North America travel guide

Exploring New York City

NYC has everything you can ask for, including world-class museums like the Guggenheim, historical landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, and much-needed green spaces like the Highline and Central Park.

Best way to take it all in? Book a bike tour across the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges or see it all from above at the Empire State Building.

Visiting Santa Fe

Visiting Santa Fe is a must for any traveller wanting to learn more about Native American culture, eat delicious food (try Radish & Rye), and check out some of the coolest art in the USA. 

Meow Wolf fully delivers on the immersive art trend, while galleries like the Museum of Contemporary Native Arts offer a more traditional museum experience. 

Walking Around Merida

If you haven’t read my travel guide about Merida, trust me – read it. The capital of the Yucatan Peninsula hasn’t received the attention of Tulum or Cancun; that’s changing now.

Take a free tour of Plaza Grande, dive into the best chilaquiles at Chilakillaz, and learn about Mayan history at Palacio Canton.

Mexico’s Pueblos Mágicos

Planning a visit to the magical villages, or Pueblos Magicos is a must when visiting Mexico (read about one of my favourites here).

On my last visit, I fell in love with the colonial architecture of San Cristobal de las Casas and the silver market in Taxco. You will too.

Driving the Icefields Parkway in Banff

Discover the Jewel of the Rockies and stay in Banff, the national park near Alberta, Canada, that delivers idyllic mountain scenery perfect for a holiday any time of year.

Skiing and hiking are musts, but driving down the Icefields Parkway, surrounded by massive glaciers is an experience you’ll never forget.

Unreal Landscapes in Grand Canyon National Park

If you’re visiting North America and haven’t planned a visit to the Grand Canyon… what are you waiting for?.

Booking a guided tour by helicopter and hummer allows you to experience the canyon from the South Rim up to the North and see gems like the Dragon Corridor. Magical.

Eat and Drink Your Way Around Montreal

North America has so many amazing cities to explore, but Montreal is likely one of the most slept-on. Big mistake.

The bagels at St-Viateur Bagel are on par with NYC, Haitian cuisine is top-notch here, and cocktail havens like The Cold Room are a vibe.

National Parks in the USA

Add a national parks road trip (more on that here) to your North America travel map.

Driving from Yellowstone to Yosemite gives you an idea of the vast and varying landscape with incredible hiking and photography opportunities. Add Utah’s Mighty Five to see the hoodoos, canyons, arches, and stargazing sites.

You can schedule a tour of the Mighty Five or choose your own adventure.

West Coast Road Trip

10 – 14 Days

San Francisco – Point Lobos State Natural Reserve – Big Sur – Pismo Beach – Los Angeles – San Diego

There’s nothing like hitting the road for this quintessential road trip. Want to learn more? Read all about my West Coast road trip!

Pyramids of Yucatan Mexico

7 Days

Cancun – Tulum – Coba – Chichén Itzá – Uxmal – Merida

Delve into the mysteries of Mexico’s Mayan era – expect jungle-covered ruins and lots of adventure.

New York and New England

10-14 Days

New York City – Hudson Valley, New York – Boston, Massachusetts – Portland, Maine

Get beyond New York and delve into the beauties of the North on an East Coast getaway.

Quebec to Niagara Falls

1 Week

Old Quebec – Montreal – Toronto – Niagara Falls

Go from some of Canada’s best-known cities to stunning natural landmarks on this adventure. Ready to learn all about Canada before your trip?

White Sands National Park

Driving, hiking, and photographing the insane White Sands National Park is truly a hidden gem with options like the Alkali Flat Trail and Dunes Drive boasting some of the coolest landscapes you’ll find anywhere.

Ready to go? Check out my guide on the top things to do in White Sands National Park.

Hierve el Agua, México

Check out a petrified waterfall and incredible natural hot springs at this hidden gem about an hour’s drive from Oaxaca.

Hike around the enchanting landscape and celebrate after with a mezcal tasting on this guided tour.

Saguenay-St-Lawrence Marine Park

Whale watching in Saguenay-St-Lawrence Marine Park on a guided tour allows you to see belugas, blue whales, and plenty of other marine life along the fjords in Northeastern Canada.

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

Located between Carmel and Big Sur, Point Lobos allows visitors to see some of California’s most scenic coastline.

Keep your eyes peeled for whales, sea otters, and harbour seals while you hike along the Pacific Coast.

