52% of Americans Have Never Left the Country. Here's Why 2026 Is the Year to Start.

52% of Americans have never left the United States. Not once. That's 170 million people whose entire experience of the world is what they see on their phone screen.

The number one reason isn't money — it's the belief that international travel is expensive, complicated, and dangerous. None of those things are true in 2026.

The Cost Myth

Americans spend an average of $2,000 on a domestic vacation. A weekend in Yellowstone costs $1,500 for a family of four. A week at Disney World costs $5,000+. A weekend in the Hamptons costs $800.

Meanwhile:

A week in Medellín, Colombia — flights, hotel, food, activities — costs less than a weekend in most American cities. And the experience is infinitely richer.

The Passport Myth

Getting a passport takes 15 minutes of paperwork and 6–8 weeks of waiting. It costs $165 and is valid for 10 years. That's $16.50 per year — less than a Netflix subscription — for access to 186 countries.

If you don't have one, read our step-by-step passport guide. If you need it fast, expedited processing takes 2–3 weeks.

The Language Myth

English is the global language of tourism. In every major tourist destination, you'll find:

• Hotel staff who speak English
• Restaurant menus in English (or with pictures)
• Google Translate on your phone (works offline with downloaded language packs)
• Signs in English at airports, train stations, and attractions

You do NOT need to speak another language to travel internationally. It helps. It's respectful to learn a few phrases. But it is not a requirement.

The countries where English is most widely spoken among locals:

• Netherlands, Scandinavia, Germany (90%+ English proficiency)
• Portugal, Spain, Italy, France (60–80% in tourist areas)
• Thailand, Bali, Philippines (50–70% in tourist areas)
• Colombia, Mexico, DR (30–50% in tourist areas — Google Translate fills the gap)

The Safety Myth

Americans' perception of international safety is dramatically wrong. The murder rate in St. Louis (69 per 100K) is higher than any country in Latin America or Asia that tourists visit.

You are statistically safer as a tourist in Medellín than as a resident of most large US cities. Tourist areas in popular destinations are specifically policed and maintained because tourism is the country's revenue source.

The 5 Easiest First International Trips for Americans

1. Puerto Rico (no passport needed)

Technically US territory — no passport, no customs, same currency, same phone service. But it feels foreign: Spanish language, Caribbean culture, gorgeous beaches, Old San Juan architecture. Flight time: 3.5 hours from the East Coast. The training wheels of international travel.

2. Dominican Republic

3.5-hour flight from NYC or Miami. $180–280 round trip. English spoken in tourist areas. US dollars accepted at many businesses. Incredibly welcoming culture. The Zona Colonial in Santo Domingo is one of the most beautiful places in the Americas.

3. Mexico (Cancún or Mexico City)

2.5–4.5 hour flight. $200–350 round trip. Mexico is so close it barely feels like "leaving the country" — but the food, culture, and experiences are completely different from anything in the US.

4. The Bahamas

45 minutes from Miami. $130–200 round trip. English-speaking, US dollars accepted, crystal clear water. If you live on the East Coast and have never left the US, the Bahamas is your first step.

5. Portugal (Lisbon)

If you want your first trip to be Europe, make it Portugal. 7-hour flight from the East Coast. $350–500 round trip. English widely spoken. Safest country in Europe. The best food, the best value, and the most welcoming culture.

What Changes When You Travel

People who travel internationally report:

• Greater empathy for other cultures
• Lower anxiety about the unknown
• Better appreciation for what they have at home
• Stronger desire to travel again
• Perspective shift on American exceptionalism (in both directions)

But the biggest change is simpler: you realize the world isn't scary. It's just different. And different is interesting.

The First Step

1. Get your passport ($165, 6–8 weeks)
2. Pick a cheap flight (under $300 RT to the Caribbean)
3. Read our first-timer checklist
4. Book a Local Friend on Roavi for your first day — they'll make sure you don't feel lost

Browse Local Friends on Roavi. The world is closer than you think.