Coolest Passport Stamps From Travel Bloggers Around the World

 

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Anyone else besides me who looks forward to getting that next passport stamp? Do you view it as a collection of sorts like I do? In addition to anticipating my arrival in a new country or at a new landmark, I love to see what the new stamp looks like. The more creative the better, right? And, the passport stamp becomes a treasure if I fall in love with the destination ensuring fond memories whenever I flip through my passport. So, along with sharing my own, I decided to ask other travel bloggers to share their coolest passport stamps and why they connected with these locations. Hopefully, the combo will give you inspiration on where you should travel next!

Coolest Passport Stamps + Why They’re Meaningful

In case you don’t travel much or aren’t aware, some landmarks such as UNESCO World Heritage sites and others offer souvenir stamps for passports. This is why you will see both country and landmark stamps listed.

NOTE: Although I’m not personally aware of a country where it’s illegal to have your passport stamped with souvenir stamps, please consult your country’s rules and regulations on this matter.

Machu Picchu, Perú

I always love to flip through my old passport to look at my Machu Picchu souvenir stamp. It’s a large, unique stamp and Perú made an impact on me for many reasons. The traditional culture, the friendly people, my love for the Spanish language and landscape diversity are just a few of those reasons. Where else can you get the city experience in the gastronomic capital of South America in Lima, watch pink river dolphins swim in the Amazon River, see the amazing colors of Rainbow Mountain at 16,000 feet and marvel at the Incan creation, Machu Picchu?

Located in the Andes Mountains of Perú, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Machu Picchu is also one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. All I have to say is those Incans are out-of-this-world amazing! I can’t believe all they were able to accomplish so long ago. Their meticulous design and how they were able to keep the entire location a mystery until fairly recently in history is mind-boggling.

I was there on two different days, at two different times of day, during two different types of weather. I remember the sun peeking through the clouds casting rays of light at just the right angles where they dazzled the mountains and danced on the stone Incan buildings. It was breathtakingly beautiful and a moment where time just truly stopped for me and I “connected”. The rare type of connection you just can’t describe. One that becomes you.

See more of my Perú adventures

Iran

Photo by Odette from Omnivagant

Every time I take my passport out for a border crossing or a visa extension there is one specific page I open, again and again, the page that is marked with the stamp of Iran. With a brand new passport in my hand, the stamp of Iran marked the beginning of a journey of a lifetime, filled with unique adventures and dreams coming true. And I could have not chosen a better country to start my adventure in.

Photo by Odette from Omnivagant

Iran is a country that is filled with delicious food, incredible architecture, friendly people and mind-blowing landscapes, and barely any tourists in sight. However, the most special part about this stamp, to me, must be the date. Iran doesn’t use the same calendar as many of us use. Instead, they use the Solar Hijri Calendar, meaning that I didn’t travel Iran in the year of 2017, but instead in the year of 1395. While I know that Iran is not on many of your bucket lists, if you do decide to go, be sure to visit the Nasir-Ol-Molk Mosque in Shiraz, as seen in the photo, it almost feels like you are standing in a kaleidoscope.

Read more from Odette at Omnivagant or follow her Instagram

Cuba

Photo by Cindy from Travel Bliss Now

The Cuba stamp in my Canadian passport stands out for two reasons. It’s the only pink stamp, and the only one showing an airport, the Abel Santamaria in Santa Clara, named after a revolutionary. Talk about a colorful start!

But it’s the warm and colorful people I met in Cuba that won my heart. Although Havana looks like a place caught in a 50-year old-time warp, scratch the surface and you’ll find art, music, dance and, of course, baseball. You’ll also find people who will talk openly about their everyday challenges, which weren’t entirely different from my own.

Photo by Cindy from Travel Bliss Now

That’s why, despite beaches that rival the best in the world, the one “must-do” in Cuba is to wander the old streets in Havana and talk to the people that live there. Take a ride in a 1950s pink convertible and find out how they keep them running. Have a meal in a local paladar, a private restaurant usually in someone’s home, and drink a mojito in the same bars where Hemingway used to do it. That will give you a true taste of Cuba.

