Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is a heavenly archipelago in the Caribbean, offering a vibrant tropical vacation in the wintertime. Because it is a U.S. territory, no passport is needed to visit! Winter months are actually the ideal time to head to Puerto Rico, because the climate has “cooled” to a balmy, pleasant high 70’s-low 80’s temperature range.

Approximately the size of Rhode Island, Puerto Rico is small but smashes every vacation desire sans passport! Puerto Rico has the *wow* factor and is an unforgettable place to experience as a tropical destination, offering rich and lively local culture, colorful sea towns, exciting water sports, architecture, and gorgeous natural scenery. There is a rich local heritage and history to learn about, amazing local cuisine to sample fresh from the sea, dreamy beaches to explore, and more!

The Florida Keys

The closest and most accessible tropical destination on this list, the Florida Keys provide an incredibly desirable winter getaway. This southernmost point of the United States is only 90 miles north of Cuba, making this destination so close, yet so different from the rest of the continental U.S. The 113-mile Overseas Highway is a wonder in itself as you venture from mainland Florida to the secluded Keys. There has been a recent expansion of direct flight connections to Key West International Airport among major airlines such as Delta and American Airlines, making the spot all the more accessible.

What makes the Florida Keys spectacular? It is the sport fishing capital of the world; it has the most sea turtle nests in the U.S.; it has the world’s third largest barrier reef; it is a hotspot for any and all sea recreation. Winter offers a mild and warm tropical climate, making it a great time to go to the Keys.

The opportunities for adventure, relaxed and tropical atmosphere, and historical significance make the Keys a sensational vacation pick that you won’t regret. History buffs will be thrilled with the museums and monuments. Nature lovers enthusiasts can venture out to Dry Tortugas National Park and Everglades National Park. Foodies can sample world-class seafood cuisine in Old Town. Adrenaline junkies can dabble in all types of water sport, including snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, and swimming with dolphins and turtles.

Hawaii

You can enter into a whole other world without a passport if you choose Hawaii as your tropical winter destination, undoubtedly the most tropical state of the U.S. You would be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t fall in love with the welcoming aloha spirit and incredibly natural beauty that this archipelago offers. Hawaii’s climate during winter months is reliably warm and gorgeous, and you’ll forget snow ever existed once you slip into its magical aura.

The best islands to visit are Oahu, Maui, the Big Island, and Kauai, all offering similar tropical experiences, but varying in popularity, tourist traffic, and specific adventures. Inexpensive and short inter-island flight connections even make it possible for you to see multiple islands on your trip!

You could visit Mauna Kea, the tallest peak in the world; you can see active lava flow at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park; you could surf world-class waves at Waikiki Beach; you can get sample incredible local cuisine in Honolulu, such as poke; you can visit Pearl Harbor; you can sip on a Mai Tai under a palm tree; you can hike to waterfalls and coastal cliffs. Whether you’re looking to relax at an all-inclusive resort or to stay active and adventurous, Hawaii will not let you down.

U.S. Virgin Islands

The U.S. Virgin Islands are known around the world as a picture-perfect Caribbean getaway. Because these islands are U.S. territories, no passport is needed, making it easy to jet off to this tropical paradise. You can expect the climate of a wintertime tropical vacation to be gloriously sunny and warm.

The islands have a complicated and unique history, including being a former slave trade center in the 18th century, and were officially made a U.S. territory in 1917. The Virgin Islands are actually 90 in total, with the three main visit-worthy being St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. 

St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John each offer an incredible tropical experience and are often regarded as popular romantic getaway destinations. Nearly 60% of St. John’s land is protected by the Virgin Islands National Park, keeping the natural beauty unspoiled and pristine. St. Croix is a foodie’s paradise (there is a famous international food and wine festival in December). St. Thomas is lush and rolling, offering stunning beaches and every kind of water sport to indulge in.

Relaxing and adventuring in the beauty of the Caribbean comes in many forms: snorkeling at Trunk Bay; diving in underwater shipwrecks; touring historical plantations; experiencing the warm and lively local culture; finding entertainment and festivals; shopping; and golfing. 

Guam

As a U.S. territory, Guam is one of the best islands to visit in the winter without a passport. If you visit January through May, you miss much of the tourist traffic (as well as much of the rain). Located in Micronesia, Guam is 30 miles long and is well-established as a tropical travel destination: cuisine, beautiful scenery, rich Chamorro culture, and endless marine recreation. It is an active U.S. military base and lively travel hub with festivals, malls, resorts, waterparks, and attractions, drawing many Asian travelers. 

As well-built and busy as the island is, you can escape crowds by sunbathing at pristine remote beaches and exploring charming caves and waterfalls. The famously clear waters make snorkeling, diving among shipwrecks, and boating an unforgettable aquatic adventure. 

