North America by region: The active traveller's guide to Canada and Mexico

North America<a href="https://www.butterfield.com/places-to-go/north-america"> </a>contains multitudes. From the fog-draped rainforests of <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/places-to-go/north-america/canada">Canada's</a> Pacific coast to the ancient ruins and mezcal-scented valleys of southern <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/places-to-go/north-america/mexico">Mexico</a>, this continent offers a range of active travel experiences as vast and varied as the landscapes themselves.&nbsp; What unites them is an approach to travel perfectly aligned with the B&amp;R way: going deeper, staying curious and collecting the kinds of moments that become stories you'll tell for years.&nbsp;Here's how to find the corner of it that’s right for you.&nbsp;<h2>CANADA&nbsp; British Columbia: For the Wild at Heart&nbsp;</h2>In British Columbia, the wild and the wonderful go hand in hand. Kayak alongside orca pods in the Great Bear Rainforest, hike ancient old-growth trails on Vancouver Island, and bike coastal routes past alpine lakes and dramatic peaks. This is a province of staggering scale and variety—from the rugged surf of Tofino to the misty fjords of the mainland—and it’s all made for active adventure.&nbsp;The culinary scene is a celebration of the landscape. B.C. is a haven for Pacific Coastal cuisine, craft cider and Okanagan wine, and the best meals here have a way of tasting exactly like where you are. Stays range from sustainably designed wilderness lodges accessible only by floatplane to iconic coastal retreats like Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge and the Wickaninnish Inn—luxury properties that feel as much a part of the landscape as the forests surrounding them.&nbsp;Perfect for: Hikers, wildlife enthusiasts, families looking for multi-generational experiences, and travellers who want a luxury escape that feels genuinely remote.&nbsp;Ready to paddle, hike and experience one of the world’s great wild spaces? Explore <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/bespoke/british-columbia-bespoke">British Columbia Bespoke.</a>&nbsp;

<h2>The Canadian Rockies: For the Wilderness Seeker&nbsp;</h2>Few landscapes on Earth deliver the immediate, visceral impact of the Canadian Rockies. Turquoise glacial lakes. Peaks that seem impossibly large. Trails that lead through old-growth forest and open suddenly onto panoramas that stop you mid-step. &nbsp;Journeys here move between iconic destinations like Banff and Canmore and the quieter backcountry that lies beyond them, where helicopter transfers deliver you to secluded lodges so remote you can hear the mountains. Indigenous guides share knowledge passed down through generations, adding depth to a landscape already rich with natural drama. After days of hiking, biking and paddling, evenings unfold in historic mountain hotels or fireside at backcountry retreats, where gourmet meals and the company of fellow travellers make the perfect end to a day well spent outdoors.&nbsp;Perfect for: Hikers, bikers, multi-active adventure seekers, wildlife watchers, and travellers who want to go beyond the national park highlights into the wilder, quieter edges of the Rockies.&nbsp;If the wilder edges of the Rockies are calling, we have two ways in: <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/bespoke/rockies-bespoke">Rockies Bespoke</a> or <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/self-guided/rockies-self-guided-multi-active">Rockies Self-Guided Multi-Active.</a>&nbsp;

<h2>Newfoundland: For the Curious &amp; the Soulful&nbsp;</h2>Newfoundland is unlike anywhere else in Canada—or anywhere else, period. Shaped by ocean waves, storytellers and centuries of seafaring culture, this is a place where icebergs drift past ancient coastlines, puffins nest on dramatic sea cliffs, and the oldest rocks on Earth lie exposed on windswept trails. It is vast, wild and always beautiful.&nbsp;But it is the people who make Newfoundland extraordinary. Fishermen, chefs, musicians and artists who carry their province's heritage with quiet pride. They share it at lively kitchen parties, over open-fire boil-ups on the beach and in conversations that begin as brief exchanges and somehow last for hours. Stays at Fogo Island Inn—part sanctuary, part work of art—bring the island's spirit of creative resilience to life in ways no other property could. You’ll leave with Newfoundland and its people in your heart.&nbsp;Perfect for: Walkers and hikers, culture lovers and travellers looking for a destination that surprises at every turn.&nbsp;You’ve got to experience Newfoundland to believe it. Come see for yourself. Explore <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/bespoke/newfoundland-bespoke">Newfoundland Bespoke.</a>&nbsp;

