Adventure Destinations That Don't Require A Passport

Everyone agrees. This American unincorporated territory of five volcanic islands and two coral atolls is massively underestimated. But is has everything – mountain ridges, bays, villages, and some remote, untouched and naturally beautiful beaches. You will find the National Park of American Samoa, one of the most remote national parks in the U.S., absolutely stunning. Visit the Rose Atoll as well. It is an uninhabited wildlife heaven that has the largest populations of giant clams, nesting seabirds and rare reef fish. With all of this, who would want to go to the neighboring, but expensive, Fiji?

If you want to explore the Caribbean Sea, you don't have to wait for a passport to visit the Bahamas or Saint Martin. Instead, go to St. Thomas, St. Croix and/or St. John, all three of which accept American dollars. Trunk Bay is one of the most famous beaches on all of the islands – it's absolutely serene. But go early in the morning because it gets really busy later. Try the Underwater Trail, which is a snorkeling path of coral and fish with underwater signs. Boat tours, scuba diving are snorkeling are by far the most popular activities for tourists.

Most people associate Guam as an island used by the U.S. military. It's also an amazing U.S. tourist destination. It became an American territory after World War Two and there are still many traces of the war. Visit the War in the Pacific National Historical Park and see where some of the fighting took place as well as gun emplacements and trenches. Other things to do include enjoying yourselves at beaches, most famous of which is Ypao Beach Park, and visiting the Two Lovers Point, the local story of "Romeo and Juliet."

Don't get confused. These 14 Pacific islands may be closer to the Philippines than the U.S. but they are legally part of it. That happened in 1944 after the U.S. won the battle of Saipan. Eleven of the islands are still uninhabited. The rest – Saipan, Tinian and Rota – attract visitors with their forests, wildlife, and scuba diving. The favorite such location is the Grotto, home to sea turtles and reef sharks. Visiting the Managaha is a nice and relaxing way to spend the day, just a boat ride away. It has everything – from great food to all kinds of water sports activities. The best place to see the sunset is Mt. Tapochao. The Suicide Cliff is another popular destination despite its sad history. It is where hundreds of people jumped to their deaths in 1944 in order to avoid being held captive by the U.S. army.

Americans can explore foreign territory by way of a closed-loop cruise – if the ship begins and ends its voyage at the same domestic port – as long as they have a government issued ID and a birth certificate. Most cruises originating in the U.S. operate as closed loops. However, some Caribbean countries – Barbados, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Martinique, St. Barts, St. Martin, and Trinidad & Tobago –require a passport under all circumstances.

Puerto Rico is a Commonwealth of the United States, so going there is like going to another state. One more bonus is that you don't go through customs. The island is a popular destination for romantic getaways, adventure and nightlife. Old San Juan is a must-see because of its colonial past and amazing photo opportunities. Another "pro" for Puerto Rico is that has one of the most accessible rainforests – El Yunque. Surfers are going to love the island, too.  Zip-lining and caving in Rio Camuy are other popular activities.  

This may not seem like a fair arrangement but it's the law. Canada travel requirements for entrance into the country are different from the requirements to re-enter the United States. American citizens going to Canada can show government-issued photo ID (e.g. Driver's License) and proof of U.S. citizenship such as a U.S. birth certificate, naturalization certificate or expired U.S. passport. However, going back is different. The U.S. does not accept these documents wand will only take a valid passport or a passport card.

Some people get confused – probably because Hawaii is far from continental U.S., but this isolated volcanic archipelago is an American state, the only one not located in the Americas. Going there is the same as going from California to New York. A lot of people are drawn to the islands because its year-round sunshine, vibrant atmosphere, bustling Honolulu, Oahu, the fabulous Waikiki Beach, the secluded hamlet of Hana, and Haleakala, an inactive 10,023-foot-high volcano). The Volcanoes National Park is a hot spot for tourists with its 70 million years of volcanism, migration, and evolution. The eight main islands offer something for every kind of traveler.

British Columbia is part of Canada, thus American citizens do not need a passport to enter but need it to go back home. (See slide about Canada) Going on a hike in the mountains is what many tourists do. For those who don't like taxing physical activities, wine country tours are an awesome experience. The province is known in the winter for its skiing and snowboarding resorts. Whistler Blackcomb hosted the 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games. There are more than 50 designated Nordic ski areas. If you "like to live dangerously," the area offers some challenging ice-climbing adventures.