North America: Where to Go & How to Plan a Trip

North America is a continent where a single trip can take you from wild national parks to towering city skylines and palm-fringed beaches. The two of us keep coming back precisely because every country here offers a completely different kind of holiday – and yet they slot together surprisingly easily. If you’re torn between heading to the American West, the Canadian wilderness or the Mexican coast, you’re in the right place.

Think of this page as a signpost – you’ll find our guides to each country (USA, Canada, Mexico), a roundup of tours and themed articles all in one spot. First, though, we’ll help you pick the right country: we’ll point you to the best time to go, how to decide based on your holiday style and budget, and where you can save while planning. Specific tips on places to visit are waiting in the individual guides below.

This isn’t a catalogue

We’re Lucie and Lukáš — and travel is our life

The two of us put this guide together and keep an eye on it. We only pick trips and tips we’d take ourselves, and we only write about places worth your time.

✍️ We build it by hand — the two of us choose the destinations and tips, and bots help us keep the numbers up to date

🔄 We refresh prices every morning — no week-old trips or flights hanging around here

🧭 We only recommend places we’d go ourselves — and we’ll tell you what to skip too

When to visit North America

North America is vast, and the seasons shift mostly depending on whether you’re heading north or south. For Canada and the northern USA, summer (June–September) is the sweet spot – that’s when you can enjoy the national parks, lakes and cities without the extreme temperatures. If you’re after autumn colours (the famous “Indian summer”), aim for September and October, when it’s also a touch quieter and cheaper.

Down south – typically in Mexico and the southern USA – it works the other way around: the best time is the dry winter, roughly November to April, when it’s warmer, dry, and you’ll dodge both the heat and hurricane season (which peaks in August to October). Our advice is simple: if you want nature and mountains, head north in summer; if you want sea and warmth, head south in winter. ☺️

How to choose a country

When choosing a country, first get clear on the kind of holiday you’re picturing – that usually makes the decision easy:

• Sea and relaxation: hands down Mexico – Caribbean beaches, all-inclusive resorts and Mayan ruins, all at more reasonable prices than the USA.
• Mountains, lakes and wilderness: the safe bet is Canada – the Rockies, national parks and wide-open spaces where you’re more likely to meet a bear than a crowd.
• Big cities and road trips: the USA has it all, from New York to California to the national parks of the West – ideal if you want to pack lots of variety into one trip.
• Tight budget: Mexico comes out cheapest; budget for the USA and Canada as pricier destinations (mainly accommodation and domestic transport).

And don’t be afraid to combine countries – the USA with Mexico, or the USA with Canada, pair up brilliantly. You’ll find specific tips on routes and places in our guides for each country below.

Holiday deals to North America

−51 %

Punta Cana

Melia Caribe Beach Resort

od 67 320 Kč

−30 %

Punta Cana

Iberostar Selection Bávaro

od 66 675 Kč

−28 %

Punta Cana

Iberostar Waves Punta Cana

od 45 930 Kč

−28 %

Punta Cana

Grand Bávaro Princess

od 51 640 Kč

−28 %

Punta Cana

Coral Level At Iberostar Selection Bavaro

od 143 390 Kč

−26 %

Punta Cana

Iberostar Grand Hotel Bavaro

od 94 730 Kč

Všechny zájezdy →

How to save when planning

The biggest single cost of a trip to North America is usually the flight – it pays to sort this out 3–6 months ahead and keep an eye on it via comparison sites. Avoid departures in peak summer and around the holidays, when prices shoot up; spring and autumn are usually the cheapest.

• Accommodation in the USA and Canada is pricey – consider motels, hostels or campgrounds, and book early, especially near the national parks.
• Domestic flights within the USA are often cheaper and faster than long road transfers – do the maths and compare.
• Car rental: book ahead and watch out for hidden fees and insurance – they can inflate the price nicely. 😅
• Don’t forget your entry permit (USA ESTA, Canada eTA) – sort these out calmly in advance; leave it to the last minute and you’ll pay extra for rushed processing for nothing.

Our main tip: you’ll save the most by planning ahead and travelling outside peak season. A few weeks of prep can easily knock tens of percent off the cost of your trip.

Frequently asked questions