Dishes to try

Clam Chowder –Seafood soup with clams, vegetables, herbs, and cream.
Tacos al Pastor – Marinated pork on corn tortillas with pineapple.
Poutine – French fries with cheese curds in brown gravy.
Buffalo Wings – Fried or baked chicken wings with a spicy vinegar-based sauce.

Drinks to try

Caesar – Think Bloody Mary but with clam broth and tomato juice.

Expect to spend between £97 and £389 ($125 and $500) per day per person in North America on a mid-range basis. Add £467 to £779 ($600 to $1,000) if you’re travelling on a luxury basis.

Average Daily Costs

• Hotel –
  • Mid-Range – £70 to £130 ($90 to $170) per night.
  • Luxury – £175 to £700 ($225 to $900) per night.
• Food – £8 to £80 ($10 to $75) per meal.
• Public Transport – £.38 to £2.16 ($.50) to $2.75) per ticket.
• Attractions – £3.90 to £19.50 ($5 to $25) for tickets.
• Tours – £39 to £311 ($50 to $400) per tour.

Safety

North America is mostly safe. However, there is some risk of both violent and non-violent crime, especially at night in some locations.

Be aware of your surroundings, stay in groups whenever possible, and confirm if public transportation and taxis are safe in the area you’re visiting on your North America travels.

Health

Stay up on your standard vaccines like hepatitis, Tdap, and flu shots for travel to North America.

You can safely drink the water in most locations in the USA and Canada, but you won’t want to drink the tap water in Mexico (it is generally safe for brushing your teeth, however).

Tipping

Tipping is a big thing in North America, particularly in the United States.

Generally, tip 15 – 20% in restaurants & bars, a few bucks for standard hotel services, and 15% in taxis.

Tips for travelling

• North America has just about any climate type you can think of. Be sure to do your homework and know how to pack for the season and location.
• While you can use credit cards at most places, some restaurants and shops require cash – carry some at all times.
• Don’t convert your currency at the airport; you’ll pay a significant tax.
• North America is really big. I suggest choosing one country or region on your first trip.
• State and provincial parks are often hidden gems with fewer crowds than the national ones and just as beautiful scenery.

How to see the best for free

Plaza Grande is one of my favourite places in Merida, and the local tourism board offers free tours in English and Spanish.

Free Tours by Foot boasts donation-optional guided tours of major cities like NYC, San Francisco, and Washington DC and has options like Pride History and the Lower East Side food tour.

And of course, visit the beaches. Coronado Beach in San Diego is my favourite choice for a free beach in North America, but you’ll find many all over Canada, Mexico, and the USA.

Packing

Packing for your North America trip? Don’t forget…

• Tropicfeel Geysers – Waterproof hiking shoes built to handle any adventure.
• First Aid Kit – Bandages, disinfectant, and any prescriptions for hiking.
• Hydro Flask – Staying hydrated is a must, especially in the summer heat.
• Water Purifier – For longer hikes in the remote wilderness.
  Passport / Driving Licence – The USA and Canada have strict alcohol ID policies.

Travel insurance

Having travel insurance isn’t always a top priority for travellers. It should be. Health insurance in the USA is wildly expensive, not to mention the uncertainty of cancelled flights or lost luggage.

Do yourself a favour and make a small investment to help curb potential losses. I like AXA Travel Insurance for its reasonable rates and great benefits.

Suggested guidebooks

• Moon Travel Guides: USA, Canada, Mexico
• Lonely Planet Guidebooks: USA, Canada, Mexico
• National Geographic Road Atlas 2024: Adventure Edition offers a North America travel map for thrill-seekers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Interesting facts

• The USA is about the size of Europe – so there are lots of hidden gems.
• Copper Canyon in Mexico is actually much bigger than the Grand Canyon.
• Canada has more coastline than anywhere in the world.
• The Missouri River (not the Mississippi) is the longest in North America.

Time zone

Pacific Time (UTC-7/UTC-8)
Mountain Time (UTC-6/UTC-7)
Central Time (UTC-5/UTC-6)
Atlantic Time (UTC-3/UTC-4)
Alaska Time (UTC-8/UTC- 9)
Hawaiian Time (UTC-10)

Electricity and adapters

North America mainly uses Type A and Type B plugs. Bring a universal travel adaptor if you’re visiting from elsewhere.