Well, there’s still plenty of places you can visit in a variety of locations around the world where you won’t need a passport because they are United States territories.
In the modern United States, there aren’t too many places outside the country where you could travel without a passport. You used to be able to drive in and out of Canada with just a driver’s license, though that obviously changed in the post-9/11 world. You can technically travel to Mexico without a passport, but you need one to get back in, which kind of defeats the purpose.
Given that it stands to reason that you'd need a passport to travel just about anywhere else you'd want to go. So, what is the mild-mannered, passport-less, would-be world traveler to do? Well, there’s still plenty of places you can visit in a variety of locations around the world where you won’t need a passport because they are United States territories.
Now, don't feel like you're going to get a lesser experience just because these places are owned by the United States. The reality is that the United States, both the mainland and offshore, runs the gamut of environments and climates. You can get just about any experience you’re looking for without ever having to leave U.S. soil. Let’s look at the range of options, starting with…
Puerto Rico
Of the two U.S.-owned territories in the Caribbean where you can choose to spend your vacation, Puerto Rico is an obvious choice. Just a short flight from the mainland, you’ll get to enjoy fabulous beaches and year-round temperatures in the 80s. Many of the tourist attractions damaged during Hurricane Maria have been restored to pre-storm standing. This means you'll get to enjoy Old San Juan, Castillo San Felipe del Morro, and more. And, of course, it goes without saying that it's a great place to kick back and enjoy a drink on the beach.
U.S. Virgin Islands
Only a half hour’s flight away from Puerto Rico is another American territory known as the U.S. Virgin Islands. The three islands of St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John offer plenty for the weary traveler to enjoy in terms of scenery, weather, and laid-back island life.
Each island has its own unique offerings depending on what you're looking for. You can enjoy diving and snorkeling are St. John's thing, whereas St. Thomas is the shopping hub of the territory. And if culinary delights are your thing, St. Croix is a must-see place to experience a whole range of Caribbean-style dishes.
American Samoa
If you're looking for a travel spot a bit further away than the Caribbean, another great place to look into is American Samoa. You'd be hard-pressed to find American territory further away, as American Samoa sits more than 2,000 miles away from Hawaii, itself far-flung from the mainland.
Despite its distance from the motherland, you won’t need a passport to get into this Polynesian island paradise. You can’t find a better island experience than the fishing, hiking, surfing, diving, snorkeling, and more than American Samoa has to offer. This is not to mention the many opportunities to learn about ancient Samoan culture.
Aleutian Islands, Alaska
Let's face it, the sun and surf aren't for everyone. Some people might prefer exploring a colder and more rugged environment, and that’s where a vacation to the Aleutian Islands would fit the bill. This archipelago stretching 1,100 miles from the western tip of mainland Alaska is actually the tops of a range of underwater mountains. The best part? It's replete with breathtaking scenery that includes volcanoes, beaches, and lush hidden valleys. Adding to the visual beauty of the islands is a range of majestic wildlife like seals, eagles, sea lions, and of course, whales.
As if that wasn’t enough, another significant element of an Aleutian vacation is the opportunity to explore ancient village sites of the Aleut people. You can still see the culture early natives of the Aleutians whose descendants still inhabit the island today. Wildlife watchers are not disappointed, as the Aleutians are home to a dazzling array of land, air, and marine life to make that Kodak moment you’re looking for.
Guam
Also far out in the vast reaches of the Pacific Ocean is Guam, the southern neighbor of the North Mariana Islands (another American territory adjacent to Guam). This tiny territory is well-known as a vacation spot where you’ll find no shortage of amazing beaches and calm waters. The beautifully scenic vistas and one of the most amazing sunsets to be seen on Earth.
Conclusion
No passport, no problem! As you can see, American territories ranging from the Caribbean to the Pacific, offer many great options for people looking to travel without a passport. You can even go on a short vacation to the rugged lands of Alaska. All you need to do is figure out which of these vacation wonderlands will be your next destination!
