14 big volcanic islands and 55 smaller ones.
They are located near the Gulf of Alaska, the North Pacific Ocean, and the Bering Sea. Some of these islands are actually owned by Russia, but you can visit the ones owned by the United States without a passport.
The islands are part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge (the largest in the United States) and include a stunning and mountainous terrain of active volcanoes, native settlements, and fishing heritage.
The islands of Akun, Unimak, Sanuk, and Tigalda, as well as villages including Unalaska, Sand Point, Akutan, and Cold Bay, are located 800 miles southwest of Anchorage.
You’ll want to participate in as many Alaskan activities as possible while visiting the Aleutian Islands.
Visit the Aniackchak National Monument and Preserve or the Ugashik National Species Refuge to see native species. At the Museum of the Aleutians, you can learn about the islands’ history.
Do you want to make this a true adventure? To explore this rough landscape, stay at The Eagle’s Nest or a Chalet in Kodiak.
3. Big Sur, California
Big Sur, a rough part of the California coastline, includes a scenery of jagged cliffs, golden sand beaches, foggy ocean views, and a backdrop of redwoods and waterfalls in the Santa Lucia Mountains.
The region is located along the Pacific Coast Highway (Route 1 or Highway 1), which is 656 miles long and offers breathtaking views of the Pacific coast.
Big Sur is located on California’s central coast, between Carmel and San Simeon. Spanish immigrants on the Monterey Peninsula dubbed the area Big Sur, which translates to “Big South.”
Small hotels, family-owned restaurants, and a beautiful coastal ambiance characterize the area.
There are plenty of top-notch activities to do in Big Sur. There are state parks, beaches, and nature preserves where you can go camping, hiking, fishing, birdwatching, and wildlife viewing, as well as Pfeiffer Beach, which has unusual purple sand.
Built in the 1930s, the concrete-arch Bixby Creek Bridge offers excellent views from its vantage point 260 feet above Bixby Canyon. It appeared in the opening sequence of Big Little Lies.
Visit Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Andrew Molera State Park, or Point Lobos State Natural Reserve for swimming, hiking, or picnicking.
If you enjoy intellectual travel, visit the Henry Miller Memorial Library, which includes a museum, bookstore, and Henry Miller’s former residence.
Are you traveling without your children? For an unforgettable adults-only holiday in Big Sur, try the Alila Ventana Big Sur, an adults-only luxury hotel.
4. Denali National Park, Alaska
Denali National Park, spanning six million acres, fluctuates between freezing tundra, glacial glaciers, spruce woods, and animals such as the Big Five (caribou, moose, grizzly bears, wolves, and Dall sheep).
There is only one road that runs through this vast wilderness. It has a length of 92 kilometers and was finished in 1938.
The park, located near Fairbanks, is home to Mt. McKinley, North America’s tallest mountain. Hiking, biking, fishing, skiing, snowshoeing, backpacking, and mountain climbing are popular activities for visitors.
You might even see sled dogs in action or in a demonstration. Without a passport, the park is one of the best spots to watch the Northern Lights.
The Eielson Visitor Center offers guided walks, an art gallery, and breathtaking views of Denali. Book a Denali Photo Excursion for intimate ideas and assistance from professional photographers.
This is a great approach to identifying the finest photo opportunities and wildlife hangouts. A jeep tour of the park or perhaps a helicopter excursion of the mountain is also highly recommended.
Looking for a place to stay near Denali National Park? For easy park access, consider the Denali RV Park and Motel or the Grande Denali Lodge.
Watch our YouTube movie about the Best Things to Do in Denali National Park and Preserve for a visual and in-depth look at Denali National Park.
5. Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands
Despite their exotic and isolated appearance, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands are US territories. That is, if you travel to them by plane or ship that does not stop in another nation, you do not require a passport.
By ship, this is referred to as a “closed-loop cruise.” For example, if you’re taking a cruise ship to the pink sand beaches of Bermuda and returning to the same port, you shouldn’t require a passport.
They are in the Western Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Sea, east of the Philippines. Guam is a Micronesian island with a total land area of 212 square miles.
It stretches for around 30 miles and is home to Navy, Coast Guard, and Air Force bases.
Visit Fort Nuestra Senora de la Soledad and the War in the Pacific National Historic Park to learn about the island’s beautiful beaches, old sculptures, and Spanish Colonial past.
North of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands are bordered by a sapphire blue ocean, soft sand beaches, and lush green palm trees. The 300-mile-long network contains 14 islands. Saipan, Rota, and Tinian are the most popular.
The largest is Saipan, which has beautiful white-sand beaches, mountains, and coral reefs. Dive or snorkel around a WWII shipwreck, or play a round of golf on the beach.
You must have a passport to visit American Samoa, a U.S. unincorporated territory and group of five volcanic islands in the South Pacific between Fiji and the Cook Islands. Sorry.
6. Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
Great Sand Dunes National Park is the place to go if you want to see sweeping golden sand dunes on American soil without needing a passport. Sand sledding and sandboarding (like snow, but on sand) will appeal to sand enthusiasts.
