Tropical Vacations in the U.S.
by Karen Sweeny-Justice, Demand Media
USA TODAY Travel
Southern Florida and Hawaii are the two popular tropical areas people think of when planning a tropical vacation in the United States. There are also other areas worthy of consideration when planning that sunny getaway. Because the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Mariana Islands and Puerto Rico are part of the U.S., American citizens do not need a passport to visit them. Visit a national park for a unique look at life in the tropics.
Florida
Miami and the Florida Keys, Florida's tropics, are best experienced by land and sea. Take a narrated glass bottom boat tour at Biscayne National Park (nps.gov/bisc) and travel into the Atlantic Ocean to see coral reefs growing at their northernmost point. Explore mangrove forests or mahogany groves in Everglades National Park (nps.gov/ever) before heading south on Route 1. The Overseas Highway, 120 miles long, ends in Key West where more than 70 lodging options are close to beaches and attractions.
Hawaii
Camp 4,000 feet above sea level surrounded by eucalyptus and ohi'a trees at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (nps.gov/hivo) on the "Big Island" of Hawaii. Prepare in advance for damp and cool weather; at this elevation the island's nighttime temperatures drop quickly. The summit of Haleakala National Park (nps.gov/hale), on Maui, stands 10,023 feet tall. At sea level, visitors can traipse through the verdant rainforest on hiking trails near streams and pools. Five bed and breakfast inns in Kula are closest to the summit as of 2011.
The South Pacific
The National Park of American Samoa (nps.gov/npas) is remote; Hawaiian Airlines flies into Pago Pago International Airport on Tutuila Island twice a week from Honolulu. Check out the park's home-stay program which places visitors seeking lodging with local Samoan families. Snorkel and swim in the warm waters of War in the Pacific National Historical Park (nps.gov/wapa) on Guam. Travelers will see threatened and endangered sea turtles. Tumon is the main tourist area on the island, with high-rise resort hotels lining the beach. Off-beach hotels might offer better rates for families.
Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
Dive the Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument (nps.gov/vicr) off of St. John Island or snorkel through a maze of mangrove roots. Virgin Islands National Park (nps.gov/viis) covers much of St. John and most of Hassle Island. Rent a sailboat, kayak or wave board at Cinnamon Bay Beach; camping on the beach is designed to be eco-friendly. Hike the El Paseo del Morro National Recreational Trail on Puerto Rico that connects San Juan with historical Old San Juan and the La Perla neighborhood.