Read more from Cindy at Travel Bliss Now or follow her Facebook

Japan

Photo by Cat from For Two, Please

The most unique stamp I’ve gotten so far is the one from Japan. On my recent trip, I received a landing permission sticker that has Mt. Fuji and cherry blossoms in the background. Both are iconic symbols of Japan! Compared to the regular boring entry and exit passport stamp, this beautiful sticker is quite a unique souvenir that reminds me of the lovely times I had with my husband in Tokyo!

What I love about Japan, or Tokyo to be precise, is that it pulls off a harmonious balance between modern lifestyle and traditional culture. Whether it is people dressing in an elegant kimono or in a funky cosplay outfit, you can see both the old and the new coexisting in this metropolis!

Photo by Cat from For Two, Please

I highly recommend getting dressed in the traditional Japanese dress “kimono”! It is a wonderful way to experience the Japanese culture. As you put on layer after layer, you will develop an appreciation for the luxury apparel and its historical significance.

Read more from Cat at For Two, Please or follow her Facebook

Equator, Ecuador

Photo by Olivia from My Wandering Voyage

I’ll be pretty sad when my passport expires in 2020, I’ve got some awesome stamps these last couple of years, one of which was when I was standing in the middle of the world. In Ecuador, you can get your passport stamped when you have stood on the equator.

It’s called Museo de Sitio Intiñan – a cultural museum in Quito, Ecuador, situated on Latitude 0. While it’s a vanity stamp, meaning it’s not a country visa, I smile every time I see it. Not only did I stand in the middle of the world, but this was my first solo trip. It was a great place to get my feet wet as a solo traveller.

Photo by Olivia from My Wandering Voyage

The one thing you have to do while you’re at Museo de Sitio Intiñan is to stand on the equator. Once you have gone through the wonderful cultural exhibits, you need to check out the Ciudad Mitad del Mundo. The Mitad is where the equatorial line was calculated in the 1700s – way back before GPS. To only be 240m off from the actual equator is pretty impressive.

Read more from Olivia at My Wandering Voyage or follow her Instagram

You might also like: RIGHT OR LEFT: WHY THE PLANE VIEW MATTERS FOR PHOTOGRAPHY

England

Photo by Melissa from The Portly Passengers

In 2016 I was in London for New Years, my first time away from the United States for a major holiday. Leaving from Scotland, the first half of my two-week European trip, arriving in London I found myself without a passport stamp and a slight form of depression. I explored the city markets, the West End, the London Tower and Hyde Park.

As we ran in the New Year my hopes of having a passport stamp were long gone, I had fallen in love with the people much more than the city. From the musicians in the tube, to the artist on the Tower Bridge and the group of individuals who included this solo traveler as a part of their family,  I rang in the New Year no longer alone.

Photo by Melissa from The Portly Passengers

A few days later I arrived at King’s Cross for my departure to Brussels, this is where I received my passport stamp, with a small train tucked in the corner to remind me that it’s not always about the adventure. If you ever get a chance to explore the city, head towards the Thames riverside. Here you will find artists, cute shops and restaurants all with amazing views.

Read more from Melissa at The Portly Passengers or follow her Instagram

Jordan

Photo by Janiel from Culture Trekking

It was my first foreign country as a solo female traveler. After 48 hours in airports, getting this passport stamp was like a badge of honor for me. It may look plain to you, but the Arabic language is ancient, romantic, and beautiful and I loved that it is included in the passport stamp.

Photo by Janiel from Culture Trekking

The Arabic words read from right to left, and the English read from left to right. Almost as if the English was a symbol of my pathway there and the Arabic was what was leading me home. I was there to fulfill my bucket list item of seeing one of the wonders of the world…Petra. I won’t go into details about it, but the place was a historical playground full of mystery. The Bedouin people still lived like the ancient desert wanderers of old.  The food was delicious and cooked underground.

My badge of honor in my passport indicated to me that I was pushing the cultural boundaries I had set within myself and promised myself.

For more on Jordan, read my Interview with Jordan and find out how to explore this beautiful country properly.

Follow Janiel on her Facebook

Colombia

Photo by Katie from Two Wandering Soles

With colorful cities and a vibrant culture, it comes as no surprise that Colombia’s passport stamp is both blue and orange. A colorful stamp for a colorful country.

I actually have three stamps from Colombia in my passport; each a reminder of a country that holds a special place in my heart.

It was a cheap flight to Cartagena (and a bottle of wine!) that convinced my husband and me to quit our jobs and book a one-way flight!

