North America

All our articles about North America.

Mayan ruins on a rocky clifftop above a white sand beach and turquoise sea at Tulum
Safety

Is Mexico Safe? A State-by-State Guide, Plus Belize and Roatán

Mexico's safety warnings range from "normal precautions" to "do not travel," sometimes within a few hours' drive. Here is what the U.S. and UK advisories actually say about Cancún, Cabo, Puerto Vallarta and other favorites, which everyday risks matter more, and how Belize and Roatán compare.

Brightly colored woven Mexican craft toys with tassels piled closely together
Money & Tipping

Money in Mexico and Central America: Pesos, Dollars and Real Costs

Dollars work almost everywhere from Cancún to Roatán, but they are rarely the cheapest way to pay. Here is how currencies, ATMs, cards and prices really work in Mexico's resort towns, Belize, Honduras and Costa Rica.

Booths, tables and a long counter inside a classic American diner in Philadelphia
Money & Tipping

Tipping in the USA and Canada: Who to Tip, How Much and Why

A blank tip line, a card reader suggesting 25 percent, a service charge you almost missed. For visitors used to service being included, North American tipping is full of unwritten rules. Here is how it really works, from Las Vegas to Montreal.

Water taxis and small boats moored at a wooden dock on Caye Caulker, with palm trees and beachfront buildings behind
Mexico

Getting Around Mexico, Belize and Roatán: Airports, Buses and Ferries

Airport taxis, ADO buses, colectivos, the new Tren Maya, island ferries and tiny planes over the Belize cayes. Here is how transport really works on Mexico's beach coasts, in Belize and on Honduras' Bay Islands, and what it cost in 2026.

Shallow turquoise water and white sand lined with palm trees and parasols at Playa Norte on Isla Mujeres
Beach Holidays

Which Mexican Beach Town Is Right for You? Caribbean vs Pacific

Cancún or Cabo, Tulum or Puerto Vallarta, Holbox or Huatulco? Mexico's two coasts offer very different beach holidays, and the right choice depends on who you are and when you travel.

The Temple of Kukulcán at Chichén Itzá under a blue sky with white clouds
Sights

Mayan Ruins of the Yucatán and Belize: Which Are Worth It?

From Chichén Itzá and Tulum to jungle cities like Calakmul and Caracol, the Maya sites of the Yucatán and Belize differ hugely in crowds, cost and how close you can get. Here is how to choose, and how to time your visit.

Colorful colonial buildings along the Handelskade waterfront in Willemstad, Curaçao, under a blue sky
Money & Tipping

Caribbean Money Guide: Currencies, Cards and Costs, Island by Island

Barbados dollars, EC dollars, euros, florins and a guilder that only arrived in 2025: the Caribbean runs on a dozen currencies. Here is how to pay on each island without losing money on the way, and where your budget goes furthest.