Explore North America – An Epic Travel Guide to Every Country

Introduction to Explore North America

From the icy Arctic islands of Canada to the steamy jungles of Central America and the turquoise Caribbean Sea, North America is a continent of staggering contrast. Home to over 20 countries, it merges skyscraper cities with indigenous cultures, rugged wilderness with ancient ruins, and tropical beach escapes with alpine peaks. Whether you’re drawn to wild road trips, Mayan temples, or foodie capitals — there’s a corner of North America ready to reshape your travel dreams.

Start your journey with our complete North America Travel Guide and explore every country, region, and experience waiting for you.

North America by Region – Countries to Explore

Northern North America – Arctic Peaks & Forest Frontiers

Vast landscapes, long summer days, and winter wonderlands define this remote northern region. It’s a playground for wildlife lovers, northern lights seekers, and off-grid adventurers.

• Canada
• Greenland (territory of Denmark)
• Alaska (USA state, treated as regional highlight)

Explore our full Canada Travel Guide and plan bucket-list journeys from Banff to Quebec.

Central North America – Urban Giants & Prairie Roads

This core region blends iconic cities with endless open skies. Expect architectural marvels, music scenes, national parks, and the cultural pulse of the continent.

• United States of America
• Mexico

Dive into the USA Travel Guide and see why it’s the ultimate land of contrasts — coastlines, canyons, and cultural cross-country trips.

Explore Mexico Travel Guide for Aztec ruins, street tacos, cenotes, and vibrant colonial cities.

Central America – Volcanoes, Rainforests & Ancient Civilizations

This lush land bridge connects North and South America with wild beauty and deep history. Perfect for eco-adventures, cultural immersion, and laid-back surfing towns.

• Belize
• Guatemala
• Honduras
• El Salvador
• Nicaragua
• Costa Rica
• Panama

Explore our Guatemala Travel Guide for Mayan sites and colorful highland towns, and don’t miss Costa Rica Travel Guide for jungles, sloths, and pura vida spirit.

The Caribbean – Island Escapes & Afro-Caribbean Culture

White sands, reggae rhythms, and colonial forts await across this tropical region of 7,000+ islands. It’s a mosaic of independent nations and territories offering laid-back vibes or luxury living.

• Cuba
• Jamaica
• Haiti
• Dominican Republic
• Bahamas
• Barbados
• Saint Lucia
• Grenada
• Antigua & Barbuda
• Saint Kitts & Nevis
• Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
• Trinidad & Tobago
• Dominica
• Puerto Rico (territory of USA)
• US Virgin Islands
• British Virgin Islands
• Aruba (territory of the Netherlands)
• Curaçao
• Saint Martin / Sint Maarten
• Anguilla
• Bermuda

Explore our Puerto Rico Travel Guide for rainforest hikes and San Juan nightlife, and plan luxury getaways with our St. Barthelemy Travel Guide — and enjoy the Caribbean Islands Escapes like never before with insider tips, island highlights, and curated experiences for every kind of traveler.

Explore North America

Canada

• Regional Breakdown: Vancouver’s coast and mountains, Toronto’s urban skyline, Quebec City’s historic center, Alberta’s Rockies, Prince Edward Island charm.
• Culture & History: Indigenous cultures, French and British colonial heritage, fur trade posts, Canadian Confederation sites.
• Where to Eat: Poutine (Quebec), butter tarts (Ontario), fresh Atlantic lobster (Nova Scotia), Nanaimo bars (BC).
• Beaches & Nature: Banff and Jasper National Parks, Niagara Falls, Cabot Trail, Prince Edward Island’s red beaches.
• Viewpoints: CN Tower (Toronto), Moraine Lake lookout, Mont-Royal (Montreal), Signal Hill (Newfoundland).
• Nightlife: Montreal’s club scene, Toronto’s bar districts, coastal pubs in Halifax, indie music in Vancouver.
• Best Time to Visit: June to September (summer outdoors), February for ski resorts, October for fall foliage.
• Nearby Destinations: USA, Greenland, France’s Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
• Things to do in Canada