That blue and orange stamp reminds me of the elderly man on a bus, who held my hand while I crossed the street, sat with us at lunch and insisted we try his meal. Smiling toothily the entire time.

Photo by Katie from Two Wandering Soles

That blue and orange stamp reminds me of camping on the beach in Tayrona National Park and hiking past giant palms in the Valle de Cocora (both musts if you visit Colombia). It reminds me of exploring the little-visited island of Providencia with a culture entirely its own.

The course of my life has changed entirely in the 5 years since getting that blue and orange stamp. What was supposed to be a 3-month backpacking trip documented on a blog for fun has turned into a full-time career. And it all started with that blue and orange stamp, for which I will be forever grateful.

Read more from Katie at Two Wandering Soles or follow her on Instagram

Hell, Grand Cayman

I decided to include this stamp from Grand Cayman because, well…how should I put this? I had been to hell and back. C’mon now, not literally. But, there is a Hell, Grand Cayman, I did go to it and I did return. I remember someone saying “Be sure to get your passport stamped from Hell post office and mail yourself a postcard.” Let’s just say I didn’t need to be told twice.

Let me be clear here. I fell in love with Grand Cayman. The people, the landscape, the water, everything. Hell was just one of the many activities I did on my second trip to the island.

There are different stories on how Hell got its name. One theory is that the black limestone formations must be “what hell looks like” while another states that if you throw a rock onto the formations, they echo giving a sense of falling for eternity or “falling to hell”. Either way, it’s intriguing and you can be sure they capitalized on it with their bright red fiery building and employees that greeted us with “How the hell are you?” and “Where the hell are you from?”

Ascension Island

Photo by Steph from The Mediterranean Traveller

Without a doubt, my favourite stamp in my passport is my landing permit for Ascension Island. Never heard of it? Neither had I, until I went there!

In 2009, I was lucky enough to join the crew of a ship sailing around Africa and had the opportunity to visit lots of unusual and interesting destinations. My favourite was the little island of Ascension in the middle of the Atlantic Sea. It stole my heart for being so vivid and downright bizarre. I felt as though I was in the TV series Lost the whole time I was there. Or X Files.

One of the most remote islands in the world, Ascension is 1,600 km away from the African mainland and has a tiny temporary population. Ascension is used as an air force and comms base – there is no right to live on the island; you have to be contracted to work there. A barren volcanic island strung with pylons and towers, it has an eerily deserted feel.

Photo by Steph from The Mediterranean Traveller

If you ever find yourself on Ascension Island, the best thing about it is its unique flora and fauna (in 2016 it was made a protected marine park). It’s popular for hardcore game fishing, but you’ll also find land crabs and spectacular beaches where green turtles lay their eggs.

Read more from Steph at The Mediterranean Traveller or follow her Facebook

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Photo by Rūta from Pocket Guide To The World

While Galapagos is not a separate country and in fact, belongs to Ecuador, the islands have a separate passport stamp for the Galapagos National Park. I feel like it’s a beautiful nod to diversity and the beauty of Galapagos. A land frozen in time – it’s unlike anything I’ve seen before.

Photo by Rūta from Pocket Guide To The World

I dreamed of going to Galapagos for a long time but nothing could have prepared me for being so close to so many majestic creatures. A beach packed full of sea lions but empty of people, turtles the size of a small human and getting chased out of the water by sharks all left impressions that will last a lifetime. The moment that exceeded all my expectations, however, was when a penguin decided to play with me when snorkeling and nearly swam into my face! I can proudly say I swam mere inches away from a Galapagos penguin.

If you do one thing in Galapagos I’d recommend to live on a boat for at least a couple of days and see the more remote islands, almost completely untouched by man (and cell reception).

Read more from Rūta at Pocket Guide To The World or follow her Instagram

Falkland Islands

Photo by Lauren from The Traveller’s Guide By #ljojlo

By far my favourite stamp in my passport is that of the Falkland Islands. This small British overseas territory off the east coast of Argentina is sparsely populated where there are easily way more birds than people. With a population of under 3000, this wildlife lover’s paradise is home to my favourite passport stamp simply because it contains a penguin. I mean, what stamp could be better?