American Samoa

If you want to forgo a glamorous travel experience and embrace a quieter tropical vacation, the American Samoa will suit you. These devastatingly-beautiful Polynesian islands are located in the South Pacific, and don’t have the tourism infrastructure of more glamorous tropical destinations with tours, resorts, shopping, and nightlife. The local culture is well-preserved, making this a special destination that requires an active respect from travelers towards locals (including asking for permission to use family-owned beaches!). 

Both land and sea adventures are yours to enjoy in the lush and wild tropical environment of five different islands. Some popular activities are hiking at the National Park of American Samoa, snorkeling in mysterious lagoons, visiting historical World War II locations, paddling and kayaking, and learning about the fascinating island customs. 

Northern Mariana Islands

450 miles north of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands are a quiet, perfect tropical destination that are hard to get to, but well-worth the effort. With incredibly lush and diverse natural beauty, the Northern Mariana Islands sit pretty with gorgeous clear waters, unspoiled beaches, and a warm year-round climate. There are 14 islands in total but the most popular are Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.

While visiting these charming Polynesian islands, you can adventure in diverse outdoor activities, like snorkeling with the abundant sea life,  hiking to Mount Tapochau, exploring huge underwater sea caves, and scuba diving around sunken ships. As remote as the islands are, there is a vibrant and fun local scene, with holidays, festivals, and casinos!

South Padre Island

Deep in the heart of Texas on the Gulf of Mexico, South Padre Island offers a tropical vacation for anyone who would rather drive than fly to their getaway. While it is a popular wintertime destination for all types of travelers, South Padre still offers peace and relaxation. You’ll have your pick of accommodation options, and if you do fly, Corpus Christi offers a great adjacent hub. Due to its geographical proximity, it may well be one of the most affordable tropical vacations in the U.S.

You’ll hardly believe you’re in Texas once you’re standing under enormous palm trees on glistening white sand. You’ll want to explore Padre Island National Seashore, 66 miles of protected coastline with rippling dunes, grasslands, and sandy coasts offering camping, sand-strolling, wildlife-viewing, and stargazing. The town offers entertainment, restaurants, and guided diversions like fishing, parasailing, and more!

The Caribbean (via Cruise Ship)

Psych! Here’s how you can cheat the system and actually go international without a passport to multiple tropical destinations. If you venture out via cruise ship, you can visit passport-required destinations like Caribbean islands, Mexico, Bermuda, the Bahamas, and the Cayman Islands. Many cruise lines only require a U.S. drivers license and your birth certificate if they are on a closed-loop route where they embark and return to the same U.S. port. This way, you could see and experience several different tropical destinations in one trip!

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is a heavenly archipelago in the Caribbean, offering a vibrant tropical vacation in the wintertime. Because it is a U.S. territory, no passport is needed to visit! Winter months are actually the ideal time to head to Puerto Rico, because the climate has “cooled” to a balmy, pleasant high 70’s-low 80’s temperature range.

Approximately the size of Rhode Island, Puerto Rico is small but smashes every vacation desire sans passport! Puerto Rico has the *wow* factor and is an unforgettable place to experience as a tropical destination, offering rich and lively local culture, colorful sea towns, exciting water sports, architecture, and gorgeous natural scenery. There is a rich local heritage and history to learn about, amazing local cuisine to sample fresh from the sea, dreamy beaches to explore, and more!

The Florida Keys

The closest and most accessible tropical destination on this list, the Florida Keys provide an incredibly desirable winter getaway. This southernmost point of the United States is only 90 miles north of Cuba, making this destination so close, yet so different from the rest of the continental U.S. The 113-mile Overseas Highway is a wonder in itself as you venture from mainland Florida to the secluded Keys. There has been a recent expansion of direct flight connections to Key West International Airport among major airlines such as Delta and American Airlines, making the spot all the more accessible.

What makes the Florida Keys spectacular? It is the sport fishing capital of the world; it has the most sea turtle nests in the U.S.; it has the world’s third largest barrier reef; it is a hotspot for any and all sea recreation. Winter offers a mild and warm tropical climate, making it a great time to go to the Keys.

The opportunities for adventure, relaxed and tropical atmosphere, and historical significance make the Keys a sensational vacation pick that you won’t regret. History buffs will be thrilled with the museums and monuments. Nature lovers enthusiasts can venture out to Dry Tortugas National Park and Everglades National Park. Foodies can sample world-class seafood cuisine in Old Town. Adrenaline junkies can dabble in all types of water sport, including snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, and swimming with dolphins and turtles.

Hawaii

You can enter into a whole other world without a passport if you choose Hawaii as your tropical winter destination, undoubtedly the most tropical state of the U.S. You would be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t fall in love with the welcoming aloha spirit and incredibly natural beauty that this archipelago offers. Hawaii’s climate during winter months is reliably warm and gorgeous, and you’ll forget snow ever existed once you slip into its magical aura.

The best islands to visit are Oahu, Maui, the Big Island, and Kauai, all offering similar tropical experiences, but varying in popularity, tourist traffic, and specific adventures. Inexpensive and short inter-island flight connections even make it possible for you to see multiple islands on your trip!

