12 Best Places To Visit In North America

best places to visit in north america
Manjiri
Manjiri 
Updated
| 4 min read

Located entirely in the pleasant Northern Hemisphere, North America is a fabulous continent full of beautiful destinations to explore. Millions of tourists worldwide visit every year to enrich their travel experience. It is composed of countries such as the United States, Canada, Cuba, and more. Historic sites, geological wonders, natural attractions, incredible manmade wonders, and many other landmarks adorn this continent. Whether you are a nature lover, a wildlife enthusiast, a history buff, a cultural enthusiast, an art lover, or a Disney fan, North America has everything you need for a great holiday experience. So if you are planning a trip here, knowing about some of the best destinations to explore will make your excursion more enjoyable and interesting. Keep reading to find some best places to visit in North America.

1. Saint Lucia

Saint-Lucia (16077332762)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Jean-Marc Astesana used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Saint Lucia is a beautiful island in the Caribbean that offers a lot of activities for tourists. The island is home to many beaches, including some of the top beaches in Saint Lucia such as Plantation Beach and Rodney Bay. The island also has many natural wonders such as the Piton Mountains which are designated as a World Heritage Site.

For hikers, there’s the lush rainforest, Pidgeon Island National Park, and Tet Paul Nature Trail. If you’re feeling lucky, you can visit Treasure Bay Casino Saint Lucia and try your luck with cards or roulette.

2. Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico Beaches 03
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user https://www.flick... used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island with a rich history, diverse culture, and stunning natural beauty. Whether you are looking for adventure, relaxation, or romance, Puerto Rico has something for everyone. You can explore the colonial charm of Old San Juan, the vibrant nightlife of San Juan, the lush rainforest of El Yunque, the bioluminescent bays of Vieques and Fajardo, the surfing paradise of Rincon, the coffee plantations of Ponce, and much more.

Puerto Rico also offers a variety of cuisines, music, art, and festivals that reflect its multicultural heritage. No matter what you choose to do, you will be enchanted by the island’s warm hospitality and friendly people.

3. United States

Statue of Liberty, NY
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user William Warby used under CC BY 2.0

Composed of 50 states and encompassing a gigantic area of North America, the United States is one of the best countries to visit in North America and offers numerous destinations to explore. The heavenly Hawaii Islands, the Statue of Liberty in New York, Hollywood, the capital city of Washington, D.C., and many other states and cities greet visitors every year and offer an enriching travel experience. Marvel at the incredible Grand Canyon. Spend a fun-filled vacation with kids exploring numerous amusement parks in Orlando, Florida. If you are an art lover or you enjoy exploring cultural landmarks, plan to visit Chicago, Illinois.

4. Cuba

El Capitolio Havana Cuba
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Nigel Pacquette used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Plan to explore Cuba, a beautiful Caribbean island in North America, during your holidays. Sugar-white shores and tobacco fields adorn this place in North America. Visit Havana, the capital city, and admire the pastel houses that line the streets, along with impressive Spanish-colonial architecture and cars dating back to the 1950s. A short drive from Havana will take you to a famous beach resort town called Varadero. Enjoy a beach excursion on the sandy beaches and azure waters. If you are an explorer, visit Bellamar Caves, a sprawling cavern system in Matanzas.

5. Canada

Peyto Lake-Banff NP-Canada
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Tobi 87 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Extending from the USA in the south to the breathtaking Arctic Circle in the north, Canada is a wonderful country in North America. Ottawa is famous for being its capital, but Canada as a whole is known for being home to the jaw-dropping Niagara Falls and the scenic Rocky Mountains. From bustling Toronto and Vancouver to French-speaking Montreal and Quebec, there are many prominent cities in Canada worth exploring. Do not miss visiting the spectacular and picture-worthy Penticton City in British Columbia, where it’s located amid two lakes with rolling mountains in the background and vineyards surrounding the area. You can also experience the wilderness by visiting Banff National Park.

6. Belize

Belize Caye Caulker-209
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Dronepicr used under CC BY 3.0

Famous for being one of the last remaining pristine places on the globe, Belize is undoubtedly an enchanting country to visit. It’s an English-speaking nation that houses a diverse population. Beautiful tropical beaches, a huge barrier reef, verdant forests, and ancient Mayan ruins make it a perfect vacation hotspot. Belmopan is famous as the capital of the country. Make sure you visit the gigantic Belize Barrier Reef and some low-lying islands and discover the incredibly rich marine life here. Caracol, Lamanai by the lagoon, and Altun Ha are some of the Mayan ruins that history buffs can explore.

