A couple of weeks ago I participated in a bridal show; one question that came up frequently throughout the day is where can I go for my honeymoon if we don’t have passports? I also get this question quite often from other travelers as well. Not everyone wants or can get a passport; some people just don’t plan their travel far enough ahead to get a passport or consider their passport expiration dates (you know who you are!).
The good news is there are some really great destinations outside of the mainland US that you can visit without passports! There can be a slight downside to this as well – all-inclusive resorts will not be prevalent in these destinations, they will be very few if any. This is not a bad thing, but something to consider when doing your budget for your vacation experience. Let’s take a look at your options!
Hawaii is always a fantastic vacation destination! Each island has its own distinct personality so we can really customize your vacation to the type of experience you are looking for. You can visit one island or multiple; if you have longer than 5 days, I highly recommend visiting at least 2 islands to really get a great experience. One thing to remember, the flights home are very often over night flights, you will need to keep this in mind when planning your travel dates.
Puerto Rico is another great option that does not require a passport. Puerto Rico is the perfect blend of colonial Spanish culture, amazing natural beauty and contemporary lifestyles. You can visit historic Old San Juan, awe-inspiring rainforests, coffee plantations and rum distilleries to explore as well. Explore endless stretches of beautiful beaches where you can snorkel, sail, fish and surf.
The US Virgin Islands offer a tropical vacation option for you with no passport required. The US Virgin Islands consist of St Thomas, St John, and St Croix. St. Thomas offers a variety of attractions, beaches and activities. Water sports, tennis, restaurants and nightlife are very popular. The capital city, Charlotte Amalie, is a major port of call for duty-free shopping. St John is just off shore from St Thomas and is a nature lover’s paradise since much of the island is a national park. Most guests fly in and out of St Thomas and take the ferry over to St. John. St. Croix is the largest of the US Virgin islands, but in many ways the most unspoiled of them all. You can explore the beaches, the Old Danish Towns or check out the national parks. I would be remiss if I did not caution you about traveling to the US Virgin Islands without a passport. Please remember, many of the neighboring islands are considered foreign nations so you will not be able to visit them without passports.
While traveling the world and getting your passport booked stamped until it is full is always a great plan, traveling without a passport can be an awesome experience as well!
Happy Travels,
Kelley