You could visit Mauna Kea, the tallest peak in the world; you can see active lava flow at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park; you could surf world-class waves at Waikiki Beach; you can get sample incredible local cuisine in Honolulu, such as poke; you can visit Pearl Harbor; you can sip on a Mai Tai under a palm tree; you can hike to waterfalls and coastal cliffs. Whether you’re looking to relax at an all-inclusive resort or to stay active and adventurous, Hawaii will not let you down.

U.S. Virgin Islands

The U.S. Virgin Islands are known around the world as a picture-perfect Caribbean getaway. Because these islands are U.S. territories, no passport is needed, making it easy to jet off to this tropical paradise. You can expect the climate of a wintertime tropical vacation to be gloriously sunny and warm.

The islands have a complicated and unique history, including being a former slave trade center in the 18th century, and were officially made a U.S. territory in 1917. The Virgin Islands are actually 90 in total, with the three main visit-worthy being St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. 

St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John each offer an incredible tropical experience and are often regarded as popular romantic getaway destinations. Nearly 60% of St. John’s land is protected by the Virgin Islands National Park, keeping the natural beauty unspoiled and pristine. St. Croix is a foodie’s paradise (there is a famous international food and wine festival in December). St. Thomas is lush and rolling, offering stunning beaches and every kind of water sport to indulge in.

Relaxing and adventuring in the beauty of the Caribbean comes in many forms: snorkeling at Trunk Bay; diving in underwater shipwrecks; touring historical plantations; experiencing the warm and lively local culture; finding entertainment and festivals; shopping; and golfing. 

Guam

As a U.S. territory, Guam is one of the best islands to visit in the winter without a passport. If you visit January through May, you miss much of the tourist traffic (as well as much of the rain). Located in Micronesia, Guam is 30 miles long and is well-established as a tropical travel destination: cuisine, beautiful scenery, rich Chamorro culture, and endless marine recreation. It is an active U.S. military base and lively travel hub with festivals, malls, resorts, waterparks, and attractions, drawing many Asian travelers. 

As well-built and busy as the island is, you can escape crowds by sunbathing at pristine remote beaches and exploring charming caves and waterfalls. The famously clear waters make snorkeling, diving among shipwrecks, and boating an unforgettable aquatic adventure. 

American Samoa

If you want to forgo a glamorous travel experience and embrace a quieter tropical vacation, the American Samoa will suit you. These devastatingly-beautiful Polynesian islands are located in the South Pacific, and don’t have the tourism infrastructure of more glamorous tropical destinations with tours, resorts, shopping, and nightlife. The local culture is well-preserved, making this a special destination that requires an active respect from travelers towards locals (including asking for permission to use family-owned beaches!). 

Both land and sea adventures are yours to enjoy in the lush and wild tropical environment of five different islands. Some popular activities are hiking at the National Park of American Samoa, snorkeling in mysterious lagoons, visiting historical World War II locations, paddling and kayaking, and learning about the fascinating island customs. 

Northern Mariana Islands

450 miles north of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands are a quiet, perfect tropical destination that are hard to get to, but well-worth the effort. With incredibly lush and diverse natural beauty, the Northern Mariana Islands sit pretty with gorgeous clear waters, unspoiled beaches, and a warm year-round climate. There are 14 islands in total but the most popular are Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.

While visiting these charming Polynesian islands, you can adventure in diverse outdoor activities, like snorkeling with the abundant sea life,  hiking to Mount Tapochau, exploring huge underwater sea caves, and scuba diving around sunken ships. As remote as the islands are, there is a vibrant and fun local scene, with holidays, festivals, and casinos!

South Padre Island

Deep in the heart of Texas on the Gulf of Mexico, South Padre Island offers a tropical vacation for anyone who would rather drive than fly to their getaway. While it is a popular wintertime destination for all types of travelers, South Padre still offers peace and relaxation. You’ll have your pick of accommodation options, and if you do fly, Corpus Christi offers a great adjacent hub. Due to its geographical proximity, it may well be one of the most affordable tropical vacations in the U.S.

You’ll hardly believe you’re in Texas once you’re standing under enormous palm trees on glistening white sand. You’ll want to explore Padre Island National Seashore, 66 miles of protected coastline with rippling dunes, grasslands, and sandy coasts offering camping, sand-strolling, wildlife-viewing, and stargazing. The town offers entertainment, restaurants, and guided diversions like fishing, parasailing, and more!

The Caribbean (via Cruise Ship)

Psych! Here’s how you can cheat the system and actually go international without a passport to multiple tropical destinations. If you venture out via cruise ship, you can visit passport-required destinations like Caribbean islands, Mexico, Bermuda, the Bahamas, and the Cayman Islands. Many cruise lines only require a U.S. drivers license and your birth certificate if they are on a closed-loop route where they embark and return to the same U.S. port. This way, you could see and experience several different tropical destinations in one trip!