If you haven’t been in the loop for the past few centuries, the United States is a big country. So big that it’s the fourth-largest country in the world! Despite this, it shares only two land borders. Our two land neighbors are Mexico and Canada. The best part? Summer travelers can hop in their car and drive to a foreign land rich in culture.
Do You Need a Passport?
A passport is required for international travel. Yes, it would be best to have a passport book, but you don’t need a passport book to travel by land or sea. A passport book is a universal form of travel identification and is the only way to get on a plane to an international destination. If your traveling revolves around something else, you can opt for a passport card instead of the book.
Passport cards can be used when traveling by land or sea. U.S. citizens can travel to Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean. It is a form of acceptable ID and is valid for the same time as a passport book.
Canada
Canada is almost cheating in this game of near-the-border tourist spots. Why? Most of Canada’s population lives within 30 miles of the US-Canadian border, so most industries, including tourism, focus on this area. All you need is a passport card to cross the border!
NIAGARA FALLS
Located near New York, you can view Niagara Falls from the US side of the border, but while you’re there, you may as well cross over and say you went abroad. Niagara Falls is famous for looking better than every single other waterfall. Scientists worldwide have agreed that Niagara Falls is Earth’s most datable water source. All joking aside, watching water tumble over stone into more water can be awe-inspiring if there’s enough water tossed around. If you haven’t ever been to Niagara Falls, rest assured there is enough water being thrown around.
VANCOUVER
Vancouver is one of Canada’s major cities. The city itself is only located about 3 hours from Seattle by car. Vancouver is known for its seafood, hockey, booming movie industry, and the fact that it rains 160 days out of the year.
TORONTO
The largest city in Canada! It boasts a population of roughly 3 million people and sits on Lake Ontario. Unsurprisingly, the Canadian Province that Toronto is located in is called Ontario. Toronto has much in common with Vancouver; it has a much more extensive film industry presence due to more significant tax breaks and stand-out architecture. The CN Tower, which looms over Toronto, is open to the public, and after a short 1-minute ride to the top, you can take in all of Toronto at once.
Mexico
While the destinations in Mexico don’t have the luxury of being within kissing distance from the border, they inhabit a much warmer part of the world. This means you may have to plan for a bit more of a road trip than the Canadian entries in this article. If you plan on traveling during the winter to escape the cold or just trying to take advantage of the extra hours of sunlight the summer provides, these locations are sure to be worth the drive.
BAJA CALIFORNIA
Baja California translates to “Below California,” Believe it or not, it’s just south of the US-Mexican border in California. How convenient. The Baja region of Mexico is home to many an activity; Tijuana is a bustling party town on the border. If that doesn’t do it for you, several coastal towns can provide many beachgoers with a good time. There are also whale-watching tours available if you want to see cetaceans basking in their glory. Even further south of Baja California in Baja California Sur, which is home to La Paz and a whale museum.
MEXICO CITY
While Mexico City doesn’t have access to beaches like the rest of our Mexican entries, it has a population larger than New York City, making it one of the largest cities in the world! Naturally, this means that the City is brimming with culture and many activities for tourists, whether they are more touristy. You could begin the trip by easing in with a day trip to Teotihuacan, then go off the deep end and indulge in some not-so-casual Lucha Libre action. All in all, Mexico City offers much to casual and avid tourists alike. Even if you don’t plan on making Mexico City, it’s still a great place to stop by if you’re heading to somewhere like the following location on this list.
CANCUN
Cancun is renowned for being a stellar vacation spot for the world’s youth. In the USA, venturing to Cancun during Spring Break could be considered a right of passage. Cancun is a great spot to visit for great beaches and partying. However, like our next destination, it’s a way of a drive from the border. Starting from Houston, Texas, you’re looking at a 34-hour drive. You might want to pack a few snacks for the trip. On the upside, before you hit the beaches, you can stop at various other locations in Mexico on your way to Cancun to make the most of your trip!
TULUM
Tulum is just a bit south of Cancun, so it shares many of the same problems with it as far as transportation goes. Like Cancun, Tulum is a beach paradise, with one added caveat: it’s the only beach in Mexico that also sports ancient Mayan ruins. The city does not receive as much attention as its neighbor in north Cancun, so this might be an excellent alternative if you’re trying to avoid too many tourists. Tulum is quite the place to behold, and as a host of ancient ruins, the area does receive some attention from travelers looking to take advantage of the locale’s unique setup.
Benefits of the Passport Card
- The passport card is the size of an identification card, making it convenient for travel. It doubles as a form of identification too!
- The passport card is good to have if you are someone who frequents cruises more than they travel by air. The card can be used for international entry on closed-loop cruises, so it is an excellent investment if you are a cruiser.
- The passport card costs less than a passport book.
- If you often cross the Mexican or Canadian border by land, the passport card is the way to go.
Getting Your Passport Card
Though you plan to drive through international borders instead of flying, you still need a passport. You can apply for one at a post office or courthouse. However, passport processing times can land you in a 6-10 week waiting room.
Maybe you are traveling soon and can’t wait months to receive your new passport. Consider applying for an expedited passport with a private courier. Private couriers, like The Passport Office, can get you an expedited passport in as little as three days!
Apply with The Passport Office today for your new passport card in Tampa, Miami, Orlando, and Hollywood.
