Are you itching to travel internationally but don’t have a passport? No problem!
As an American citizen, you have access to numerous stunning destinations that don’t require that blue booklet.
Here’s a guide to the most popular passport-free destinations for Americans.
Understanding Passport-Free Travel for Americans
There are three main ways Americans can travel internationally without a passport:
1. U.S. Territories
These special destinations are neither states nor independent countries, but lands that belong to the United States.
Since they’re technically part of the U.S., American citizens can travel freely to these territories with just a government-issued photo ID.
2. Closed-Loop Cruises
A closed-loop cruise is one that begins and ends at the same U.S. port.
When taking these cruises, Americans only need a government-issued photo ID and an original birth certificate to visit foreign ports.
3. Land Border Crossings
Americans can visit neighboring Canada and Mexico without a passport, but only when traveling by land or sea.
Instead of a passport, you can use an Enhanced Driver’s License or a trusted traveler card.
Where Can US Citizens Travel Without A Passport? Here Are 20 Popular Places
Here are twenty amazing destinations you can visit without a passport, all accessible with just the right ID documents.
1. Puerto Rico
- Required documents: Government-issued photo ID
- Type: U.S. Territory
Puerto Rico offers a perfect blend of international flair and domestic convenience.
As a U.S. territory, Americans can simply book a direct flight using their regular driver’s license or state ID.
Once there, explore the colorful streets of Old San Juan, where 500-year-old Spanish architecture creates a European atmosphere.
Don’t miss El Yunque National Forest, or Mosquito Bay in Vieques, the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world.
2. The Bahamas
- Required documents: Government-issued photo ID and original birth certificate
- Type: Closed-Loop Cruise Destination
The Bahamas are just 50 miles off Florida’s coast, making them one of the most accessible international destinations for Americans without passports.
Book a closed-loop cruise that departs from and returns to the same U.S. port, and you’ll need only your government ID and birth certificate to board.
Once docked, you’ll discover pristine beaches, swim with the charming pigs of Big Major Cay, explore the stunning blue holes, or shop at Straw Market.
3. Mexico
- Required documents: Government-issued photo ID and original birth certificate (by closed-loop cruise) OR Enhanced Driver’s License or passport card (by land)
- Type: Closed-Loop Cruise Destination and Land Border Crossing
Mexico offers pristine beaches to ancient ruins and vibrant cities, all accessible without a passport via land crossings or closed-loop cruises.
Once there, explore the stunning beaches of Cancun and the Riviera Maya, or witness the dramatic El Arco rock formation in Cabo San Lucas.
Another popular option is to stroll Puerto Vallarta’s charming malecón (seaside promenade), or dive the spectacular reefs off Cozumel.
4. U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas)
- Required documents: Government-issued photo ID
- Type: U.S. Territory
St. Thomas offers Caribbean luxury without passport complications.
As a U.S. territory, Americans can fly there directly using only a regular driver’s license or state ID.
Upon arrival, grab some shopping from the duty-free stores lining the streets of Charlotte Amalie. For breathtaking views, head to Drake’s Seat or Paradise Point.
Beach lovers should visit Magens Bay, consistently rated among the world’s most beautiful beaches, or take a short ferry to neighboring St. John.
5. Jamaica
- Required documents: Government-issued photo ID and original birth certificate
- Type: Closed-Loop Cruise Destination
Jamaica’s rhythm and culture are accessible via closed-loop cruises departing from ports like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or New Orleans.
Book a cruise that returns to its starting port, bring your government ID and original birth certificate, and you’re set.
Once docked, immerse yourself in reggae music, relax on the beach, climb the terraced Dunn’s River Falls, and experience the glowing luminous lagoon.
6. Canada
- Required documents: Enhanced Driver’s License/trusted traveler card (by land) OR government-issued photo ID and original birth certificate (by closed-loop cruise)
- Type: Land Border Crossing and Closed-Loop Cruise Destination
Our northern neighbor is accessible without a passport both by land and sea.
Drive across the border with an Enhanced Driver’s License or a trusted traveler card, or visit via closed-loop cruises.
Once there, explore cosmopolitan cities like Toronto with its iconic CN Tower, Vancouver with its perfect blend of attractions, or Montreal.
