Latest Americas Headlines

Geoff Steward finds the taxi drive to his ritzy eco-lodge quite enough to form some firm opinions about Costa Rica, often proclaimed the happiest country on the world.

Geoff Steward has a sabbatical planner. That must be why he’s sent on an Alaskan cruise. His first day in Juneau is an unwelcome introduction to the world of cruising.

Colombia’s not known for its deserts. But an Andean Valley creates a rain shadow that statistically means they have one. But when Yuri Drobkov visits it rains.

As part of his very planned Sabbatical, Geoff Steward hires a guide to show him Washington State’s most famous cities, on America’s Pacific coast.

Forget the Grand Canyon. Eric Whitehead finds that Antelope Canyon, in Navajo land, is far more spectacular.

Geoff Steward finds America’s border police are exactly as humourless as their reputation describes. And his taxi driver supports Trump. It’s not a brilliant introduction to the USA.

The holiday destination of the Dominican Republic shares its island with Haiti, so Yuri Drobkov decides to cross one of the world’s poorest countries to try to get a boat out. It doesn’t exactly work.

Coloma, California, in 1833, and a gunfight in a brothel leaves the Madam dead. Daniel A. Métraux uncovers a sad tale.

Offseason in Chilean Patagonia and the hiking trails are closed. Eric Whitehead finds that keeps the crowds away and lets him enjoy the wilderness experience.

Even though he neither gambles nor sins, Bhupender Gupta finds plenty to keep him busy at Nevada’s iconic temple to pleasure, the desert city of Las Vegas.

The Trans-Labrador Highway is a challenge for any driver. Eric Whitehead heads out across the developed world’s last remote frontier.

South Carolina is one of America’s lesser-sung states. Susan Meloni sets out on a road trip around some of its stranger attractions.

If your plans to visit Nevada go awry, there are plenty of other American destinations that offer similar opportunities. Paul Woollacombe has a roundup.

It shouldn’t be forgotten that Spain was just as keen to colonise America as Britain. Daniel A. Métraux examines their colonial legacy in the state of California.

Rather than driving from one viewpoint to another, Bonnie Lynn decides to spend two weeks rafting the watercourse responsible for digging out the Grand Canyon, the Colorado River.

There’s more to Canada than maple trees and mountains. Paul Woollacombe says there are gambling opportunities as well.

Chasing the eclipse brings Chris Edwards into contact with bits of America she never knew existed.

Canada’s remote logging, fishing and hunting communities are still served by a tramp cargo vessel that steams up and down the Gold River and along Canada’s Pacific coast. Alongside 65 tons of cargo Lindsay Salt loads herself. Pictures, as ever, by David Grimble.

In quieter times Chris Edwards revisits North Carolina’s Outer Banks, reliving childhood experiences of stress-free sunny vacations before today’s hurricane threats.

Eric Whitehead finds the white-knuckle experience of taxi-driven traffic brings an edge of danger to his travels around Ecuador.

California’s iconic harbour city is perhaps the most popular of all America’s urban destinations with visitors. Josh Hobson has some words of advice for those whose funds are limited.

May Lowers smells a rat when her husband accepts a “free” Caribbean vacation. And she’s right.

Wallis Raekelboom takes a leisurely drive through Arizona’s stunning Monument Valley, meeting indigenous Navajo residents along the way.

Mat Ward finds his enjoyment of Brazilian’s most beautiful city marred by hassle from shoe-shine men and opportunistic crime.

Bonnie Lynn revisits Guatemala, learns a bit more Spanish and tries to pick up some Kaqchikel (in case she meets some Mayas), on an extensive tour of the country’s tribal hinterland.

On a road trip through Central America Sankar Chatterjee stops off to see the worldfamous ruins at Copan, just across the border from Guatemala. Unlike nearby Tikal this site has stelae and engravings aplenty.

Eric Whitehead’s love of Icebergs sees him heading south as far as he can go, and explore the frozen wastes of Antarctica.

Argentina’s capital has something of a reputation for hardcore partying. Mat Ward finds a city that’s far more sedate.

Laurie Bodley thought she knew what Boston was all about until she visited for family instead of for business and saw it in a whole new light.

On a long bus journey from Bolivia to Paraguay, Mat Ward finds British behaviour more than embarrassing.

Mat Ward finds his visit to Bolivia’s grimiest attraction something of a trial. But for the workers life is far harder.

Far off the beaten trail in central Brazil, Augustus Young finds an outpost of pilgrimage in the middle of nowhere.

In the highlands above La Paz, Mat Ward finds cyclists dicing with fate as they mountain-bike Bolivia’s infamously dangerous dirt roads.

The good people at Expedia Canada have put together a map explaining how each state and province area came by their names. And let. Paul Woollacombe take the credit for their efforts.

America’s most thoroughly marketed tourist destination rates high on many travellers’ visit lists. Paul Woollacombe says there’s more than just gambling to Nevada’s ‘Sin City’

Stranded overnight in rural Brazil, Augustus Young finds the kindness of strangers turns disaster into magic.

Ten-year-old Beth Ward sent her go-pro vlog on her Mexican holiday to First Choice and they noticed it had moments of brilliance. So they hired an editor to knock it into (much shorter) shape.

High in the Peruvian Andes, Mat Ward finds that alcohol is deeply entwined with the national culture – and keeping away from it a constant challenge.