Mexico

• Regional Breakdown: Yucatán cenotes, Mexico City’s colonial plazas, Oaxaca’s food culture, Baja California’s beaches, Chiapas jungle ruins.
• Culture & History: Maya and Aztec civilizations, Spanish colonial towns, Día de los Muertos, colorful mercados.
• Where to Eat: Tacos al pastor, mole poblano, tamales, pozole, cochinita pibil, street elote.
• Beaches & Nature: Tulum and Cancun’s Caribbean shores, Pacific surfing in Puerto Escondido, Copper Canyon, Cenote Ik Kil.
• Viewpoints: Pyramid of the Sun (Teotihuacán), Palenque temples, Mirador del Valle (Copper Canyon), Punta Cometa (Oaxaca coast).
• Nightlife: Mezcal bars in Oaxaca, beach clubs in Playa del Carmen, mariachi in Guadalajara, rooftop lounges in Mexico City.
• Best Time to Visit: November to April (dry season); avoid coastal humidity in summer.
• Nearby Destinations: USA, Belize, Guatemala.
• Things to do in Mexico

United States

• Regional Breakdown: New York City skyscrapers, California coastlines, Florida beaches, Alaska’s wilderness, the Rocky Mountains, the American Southwest.
• Culture & History: Native American heritage, Civil Rights landmarks, Revolutionary War sites, Route 66 nostalgia, national museums.
• Where to Eat: Deep-dish pizza (Chicago), Southern BBQ (Memphis), Tex-Mex (Austin), bagels and lox (NYC), clam chowder (Boston).
• Beaches & Nature: Yosemite National Park, Grand Canyon, Outer Banks, Florida Keys, Lake Tahoe, Olympic National Park.
• Viewpoints: Top of the Rock (NYC), Glacier Point (Yosemite), Grand Canyon South Rim, Cadillac Mountain (Maine).
• Nightlife: Broadway theaters, Vegas strip clubs, rooftop bars in Miami, live jazz in New Orleans, speakeasies in LA.
• Best Time to Visit: March to May, September to October (best weather); ski season in winter; beach destinations peak in summer.
• Nearby Destinations: Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean.
• Things to do in United States

Top Places to Visit in North America

Cultural Capitals

• New York City, USA – Skyscrapers, Broadway, and world-class museums.
• Mexico City, Mexico – Ancient canals meet modern gastronomy and Aztec roots.
• Havana, Cuba – Time-warp charm with pastel cars and Afro-Cuban rhythms.
• Montreal, Canada – French flair, festivals, and historic Old Town vibes.

Natural Wonders

• Banff National Park, Canada – Glacial lakes and snow-dusted peaks.
• Grand Canyon, USA – An epic slice of geologic wonder and hiking thrills.
• Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica – Smoke-belching cones and hot springs.
• Blue Hole, Belize – A surreal diving site in the Caribbean Sea.

UNESCO Heritage Sites

• Chichen Itza, Mexico – Sacred Mayan pyramids and calendar temples.
• Antigua Guatemala – Cobblestone streets and colonial churches.
• Old Havana, Cuba – Spanish colonial elegance by the sea.
• Independence Hall, USA – The birthplace of American democracy.

Emerging & Off-the-Beaten-Path

• Corn Islands, Nicaragua – Underrated Caribbean bliss with minimal crowds.
• Lake Atitlán, Guatemala – Volcano-rimmed serenity and indigenous villages.
• Holbox Island, Mexico – No cars, just hammocks and flamingos.
• Viñales Valley, Cuba – Tobacco farms beneath limestone cliffs.

Hidden Gems

• Great Sand Dunes (Colorado, USA)

• Great Sand Dunes (St George, USA)

• Fogo Island (Newfoundland, Canada)

• Huasteca Potosina waterfalls (Mexico)

• Apostle Islands Ice Caves (Currently Closed to Visitors – Wisconsin, USA)

• Lakes National Park (Alberta, Canada)

• Bacalar Lagoon (Mexico)

How to Choose Where to Go in North America

Trying to decide between national parks, art cities, or Caribbean beaches? North America offers it all — and here’s how to narrow your journey.