Nature lovers can visit Banff National Park with its turquoise lakes and snow-capped mountains.
7. U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Croix)
- Required documents: Government-issued photo ID
- Type: U.S. Territory
St. Croix, the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, welcomes Americans with just a regular government-issued ID.
Simply book your flight and bring your driver’s license or state ID.
Upon landing, you’ll discover an island with Danish colonial architecture in the historic towns of Christiansted and Frederiksted.
Visit Buck Island Reef National Monument for world-class snorkeling, or experience the bioluminescent bays with a nighttime kayak tour.
8. Bermuda
- Required documents: Government-issued photo ID and original birth certificate
- Type: Closed-Loop Cruise Destination
Bermuda’s pink-sand beaches and British charm are available to Americans via closed-loop cruises from East Coast ports.
With just your government ID and original birth certificate, you can board a cruise that returns to its starting port.
Visit the famous pink-sand beaches like Horseshoe Bay, explore the Crystal Caves with impressive stalactites, or wander the historic Town of St. George.
9. Cayman Islands
- Required documents: Government-issued photo ID and original birth certificate
- Type: Closed-Loop Cruise Destination
The Cayman Islands offer world-class marine adventures and are accessible via closed-loop cruises.
Board with your government ID and original birth certificate, and you’ll be snorkeling in some of the world’s clearest waters without passport hassles.
Visit the famous Seven Mile Beach or Stingray City, where you can stand in waist-deep water surrounded by friendly stingrays.
Snorkelers and divers can explore numerous dive sites including the USS Kittiwake wreck, while foodies can enjoy the “Culinary Capital of the Caribbean.
10. Dominican Republic
- Required documents: Government-issued photo ID and original birth certificate
- Type: Closed-Loop Cruise Destination
The Dominican Republic blends historical treasures with tropical beauty and is accessible via closed-loop cruises.
With just your government ID and birth certificate, you can visit this Caribbean nation that shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti.
Explore Santo Domingo’s Colonial Zone, climb Pico Duarte, or visit the 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua.
Beach enthusiasts will love Punta Cana with its 20 miles of white-sand beaches lined with coconut palms.
11. Barbados
- Required documents: Government-issued photo ID and original birth certificate
- Type: Closed-Loop Cruise Destination
Barbados offers a perfect blend of British tradition and Caribbean flair, accessible via closed-loop cruises from southern U.S. ports.
Book a cruise that returns to its starting port, bring your ID and birth certificate, and you’re set to visit this easternmost Caribbean island.
Upon docking in Bridgetown, you’ll discover why Barbados is called “Little England,” with tea traditions and cricket matches alongside rum shacks.
Visit St. Nicholas Abbey, explore Harrison’s Cave, or enjoy the Friday night fish fry at Oistins.
12. Aruba
- Required documents: Government-issued photo ID and original birth certificate
- Type: Closed-Loop Cruise Destination
With your government ID and birth certificate in hand, Aruba, known as “One Happy Island,” welcomes Americans via closed-loop cruises.
Visit picture-perfect beaches like Eagle Beach and Palm Beach, or explore the dramatic desert landscapes inland.
Adventure seekers shouldn’t miss Arikok National Park, featuring the Natural Pool (Conchi) – a swimming hole protected from the sea by rock formations.
13. Costa Rica
- Required documents: Government-issued photo ID and original birth certificate
- Type: Closed-Loop Cruise Destination
With just your government ID and birth certificate, Costa Rica’s adventure opportunities are available via closed-loop cruises.
Adventure enthusiasts can zipline through rainforest canopies, white-water raft on rushing rivers, or hike to the crater of the Arenal Volcano.
Nature lovers should look for sloths, toucans, and monkeys, or visit a coffee plantation to learn about Costa Rica’s famous export.
Don’t miss the opportunity to soak in natural hot springs heated by volcanic activity or relax on beaches flanked by rainforest.
14. British Virgin Islands
- Required documents: Government-issued photo ID and original birth certificate
- Type: Closed-Loop Cruise Destination
The British Virgin Islands offer a sailor’s paradise accessible via closed-loop cruises from San Juan, Puerto Rico (which you can reach with just a government ID).
