10 Best One-Week Trip Ideas From North America

Although long-term travel sounds like a dream, not everyone has the time or resources to make that a reality. Sometimes, a quick one-week getaway is all that’s feasible, and it’s critical to make the most of that time by choosing a destination that is reasonably close to home, not too expensive, and small enough to feel like you’ve seen a lot of it in just seven days. For travelers booking one-week trips from North America, consider these countries for their proximity and the best time of year to visit.

10 Mexico

• Flight Time From East Coast:
  ~4 hours (Cancun)

• Flight Time From West Coast:
  ~3 hours (Puerto Vallarta)

• Best Time To Visit:
  December to April

Mexico is a vast country on the southern tip of North America that is a popular getaway spot for Canadians and Americans. It’s easy to find cheap flights to major tourism hubs like Cancun and Puerto Vallarta, plus the price of accommodation at Airbnb and all-inclusive resorts within the country are reasonably affordable. Mexico boasts incredible cuisine, beaches, jungles, tequila, and artisan markets to explore. One week is the perfect amount of time to explore one city or region of the country thoroughly, such as Puerto Vallarta, Tulum, or Merida.

9 Costa Rica

• Flight Time From East Coast:
  ~5 hours

• Flight Time From West Coast:
  ~6 hours

• Best Time To Visit:
  December to April

Costa Rica has become popular among North Americans in recent years because of its proximity and relatively affordable prices. Costa Rica is regarded as a safe destination to travel which means many families feel comfortable bringing their children there for one-week getaways on the beach in Tamarindo. For more adventurous 7-day trips, solo travelers or couples can rent a 4×4 vehicle and embark on a road trip from La Fortuna to Uvita, stopping at the country’s many national parks and ecological reserves along the way.

8 Iceland

• Flight Time From East Coast:
  ~5.5 hours

• Flight Time From West Coast:
  ~11 hours

• Best Time To Visit:
  June to October

Iceland is a land of mystery and beauty, home to the northernmost capital in the world, Reykjavík. This small island nation in the North Atlantic is easy to fly to for a week’s holiday from the east coast of North America but might be a bit far-flung for those on the west coast. Visiting in the fall and winter months means a chance to witness the northern lights, while visiting in the summer means experiencing the midnight sun.

7 Guatemala

• Flight Time From East Coast:
  ~5 hours

• Flight Time From West Coast:
  ~5 hours

• Best Time To Visit:
  November to April

Guatemala is another Central American nation that is worth visiting for just seven days due to its small size. This is the perfect amount of time to experience the highlights of Guatemala while remaining fairly close to home in North America. Travelers can fly into Guatemala City or Antigua. Top activities include hiking at Pacaya, visiting picturesque Lake Atitlán, and exploring Tikal National Park.

6 Colombia

• Flight Time From East Coast:
  ~6 hours

• Flight Time From West Coast:
  ~7.5 hours

• Best Time To Visit:
  December to March

Colombia is renowned worldwide for its high-quality coffee beans, so a must-do activity when traveling here is a coffee tasting and visiting a coffee farm. Travelers can fly into Bogotá, Medellín, or Cartagena but should base themselves primarily in one of these areas if they are only staying in the country for one week. Some ideal 7-day itineraries for Colombia include spending a week in Cartagena and the Rosario Islands, staying in Medellín with one or two days in Guatapé, or focusing on exploring Bogotá for the full week.

5 Ireland

• Flight Time From East Coast:
  ~6.5 hours
  

• Flight Time From West Coast:
  ~10 hours

• Best Time To Visit:
  March to May, or September to November