<h2>MEXICO&nbsp; Oaxaca: For the Culture Hungry &amp; the Culinarily Adventurous&nbsp;</h2>Oaxaca is Mexico at its most layered, most vibrant and most itself. Ancient Zapotec ruins rise above the valley at Monte Albán. Markets overflow with textiles, pottery and the smoky perfume of mezcal. Chefs—more per capita here than almost anywhere in the world—serve cuisine that’s rooted in centuries of tradition and constantly reinventing itself. Here, every meal tells a story, every hike reveals a civilization and every conversation opens a door.&nbsp;Whether on two wheels or on foot, Oaxaca unfolds at your chosen pace. Cycle through mezcal country to a family-run palenque where the craft has been passed down for generations. Hike the high trails of the Sierra Norte with a Zapotec guide who knows the mountains as intimately as their own home. Visit the master weavers of Teotitlán del Valle, where natural dyes and pre-Hispanic patterns are still used to create beautiful textiles. And if your timing allows, arrive in October for Día de Muertos, when the streets glow with marigolds and candlelight, and the entire city celebrates life and remembrance in one of the world's most moving cultural events.&nbsp;Perfect for: Hikers, cyclists, food and drink enthusiasts, culture seekers, and anyone who has wanted to experience Día de Muertos from the inside.&nbsp;Immerse yourself in Mexican culture, history and delicious culinary traditions with us on <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/small-group/oaxaca-multi-active">Oaxaca Multi-Active</a>, <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/small-group/oaxaca-traditions-dia-de-muertos">Oaxaca: Traditions &amp; Día de Muertos</a> or <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/bespoke/mexico-bespoke">Mexico Bespoke.</a>&nbsp;

Canada and Mexico sit at opposite ends of a continent, yet they share something essential: the capacity to stop you in your tracks. Whether it's a breaching whale off the Newfoundland coast, a glacier-blue lake high in the Rockies, a candlelit cemetery in Oaxaca or an orca surfacing beside your kayak in B.C., the moments that define a North American journey have a way of arriving when you least expect them. The only thing left to decide is which one calls you first.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.butterfield.com/places-to-go/north-america">Explore North America with B&amp;R</a>&nbsp;

British Columbia, the Canadian Rockies, Newfoundland and Oaxaca: Four regions, one extraordinary continent. Find the active journey that's right for you with Butterfield & Robinson

North America

North America is Butterfield &amp; Robinson’s backyard—literally—and its landscape is vast and varied. Having explored its regions since our inception, we know where (and how) to find the parts others cannot reach.&nbsp;North America offers boundless opportunities for the active traveller. From the transcendent peaks of the Canadian Rockies to the untamed wilderness of British Columbia on the west coast, the continent’s diversity is awe-inspiring. Indulge in the finest multi-cultural cuisines, venture off the beaten path and experience the vibrant heartbeat of the continent.&nbsp;The allure of North America is as expansive as its landmass, and it’s waiting to be explored.&nbsp;

Adventure within reach

Cycle the Canadian Rockies and walk Oaxaca's markets and Yucatán's coasts on small group or private bespoke trips across North America, with local experts.

North America Bike & Walking Tours | Butterfield & Robinson

Bespoke travel lets you to take our inspirational cues and craft them into your personalized, private adventure. Collaborate one-on-one with an Experience Designer to put together your tailor-made trip.

A place where unparalleled beauty, wilderness and adventure come together; explore the gems of Lake Moraine and Lake Louise. Hike your way around Sunshine Meadows and pedal through the valleys in Banff National Park with jagged mountain peaks all around.

Diverse Landscapes

Vibrant Culture

Active Adventure

The Rockies don’t do subtle—think turquoise lakes, jagged peaks, and trails that dare you not to say “wow” every five minutes. Hike flower-filled meadows, bike through Banff’s jaw-dropping valleys, and dip your toes in glacier-fed waters (refreshing is an understatement). It’s self-guided, but Mother Nature handles most of the guiding anyway.

