13 Coolest International Destinations You Can Visit Without a Passport

When it comes to traveling overseas, there's one essential thing you always need to bring: a passport. But did you know that you can actually go to areas outside of the mainland United States without a blue book? (And we're not talking Hawaii or Alaska!) From a tropical paradise in Central America to family-friendly islands across the Caribbean, there are a handful of secret places you can visit without a passport—and we're here to tell you exactly how to get there. So, read on, and find out where you can skip the stamp on your next international vacation.

Montego Bay is possibly the most popular tourist destination in Jamaica, and a major cruise ship port. Hit the "Hip Strip," formally known as Gloucester Avenue, for shops, art galleries, and colorful cafés. But, of course, you're in Jamaica, so don't forget the beach! Doctor's Cave Beach is the most popular choice thanks to its turquoise water perfect for snorkeling. And all these wonderful Jamaican attractions can be visited without a passport if you're traveling by water. If you're on a cruise that begins and ends in the states, all you need is a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative-approved document, like a birth certificate and government-issued ID, or an enhanced driver's license.

Cabo San Lucas is located below the state of California, down on the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula in Mexico. This beautiful beach resort destination is known as a favorite amongst the stars for its proximity to Hollywood. You can go there year-round and possibly see celebrities like George Clooney, Jennifer Aniston, or even Justin Bieber himself. Hit The Spa at Las Ventanas if you want to get a Jennifer Lopez-approved glow, and eat fresh at Flora Farms like Adam Levine. And luckily, according to the Los Cabos Airport Immigration regulations, American citizens don't need a passport to visit this beautiful destination. Instead, you can use a birth certificate, voter registration card, citizenship card, or certificate of naturalization alongside a valid photo ID.

You may think there's no way you're getting into Costa Rica without a passport, seeing as it's a country in Central America—but think again. Many Miami- or San Diego-based cruises sail out to Puerto Limon, one of the largest cities on the coast of Costa Rica. Here, you can explore the city's untouched nature by taking an open-air tram ride through the Veragua Rainforest or taking a pontoon boat through the Tortugeuro Canal. And as a crop-heavy area, don't leave without checking out a local Costa Rican plantation, where you can see how items like bananas, chocolates, or cacao beans are selected, harvested, and packed for export.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

You better believe you'll love Belize, even without a passport. This city in Belize (just like its Costa Rican cousin Puerto Limon) is accessible through cruises out of the states, from cities like New Orleans and Miami. And while Belize isn't known for its beaches, per se, here you can explore the Belize Barrier Reef, which hosts diverse, exotic marine life. But what you absolutely cannot afford to miss in Belize is the Mayan ruins. The most popular is Altun Ha, located just 3o miles northwest of Belize City. For thousands of years, the Mayans occupied this space, and core structures were restored so that today, tours could take visitors to this historic landmark.

Located off the coast of Honduras, Roatán is an island out in the Caribbean. But unlike other Caribbean destinations, this one offers paradise without the high price tag. Around 30 miles long, this small island is a popular retirement destination due to its exotic, yet laid-back tropical nature. And its best secret? It's a hot spot for scuba diving. The island is surrounded by the Mesoamerican Reef, a subculture of coral reefs, mangroves, and magnificently unique marine life. While you'll need a passport to get there by plane, countries like Honduras are "waiving the requirement for cruise passengers unless those passengers start or end their voyage there." So as long as you're on a closed-loop cruise that starts and ends in the states, you're free to explore paradise sans passport.

The Northern Mariana Islands have the best of both worlds: Scenic oceans and mountainous landscapes. As a commonwealth of the U.S., the 14 islands that make up the Northern Mariana Islands are located in the northwestern Pacific Ocean close to Guam, another unincorporated territory. Most of the population lives on Saipan, the largest island. You can either visit one of its breathtaking beaches like Micro Beach or experience an off-road adventure to the rocky Forbidden Island. But the pièce de résistance is the Banzai Cliff, a historic World War II area on the northern tip of the island. As a place for both reflection and paying respects, the scenery off this cliff is breathtakingly beautiful. And just like Guam, per the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Carrier Information Guide, U.S. citizens who travel directly between the states and one of the territories "without touching a foreign port or place," are not required to present a passport.

