Adventure Across
North America

North America: From Arctic Tundra to Caribbean Coral

North America stretches from the Arctic Ocean to the Panama Canal — a continental landmass of extraordinary geographical variety that encompasses temperate rainforests, volcanic archipelagos, desert canyon country, Caribbean beaches, and some of the most productive agricultural land on earth. It is home to three of the world's most visited tourist destinations (New York, Mexico City, and Cancún), the world's longest national coastline (Canada), the most biodiverse marine environment north of the equator (the Sea of Cortez), and two of the world's most spectacular mountain ranges. For travellers, this diversity means that North America can satisfy almost any travel appetite without requiring a flight to another continent.

The United States, Canada, and Mexico each offer travel experiences so different from one another that they deserve to be considered as distinct destinations rather than a single region. Canada's wilderness — the Rocky Mountain national parks, the boreal forest, the Haida Gwaii archipelago, and the northern lights of the Yukon — is among the most spectacular in the world, with infrastructure that makes it accessible to visitors of all fitness levels. Mexico's cultural depth — 35 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 68 recognised Indigenous languages still spoken, and a culinary tradition listed on UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage register — rivals any country in Europe for historical richness. And the United States offers a scale of diversity that makes it a continent unto itself: the jazz bars of New Orleans, the canyon country of the Colorado Plateau, the redwood forests of Northern California, and the art deco hotels of South Beach are as different from each other as France is from Finland.

In 2026, North America's travel landscape is being shaped by several strong trends. Mexico's Pacific coast — particularly Oaxaca city and the Oaxacan coast around Puerto Escondido — has become one of the world's most in-demand travel destinations, drawing chefs, surfers, and design-conscious travellers to a region that combines extraordinary gastronomy with world-class waves and relatively affordable prices. Canada's Indigenous tourism has matured into world-class experiences — from coastal First Nations cultural tours in British Columbia to aurora-watching programs run by Cree guides in northern Saskatchewan. And the United States' national park system, celebrating its 110th anniversary, continues to draw record visitors to landscapes — Zion, Arches, Glacier, the Everglades — of matchless beauty.

North America by Region — Where to Go

North America's travel regions each have a distinct identity and offer different travel experiences. Here's where to focus depending on what you're looking for.

Best Time to Visit North America

North America's vast size means there's always somewhere in perfect season. Here's how to plan by region and interest.

North America Travel Tips for 2026

• 🛂 Entry Requirements — ESTA, eTA, and Visas United States: most European and other visa-waiver country passport holders require an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) — apply online at least 72 hours before departure, costs $21, and is valid for 2 years. Canada: most foreign visitors require an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) for flights into Canada — apply online before departure. Mexico: no advance visa required for most Western passport holders — tourist card (FMM) is issued on arrival. Central American countries have varying requirements — check for your specific passport well in advance.
• 🚗 Road Trips — North America's Best Travel Mode North America's highway infrastructure and driving culture make road trips the ideal way to experience the continent's scale. The Pacific Coast Highway from San Francisco to Los Angeles, the Sea-to-Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler, the Icefields Parkway from Banff to Jasper, and the Yucatán coastal road from Cancún to Tulum are among the most scenic drives in the world. Renting a car gives access to national parks, small towns, and landscapes that no other transport mode can match. Gas prices, distances, and drive times should be planned carefully — US national parks in particular require early morning arrivals to avoid traffic.
• 🌮 Mexico Food Safety Mexican food is extraordinary, and the street food is often among the best the country offers — but food safety practices vary. The rule followed by experienced Mexico travellers: eat at busy stalls with high turnover (where food doesn't sit); avoid raw vegetables and fruit that may have been washed in tap water unless you're confident of the source; drink bottled or purified water; ice in restaurants in major cities and tourist areas is generally safe (made from purified water). Don't let fear prevent you from eating tacos al pastor from a street cart — this is where Mexico's culinary soul lives.
• 🐻 Wildlife Safety in Canadian Parks The Canadian Rockies have healthy populations of grizzly and black bears, wolves, elk, and moose — all of which can be dangerous if approached. Carry bear spray on all hiking trails in Banff and Jasper and know how to use it. Make noise when hiking to avoid surprising wildlife. Keep a distance of at least 30 metres from elk and 100 metres from bears — elk during the September rut can be surprisingly aggressive. Never feed wildlife. Store food, coolers, and anything scented in your vehicle or a provided wildlife cache, not in your tent. The parks provide excellent wildlife safety briefings at park gates.