The 50 U.S. states alone include a wealth of beautiful, nature-filled outdoor landscapes (including more than 60 national parks), culture-packed city hubs, and dozens upon dozens of unexpected places across the country. A tropical vacation outside of Hawai’i may be off the table without a passport, but U.S. citizens with a valid ID and/or birth certificate can visit a few places beyond the 50 states. Note that, as of this writing, you can fly with any U.S. government-issued photo ID, but starting May 7, 2025, a Real ID will be required.
U.S. Territories
If you have a certified birth certificate, hop on a plane to American Samoa for this lush greenery.
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American Samoa
Blending Polynesian and American influences, American Samoa‘s five South Pacific islands and two coral atolls (roughly 2,600 miles southwest of Hawaii) are rimmed by white-sand beaches and reefs teeming with marine life. It’s a gorgeous place for snorkeling, diving, hiking volcanic peaks, or just lazing on the sugary sand beaches. U.S. citizens can enter American Samoa with either a passport or a valid government-issued ID, a certified birth certificate, and an onward or return ticket.
Guam has both calm sandy beaches for splashing around and hiking trails along more rugged coast.
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Guam
Micronesia’s most populous island, more than 6,000 miles southwest of Los Angeles, has all the trappings of paradise: golden sand beaches, swaying palms, cascading waterfalls, and a laid-back culture. Since Guam is a U.S. territory, U.S. citizens are considered domestic travelers, and no passport is required—if you connect through Honolulu (the other options are flying through Tokyo and Seoul, which would require a passport). You will, however, need either a Real ID or a government-issued photo ID and an original or certified birth certificate.
Tiny Culebra, off the east coast of Puerto Rico’s main island, is known for its coral reefs and mangrove forests.
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Puerto Rico
With wildly diverse terrain, snorkeling and diving opportunities, and colorful historic towns, Puerto Rico makes a compelling case for leaving the mainland awhile. Although Puerto Rico isn’t a state, a trip to the island is considered domestic. U.S. citizens are not required to have a passport to visit Puerto Rico; they just need a valid government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or state ID card.
There are options for travelers without passports when it comes to the Caribbean, including St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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U.S. Virgin Islands
If you’re keen on a holiday that involves gazing at shimmering turquoise water and listening to the rhythmic shush of waves breaking on the beach, consider another Caribbean gem: the U.S. Virgin Islands. All you need to visit St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix (beyond a plane ticket or cruise booking) is a valid government-issued ID and an original or certified birth certificate; you’ll soon be sipping cocktails on pristine beaches, snorkeling with riotously colorful fish, and dancing to steel drums.
U.S. Commonwealths
Go even further off the grid and head to the Northern Mariana Islands.
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Northern Mariana Islands
The Northern Mariana Islands, a remote archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean just northeast of Guam, are another spot for sun-seekers from the U.S. to experience tropical landscapes and crystal-clear water without a passport. As with Guam, you’ll need to choose a flight path that doesn’t have layovers in countries where passports are required, like Japan; your best option is to fly through Honolulu and Guam to Saipan, the capital of this U.S. commonwealth. To enter, you’ll need either a Real ID or a government-issued photo ID plus your original or certified birth certificate.
International closed-loop cruises that don’t require a passport
Book a closed-loop cruise that includes Belize and you can snorkel in the pristine waters of places like Hol Chan Marine Reserve without needing a passport.
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Another loophole for passport-less travelers who would like to experience an international locale is a “closed-loop” cruise. A closed-loop cruise is a sailing that starts and ends at the same U.S. port and only visits select countries in the Western Hemisphere. On these cruises, passengers aren’t required to have a passport. The countries include:
- The Bahamas
- Bermuda
- British Virgin Islands
- Belize
- Canada
- Cayman Islands
- Costa Rica
- Dominican Republic
- Honduras
- Jamaica
- Mexico
- Turks and Caicos
Travelers are still required to have proof of citizenship, however. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, that can include an Enhanced Driver’s License (currently available only to residents of Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington); a government-issued birth certificate (original or certified); or an official Certificate of Naturalization.
In addition to the above, all passengers need a photo ID. A Real ID and an Enhanced Driver’s License are not the same. The Real ID is useful for flying but can only be used for closed-loop cruises if you also have your birth certificate.
Note that if the cruise stops even in a single country or territory where passports are required (such as Barbados, Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Bart’s, or Trinidad and Tobago), you’ll need a passport for the entire journey. It is recommended that passengers bring a passport on these cruises, even if it’s not technically required, in case you need to leave the cruise early and fly to or from an international destination.
This article was originally published in 2023 and most recently updated on November 22, 2024, with current information. Sophie Friedman contributed to the reporting of this story.
