Top 10 places to visit in North America

Tulum features a walled Mayan city perched on 12-meter cliffs above the Caribbean. It served as a vital port for the city of Coba between the 13th and 15th centuries. It is one of the most intact coastal sites from that era. You can walk the grounds to see structures that remained inhabited for 70 years after the Spanish arrived. The site is very popular with tourists. Plan to visit during the cooler months from November through March to avoid the intense heat.

Chichen Itza was a dominant power in the Northern Maya Lowlands for centuries. It showcases a mix of architectural styles from central Mexico and the Puuc region. The city reached its peak influence between 600 and 1200 AD. It remains a central site for understanding the Terminal Classic period of Mayan history. Visit between November and March. Summer weather can be extremely hot and humid, making long walks through the ruins difficult.

Lake Atitlán is a natural lake located in the Sierra Madre mountain range. It is the deepest lake in Central America with a maximum depth of 340 metres. The lake is surrounded by mountainous terrain. It offers a distinct landscape compared to coastal destinations. Travel between November and April for the best weather. The highland climate remains cool and manageable during these months.

The Hoover Dam is a concrete arch-gravity structure on the border of Nevada and Arizona. It was built during the Great Depression to harness the Colorado River. President Roosevelt dedicated the dam in 1935. It stands in the Black Canyon, an area surveyed for construction as early as 1900. Visit in the spring or late autumn to avoid extreme desert temperatures. Summer heat here is dangerous for outdoor activity.

Glacier National Park sits on the border of the United States and Canada in Montana. It covers over 1 million acres of mountain ranges and protected land. The area is home to more than 130 lakes and over 1,000 plant species. It is a major part of the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem. Plan your visit for July, August, or September. Mountain roads and trails are often inaccessible due to snow for the rest of the year.

Jasper is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. It covers 11,000 square kilometres of mountains, waterfalls, and glacial ice fields. The park became a UNESCO world heritage site in 1984. It is located north of Banff and contains the Columbia Icefield. Visit during the summer months for full access to hiking trails and sightseeing tours. Winter brings heavy snowfall that limits park access.

Whistler sits in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia. It is a major destination for alpine skiing and mountain biking. The town has a permanent population of nearly 14,000 people. It gained international attention during the 2010 Winter Olympics. Visit in winter for skiing or summer for biking. The transition months can be muddy and quiet.

Lake Louise is a famous glacial lake inside Banff National Park. It was known to Indigenous Peoples long before survey crews arrived in the 1880s. The lake is situated 5 kilometres west of the local community. It is named after the princess who was a daughter of Queen Victoria. Summer is the best time for clear views of the water. Snow covers the area for most of the year, which changes the look of the landscape entirely.

Established in 1885, Banff is Canada's first national park. It covers over 6,600 square kilometres of mountainous terrain in Alberta. The park is defined by its sedimentary rock formations and dense coniferous forests. It is located between Calgary and the British Columbia border. Summer provides the best access for sightseeing. Winter conditions are harsh and require specialized gear for travel.

Niagara Falls consists of three waterfalls on the border of Ontario and New York. The largest is Horseshoe Falls, which carries the highest flow rate in North America. The Niagara River drains Lake Erie into Lake Ontario. Millions of cubic feet of water flow over the crest during peak hours. Visit in summer for the best boat tour experience. Winter weather makes the surrounding paths icy and dangerous.