If you're like us & believe a passport's required for an "ultimate" escape, then you'll be happier than an iguana on a stack of leftover cheeseburgers in paradise, because we have 5 passport-required islands on our ultimate escape list.

But there is ONE tropical destination that's so legendary, delicious, and vibrant in the continental U.S. that our list has grown to 6 stunning tropical islands for your ultimate escape.

Each of these islands has:

• Airports supported by major airlines, rental cars, and electricity (be sure to check back for our list of small islands with none of these conveniences, too!)

• Lots of local restaurants you'll be dreaming about for years after you've dined there

• A broad range of hotels, Airbnbs, and VRBOs for you to kick off your flip flops and call home for a while

• And of course, sandy beaches & breathtaking sunsets

#1 Bonaire

#2Key West

In the States, we've found that the Florida coasts, Alabama, Georgia, Virginia, and the Carolinas' coasts have much beauty, tranquility, sandy beaches, and island flavor. However, Key West is clearly our Top US Island!

Whether you fly into EYH on the south coast of Key West, or arrive via the Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway (US A1A, you'll be treated to breathtaking views and quickly fall in love with this tropical gem that's only 90 miles from Cuba.

Duval Street is your primary destination for food, drinking, live music, and gifts. At the sunset-end of Duval Street is Mallory Square. Mallory Square is a MUST. With talented and quirky performers who enjoy breathing fire while balancing above the fun-loving crowd at sunset, or joke-telling jugglers, maybe a strongman balancing a grocery shopping cart on his chin or pinky, or the escape artist sliding out of handcuffs and a straitjacket, you'll be entertained as sailboats pass by hundreds of smiling celebrants enjoying another absolutely perfect Key West sunset. Yes, this is a ritual like nowhere else in the world.

Walking several blocks north from Mallory Square is Old Towne. As you're heading to Old Towne, you may want to GPS to The Chart Room. The Cart Room is located in a hotel room converted to a permanent bar. The tiny room is best known as the place where Jimmy Buffett kicked off his musical journey - a journey worthy of having 340 miles of A1A renamed in his honor. Why is this a permanent bar with all of the changes always taking place? Locals wanted to preserve it, so they had Buffett's longtime friend and occasional reference in his songs cremated and buried in the bar. Florida law does not allow a gravesite to be relocated -- so it is truly a permanent bar!

#3 Tahiti

#4 Bimini

#5 Grenada

$6 Barbados