North America - Tour Highights and Travel Tips
Travel Highlights
- Look out across the ever-skyward New York city skyline from the 102 floor of the Empire State building.
- Kayak along the crystalline Lake Louise under the Victoria glacier in Alberta, Canda.
- Wander the winding streets, grand squares and galleries of Old Montreal.
- Cycle across the Golden Gate bridge, San Francisco.
- Sample the delicious blend of where east meets west in San Francisco’s China Town.
- Step out onto the North Rim Lodge of the Grand Canyon and just try to comprehend the scale of what you’re seeing.
- Dare to cross the Capilano suspension bridge, Vancouver.
- Grab a few friends, a convertible car and traverse the classic Route 66 between Chicago and Los Angeles.
- Stay in a majestic, restored hacienda of the Yucatán before climbing the pyramids of Chichén Itzá, one of the seven wonders of the world, found on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula.
- Watch a traditional Lucha Libre wrestling show at Arena México, Mexico City’s largest wrestling arena.
- Climb through the cloud forest of Reserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde in Costa Rica.
- Explore the surprisingly cosmopolitan Panama City, the most sophisticated in Central America. Don’t forget to check out the Panama Canal.
- Relax amongst the colourful huts of the tiny island of Caye Caulker island in Belize.
Travel Tips
- Hostels and guest houses are great accommodation options in North America. They’re a surefire way to meet locals and other travellers and, especially in the more southern parts can be as cheap as $5-$10 per night.
- Camping in national parks is also a different way to experience the country you’re visiting. Spend a night under the stars and make a memory that will last forever.
- In the United States and Canada, food portions are usually giant compared to other parts of the world. Don’t be afraid to ask for leftovers to go - one meal can end up lasting you the whole day!
- In more southern countries, such as Mexico, local restaurants are where you want to eat. A decent local meal can cost just a couple of dollars and will be a taste explosion.
- While in North America, embrace buses. From cross-country coaches to mini-van style local routes, they’re by far the cheapest way to get around in almost any country you’ll visit.
- Flying is also another easy, and often affordable, transport method. Though it won’t equate to a bus journey.
- Tipping is a big deal in North America. Hospitality wages in almost all North American countries are low, so an appropriate tip of between 15-20% of the bill. Having a wad of $1 bills will make your time tipping in North America much easier.