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If you’re a U.S citizen, you’re in luck! Americans can travel visa-free, or with a visa on arrival, to over 160 countries in the world. This means no-hassle travel: you can simply buy a plane ticket and start exploring, without having to spend money and time organizing a visa in advance. It is worth bearing in mind that while you can travel without a visa to many countries, tourists can often only stay in countries for a limited period of time.
Europe
US citizens can travel to almost all of the countries in Europe visa-free. There are plenty of cheap flights within Europe, so it has never been easier to hop between countries and get a flavor of what the continent has to offer. Tourists can stay in most European countries for up to 90 days. Cities not to miss include:
Copenhagen, Denmark
Search for your very own ‘hygge’, a Danish word that translates to ‘coziness’, in Copenhagen. Here you can discover why Copenhagen was voted ‘the happiest place to live in Europe’ by cycling the city’s peaceful streets and observing its simplistic architecture.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is one of the jewels of Europe: a bustling city packed with art, architecture and delicious food. Sample Catalan pintxos, a tapas-like snack placed on a piece of bread, walk the city’s winding alleys and marvel at the incredible buildings created by artist and architect Gaudi.
Berlin, Germany
Berlin is known as one of the most buzzing cities in Europe. With an excellent selection of museums and a 24-hour-nightlife-scene, Germany’s capital makes a great place for a long weekend trip.
South America
With South America only a few hours away by plane and visa-free access to several countries, there is really no excuse not to take a trip down south. Countries that US citizens can travel to without a visa include Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, and Chile. Meanwhile, advanced visas are necessary for Brazil, Bolivia, and Venezuela.
Cusco, Peru
While Cusco is known as a base to see Machu Picchu, it is also a beautiful city to explore. Featuring crumbling, blue-doored houses, winding streets, and a glimpse into the Andean culture, it is worth spending a few days here before making the pilgrimage to Machu Picchu.
Medellin, Colombia
Known as the ‘City of Eternal Spring’, Medellin’s perfect all-year-round climate makes it a great place to visit during any month of the year. After shrugging off a heavy past, the city has emerged as one of the coolest and innovative cities in Latin America.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Argentina’s elegant capital city is often described as the ‘Paris of South America’. The city oozes romance, from the Argentine Tango taking place in many of the city’s plazas, to the French and Italian-style colonial buildings that line the streets.
Central America and the Caribbean
American citizens can travel without a visa to nearly all of the countries in Central America including Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Costa Rica. Meanwhile, if you own a US passport you can travel visa-free to many countries in the Caribbean, including Bahamas, Barbados, and Grenada. Top locations in Central America include:
Oaxaca City, Mexico
Mexico’s sleepy, southern town of Oaxaca is known for some of the country’s most delicious food. Here you can snack on some of the best street food in Mexico and sample Mole, the region’s famous meat-based dish that features an indulgent sauce made from chocolate and chili pepper.
Antigua, Guatemala
The striking city of Antigua in Guatemala lies beneath several volcanoes. You can walk the city’s cobbled streets, soak-up the colonial architecture and hike a volcano.
Africa:
US citizens can travel to several countries in Africa without needing to obtain a visa beforehand, including South Africa, Botswana, and Morocco.
Johannesburg, South Africa
The urban city of Johannesburg, or Jo’burg, is going through rapid changes. Get to know the history of Nelson Mandela and the Apartheid at one of the city’s museums and take a trip to one of Jo’burg’s vibrant townships, which provides a sobering insight into the city’s large divide between rich and poor.
Marrakech, Morocco
Here you can walk the dense, winding streets of Marrakech’s walled-city and experience the bustling marketing-life in one of the city’s many souks.
Asia:
Several countries in Asia offer visa-free entry to US citizens, including Thailand, Japan, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Top picks in Asia include:
Ko Lanta, Thailand
Take the pace of life down a notch on the sleepy island of Ko Lanta, in southern Thailand. Ko Lanta has still been relatively untouched by Thailand’s booming tourist industry, and you can really go ‘off-grid’ here. With stunning beaches and great accommodation options, it is the perfect place to relax. At present, American citizens can stay in Thailand for up to 30 days on a tourist visa.
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is a sprawling metropolis that offers visitors a taste of world-class sushi, larger-than-life skyscrapers and an insight into the future of technology.
Boracay, Philippines
The small island of Boracay in the Philippines is known as one of the best places in the world to watch the sunset. Take a seat on the beach, grab a beer and watch as the sky changes from day to night. American citizens can stay in the Philippines on a tourist visa for up to 90 days. To check visa information about all the countries in the world visit Travel.State.Gov.