Photo by Lauren from The Traveller’s Guide By #ljojlo

Speaking of penguins, while we are discussing them the local newspaper in the Falkland Islands is called the Penguin News and is distributed every Friday. My one regret is I didn’t pick up a copy when I visited as a souvenir. Being a British overseas territory, all the British paraphernalia is naturally present. The phone box and a tourist London bus can all be found in the central town of Stanley.

Also, with the UK’s close affiliation with Australia, you can imagine my excitement when I was able to pick up the Australian delicacy of Vegemite in the local supermarket. The Falkland Islands has the stamp, vegemite, and penguins, what more could you ask for.

Read more from Lauren at The Traveller’s Guide By #ljojlo or follow her Pinterest

Bonaire

Photo by Alina from The Happy Kid

Looking through my passport, the stamp that truly stands out is the one from Bonaire. The flamingo hidden between the pages reminds me about this little island in the South Caribbean, probably one of the few locations in the region not yet spoiled by mass tourism. Here, nature is respected at its real value. You will find Bonaire pristine beaches with turtle nests, crystal blue waters hosting an impressive reef and colorful fishes, flamingo reservations and much more.

I spent a whole summer in Bonaire with my husband and our 2.5-year-old son. We were at the beginning of a sabbatical year. We took this time to enjoy family life and be close to our son, to be children again together with him. Bonaire was the perfect location for us. Time has a different perspective on this tiny island so we could disconnect from the busy lives we had, reset our minds and rethink our priorities.

Photo by Alina from The Happy Kid

Bonaire is known worldwide as “diver’s paradise”, so diving is the first thing I’m recommending here. The island is known as one of the best worldwide destinations for diving from shore. Many experienced divers we met here mentioned Bonaire as the best diving destination they’ve ever been to.”

Read more from Alina at The Happy Kid or follow her Facebook

Timor Leste

Photo by Emily from Wander-Lush

Whenever I flick through my passport, there’s one stamp that always catches my eye. The full-page, slightly smudged, inky blue stamp that I received when entering Timor-Leste (East Timor) is one of my favourites.

There’s nothing special about the design or the ornamentation of the stamp-it’s a very utilitarian mark that doubles as a tourist visa. I love it because it reminds me of my trip to Timor, which was one of the more adventurous and rewarding solo journeys I’ve ever done.

I was there as a volunteer with an arts organisation in Lospalos, a town on the far-eastern tip of the island. To get to Lospalos from Dili, the capital city where the airport is located, I had to travel the whole length of the country. It was an adventure to say the least.

Timor-Leste is home to some of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful landscapes I’ve ever laid eyes on. When I was there in early 2015, it still felt relatively ‘untouched’ by tourism. Knowing the turbulent history of one of the world’s youngest nations and the struggles the East Timorese people have been through, it’s hard not to appreciate the contrast between the country’s intense beauty and extreme hardships.

Photo by Emily from Wander-Lush

If you ever find yourself in Timor with a big blue inky stamp newly pressed into your passport, you absolutely must experience the country’s beaches. Atauro Island, off Dili, and Jaco Island at the far tip of Timor both offer incredible snorkeling and diving. Just watch out for the crocodiles.

Read more from Emily at Wander-Lush or follow her Instagram

Hong Kong

Whenever I flip through my passport, I usually get “caught up” in my Hong Kong “stamp”. Literally caught up. That’s because the “stamp” is actually an entry slip that I stapled into my passport right beside my mainland China entry/exit stamps. The staple usually slows down page turning and I’m okay with that because I love reflecting on my trip to Hong Kong.

Hong Kong resonated with me because I love big city lights at night. Sitting right on Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong has the impressive backdrop of the water, the skyscrapers, and the mountains. The skyscrapers come alive at night with their laser colors performing to music resulting in one fabulous light show.

By far, my favorite thing I did was go to the top of Victoria’s Peak and look out over the city and the water. From way up there, all is silent and you would never know that the hustle and bustle of big city life was carrying on down below. This type of spot is usually my happy place, my thinking place, my place of reflection. Even if it isn’t that for you, it’s an incredible view and one you can’t miss!

PIN IT!

Not only do I hope this post inspired your next travel location, but I hope it was also a fun read. Others’ travel stories and connections are always interesting to me and a cool way to learn about other countries.

Have you been to any of these? If so, which ones have you been to and what was your experience? If not, which would you most like to visit and why? You know I always love hearing from you!

‘Til next time…

Trimm Travels,

Heather