It is located in south-central Colorado, just west of Colorado City near Alamosa, and is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America. In addition to the sand, there are forests, canyons, wetlands, lakes, and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
Hike Hidden Dune, Star Dune, Eastern Dune Ridge, and the woodland paths near Mosca Pass, or go trout fishing at Medano Lake.
This one-of-a-kind refuge is ideal for getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life, especially after the sun goes down. If you enjoy stargazing and nighttime photography, the park offers breathtaking views of the Milky Way.
7. Holland – Michigan
Another fantastic place to visit without a passport is Holland, Michigan. You may think you’re in the Netherlands if Lake Michigan didn’t stand in for the North Sea. This Great Lakes State is abundant in wooden windmills and springtime flowers.
The city, located on Lake Macatawa on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, provides a variety of shops, restaurants, and breweries along heated streets (yes, really) and cobblestone pathways.
Explore Dutch architecture, cuisine, and culture throughout the city, as well as at events such as the Dutch Winterfest and the Tulip Time Festival.
Visit Nelis’ Dutch Village to learn how to klompen dance and create wooden shoes, the Holland Museum to see Dutch art; the Veldheer Tulip Gardens to see acres of tulips; and Windmill Island Gardens to see an original Dutch windmill.
At the 18-acre DeGraaf Nature Center, you may explore woodland, shrub, and marsh environments. Swimming, hiking, and biking are all available in Holland State Park. A pleasant way to end the day is to watch the sunset at Tunnel Park.
Are you in town for a longer stay or a festival? Convenience and comfort are provided by CityFlatsHotel Holland, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, and Courtyard by Marriott Holland Downtown.
8. Joshua Tree National Park, California
Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California is one of the best places to visit without a passport. The desert environment, with its twisted and gnarled Joshua trees, has an otherworldly vibe and a truly unusual view.
Joshua Tree, located near Palm Springs and surrounded by the Colorado and Mojave deserts, is a dream destination for photographers, hikers, bikers, and nature lovers.
Visit Arch Rock or Keys View for a view of the Coachella Valley.
If you want to combine your passport-free holiday with historic grandeur, stay at the Azure Palm Hot Springs Hotel.
Other great places to stay near Joshua Tree include the Royal Plaza Inn and the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Indio Coachella Valley.
9. Kauai, Hawaii
You knew the Hawaiian Islands would make the cut, didn’t you? If you’re looking for a tropical South Pacific vacation with rainforests, waterfalls, sea cliffs, and exotic flora, Kauai is one of the best destinations to visit without a passport.
Kauai, Hawaii’s fourth-largest island, is situated northwest of O’ahu. The Garden Isle is the name given to this tropical hideaway.
The island’s exterior is surrounded by gorgeous sandy shorelines and stunning beaches, while the interior is home to parks, refuges, and wildlife preserves.
The Wailua Falls double waterfall, Waimea Canyon State Park, and Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park are among the best tropical vacation spots on Kauai.
Visit the Queen’s Bath’s rock-rimmed sinkhole, hike tropical trails at Koke’e State Park, tour the Kilauea Lighthouse, or simply rest on beautiful beaches with views of volcanic peaks and lush highlands. We are not passing judgment.
There is virtually no purpose in going to Hawaii unless you intend to take a true vacation and stay there for an extended period of time.
The Banyan Harbor Resort and the Koloa Landing Resort in Poipu, Autograph Collection, offer luxury, comfort, and convenience.
10. Leavenworth, Washington
Leavenworth, Washington, brings authentic Alpine charm to the Pacific Northwest. Leavenworth, a small timber town, served as the Great Northern Railway’s headquarters in the early 1900s. The community declined after the railroad relocated in the 1920s.
A regeneration attempt in the 1960s inspired by the area’s beautiful mountains led to its lean toward a German Bavarian hamlet feel.
Traditional architecture was added, and regular activities such as Oktoberfest festivities, winter carnivals, sleigh rides, and Christmas markets were established.
There’s also a nutcracker museum, which houses over 9,000 nutcrackers dating from the 12th and 13th centuries to the present day.
Downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and tubing are all popular activities at Leavenworth Ski Hill. Your group’s foodies and drinkers will want to go on a brewery, distillery, cidery, or winery tour.
Your Leavenworth excursions, however, do not have to finish there. Check into the Bavarian Lodge to truly immerse yourself in Bavarian culture.
11. Niagara Falls, New York
Just head to Niagara Falls, New York, for a typical Canadian trip. The American side is just as beautiful as the Canadian side, and you don’t need a passport to visit.
It’s on the Niagara River, just north of Buffalo, right on the Canadian border.
Niagara Falls is actually three cascades, with two (and a portion of the third) on the American side. On the American side, there are two waterfalls: American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. Horseshoe Falls is located on the Canadian side and is the most well-known of the cascades.
To get up close and personal with the gigantic misting cascades, book a Maid of the Mist boat excursion and a Cave of the Winds tour.
The Maid of the Mist boat offers the same experience (meaning you’ll get just as soaked and see the same breathtaking landscape) as Canada’s Hornblower but without the need for a passport.
Niagara Falls State Park is not to be missed. The park has American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and a section of Horseshoe Falls.
