OUR NORTH AMERICA TRAVEL GUIDE
Being the third-largest continent in the world, North America is home to Mexico, Canada, and the United States. Because of its size, there are SO many things you can do on a trip to North America—hit the ski slopes in Canada, drive the coastline and visit all the national parks in California, catch some rays in Mexico, go scuba diving off the coast of Florida, and explore the islands of Puerto Rico.
There is a destination in North America to vacation to for every season of the year. You can literally hit the mountains, beaches, and desert all in one trip!
North America is a huge region to explore. Twenty-three countries make up North America with most of those countries falling under the Caribbean and Central America.
Canada is one of the most popular destinations for hikers. Banff National Park attracts thousands of visitors each year who want to explore the famous lakes and trails. Winter sports lovers can visit the snowy town of Whistler, or you can wander around the massive cities of Vancouver and Toronto.
The U.S is an expansive country made up off 50 very diverse states. Although we visited the U.S, we haven’t yet even scratched the surface. Some of the most popular things to add to your bucketlist if you are planning to visit the United States include a roatrip down the California Coast, visiting the Grand Canyon and all the other national parks such as Yellowstone, Joshua Tree and Zion, spending an exciting weekend in Las Vegas or watching a show on the Broadway of NYC.
Mexico is one of the most popular spring break and vacation destinations for North Americans. It’s only a short flight from California, and there’s plenty to see and do. If you’re a history lover, you can explore the ancient Mayan ruins, or you can spend your days relaxing on the beautiful beaches in Isla Holbox!
The Caribbean is what tropical dreams are made of! The region is made up of the Caribbean Sea and 30 island territories but thousands more islets, reefs, and cays. Each island has a different influence and history, so we love that each destination in the Caribbean is so unique.
Central America is brimming with diversity, beauty, and history. Central America is made up of the countries of Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama, and has quickly become one of my favorite destinations for jungle adventures, surfing, and scuba diving.
Canada is one of the most popular destinations for hikers. Banff National Park attracts thousands of visitors each year who want to explore the famous lakes and trails. Winter sports lovers can visit the snowy town of Whistler, or you can wander around the massive cities of Vancouver and Toronto.
The U.S is an expansive country made up off 50 very diverse states. Although we visited the U.S, we haven’t yet even scratched the surface. Some of the most popular things to add to your bucketlist if you are planning to visit the United States include a roatrip down the California Coast, visiting the Grand Canyon and all the other national parks such as Yellowstone, Joshua Tree and Zion, spending an exciting weekend in Las Vegas or watching a show on the Broadway of NYC.
Mexico is one of the most popular spring break and vacation destinations for North Americans. It’s only a short flight from California, and there’s plenty to see and do. If you’re a history lover, you can explore the ancient Mayan ruins, or you can spend your days relaxing on the beautiful beaches in Isla Holbox!
The Caribbean is what tropical dreams are made of! The region is made up of the Caribbean Sea and 30 island territories but thousands more islets, reefs, and cays. Each island has a different influence and history, so we love that each destination in the Caribbean is so unique.
Central America is brimming with diversity, beauty, and history. Central America is made up of the countries of Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama, and has quickly become one of my favorite destinations for jungle adventures, surfing, and scuba diving.
OUR SUGGESTED ITINERARY FOR NORTH AMERICA
If you would like to see more than one country in North America on your next family holiday, then we would suggest you combine a trip to Canada with the United States. This is partially based on the roadtrip Katharina took with her dad in the United States. Here is how you could spend 2 weeks in North America.
- DAY 1 to 3 – Vancouver (3 nights)
- DAY 4 to 5 – Seattle (2 nights)
- DAY 6 – Portland (1 night)
- DAY 7 to 9 – San Francisco (3 nights)
- DAY 10 to 11 – Los Angeles (2 nights)
- DAY 12 to 14 – Grand Canyon (3 nights)
WHERE TO GO IN NORTH AMERICA
Are you travelling to North America for the first time or returning for more? We hope to simplify your trip and help you choose where to go, how long to stay and what to do once you arrive. Browse all of our destination guides for more ideas.
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT NORTH AMERICA
The best time to visit North America all depends on what you want to see and do. If you’re going to explore Yellowstone National Park and see the bears, plan your trip between March to May.
For polar bear watching in Canada, the chilly months of October and November are ideal. March is also a good time to visit if you want to see the cubs come out of their dens!
For a chance of witnessing the Northern Lights, you’ll want to head as far north as possible into Canada’s Yukon Territory. Hiking in the USA should be avoided in the height of summer as the heat is dangerously high.
If you are heading to Central America, you need to plan your trip around hurricanes and heat waves if you want good weather. Generally, the best time to visit any of the seven countries in Central America is during the dry season. From November to April, you can explore Belize, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Guatemala without having to worry about heavy storms ruining your vacation.
You’ll also want to check if your travel dates fall on any of the major US holidays. Prices for flights will skyrocket over these periods, and you’ll need to book your hotel well in advance.
FAMILY TRAVEL IN NORTH AMERICA
North America has an abundance of family-friendly destinations from Orlando to Niagara Falls to the beaches of Mexico, Florida, and California, and much more in between
You can be guaranteed baby-friendly hotels and restaurants in every town and city and you will also be able to find all of your formula, food, nappies, and wipes. There are also plenty of baby equipment rental outlets which means you do not have to transport large bulky equipment by plane and can rent it at your destination.
North America is filled with attractions which will please all members of the family. From Florida, you can take a Disney Cruise to the Caribbean. You can also visit Mickey Mouse at Disney World or take a trip to Universal Studios. There are also some incredible beaches in California and of course on the East Coast you have the coastal towns of Cape Cod, Fire Island and Rehoboth, to name but a few. Further South in Mexico you can enjoy the beaches of Cancun and Playa del Carmen and visit the ruins of the great Mayan civilisations. Canada also has an abundance of outdoor activities and its cities are very baby and toddler friendly.
WHAT TO PACK FOR YOUR TRIP TO NORTH AMERICA
North American weather can be extremely varied depending on the season you’re traveling and where exactly within the country you’re going, so always check a predicted weather forecast.
For most of North America casual is the main dress style – even for dining out. Jeans are always popular and will serve as a versatile base to your wardrobe. Wear them with cool layers such as a camisoles or t-shirts for the summer, or warmer ones e.g. a long-sleeved shirt and thick sweater in the winter.
In the summer wear plenty of sunscreen, sunglasses and a sunhat. Ensure you bring a versatile travel jacket too. There really is loads to see and do and most of it is best done on foot, so make sure you take comfy footwear for daytime.
You can pack light for your trip to North America as it’s very easy to get clothes laundered or find shops to buy anything you need.
OUR TOP ARTICLES ABOUT NORTH AMERICA
Thirty Top Destinations to Visit in Canada
Ideas for memorable places to include in a trip across Canada.
Read more
On Horseback Through the Dominican Republic
Memories of exploring the Dominican Republic on horseback.
Read moreTHE BEST GUIDE BOOKS FOR NORTH AMERICA
North America is vast, so a good guidebook can make planning routes, transport and accommodation much easier. Our articles share our own experiences, while guidebooks are useful for maps and practical information on the road.