7. Panama

HDR of Panama City, Panama
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Matthew Straubmuller used under CC BY 2.0

Sitting on a strip of land connecting Central and South America is Panama - the most beautiful place in North America that you should plan to visit. The name Panama supposedly means ‘an abundance of fish’, and fishing is one of the several water activities enjoyed here. See the marvelous feat of human engineering at Panama Canal, which connects the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Panama City, the capital of the country, has several modern skyscrapers, nightclubs, and casinos, while Casco Viejo is home to spectacular colonial buildings. Nature lovers will enjoy the lush, green areas at Metropolitan Natural Park.

8. Greenland

Nuuk - capital of Greenland - panoramio
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user patano used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Greenland is an incredible country - it is a gigantic island and an autonomous Danish territory bordered by the Arctic and North Atlantic oceans. Nuuk is famous as its capital, and most of the country is enveloped by ice. The population is very small, about 60,000, and residents usually stay on the ice-free areas and fjord-lined shores. Due to its peculiar location, you can view the spectacular Northern Lights and the summer’s midnight sun here.

9. Guatemala

Guatemala City (663)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Rigostar used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Home to breathtaking volcanoes, ancient Mayan sites, and lush rainforests, Guatemala is a mesmerizing country located in the south of Mexico. Guatemala City is famous as its capital, and it is home to the popular National Palace of Culture and Plaza Espana. Visit various preserved Spanish colonial structures in Antigua. Admire the spectacular views of Lake Atitlan, which was created due to an enormous volcanic crater, and visit the wonderful coffee fields and countrysides that surrounds it.

10. Mexico

Mexico Dic 06 045 1
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Juan Fernando Ibarra used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

Mexico is a spectacular country located between Central America and the USA. It’s popular for its deserts, forests, and mountains. It also boasts elegant Pacific shores and pristine beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. Make sure you visit ancient ruins such as Chichén Itzá and San Juan Teotihuacán during your excursion here. Tour through amazing towns that date back to the Spanish colonial era. Visit popular museums, shop at upscale malls, and enjoy fine dining at the gourmet restaurants in the capital city.

11. The Bahamas

Bahamas zz
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user caseyhelbling used under CC BY-SA 2.0

A beautiful archipelago, the Bahamas is another best vacation spot in North America. Nassau is popular as the capital of this island paradise. The Bahamas is comprised of more than 700 islands and cays that range from uninhabited areas to packed, upscale beach resorts. Among these, the Grand Bahamas and the enchanting Paradise Island are some of the islands that are home to massive, luxury hotels. Do not miss the fun of snorkeling and scuba diving at Andros Barrier Reef and Thunderball Grotto, or seeing the black coral gardens at Bimini island.

12. Costa Rica (from USD 145.0)

Explore this rainforested nation close to the waters of the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Even though the capital city of San Jose is popular for its cultural significance and landmarks, Costa Rica is famous for its gorgeous beaches, active volcanoes, scenic lakes, and outstanding biodiversity. A large portion of this country is full of protected forests that house amazing wildlife, such as quetzal birds, tapirs, ocelot, and spider monkeys. Besides this, Costa Rica features dense flora and fauna. So if you are a wildlife enthusiast or a nature lover, plan to visit this country.

Costa Rica Day Trip from San Jose

Duration: 10 hours

244 reviews

Enjoy an exciting vacation

North America is home to amazing countries that feature beautiful attractions and offer fun-filled activities to enjoy. Now that you know about these outstanding destinations, include them in your itinerary on your next trip to this continent. Pack your bags, set out for the holidays, and make sure you explore as many cities as you can in North America.

Frequently asked questions about best places to visit in North America


  • Which are the best cities to visit in the United States?

    Here are some top destinations in the United States that are highly recommended for travelers: the captivating Hawaii Islands, the iconic Statue of Liberty in New York, the glamorous Hollywood, the historic Washington, D.C., the breathtaking Grand Canyon, the thrilling amusement parks in Orlando, and the vibrant city of Chicago, known for its rich art and cultural landmarks.

  • Which North American countries are known for their beaches?

    Mexico, Belize, Cuba, and Saint Lucia are North American countries known for their beautiful beaches. Mexico boasts the stunning beaches of Cancun and Tulum, while Belize offers tranquil beaches like Ambergris Caye. Cuba’s Varadero Beach and Saint Lucia’s Marigot Bay are also renowned for their natural beauty.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Manjiri Kochrekar is a travel blogger from India. She loves exploring and learning various destinations, their history, culture, and peculiarities. Writing is her passion, which means she enjoys...Read more

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