With your ID and birth certificate, you can visit this archipelago of over 50 islands and cays known for its pristine sailing conditions.
Don’t miss The Baths on Virgin Gorda, where giant granite boulders form scenic grottoes along the beach.
Visit Jost Van Dyke’s famous beach bars, including the Soggy Dollar Bar, or explore the wreck of the RMS Rhone.
15. Turks and Caicos
- Required documents: Government-issued photo ID and original birth certificate
- Type: Closed-Loop Cruise Destination
Turks and Caicos offers pristine beaches and world-class diving, accessible via closed-loop cruises from Florida ports (make sure to have your government ID and birth certificate).
When your ship docks at Grand Turk Cruise Center, visit Governor’s Beach or the world-famous Grace Bay Beach on Providenciales.
The islands boast a 14-mile barrier reef perfect for diving and snorkeling.
Take a boat to Little Water Cay to see endangered rock iguanas, or explore the historic Grand Turk Lighthouse and museum.
16. Belize
- Required documents: Government-issued photo ID and original birth certificate
- Type: Closed-Loop Cruise Destination
Belize offers ancient Mayan ruins and the world’s second-largest barrier reef, accessible via closed-loop cruises with your government ID and birth certificate.
Don’t miss ancient Mayan sites like Altun Ha or Xunantunich, where you can climb pyramids.
Snorkel or dive at the Great Blue Hole, a circular sinkhole surrounded by reef descending 410 feet into darkness, or cave tube through limestone caverns.
17. St. Lucia
- Required documents: Government-issued photo ID and original birth certificate
- Type: Closed-Loop Cruise Destination
St. Lucia’s dramatic scenery and luxurious resorts are available via closed-loop cruises from Florida and Puerto Rico.
With your government ID and birth certificate, you can visit this volcanic island famous for its twin coastal peaks, the Pitons.
Hike the Pitons, visit Sulphur Springs (the world’s only “drive-in volcano”) for mud baths, or relax on black volcanic or golden sand beaches.
The island is known for luxury resorts, excellent diving sites, and local chocolate made from island-grown cocoa.
18. Mexico
- Required documents: Government-issued photo ID and original birth certificate
- Type: Closed-Loop Cruise Destination
Mexico’s coastal treasures are accessible via closed-loop cruises with your government ID and birth certificate.
In Cozumel, snorkel at the Mesoamerican Reef or visit the ancient Mayan ruins of Tulum on the mainland.
Puerto Vallarta offers beautiful Banderas Bay and a charming old town, while Progreso serves as a gateway to Mérida and the renowned Mayan site of Chichén Itzá.
19. St. Kitts and Nevis
- Required documents: Government-issued photo ID and original birth certificate
- Type: Closed-Loop Cruise Destination
With only your government ID and birth certificate, you can visit the volcanic islands of St. Kitts and Nevis via closed-loop cruises from Florida and Puerto Rico.
When your ship docks at Basseterre on St. Kitts, ride the Scenic Railway for a 30-mile tour with spectacular views.
Visit Brimstone Hill Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site, or see Alexander Hamilton’s birthplace on Nevis.
20. Antigua and Barbuda
- Required documents: Government-issued photo ID and original birth certificate
- Type: Closed-Loop Cruise Destination
Antigua and Barbuda boasts 365 beaches—”one for every day of the year”—and is accessible via closed-loop cruises from Florida.
Visit Nelson’s Dockyard, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the only remaining example of a Georgian fort commissioned by the British Royal Navy.
For panoramic views and Sunday parties with live steel drum music, head to Shirley Heights.
Beach lovers can choose from hundreds of options, with the southwest coast featuring calm waters ideal for swimming and snorkeling.
Final Thoughts on Places to Travel To Without a US Passport
From tropical Caribbean islands to historic colonial cities, there are plenty of amazing destinations where an American can travel without a passport.
U.S. territories, closed-loop cruises, and land border crossings all offer exciting international experiences without the need for a passport book.
These options are perfect for travelers who haven’t yet obtained a passport or are waiting for one to arrive.
For more American travel inspiration, check out:
- Cutest USA Small Towns to Visit
- Best Cities to Visit in the US
- Most Beautiful Places to See in the US
Find these articles and more travel guides on America’s top destinations on our blog.
