Backpacking in North America
Spanning from the arctic region of Northern Canada to the jungles of Southern Mexico, the continental landmass of North America is home to many well-trodden backpacking trails, but there is still so much to discover. Between the awe-inspiring national parks, sprawling metropolitan cities, and charming towns, there is so much to discover in this part of the world. Once you get your bearings, the tourist infrastructure is fairly built out making North America a great place to go backpacking.
Nevertheless, because the expanse is so large and the diversity so great, backpacking in North American can be disorienting for visitors. You’ll have to check out our country guides below for details for the USA, Canada, and Mexico. However, there are a few key Apps and websites that will help your trip run smoothly no matter where you wander while backpacking in North America
How to Travel Around North America
The distances can be enormous, so chances are you’ll have to take a few plane trips. Skyscanner is a great site to use to find the cheapest flights.
To learn more about transport options in the USA and Canada, see our articles about bus travel and train travel in the USA
Budget Accommodation and Hostels in North America
CouchSurfing is a great community that connects travellers with local hosts. HostelWorld has the largest inventory of hostels in North America, with millions of reviews from fellow backpackers. And Booking.com has lots of advanced search and filters for finding hostels, hotels, and unique accommodation while backpacking in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Unique Activities in North America
Get your Guide is a popular site to book tours, skip the line tickets for crowded sites, or just to get ideas of common activities in various locations. Viator is another similar activity and tour search website.
And for those backpacking North America alone who want to join a small group tour, or for adventure activities which require a guide, G Adventures is highly recommended.
Backpacking Travel Insurance
As for any trip abroad, it is crucial to take out travel insurance for your trip to North America. World Nomads is the company recommended by Lonely Planet & Contiki.
Backpacking Countries in North America
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