93 million Americans traveled internationally in 2025 — a record. The destinations they chose reveal shifting preferences: less Europe, more Latin America and Caribbean.
Top 10 International Destinations for Americans (2025-2026)
- Mexico — 40+ million visits. Cancún dominates but CDMX is growing fastest
- Canada — 15+ million. Proximity and no passport card needed for land crossings
- Dominican Republic — 3+ million. Fastest-growing Caribbean destination
- UK — 4+ million. London remains the top European pick
- Colombia — 1.5+ million. Medellín and Cartagena driving growth
- France — 3+ million. Paris, always Paris
- Jamaica — 2+ million. All-inclusive dominance
- Japan — 2+ million. Post-pandemic boom
- Italy — 3+ million. Rome, Florence, Amalfi
- Costa Rica — 1.5+ million. Eco-tourism leader
The Shifts
Latin America is surging. Colombia, the DR, and Mexico (beyond Cancún) are growing 15-25% annually. Americans are discovering that $1,000 gets you a week in Medellín vs 3 days in Paris.
Middle East is declining. Dubai and Qatar bookings dropped 40%+ in early 2026 due to regional instability.
Solo travel is mainstreaming. 35% of international trips by Americans in 2025 were solo — up from 22% in 2019.
"Local experience" is the #1 priority. Booking.com data shows 72% of American travelers prioritize "authentic local experiences" over sightseeing landmarks.
What This Means
American travelers are younger, more adventurous, more budget-conscious, and more interested in authenticity than ever. The era of bus-tour-and-landmark travel is ending. The era of local-friend-and-hidden-gem travel is beginning.