Do you live in the U.S. and dream of traveling to the Caribbean but don’t have a passport? Worry not! There are Caribbean destinations you can visit without a passport if you’re a U.S. citizen!
While you can’t visit destinations like Jamaica or The Bahamas, the places you can go are equally beautiful and fun.
So if your passport is almost expired, or if you just don’t have one, here are the Caribbean islands you can visit passport-free from the USA.
Which Caribbean Islands Can You Visit Passport Free?
If you’re a U.S. national, then you can visit Puerto Rico and all of the U.S. Virgin Islands without needing a passport.
Both of these destinations are territories of the United States, which means that you can go there passport-free by either boat or plane. That said, you will still need to take a government-issued identification with you, such as a driver’s license or birth certificate.
If you’re hoping to go island hopping to any other Caribbean destination, however, you will need a passport.
Let’s take a closer look at these Caribbean islands you can visit passport free.
Puerto Rico
Just two and a half hours away from Miami, Puerto Rico is located between the Atlantic and the main area of the Caribbean. It boasts a rich culture and history, outstanding cuisine, adventurous activities, ultimate relaxation, breathtaking mountains, and beautiful beaches.
The Puerto Rican locals are known for being welcoming and making visitors feel like family, which makes this Caribbean destination feel like home. And while Spanish is spoken by most residents, English is the other official language. In addition, the American dollar is the official currency.
With Puerto Rico’s vibrant culture, it’s not difficult to find celebrations with great food and music. There is plenty of natural beauty to explore and fun things to do, as well as interesting historic sites.
Puerto Rico is popular with all types of travelers. Whether you want to relax on the beach at a luxury resort or stay in a historic hotel in the stunning city of Old San Juan, you can truly create your dream vacation here.
U.S. Virgin Islands
Known by tourists as “America’s Caribbean Paradise”, the U.S. Virgin Islands are the perfect spot for discovering great food, undisturbed nature, and interesting history. They are also very popular sailing and scuba diving destinations. You can choose one or go island hopping and discover the beauty of all three!
Each island has its own unique charm. St. Thomas is known for luxury, with mega-yachts crowding the harbor and high-end storefronts located along main street. St. John boasts a unique appeal to honeymooners and lovers of nature, with over 7,000 acres of untouched parkland and pristine Caribbean beaches. St. Croix offers evidence of its colonial heritage and the history of slavery, with a variety of forts and plantations to explore.
It’s worth noting that if you visited the U.S. Virgin Islands in the past, they may now look a lot different than they did. After hurricanes Maria and Irma devastated the area, work was undertaken to rebuild and restore them from 2017 onwards.
St. Thomas
A beautiful island and the most developed of the three, St. Thomas is a great spot for both history lovers and those seeking adventure. With one of the world’s most beautiful harbors, littered with luxury yachts, as well as some of the most gorgeous beaches, rich history, and fun activities, St. Thomas is a destination not to be missed.
While here, be sure to visit the capital city of Charlotte Amalie, where you can find an alluring mix of sparkling city lights and relaxing nature. You will be spoiled for choice when it comes to elegant dining options, duty-free shopping, vibrant nightlife, and activities such as submarine rides.
St. Thomas is also an excellent destination for a family getaway. Coral World Ocean Park is a popular spot among both visitors and residents alike. At this park, guests are able to see turtles, stingrays, and sharks; discover a gallery of over 20 aquariums; take a sea-trek walk along the ocean floor; visit an undersea observatory (located nine meters underwater); feed the lorikeets; swim with sea lions; and more.
For thrill seekers, head on over to the St. Thomas Skyride, where you can enjoy views from over 200 meters above Charlotte Amalie. If you’re a lover of nature, be sure to take a trip to the butterfly garden and hike the nature trail, where you can see geese, ducks, parrots, tropical birds, and goats!
Looking for a relaxing and luxurious beach-side escape? You can find stunning beaches and bays with bright blue water and white sand. Enjoy a great range of activities including snorkeling, scuba diving, water sports, and fishing, or step away from the sea and onto the greens for an exciting round of golf.
If you enjoy scuba diving or snorkeling, you’ll be excited to know that in the seas surrounding St. Thomas, there are 500 species of fish, 40 types of coral, and hundreds of invertebrates. You may also be able to see moray eels, seahorses, and octopi after sunset, as well as turtles if you’re really lucky!
St. Croix
If you’re a fan of history, St. Croix may be the island of choice for you. This unique island has history from occupations by England, Spain, France, Malta, Denmark, and the Netherlands. The city of Christiansted boasts European-style 18th-century, red-roofed architecture lining gorgeous stone streets.
At Frederiksted, you can find a fort which was originally built to protect the island from pirates and rival nations. Between these two cities lie the ruins of hundreds of sugar and cattle estates which are scattered across the island. Today, you can visit one and see restored buildings and a beautiful botanical garden.
At the very tip of the island, discover Point Udall with its famous sundial monument, situated at the easternmost point in the United States.
If you’re not a huge history buff, worry not, as this island is also popular for fun casinos, breathtaking beaches, gorgeous luxury resorts, fine dining options, great golf courses, and exceptional recreational activities.
St. John
St. John is the smallest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands and is known as the most pristine and unspoiled. With a diverse array of natural beauty both on land and in the surrounding waters, this island boasts plenty of opportunities for adventure and exploration.
The locals, known as St. Johnians, are incredibly friendly and enjoy sharing their rich culture. Be sure to visit the Annaberg Sugar Plantation to enjoy a variety of fun concerts, arts and crafts fairs, and exhibitions.
If you’re interested in history, be sure to take the self-guided Annaberg Historic Trail, where you can explore restored ruins on plantation grounds, or volunteer alongside scientists at the Cinnamon Bay archaeological dig to aid in uncovering 500 years of ceremonial activity of the Taino Indians.
Beaches on the island of St. John are extremely beautiful and diverse. Whether you’re looking for a secluded slice of paradise, ultimate relaxation, family fun, or plenty of water- based activities, you’ll be sure to find the perfect spot.
Now that you’ve learned which Caribbean islands you can visit passport free, which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments! And if you’d like help deciding, or planning the perfect trip, feel free to reach out to one of our trusted travel advisors via our Contact Us page.