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

A guide by travellers
North America
🗓️ Updated: 3. 7. 20264 countries

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.

Lucie a Lukáš — Loudavým krokem
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
Countries in North America: take your pick

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.

Guides and tips: North America
ESTA for the USA 2026: How to Apply Step by Step
ESTA for the USA 2026: How to Apply Step by Step
ESTA for the USA step by step: where to apply, how much it costs (~$40), how long it lasts, the new selfie rule and w…
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New York Transportation 2026: Subway (OMNY) and Getting From the Airport
New York Transportation 2026: Subway (OMNY) and Getting From the Airport
New York transportation in 2026: how to pay on the subway with OMNY, how much a ride costs, getting from JFK, Newark…
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Yucatán Cenotes: The 12 Most Beautiful + Rules and Tips
Yucatán Cenotes: The 12 Most Beautiful + Rules and Tips
Yucatán cenotes: the 12 most beautiful (Suytún, Ik Kil, Dos Ojos, Oxman) + rules. Sunscreen bans, entry fees, when to…
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Mexico Wildlife: When and Where to See Whales, Whale Sharks and Turtles
Mexico Wildlife: When and Where to See Whales, Whale Sharks and Turtles
A Mexico wildlife calendar: grey whales and humpbacks in Baja, whale sharks, sea turtles, monarch butterflies and fla…
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How Much Does a Trip to Alberta & BC Cost in 2026: Budget for Couples, Families and Backpackers
How Much Does a Trip to Alberta & BC Cost in 2026: Budget for Couples, Families and Backpackers
Planning a trip to the Canadian Rockies in Alberta, Canada in 2026? We’ve put together a detailed budget, real prices…
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Mexico Travel from the UK: Flights, the ESTA Trap on US Layovers & Insurance 2026
Mexico Travel from the UK: Flights, the ESTA Trap on US Layovers & Insurance 2026
Mexico travel from the UK: how to find cheap flights, the ESTA trap on US layovers, visas, insurance, money (DCC), eS…
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When to Visit Mexico: Weather Month by Month, Hurricanes & Sargassum 2026
When to Visit Mexico: Weather Month by Month, Hurricanes & Sargassum 2026
When is the best time to visit Mexico? The dry season runs December–April. Weather month by month, hurricane season,…
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Shopping in New York: 20 Stores & Spots (5th Avenue, SoHo, Outlets) 2026
Shopping in New York: 20 Stores & Spots (5th Avenue, SoHo, Outlets) 2026
Shopping in New York: where to shop (5th Avenue, SoHo, Macy’s, Woodbury Common outlet), how sales tax works, what’s w…
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New York Neighborhoods: 15 Tips for Brooklyn, Queens & Harlem 2026
New York Neighborhoods: 15 Tips for Brooklyn, Queens & Harlem 2026
New York neighborhoods like a local: what to see in Brooklyn (Williamsburg, DUMBO), diverse Queens, bohemian Greenwic…
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Revelstoke, Canada: 12 Things to See and Do (Heritage City & Meadows in the Sky)
Revelstoke, Canada: 12 Things to See and Do (Heritage City & Meadows in the Sky)
Discover the authentic mountain town of Revelstoke, Canada, which offers some of the most beautiful viewpoints and th…
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Is New York Safe? 5 Scams to Avoid (and Tips)
Is New York Safe? 5 Scams to Avoid (and Tips)
Is New York safe? Yes — for tourists it’s one of the safest big cities. Here’s what to watch out for: the most common…
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San Miguel de Allende, Mexico: 12 Tips + Colonial Bajío
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico: 12 Tips + Colonial Bajío
San Miguel de Allende is Mexico’s most beautiful colonial town. 12 tips — the Parroquia, El Jardín, La Aurora, roofto…
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Show all articles: North America (172) →

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

Where should I go in North America for the first time?
If you want a sure thing experience-wise, go for the USA – you’ll find big cities, national parks and coastline all on one trip. Mexico is ideal for relaxing by the sea, while Canada is best for nature and peace and quiet.
Do I need a visa for the USA and Canada?
Czech travellers usually don’t need a traditional visa, but rather an online permit: ESTA for the USA and eTA for Canada. You apply online in advance and they’re valid for multiple entries over a set period.
When is the best time to travel to North America?
It depends on your destination. Head north (Canada, the northern USA) in summer, June to September. For the south (Mexico, the southern USA), the dry winter is best, roughly November to April.
Can North America be done on a budget?
Mexico works out cheapest; the USA and Canada are pricier, mainly because of accommodation and transport. You’ll save by booking flights well ahead, travelling off-season and choosing your accommodation wisely.
Can I combine several countries on one trip?
Yes, and it often makes sense. The USA pairs brilliantly with Mexico, or with Canada. Just allow time for the transfers and remember you’ll need entry permits for each country.
What's the deal with hurricanes?
Hurricane season mainly affects the Caribbean and the south, peaking from August to October. If you’re heading to the sea in Mexico, plan your trip for the winter and spring months instead.
Is it worth renting a car in the USA?
For road trips and national parks, absolutely – the USA is built for driving. Book your vehicle ahead and watch out for insurance fees and one-way drop-off charges.
How long a trip is worth it?
Given the distance and length of the flight, we recommend at least 10–14 days for a single country or region. For combining several countries, plan on three weeks or more.