Roaming around the Rocky Mountains

The itinerary below is a sample and is subject to slight changes in routes, accommodations and activities. Please download the itinerary for your selected departure for precise details.

Preview the itinerary

Experience Designers

$7,595 based on two travellers,  $6,795 based on four travellers, $6,495 based on six travellers.

Hike Banff and Canmore on a tailor-made Alberta itinerary. Glacial lake cycling, wildlife trail access and spectacular Rockies scenery, privately guided for

Alberta Private Tours: Banff Hiking, Glacial Lake Cycling & Wildlife Trails

B&amp;R’s Women’s Only trips are designed by women, for women to experience new regions, cultures and communities from female perspectives. Venture to Canada’s west coast and discover the enchanting British Columbia—a haven of breathtaking coastlines, rugged mountain landscapes and lush, emerald forests. Your journey begins in the vibrant city of Vancouver, where you'll savour local flavours at the renowned Granville Market and wander beneath the ancient, towering trees of Stanley Park. A short flight then whisks you to the magical town of Tofino, where you'll ride the Pacific waves in a female-led surf class and stroll along the pristine shores of endless beaches. Glide through the serene waters of Pacific Rim National Park in a kayak, and e-bike past beaches and forests on your way to Ucluelet. End your adventure learning about local traditions in a bead-making workshop led by a First Nations Elder, an experience that will leave you deeply connected to this serene corner of Canada.

Unforgettable Experiences

One-of-a-kind Hotels

Authentic Food

From city buzz to coastal bliss, this women's-only trip blends wild beauty with west coast soul. Savour bites at Granville Market, surf with badass women in Tofino, and kayak through Pacific Rim’s calm waters. E-bike past beach and forest, then bead with a First Nations Elder. It’s a soul-soothing, wave-chasing, memory-making kind of trip.

 A mindful journey through serene lands

Experience Designer

$6,995 based on two travellers. $6,495 based on four travellers. $5,995 based on six travellers.

Luxurious Stays

Off the Beaten Path

Exclusive Access

Mexico hums with colour, flavour and culture. Where smoky mezcal flows from generations-old distilleries and markets pulse with energy. Kayak quiet mangroves and unwind in design-forward haciendas that feel blissfully off the map. Hike and bike the Sierra Norte’s quiet foothills, wander Monte Albán’s ancient heights and embrace the warmth of the people—and the food. Vibrant, layered and full of soul, Mexico doesn’t follow a script. It dances to its own rhythm.&nbsp;

Bike Maya ruins, kayak cenotes and hike Yucatán jungle trails on a tailor-made itinerary. Private archaeological access and experiences most travellers miss.

Mexico Private Tours: Maya Ruins, Cenote Kayaking & Yucatán Jungle

Local Connections

Oaxaca is Mexico's tastiest secret—mezcal trails, ancient ruins, and mole worth crossing borders for. Pedal past giant cypress trees, hike between Zapotec mountain villages, and explore vibrant markets,&nbsp;hidden canyons and the sun-soaked Pacific Coast. With boutique stays and locals who turn every encounter into a fiesta, this adventure serves up Mexico’s soul—with extra salsa.&nbsp;

Spend 6 nights in Mexico City and Oaxaca in a small group for B&R's 60th. Baroque churches, Aztec pyramids, world-class cuisine and access that changes how

Mexico City & Oaxaca Tour: Baroque Churches, Aztec Pyramids & Fine Cuisine

Authentic Food & Mezcal

A different side of Mexico unfolds in Oaxaca, where culture, craft and landscape are inseparable. Cycle through mezcal country, hike misty mountain trails in the Sierra Norte and explore ancient Zapotec ruins on a journey through Oaxaca’s rich cultural heart. Along the way, discover vibrant markets, family-run workshops and exceptional local cuisine, all set against agave fields, colonial cities and hidden valleys—an experience shaped by movement, flavour and connection.

Experience Oaxaca’s vibrant culture on a multi-active small group tour. Cycle mezcal country, hike ancient trails and enjoy authentic local connections with B&R.

