September 30, 2023

10 Best One-Week Trip Ideas From North America

5 min read
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

Ireland is a whimsical destination just across the Atlantic Ocean, making it a fantastic option for a one-week getaway from the East Coast. Travelers should try to visit during shoulder season for the best prices while temperatures are still fairly mild. Fly into Dublin, then rent a car and drive the Wild Atlantic Way or simply cross through the middle of the country to Galway and the Cliffs of Moher if time is short.

Related: 10 Places You Should See In Ireland During A 7-Day Trip


4 Cuba

  • Flight Time From East Coast:
    ~3.5 hours

  • Flight Time From West Coast:
    ~7.5 hours

  • Best Time To Visit:
    October to April

Cuba is a beautiful Caribbean country with turquoise waters, white sand beaches, and rich history. The capital city, Havana, has stunning architecture and charming old streets, which are worth exploring on a guided tour. Travelers can also take a food tour in Havana to fully appreciate the local cuisine. Many visitors with just one week to spend in Cuba choose to stay at resorts on the coast, in destinations like Varadero or Cayo Coco.

3 Portugal

  • Flight Time From East Coast:
    ~7 hours

  • Flight Time From West Coast:
    ~13 hours

  • Best Time To Visit:
    May to September

While not super accessible from the west coast of North America, Portugal is a great destination for travelers coming to the east coast of North America to visit for one week. It’s a short flight and offers delicious food, vibrant cities, dramatic coastlines, and low prices (by European standards). Travelers can choose to spend their week exclusively exploring cities, splitting their time between Lisbon and Porto. Or, they can fly into Lisbon, rent a car, and drive south along the coast to Lagos and Faro.

2 The Bahamas

  • Flight Time From East Coast:
    ~3 hours

  • Flight Time From West Coast:
    ~5 hours

  • Best Time To Visit:
    December to April

The Bahamas is a small country in the Caribbean, bloating with crystal clear blue waters, sandy beaches, charming seaside cottage rentals, and luxurious all-inclusive resorts. The Bahamas has getaways for almost every budget and travel style, plus it has multiple islands that are popular for North Americans to vacation on. The Exumas, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama, and Harbour Island are some top spots for international travelers to enjoy. In one week, visitors can focus on one island and take day trips out boat tours to go snorkeling, swim with pigs, or go scuba diving.

Related: Explore The Most Of Thailand With This 7-Day Itinerary


1 Hawaii

  • Flight Time From East Coast:
    ~11 hours

  • Flight Time From West Coast:
    ~ 6 hours

  • Best Time To Visit:
    March to September

Hawaii is a U.S. state located in the Pacific Ocean, and while it’s a long flight from the east coast, it’s easy to get to from west coast airports like Los Angeles or San Francisco. Travelers can pop over to Hawaii for one week and relax on one island or explore a couple. Kauai, Maui, and Big Island are some of the most popular choices.

https://www.thetravel.com/one-week-trip-ideas-from-north-america/