Hailing from the Great White North, the idea of travelling in North America (literally) hits close to home for me. Admittedly, I don’t feel the same pull towards visiting destinations close to home as more “exotic” places like Asia or even the more familiar streets of a European city.
I’ll admit that even without that sense of being away from home, I seem addicted to: There are some pretty damn amazing places to visit on this great continent. Below, you’ll find some of our favorites…
Planning to visit other top regions? Check out our other World Travel Guides!
When to visit North America
Okay, trust me: I recognize the impossibility of answering the query above to anyone’s satisfaction in a few words. (But, hey, I needed to stick to the same structure in these travel guides. Give me a pass if my answer doesn’t quite cut it. Deal?)
North America is vast and covers numerous climatic zones, so there’s bound to be some inconsistency in locking down when to visit. Which time of year to visit depends as much on your intended destination as your interests.
The best time to visit North America is the summer months between June and August or the late spring and early fall.
Of course, that’s kinda misleading. Different destinations throughout the continent will experience varying weather patterns during the same months.
To dial it in, always check the recommendations for each city or region you’re planning to visit. Here are a few general things I’d suggest keeping in mind:
- The winter months can get unsettlingly cold in the northern part of the continent. If you dislike cold weather, avoid Canada and the northern United States in the winter. If you love skiing or winter sports, or want to see the Northern Lights, however, winter is a great season to travel.
- Alternatively, the southern United States and Mexico offer a reprieve from the cold in the winter months for northerners.
- Hurricane season occurs between June and November in the southern areas of North America. Keep an eye on the weather before travelling to the south at this time.
- For hiking, autumn is one of the best times of the year to visit North America. In popular hiking locations like Utah, the summer heat can get excessive. In spring, mosquitoes elsewhere on the continent can be a real drag. (Trust me, I grew up in Northern Ontario. You do NOT want to deal with this!)
Where to go in North America
Much like the weather, in a continent as diverse and varied as North America, it’s impossible to sum up exactly what to expect. Moving across the continent, travelers can experience a seemingly endless array of landscapes, from picture-perfect coastlines to primeval forests to desolate deserts to swoon-worthy alpine scenery.
Canada
As the second-biggest country in the world, Canada is a good bet to hedge upon if you’re looking to stock up on a veritable lifetime of experiences. While cities like Vancouver, Montreal, or Toronto come first to mind when planning a trip to Canada, in my opinion, they play second fiddle to the country’s natural beauty.
Along the west coast, Canada’s finest scenery awaits. Wind-swept coastlines give way to coastal mountains merging inland to the east over a distance that’d envelop a European country or two. With its laid-back maritime attitude and seascape, the east coast provides an equally beguiling escape.
Perhaps most compelling about Canada, though, is its diversity. Walk the streets of your favourite Canadian city and you’ll be as likely to stumble upon a curry house or ramen joint as a poutinerie.
Throw into the mix world-famous politeness and hospitality (and a healthy national obsession with hockey), and you’ll see why so many travellers instantly feel at home in the Great White North.
Ready to plan your trip to Canada? Check out these featured resources from our Canada Travel Guide!
United States
Much like its northern neighbour, trying to tie together an idea of what awaits travelers in the United States is impossible. The sprawl of the country, east to west and north to south, across several time zones and climate areas, is a simple indicator of the variety of landscapes that you’ll stumble upon. From deserts ringed with canyons and mountains to lush forests sprawled over rivers and alpine mountainscapes, it’s all there for the taking.
Perhaps even more famous than its natural attractions are America’s cities. There’s hardly a person on earth who hasn’t dreamed of drowning in the bustle of New York City, celeb-hunting in Los Angeles, loosening their purse strings in Las Vegas, or sipping cocktails to the sounds of jazz in New Orleans.
Whichever side of the coin you’re on, the USA isn’t a travel destination that’ll disappoint you.
Ready to plan your trip to the USA? Check out these featured resources from our United States Travel Guide!
Transportation in North America
Getting there
By air
Unless you’re entering by road from Central America—which is probably not the smartest decision these days!—you’ll arrive in North America by air.
From nearly every corner of the world, you’ll find flights to the major airports of North America, including:
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- New York City John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
- Mexico City International Airport (MEX)
- Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
- Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL).
Getting around
By air
Thanks to increased competition throughout the continent, air travel is becoming increasingly more affordable in North America. There are several low-cost carriers including Southwest and JetBlue in the United States and Porter, WestJet, and Air Canada Rouge in Canada.
By bus
Although bus is usually the cheapest way to travel in North America, it’s rarely the most comfortable mode of transportation given the large distances between many cities.
By train
More comfortable than buses, trains can be a good option for certain itineraries (and for train buffs, of course!). In the US, Amtrak has an extensive rail network that extends coast to coast.
