The days of merely flashing your driver’s license (and your tan) to get back into the country from Cancún or the Caribbean is coming to an end.
On June 1, the U.S. government will finally put the full requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) into effect, which in theory should strengthen the borders between Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, the Caribbean region and the U.S.
The ins and outs for travelers who don’t hold a passport are manifold, but the easiest solution to navigating the bureaucracy can be summed up in three magic words: Get. Your. Passport.
While you might still be able to visit a couple of our neighbors with only a license or other ID, with very few exceptions you’re going to need a passport for getting back into the States.