There are miles of walking routes, breathtaking views, and a restaurant. Walking routes and waterfall observation areas abound on Goat Island.
This is also an excellent passport-free destination for children. The Aquarium of Niagara, Niagara Amusement Park, and Splash World are all great places for kids.
Do you need a place to stay? Both the Hyatt Place Niagara Falls and the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Niagara Falls, New York, are close to these attractions.
12. Puerto Rico
Look no further than Puerto Rico for a setting of Spanish Colonial architecture, ancient fortresses, lush waterfalls, and lovely Caribbean beaches.
The island is 100 miles long and 35 miles wide, making it a US territory. You are not required to have a passport to travel.
Flamenco Beach and the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge are located on Culebra Island, which is located off the northeastern coast of Puerto Rico’s main island.
A visit to the bioluminescent bay is a unique natural experience. When churned up, phytoplankton in the water produce a stunning glow-in-the-dark blue effect.
The best spots to witness this phenomenon are Mosquito Bay in Vieques, La Parguera in Lajas, and Laguna Grande in Fajardo. Kayak tours are widely accessible.
Other exciting activities incorporating Puerto Rico’s history and wildlife include seeing the El Yunque tropical rainforest and the strongholds of El Morro and La Fortaleza in San Juan.
San Juan’s beach bars, casinos, and nightclubs will appeal to social butterflies and night owls. Are you looking for a premium hotel in San Juan? The Royal Sonesta San Juan is a fantastic option.
13. Santa Catalina Island, California
The Santa Catalina Islands exude Mediterranean feelings! Santa Catalina Island is located in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 22 miles off the coast of Long Beach. The island stretches for 22 miles and is eight miles broad.
The most popular location is Avalon, a tropical paradise. Without a passport, you can visit the island’s pristine beaches, restaurants, shops, endless boutiques, and cafés.
Explore the reefs via diving, snorkeling, or glass bottom boats, or learn about the island’s history at the Catalina Island Museum. Seriously, this place is breathtakingly beautiful.
Best of all, you don’t need a passport to visit Santa Catalina Island! For a pleasant stay, consider the Seacrest Inn or the Catalina Canyon Inn.
14. St. Thomas Island
St. Thomas, the headship position of the Virgin Islands, makes the Water Island amaze all around it. It is known locally as the “Last Virgin” since it was the last island to become a part of the United States Virgin Islands in 1996. Ferry service for tourists is similar to that of a cruise ship.
The governing administration requests nothing in exchange for US residents traveling by ferry from the shore to Water Island.
On the surface, visitors can rent a golf cart to explore about 500 acres of land on the island, which is rich in aquatic life and prickly plants.
Water Island has no camping except for lodging that can be arranged in advance at one of the island estates or as a paying guest.
At the moment, a “driver’s license” is the only document that US tourists need when visiting the US Virgin Islands.
As a result, we can include this among the islands that do not require a passport. In other states, the Department of Motor Vehicles may require photo ID cards in the absence of additional travel documents.
15. St. Croix Island
The sub-island of the three islands has something amazing to pique your interest. However, according to a report from the tourism industry, it is the Virgin Islands’ least visited island.
St. Croix, like other islands, is one of the destinations where you can travel without a passport.
Tourists seeking peace and quiet might stay a few hours or days in traditional cottages or thatch huts. There is essentially no pollution here compared to its neighboring islands.
The historically significant part of its largest town, Christiansted, as well as the sugar ranches, gardens, and seaside beauty on the Legacy Trail, are the top attractions here. Buck Island Reef, the country’s most memorable submerged monument, is also located on St. Croix.
Conclusion
So, the next time you look for places to travel without a passport, this helpful guide will definitely help you find the cheapest and most exotic vacation places.
Citizens of the United States have the unique pleasure of traveling visa-free to dozens of nations. Even if they do not require passports for some specified nations and US territory.
As a result, they might enjoy budgeted tourism while incurring additional costs for visas and other travel permissions.
As a result, as one of the most joyful nations, Americans explore the world’s affordable tropical getaways, unique locations, and coolest Islands that do not require a passport.
However, according to worldwide tourist monitoring organizations, traveling to the nations and territories mentioned above is far easier, safer, and more advantageous for US citizens.
Touring these vacation sites would thus not only save you money but also valuable time. Instead of looping around a small zone, you can use the time saved to explore other parts of the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I go to Jamaica without a passport?
When traveling to Jamaica, US residents are normally needed to provide a valid US passport as well as proof of intended departure from Jamaica.
Which Caribbean islands do not require a passport?
For Americans, this covers Puerto Rico and the three major U.S. Virgin Islands possessions.
Which country does not need a visa to visit the USA?
Citizens of the United Kingdom, Andorra, Australia, Austria, and Belgium Brunei, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, and so on.
Do you need a passport to go to the Bahamas?
A valid passport is required for all visitors to The Bahamas. To avoid any last-minute surprises, make sure your passport hasn’t expired 6 months before your trip!
Can I go to Hawaii without a passport?
If you are a US citizen coming from the US, you do not need to provide a passport.
