December Beach Vacation Without Passport

[monsterz]

H and I were planning a trip to Puerto Rico between Christmas and New Years.  We may have to scrap that and look for a trip that doesn't require a passport and would be appealing to a 5 year old.  We do NOT want to go to Disney.   We are considering Hawaii but that is a long and expensive flight.  I could use points to cover 2 tickets and then we only pay for 1 but I'm wondering if there are other options that I am not thinking of.  

[v]

Why not Puerto Rico?
USVI?

Also, you may want to look into a cruise. I believe some don't require passports even though they stop in countries where you'd need a passport if you weren't a cruise passenger but I'd double and triple check that your itinerary would work for that.

But -- why not get passports?

[monsterz]

Sept 2, 2014 13:01:34 GMT -5 mp said:

Ok - you made me feel nuts for a second. If you're a US Citizen, there's no passport requirement.

travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/news/important-travel-information-on-puerto-rico.html

Inaccurate press reports about travel between Puerto Rico and mainland United States

Contrary to a number of inaccurate press reports stemming from a July 16, 2012 article that misquoted a State Department Bureau of Consular Affairs official, there is no passport requirement for U.S. citizens for direct travel between the mainland United States and U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs is looking forward to opening the San Juan Passport Agency in San Juan, Puerto Rico to better serve U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico.


ETA- unless you're saying you're scrapping that for entirely different reasons - and need to find somewhere *else* that doesn't require a passport. In which case - don't mind me. LOL.

Well this is news to me.   I swear last time I went 5 years ago the laws had just changed and a passport was now required for travel to Puerto Rico and the USVI.   If this isn't the case we may stick with Puerto Rico.   

[drloretta]

Yeah, PR is part of the US. You shouldn't need a passport.

[genet313]

I generally like PR for vacation (try Vieques!)...but if you get a passport (and you have plenty of time) you open yourself  up to a host of other, more awesome Caribbean islands to visit.

[monsterz]

H and I both have passports. The child we may be adopting does not and it may not be easy to get one by December. We have asked but they aren't sure how long it would take and if the state would agree to it. Once the child is legally adopted the first thing we will do is apply for a passport.

Just trying to figure out a plan B.

[monsterz]

Sept 2, 2014 13:08:57 GMT -5 sexycarrot said:

Yeah, I don't think you need a passport, but you have plenty of time to get them, and that would open up tons of options. You may be aware of this, but in my experience, that week is an incredibly expensive time to travel, especially to the Caribbean.

Yes this is a crazy expensive time to travel but H is forced to take PTO this week.  We are using points for the hotel and we may use points for the airfare if possible as well.  

[Deleted]

I went to PR in February 2012 and know others here have been there more recently than that - definitely no passport required. It was one of the reasons we went lol (since mine had expired).

[Susie]

I think I went to PR in 2012 - agree w/ everyone, no passport required. Other options: USVI, Hawaii.

[orangeblossom]

I went to PR last year, right before Thanskgiving, and you don't need passports.

The US Virgin Islands is another option. What about Miami or Key West?

[crashgizmo]

I was coming into suggest Key West. I love it there and you can find some great deals.

[mrssandro]

Kauai

[mrssandro]

Why not get a passport? You still have plenty of time. My other suggestion was Aruba.

[Deleted]

no passport required for PR. I go yearly.

[aurora]

Hawaii is really awesome, though I agree it's a long trip from the East Coast if that's where you are.

[monsterz]

Looks like we will stick with PR as long as the case worker and lawyers say it is ok.

[BAMFMrsB]

Sept 2, 2014 14:33:04 GMT -5 monsterz said:

Looks like we will stick with PR as long as the case worker and lawyers say it is ok.

I would SO go there for Xmas. That would be amazing. :Y: 

[jewel]

Sept 2, 2014 13:05:22 GMT -5 monsterz said:

Sept 2, 2014 13:01:34 GMT -5 mp said:

Well this is news to me.   I swear last time I went 5 years ago the laws had just changed and a passport was now required for travel to Puerto Rico and the USVI.   If this isn't the case we may stick with Puerto Rico.   

I believe the passport laws for Canada, Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean changed around 2007ish (requiring a passport). Maybe you were thinking about that change? US territories were not included in the change, including PR and the USVI. I remember going to Mexico regularly in 2001 - 2003, with just a CA driver's license.

[ohyouknow]

We were going to PR the week between Christmas and New Years this year and had to scrap it because prices were INSANE. It was going to be the most expensive vacation ever, when going a week later was like 1/10 of the price. I hope you find some deals, good luck!

[indianchica]

Congrats on the hidden non - passport part of your posts!

[Deleted]

Sept 2, 2014 13:04:30 GMT -5 v said:

Why not Puerto Rico?
USVI?

Also, you may want to look into a cruise. I believe some don't require passports even though they stop in countries where you'd need a passport if you weren't a cruise passenger but I'd double and triple check that your itinerary would work for that.

But -- why not get passports?

This is true.  H and I went on several cruises without passports.  As you as you leave and return to the same US port all you need is a birth certificate and photo id.