Traveling the world is an amazing adventure, something everyone should experience. Although there are so many different destinations from which to choose, both Central and South America are among the favorites. This part of the world is breathtaking. The beaches are pristine, the mountains covered with green, lush vegetation, the flowers bright and fragrant, and the culture truly amazing. However, these areas are vast, which is why we decided to provide you with some reviews of the best places to visit while in South and Central America .

One of the first reviews is on the famous Panama Canal . On average, more than 12,000 vessels pass through this famous canal, which divides North and South America while connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean . You can get an up-close view of the Panama Canal by climbing the two-story observation tower. From there, you can see how the canal actually works and then afterwards, walk beside the canal to watch as the ships enter. In addition, there is a fascinating museum called the Panama Interoceanic Canal Museum , which is a real treat.

In Guatemala City , the Metropolitan Cathedral is a must see. Sadly, many visitors to this city venture off to other sites, missing this one, which is amazing. Located on the east side of the Plaza, this cathedral was built from 1782 to 1815 and is a baroque structure that features twin towers and some of the most incredible artwork and historic painting that were rescued from the colonial cathedral. Although the cathedral is an old structure, it has shown its strength in withstanding several earthquakes.

While visiting the Metropolitan Cathedral, you should take time to walk around the back side where you will find the Mercado Central, which is a prime market place of Chichicastenango. This public market is beaming with business where you will find hand woven blankets, scarves, figurines and masks that have been handcrafted, beautiful pottery, and magnificent brass. In addition, the market offers wonderful fresh fruit to include mango, papaya, and other mouth-watering tropical favorites.

Finally, Arenal is the country’s most active volcano and absolutely beautiful. Located between La Fortuna and Lake Arenal you will find the northern zone of Costa Rica. Here, Arenal makes its presence. Estimated around 3,000 years old, Arenal was thought to be a quiet volcano when in 1968, it erupted. For three days, Arenal spewed so much ash and with such intensity that the entire western side was completely blown off, thus forming new craters. Sadly, many people were killed and both Pueblo Nuevo and Tabacon were destroyed.

All throughout South and Central America , you will discover a long history that is innovative and transforming. People have worked very hard to move forward, building and learning. From this, we can all learn and grow to become a better society. Remember, you will discover thousands of places to visit, meaning both South and Central America offer something for everyone, regardless of background or age.

Although spending thousands of dollars for traveling to foreign destinations is one way to enjoy a vacation, another option is to explore America by visiting the magnificent national parks and forests.  Many times, we think a vacation has to include a long flight to some unknown country for it to be fun and exciting but in truth the United States has thousands of destinations, all unique and beautiful, just waiting to be explored.  As you will discover in this article, for individuals who love the outdoors and natural beauty, national parks and forests are an excellent opportunity just waiting to be discovered.

For starters, you have your choice of more than 379 national parks, although just 15% of these are actually deemed “national parks” with the remaining areas being comprised of monuments, lakeshores, seashores, battlefields, historical sites, etc.  Each of these destinations provides a wonderful experience that you will treasure for life.  While learning more about this great country, you are also getting the opportunity to see nature at its best.

Typically, a person thinks of places such as Yosemite National Park or Rocky Mountain National Park as being “national parks” and while they are, there are many other national parks of which most people are completely unaware.  Then considering that national parks and forests are scattered around the country, you will find that each one is very different.  Some national parks are dense with forests and abundant wildlife while others are sparse and rocky, yet no less intriguing.

Therefore, whether visiting Mount Rainier located in the southeast portion of Washington where volcanoes and glaciers are a part of the beautiful scenery, the Shenandoah National Park in the Appalachian Mountains between Pennsylvania and Georgia where you will find lush valleys and stunning mountains, or the Everglades National Park that covers more than 110,000 acres, you are in for a wonderful time.

For national forests, you will discover there are 155 in the United States alone.  The land is so vast that it covers an estimated 190 million acres, which would be about the size of the state of Texas, although just 9% of that is actually land.  When people think of national parks and forests, they generally think of places with mountains, valleys, and wildlife.  Interestingly, there are two types of national forests that include those reacquired and replanted and those where the land was originally owned, reserved by the government so the public could buy sections.

With both national parks and forests, the opportunities are unrivaled.  You will likely have your favorites but a few destinations to consider include the Redwood National Forest, which is in California and home to the Sequoia trees that are planted as small seeds but grow upward to 350 plus feet, the Black Hills National Park in South Dakota, perfect for cave and canyon exploration, and the Sierra National Forest, a place of peace and tranquility that covers more than 1.3 million acres of peaks and valleys.

While the “best places to travel in the US ” are subjective, we have provided you with some valuable reviews on places that rank at the top of most lists. Traveling overseas is an excellent option for exploring the world and history but the United States , even though a fairly new country, also offers many spectacular places that provide an important look into the past while providing a glimpse into the future. Therefore, we have chosen five such places that you might consider for your next travel adventure.

First, we will put New York City on the top of the list. This city represents the nation in freedom, as seen by the famous Statue of Liberty, a gift from France . New York has the reputation of being the city that never sleeps and upon arrival, you will understand why. This city is electric, always busy with people bustling about, plays on Broadway, fabulous restaurants, the beautiful Central Park , and many wonderful opportunities. If you love excitement and activity, then New York City would be the perfect destination of choice.

For a more relaxed environment, Poipu Beach in Hawaii is truly a slice of heaven. The beaches there are sandy white and the sunsets like nothing you have ever seen. Many of the hotels sit right on the bluff that overlooks the beach where you can sit back at dusk with a Mai Tai, as you relax, looking up at a sky of orange, red, and yellow while listening to the crashing waves. The air is fragrant with Bird of Paradise, Orchids, Plumeria, and other wonderful flowers. For the perfect getaway where you can put all the stresses of everyday life behind, we highly recommend Poipu Beach .

Third on the list is Las Vegas , Nevada . This too is a high-wire city but yet very different from New York . If you love flashing lights and gambling, then Las Vegas would be a great place to visit. You can stay downtown where the hotels are not quite as expensive or on the famous Strip where you will find magnificent hotels such as The Luxor or Excalibur. Additionally, Las Vegas offers some of the most fantastic shows ranging from famous vocalists such as Celine Dion and Wayne Newton, magic shows, aquatic shows, drag queen shows, and everything in between. The environment is exciting and fun, making this a great destination.

Next, the Petrified Forest in Arizona is much different, a quiet desert oasis that is actually a national park. The trees in the Petrified Forest have been mineralized by water and time, transforming them into beautiful rocks. Although these rocks are protected, meaning you cannot take them out of the park, there are many gift shops that sell pieces of petrified wood along with various stone collections. For those who enjoy the great outdoors, the Petrified Forest is wonderful place to explore.

Finally, another wild frontier is the state of Alaska . Covering a vast amount of land that extends from rainforests of the Pacific coast to the tundra beyond the Artic Circle and then along a large are of volcanic isles, this state is fascinating with beautiful scenery and wildlife. You will find incredible streams abundant with fish and dense forests that include the famous Kodiak bear. Alaska also offers visitors a magnificent view of snow-capped peaks, making this the ideal place for hiking, packing, camping, exploring, hunting, fishing, and photography.