According to Commerce Department data, the number of Americans who traveled to international places in April was 10.6% higher than in April 2019.
For those without a passport, it may be too late to participate on the foreign travel bonanza. The State Department estimates that regular passport processing timeframes range between 10 and 13 weeks. And expedited processing can take anything from seven to nine weeks. Even if you have a passport, double-check the expiration date because some countries need passports to be valid for at least six months beyond the dates of your travel.
Whether it’s too late or too expensive to think about foreign travel, there are still many destinations to visit without a passport.
According to NerdWallet, below are five places to go without a passport this summer.
1. Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico had a surge in popularity for both leisure vacation and remote business during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Discover Puerto Rico, the territory’s tourism board, 2022 was its best year in tourism history, producing over $8.9 billion in tourism income, a 39% increase over the previous 2019 high.
Beautiful beaches, delectable gastronomic excursions, and several summer festivals, such as El Festival de las Flores and Festival del Mojo Isleo, await visitors.
According to Discover Puerto Rico, the number of events booked in Puerto Rico in January 2023 was 81% greater than at the same time previous year. El Festival de las Flores, a multi-day flower festival in the town of Aibonito, and the culinary-focused Festival del Mojo Isleo, held in the town of Salinas and named after the slow-cooked tomato-based sauce served over seafood (you’ll likely get a taste of it if you visit), are among the events planned for this summer.
2. California
Head to Solvang, California, for a taste of Europe without a passport. Solvang, often known as “The Danish Capital of America,” is well-known for its thatched roofs, classic windmills, Scandinavian handcrafts, museums, restaurants, and stores.
Don’t miss the Scandinavian handcrafts sold in the Jule Hus Christmas Store, one of more than 100 shops in Solvang, and grab an Aebleskiver (a fluffy Danish pancake), which is available at numerous cafes across town.
Flyers should land at Santa Barbara Municipal Airport. This summer, Santa Barbara Municipal, one of America’s most attractive airports, will increase capacity on certain existing American Airlines and United Airlines routes while also introducing new routes on United and Southwest Airlines.
If you’re driving between Los Angeles and San Francisco on California’s Highway 101, stop in Solvang.
San Francisco has the nation’s oldest and largest Chinatown. Visitors can stroll down Grant Street, which is framed by the magnificent Dragons Gate, and visit the China Live bazaar or the Red Blossom Tea Company.
Getting to Chinatown in San Francisco is now easier than ever, thanks to the city’s new Central Subway, which opened in January 2023 and includes a station in Chinatown.
While San Francisco claims to be the birthplace of culinary pleasures like cioppino, the martini, the Irish coffee, and Boudin sourdough bread, it’s also a terrific place to try dishes from other countries.
Don’t miss the tea leaf salad at Burma Love, a Burmese meal created with fermented tea leaves and a crunchy combination of nuts and beans. Order any of Prubechu’s barbecue specialties for a taste of Guam. The city also does fusion, as evidenced by the Korean and Japanese-inspired Koja Kitchen. Order the Original Koja, which consists of Korean BBQ short ribs inside lightly fried garlic rice buns.
3. U.S. Virgin Islands
Because the US Virgin Islands have been an established US territory since 1917, US nationals arriving from Puerto Rico or the US mainland do not need a passport.
This Caribbean getaway is made up of three islands: St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas. Each is one of the best tropical destinations to visit, not only for its beautiful beaches, but also for its culture and history.
This summer celebrates the 69th year of the St. John Celebration, which consists of three weeks of food festivals, boat races, parades, and other activities on the island of St. John. It begins on June 10 and ends on July 3 with Emancipation Day, a local festival honoring the abolition of slavery.
Marriott Bonvoy members can use their points at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas. Just before the COVID-19 epidemic, the 30-acre resort completed a $100 million refurbishment, featuring a refurbished infinity pool.
4. Florida
According to Visit Orlando, the destination’s official tourist group, Orlando, Florida will have 74 million visitors in 2022, making it America’s most visited travel destination that year. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that Disney World is less expensive than Disneyland.
While not a replacement for international travel, Walt Disney World’s Epcot theme park’s World Showcase portion comprises of 11 distinct subsections dedicated to different countries. The food is some of the greatest on Disney World property. Don’t miss the Canadian ice wine at Le Cellier Steakhouse or the school bread (a sweet roll filled with custard and dipped in coconut) at Epcot’s Norway pavilion’s Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe.
Visit Epcot before the 2023 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival closes on July 5 for more live entertainment and dining. Fill out a Festival Passport to receive stamps for each dish you try – and a prize after five stamps.
Consider Key West, Florida’s southernmost point, for a laid-back island vibe. According to Hotels.com, the average hotel price in Key West between June and August this year is 15% lower than previous year. There are also hotel discounts in the state’s northern region. Room rates in Panama City are 10% lower this summer compared to previous.
5. Hawaii
Consider visiting Hawaii, the only state in the United States with two official languages.
Visit the Polynesian traditional Center on Oahu for traditional events such as lauhala weaving, poi sampling, and an evening luau honoring Hawaii’s final governing monarch, Queen Liliuokalani.
Tourism in Hawaii is making a return. According to the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, the number of tourists to the Hawaiian Islands increased 14.2% from previous March.
The Hawaiian language is listed as critically endangered by the United Nations. Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, has made efforts to maintain the language, especially in its ‘lelo Room Bar and Lounge. The walls are adorned with Hawaiian language, and every bartender speaks Hawaiian.