Luxury Oaxaca Multi-Active Tour | Bike, Hike & Cultural Experiences

Newfoundland's draw has traditionally been the wide expanses of raw nature, from ranging moose to towering icebergs. This&nbsp;landscape provides endless options to entertain the active explorer. As for the warm and cheery Newfoundlander, that&nbsp;seems to&nbsp;be what keeps visitors coming back. Experience Newfoundland your way on a private, tailor-made adventure inspired by these highlights.

Nature’s Wonders

Maritime Magic

Newfoundland is shaped by sea, story and time. Follow in the wake of Vikings and settlers, drawn by cod-rich waters and windswept shores. Sip molasses-tinged Screech, sway to Gaelic rhythms at lively “kitchen parties” and feel centuries of seafaring spirit in every note. Drift past towering icebergs, spot whales breaching in wild blue and stand on some of the oldest stones on Earth. And when the day ends, wind down&nbsp;in places like Fogo Island Inn—part sanctuary, part work of art and fully unforgettable.

Canada's eclectic east coast

Expertly curated with our favourite experiences in each destination, these departures bring together a maximum of 16 like-minded travellers on pre-set dates.

Want a set itinerary instead?

Explore our Scheduled trips

Walk Newfoundland's iceberg coast, spot whales and puffins from sea cliffs on a custom itinerary. Canada's most surprising destination, privately guided for

Newfoundland Private Tours: Iceberg Coast, Sea Cliffs & Canada's Hidden Gem

The Rockies are a stunning example of nature at her best.&nbsp;These transcendent mountains formed more than 80 million years ago from continental plates shifting beneath North America. Continuing tectonic activity, along with the erosion created by glaciers, resulted&nbsp;in the&nbsp;dramatic combination of jagged peaks and valleys we see today.&nbsp;What better way to experience them than on an adventure-packed private journey, tailor-made by our Experience Designer who calls the Rockies her backyard.

Breathtaking Landscapes

Understated Luxury

In the Wild

From towering peaks and glacier-carved valleys to trails that beg for boots or bike tires, the Rockies are simultaneously rugged and resplendent. Whether you’re hiking alpine ridges, paddling turquoise lakes or spotting elk at sunrise, this is wilderness with wow-factor. Designed by locals who know every switchback, our adventures in the Rockies are anything but ordinary.

Home to some of Canada’s most idyllic scenery

Bespoke travel lets you take our inspirational cues and craft them into your personalized, private adventure. Collaborate one-on-one with an Experience Designer to put together your tailor-made trip.

Ready to start planning?

Hike, bike and raft Banff and Canmore on a tailor-made itinerary. Wildlife trails, river canyons and wild Canada far beyond the viewpoints. Built for you.

Canadian Rockies Private Tours: Banff, Canmore & Wild Backcountry

Sample Canada’s most European province through its cheeses, wine, sparkling lakes and delightful city streets, travelling along roads that wind past old ancestral homes, covered bridges, historic churches and chapels. Rural antique shops abound, full of charming trinkets from the past and crafts by local artisans. Come wintertime, a blanket of snow covers the landscape in a soft, white glitter. Here are a few highlights to inspire your bespoke itinerary.

Worlds both old and new meet in Quebec

Go Bespoke!

British Columbia’s motto is Splendor Sine Occasu, or "splendour without diminishment." In Canada’s most biologically, geographically and climatically diverse province, it may be an understatement. The urge to explore this unbelievable variety of landscapes—from grasslands to soaring mountains, ocean to a modern metropolis—is irresistible. Gaze over Canada’s tallest mountain ranges, ride through cowboy country, fish salmon streams surrounded by coastal rainforest and visit beautiful Vancouver, a sophisticated world-class city.

Nature's Wonders

In British Columbia, the wild and the wonderful go hand in hand. Kayak with orcas, hike rainforest trails, bike past alpine lakes and toast it all with Okanagan wine. From coastal inlets to Rocky Mountain peaks, BC is where rugged beauty meets refined adventure and every trail leads to something unforgettable.

Canada's incredible West Coast

Hike ancient rainforests, kayak among orca pods and bike Tofino's coastal trails on a custom itinerary. Canada's Pacific wilderness, privately guided and