North and Central America

List of countries in North and Central America that I have visited and details on the must-see places

Costa Rica, a green paradise

La Pura Vida is the emblematic motto of Costa Rica. More than a motto, it is a way of life, a gentler and purer life in the middle of a green Eden. A territory one-tenth the size of France, Costa Rica has rich biodiversity. In just a few years it has become a beautiful vehicle for international ecotourism, a true green paradise with a third of its territory classified as a nature reserve. If you need to fill up on iodine, coconut palms and immense white sandy beaches are waiting for you on the Pacific coast, but tropical forests covering a large part of the country offer majestic waterfalls, mysterious fauna (toucans, hummingbirds, iguanas, red-eyed tree frogs, etc.,) and luxuriant vegetation. You can also climb into the heights and visit volcanoes and high fertile plateaus covered with coffee trees and fruit orchards. In short, as you will understand, Costa Rica is a destination that will satisfy lovers of Mother Nature and lovers of letting go.

Cuba, the Pearl of the Caribbean

Commonly known as the Pearl of the Caribbean, Cuba is famous for its cigars, Havana Club rum, vintage cars, and the portrait of Che Guevara that proudly hangs on the walls of many of Havana’s buildings. But who knows Cuba for its diverse landscapes ranging from the Viñales National Park to the Ciénaga de Zapata, for its villages with colorful houses, for its sugar cane and tobacco plantations, or for its beaches on the Caribbean Sea? Cuba is undoubtedly a harmonious mix of maritime landscapes (fine sandy beaches and coral reefs), majestic cliffs (the mogotes of Viñales), vast fertile plains, and tropical forests. No matter where you are on the island, Cuban landscapes will never cease to amaze you…

The East Coast of the United States, larges cities between forests and mountains

Without any doubt, you know the big cities of the East Coast of the United States, such as New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington DC, and their impressive buildings like the Empire State Building. But do you know the other face of this region of the United States with its mountains, forests, and magnificent bodies of water? Nature lovers and lovers of wide-open spaces will enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the East Coast: the White and the Green Mountains, the Adirondacks, Acadia National Park, the Thousand Islands archipelago on the St. Lawrence River, and Niagara Falls. All of these places are little corners of paradise where you can hike or escape for a weekend while enjoying lobster, clams, or a Crab Cake. For a breathtaking experience, plan your trip in autumn when the leaves of the trees turn into shades of orange, yellow, and red…

The United States Midwest, between plains and big lakes

As a bridge between East and West, the Midwest of the United States is a dive into an historical and traditional America, an authentic America, the America of the movies “The Bridges of Madison County” or “Fargo.” It is a vast region starting west of the Appalachian Mountains and ending at the foot of the magnificent Rocky Mountains. The Midwest includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. Drive the legendary Route 66 and visit St. Louis and its arch or go north to Mount Rushmore with its monumental sculptures of the four U.S. presidents. Hike through the vast forests of Michigan, admire the myriad of lakes in Minnesota or the endless prairies of Ohio and Wisconsin and discover a thousand other treasures… There is so much to see and do that you will never be disappointed.

The American West, a spectacular wilderness

The American West is infused with a multitude of images from novels and films: Hollywood, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Route 66, John Wayne, Lucky Luke, the stagecoaches of cowboys and Indians, and so many sensational clichés that turn out to be only a reflection of reality. The American West is a land of contrasts and excess with marvelous landscapes. From the Grand Canyon to Death Valley, from the deserts of Utah to the thousand-year-old redwoods of California, Nature has created landscapes that are unique in the world, giving free rein to Mother Nature’s imagination! Nothing resembles the American West, and nothing prepares us for the exhilarating feeling we get when we dive into this vast region. Traveling through the untouched areas of this mythical territory is a unique, invaluable, and above all, unforgettable experience.

The captivating charm of the American South

Far from the glamour of the American megalopolis, the South of the United States has a melancholy and musical charm. The South is, of course, la douceur de Vivre, a mild climate, spicy cuisine, lush vegetation, and omnipresent nature. Louisiana and Florida are two particularly touristy states in the South of the United States. In Louisiana, you will be charmed by bayous, cotton plantations, and the jazz clubs of vibrant New Orleans. The Creole and Cajun cultures intertwine and unite to give Louisiana’s culture the unique qualities it is known for. In Florida, in addition to the classic beaches of Miami, you should not miss the Everglades National Park, the Keys archipelago, Key West, Naples and Orlando and its theme parks. But the American South is also the famous Smoky Mountains, the green lakes and the wild coast of North Carolina, the plantations, and historic cities, includin Charleston in South Carolina and Savannah in Georgia, to name just two.