• For nature escapes: Visit Canada’s Rockies, Alaska’s fjords, or Costa Rica’s rainforests.
• For ancient history: Head to Mexico, Guatemala, or Honduras to explore Mayan and Aztec ruins.
• For festivals: Experience Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Carnival in Trinidad, or the Guelaguetza in Oaxaca.
• For urban energy: Choose New York, Mexico City, Toronto, or Panama City for nightlife and museums.
• For slow travel: Island-hop in the Caribbean or spend weeks road-tripping from the Pacific to Atlantic.

Sample itinerary idea: Combine Mexico’s Yucatán with Belize’s reef and Guatemala’s highlands for a culturally rich, nature-packed trip.

How to Travel Between Countries in North America

Despite its size, North America is relatively easy to navigate with good infrastructure and air links.

• Flights: Major hubs include New York (JFK), Toronto (YYZ), Mexico City (MEX), and Panama City (PTY).
• Land crossings: U.S.–Mexico and Guatemala–Belize borders are commonly traveled.
• Ferries: Regular services connect Caribbean islands like St. Maarten–Anguilla or USVI–BVI.

Low-cost carriers like Southwest, JetBlue, and Volaris serve cross-border routes affordably. Central America is also well-connected by luxury buses and small regional airlines.

Visa tip: The U.S., Canada, and Mexico each have separate visa policies — double-check entry rules. Central America’s CA-4 agreement allows easy travel between El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Nicaragua.

Best Times to Visit North America

Avoid: Hurricane season (June–November) in the Caribbean, and mid-summer crowds in national parks.

Must-See Experiences Across North America

• Watch the northern lights in Yukon or Nunavut’s arctic skies.
• Snorkel with stingrays in the crystal-clear shallows of Grand Cayman.
• Trek Mayan temples at Tikal, Guatemala as howler monkeys echo overhead.
• Cruise through Alaska for glaciers, fjords, and whale encounters.
• Surf Pacific waves in El Salvador’s Punta Roca.
• Float in bioluminescent bays in Vieques, Puerto Rico under a moonless sky.
• Dance at Trinidad Carnival, the Caribbean’s biggest street party.
• Ride horses through cowboy country in Alberta or Texas.
• Raft whitewater rapids in Costa Rica’s Río Pacuare.
• Explore jazz bars and Creole cuisine in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Book immersive North America tours and experience unforgettable things to do in every country — from jungle treks and historic cities to arctic wildlife and island escapes.

Travel Safety & Cultural Etiquette in North America

• Canada & USA: Safe for most travelers, but beware of extreme winter conditions or wildfires.
• Mexico & Central America: Research specific regions — some areas face political or crime-related advisories. Use trusted transport and avoid isolated zones after dark.
• Caribbean islands: Generally safe, but monitor hurricane warnings and drink safety precautions.

Cultural tips:

• Respect indigenous customs and ask before photographing people.
• Modest dress is appreciated in small villages and churches.
• In Caribbean and Latin cultures, greetings and respect for elders matter.

Health:

• Some Central American countries recommend vaccines (e.g., Hep A, typhoid).
• Bottled water is advised in rural zones.
• Bring sun protection and bug repellent — especially in humid areas.

North America at a Glance – Key Travel Insights

Still Planning? See Our Full North America Country List

• Canada, USA, Mexico
• Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama
• Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago, Antigua & Barbuda, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Dominica, US Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Saint Martin, Sint Maarten, Aruba, Curaçao, Anguilla, Bermuda, Greenland

Find detailed guides on our site for each destination and start piecing together your North American adventure.

Final Planning Tips for Your North America Adventure

• Pack for wildly different climates — snow gear to swimsuits may all be needed.
• Download offline maps, hurricane alert apps, and translator tools.
• Check visa rules for cross-border routes (esp. USA/Canada/Mexico).
• Book key tours and national park permits in advance.
• Look for rail or regional airline passes to save on multi-stop trips.
• Respect indigenous and Caribbean community spaces — ask before entering sacred grounds.
• Learn basic phrases in Spanish or French if traveling beyond English-speaking zones.

Explore top North America tours and things to do in each country.
For more expert travel tips and unforgettable guides, visit our Homepage and start your journey today.