Nestled in the middle of Bermuda is Hamilton, the island's capital. The city is known for its pastel-colored buildings that line the harbor and house beach-chic boutiques and local restaurants. Visit the City Hall and Arts Centre for some fascinating 17th- and 18th-century European paintings or the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute if you're looking for marine exhibits and ocean artifacts. But if you want to go to the best part of Bermuda, you'll have to travel across the city to Horseshoe Bay Beach—one of the world's most Instagrammable beaches, with blush pink sand and crystalline water. To get here without a passport, take a closed-loop Royal Caribbean cruise from Cape Liberty, New Jersey.

As an unincorporated U.S. territory, Guam is perhaps the furthest American-based place you can visit, nestled in the Philippine Sea near Australia and South Asia. Tumon is located on the northwest coast of the territory, known as the center of Guam tourism. There you can visit UnderWater World, one of the largest tunnel aquariums in the world. Or even take a trip to Puntan Dos Amantes, a clifftop destination with scenic ocean views. And while having a passport is recommended for anyone traveling to Guam, there are some loopholes for U.S. citizens where they may be able to get out of it. Visados says American citizens can travel to the area passport-free if traveling directly from the mainland, Alaska, or Hawaii, and they have any proof of citizenship like a birth certificate or certificate of naturalization.

Located in the Caribbean Sea, St. John is the smallest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, but it's the perfect destination for anyone who loves natural beauty. Nearly two thirds of the island is taken up by the Virgin Islands National Park, which shelters forests full of many colorful birds from cuckoos to warblers and hummingbirds. But when you're not getting your forest fill, visit the beautiful Trunk Bay beach, which has sugar soft sand and a treasured underwater snorkeling trail. Like most U.S. territories, you don't need a passport to travel here, but the U.S. Virgin Islands tourist center recommends carrying a raised-seal birth certificate or government-issued photo ID as you might need to "show evidence of citizenship."

Contrary to popular belief, as long as you are traveling by land or sea—so for instance, in your car—you actually are not required to show a U.S. passport due to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. Instead, you should carry along proof of your citizenship and a valid photo ID. But if that makes you nervous, there are closed-loop cruises that take off from various New England cities and sail to Montreal. This French-speaking Canadian city is as close as you can get to Europe without a passport. Here, you can indulge in French pastries like macarons or visit historic landmarks that rival those in Paris, like the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal.

The Bahamas is one of the most popular cruise destinations from the states, and as many who've gone known, you don't need a passport. As the capital of the Bahamas, Nassau is located off the shore of the mainland on its own island. One feature that really draws tourists in are the pastel-colored Colonial buildings, like the Government House which is a bright shade of pink. But Nassau, of course, isn't just about the buildings—it's about the beach retreats. Within the past few years, a mega-resorts opened in Nassau called Baha Mar. The 1,000-acre, $4.2 billion property is comprised of three hotels: the Grand Hyatt, SLS Baha Mar, and Rosewood Baha Mar. And when hunger strikes, breeze by The Cove at Atlantis for fresh seafood at Fish by chef José Andrés.

Puerto Rico is probably the most well-known U.S. territory, so there's no need to stress over getting a passport before visiting. As long as you're directly traveling from the states or another territory, it's not necessary. So while you're there, you should visit Vieques, a small Caribbean island off the territory's eastern coast. This area offers secluded beaches, beautiful blue-green waters, and the best part? Wild horses that just roam the countryside. But if that doesn't do it for you, visit Mosquito Bay, a bioluminescent bay that offers other-worldly views that cannot be missed.

Don't shy away from the mainland of Puerto Rico, however. San Juan, the capital and largest city, sits beautifully on its northern coast. If you're looking for a wild tropical trip, visit the Isla Verde resort strip, full of buzzing bars, nightclubs, and casinos. Want a more calm, historic vacation? Take a trip to Old San Juan, center of colorful Spanish colonial buildings and historic landmarks like La Fortaleza, where the governor resides, or El Morro, a Spanish fort that dates back to the 1500s.

And for more incredible destinations to visit this year, check out the 20 Best Places to Travel in 2020.