Continental overview

North America

3 countries · 7 guides · Top regions: Central America, North America

Discover the authentic stories and cultural insights that locals across North America share with CoraTravels. Explore the countries, popular travel styles, and standout guides that make this continent unique.

Countries in North America

Browse 3 countries guides like a local.

🇨🇷 Costa Rica

Experience authentic Costa Rica beyond zip-lines and all-inclusive resorts. From ticos' pura vida philosophy that's life approach not tourist slogan, to gallo pinto breakfast rituals, no-army peace tradition, and conservation obsession making tiny country biodiversity champion - discover Costa Rica through locals who abolished military and chose nature over industry.

1 featured cities · Average budget level 2

Popular travel styles

Trending themes locals say define North America right now.

Local guides for North America

Hand-picked destination notes to help you experience North America like a true local.

Featured destinations

Popular local notes to get you started.

San José skyline Costa Rica

San José, Central Valley

San José: Central Valley Hub Beyond Gateway Status

Gateway Reputation: Tourists rush through to beaches, locals live actual lives here, capital dismissed unfairly as dangerous layover city. No Military Legacy: National Museum in former military bar…

Mexico City skyline Mexico

Mexico City, North America

Mexico City: Cultural Giant & Creative Capital

Altitude Reality Check: 7,350 feet elevation means you'll get winded walking up stairs - locals carry small oxygen cans in their bags. Earthquake Drills on the 19th: Monthly citywide earthquake sim…

Playa del Carmen skyline Mexico

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo

Playa del Carmen: Riviera Maya's Expat Paradise Meets Tourist Invasion

Gringo-fication Complete: Locals (Mexican workers) outnumbered by tourists and expats, Quinta Avenida (5th Avenue) international shopping mall not Mexican town. Expat Bubble Thick: English everywhe…

Tulum skyline Mexico

Tulum, Quintana Roo

Tulum: Bohemian Chic Wellness Paradise or Performative Eco-Posturing?

Performative Eco-Consciousness: 'No shoes, no shirt, no problem' while flying private jets, locals (workers) laugh at wealthy pretending sustainability, greenwashing capital of world. Cenote Cultur…

Austin skyline United States

Austin, Texas

Austin: Keep Austin Weird - A Dying Dream Crushed by Tech Transplants

California Invasion: Tech workers fleeing Bay Area pricing out locals, natives bitter about transplants, 'Don't California my Texas' bumper stickers everywhere. Keep Austin Weird Irony: Slogan died…

New Orleans skyline USA

New Orleans, North America

New Orleans: Jazz, Gumbo & Second Lines

Second Line Culture: Spontaneous parades with brass bands - locals join in, tourists watch. Drive-Thru Daiquiri: Frozen cocktails in drive-thru windows - perfectly legal, locals do it daily. Cemete…

New York City skyline USA

New York City, North America

New York City: Beyond Times Square

Neighborhood Pride: Locals identify by their neighborhood first, not just 'New Yorker'. Subway Culture: Locals navigate the subway instinctively, know every line and transfer. Food Obsession: Local…

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