5 Exotic Beaches Where You Don't Need a U.S. Passport

Always on the lookout for value-oriented travel, Senior Editor Patricia Magaña has trekked throughout the States, Latin America, and Europe. Follow her on Instagram @PatiTravels.

Since joining the editorial crew in 2005, Magaña has pounced on incredible deals to Amsterdam, Madrid, and San Pedro Sula—each for less than $300. Her favorite travel experiences involve discovering street art while meandering a city, chatting up locals, and day drinking.

Her stories have appeared on USA Today, Huffington Post, Yahoo!, TripAdvisor, AirfareWatchdog, and other publications.

Email Patricia at editor@smartertravel.com.

See recent posts by Patricia Magaña

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No passport? No problem! These world-class beaches in exotic locales don’t require anything more complicated than a flight to get there and enjoy.

Playa Flamenco, Isla Culebra, Puerto Rico

Hailed by many as the world’s best beach for its brilliant white sand and crescent shape, Playa Flamenco is located on Culebra Island, just east of Puerto Rico proper. And as a commonwealth, not only can you get to Flamenco Beach sans passport, it’s fine to arrive empty-handed altogether. Beachside kiosks rent the essentials for the perfect beach day, no matter if it entails snorkeling, sunbathing, camping, or lounging with a piña colada in hand.

Playa de Pajaros and Playa Sardinera, Isla de la Mona, Puerto Rico

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico has more than 140 land masses surrounding it, though only Puerto Rico itself, Vieques, and Culebra are inhabited. There are no permanent residences or tourism infrastructure on Mona Island and its two most picturesque beaches, Playa de Pajaros and Playa Sardinera, but visitors (and camping) are welcome—though they’re limited to 100 at time. Playa Uveros, Playa Mujeres, and Playa Brava, on the southern side of the seven mile-wide island, are also must-visits. Cave explorations yield petroglyph secrets from Mona Islands’ pre-Columbian Taino residents.

Trunk Bay, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

Known the world over as one of the beaches that should be on your bucket list, St. John’s Trunk Bay isn’t only postcard-perfect but also a trailblazer—it’s near one of the first snorkeling trails in the Caribbean. The 225-yard snorkel trail leads you through one dive site to the next, identifying sea life throughout the swim.

The island of St. John has no airport, so getting to its scenic beaches requires taking a ferry from its larger sister island, St. Thomas. While this extra effort may be an inconvenience, it’s also a blessing for anyone who prefers a more peaceful island life.

Magens Bay Beach, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

Often called one of the most beautiful beaches on Earth, Magens Bay is surrounded by lush mountains that meet the sand and its multi-hued blue waters. This St. Thomas beach—a family favorite for its lifeguards and affordability from the East Coast—runs a mile long between two land masses, which keep mondo waves at bay.

Turtle Beach, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

Part of the Buck Island Reef National Monument, the silky white shores of Turtle Beach make for perfect sunning. But it’s what’s underneath the water that’s the true draw: The snorkeling off the shores of Turtle Beach is considered some of the best in the Caribbean. Buck Island is an islet off St. Croix, so you’ll have to kayak or charter a boat to get to the uninhabited Buck Island.

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Patricia Magaña enjoys the beach, though not so much when sand gets in her food or knickers. Follow her on Instagram @PatiTravels for more travel everything (and pics of her cute kittens).

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2015. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

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