This large country consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major self-governing territories, 326 Indian reservations, and some minor possessions. The USA is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in the world and some of the most recognizable icons on the planet. The major characteristic of America is probably its great variety. Its physical environment ranges from the Arctic to the subtropical seas, from the moist rain forest to the arid desert, from the rugged mountain peak to the flat prairie. The United States is an incredibly diverse nation, thanks to the immigration from all over the world over the history of the country, creating ethnical and racial diversity.
The USA has diverse weather conditions and the best time to visit depends both upon the location zou are visiting, the kind of trip and the activities you want to make the most of. Spring and autumn are generally cooler and comfortable times to visit almost any part of the country. The summer months are generally hot regardless of the region, but winter temperatures can vary substantially depending upon the part of the US you are visiting. Winters on the eastern and western coasts are mild on the south and cold in the north, particularly on the eastern coast; while in the states in the centre of the country temperatures are normally lower, typically with extreme cold on the northern states bordering with Canada and cool to cold temperatures on the south. In general, unless you are skying, it is best to avoid the winter if visiting the north or the central states. The summer months are hot, particularly in the south, with humidity also hitting hard near the coasts and should therefore be avoided; however, for the north of the country this time brings nice weather to enjoy outdoor activities and National Parks are open and accessible. Spring and autumn are good seasons to discover the country with fewer crowds and milder temperatures, being the end of autumn and the begining of spring more welcoming in the south, while the begining of autumn and the end of spring are best for the north ensure you avoid the colder times. Finally, it is worth noting that hurricane season on the south and southeast coasts is from June to November, with tropical storms and hurricanes hitting the country most commonly between August and October.
Since it is, nevertheless, quite challenging to provide sufficient details briefly for such a broad country, the country is splitted in regions to try to be as specific as possible
East coast: spring starts turning freezing temperatures of the north to mild days in late March-early April. In the south spring is a lovely time to visit before the humidity sets in. Although beaches in the south are pleasant almost year round, summer in the east coast is all about beaches thanks to the hot weather, which gets milder further north. Winter weather brings freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall along much of the east coast. Autumn is all about spectacular fall foliage in the north, when trees up and down the coast burst into dazzling colours; while mild temperatures in the south make autumn a good time to explore the coast.
West coast: to make the most of the national parks in the south, the best time to travel are late spring and early autumn, when the temperatures are mild and days clear and sunny to explore. The summer is the time to hit the beach, from California’s oceanfront piers to the peaceful stunning beaches of Oregon. Wandering further inland to the deserts will not be pleasant. In winter, temperatures drop and precipitation increases. Inland, winters can be bitterly cold particularly in the north, with snow falling in mountain regions starting the ski season, while the coast and the deserts remain mild.
Southern USA: the milder seasons of spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the best times to visit, when days are warm and sunny, and the nights are pleasantly cool. From June, heat and humidity become an issue and travel over July and August is best avoided. Days are hot and humid, with coastal areas prone to more rain than elsewhere and thunderstorms not uncommon. In Autumn, the milder temperatures and dry days of September and October make autumn a wonderful time of year to visit the South. Winter is mild but brings more rainfall.
Northern USA: the best time to visit is between end of May until early October. June brings pleasant temperatures, colourful flora and fauna and fewer crowds than July and August, when temperatures range from warm to very hot depending on the area and cities can feel stifling. September and October offer pleasant temperatures and sunny days, coupled with great accessibility into quieter national parks and their fall foliage. Winter brings heavy snowfall and frozen lakes. While spring sunny days reveal lush vegetation, attractive grasslands and wildlife emerges.
Alaska: the best time to visit Alaska is mid-June to late-August or early September, with warmer long days. Alaska’s wildlife, including bears, sea otters, seals and whales are visible throughout this period, with June and July as the best months for sightings. Nevertheless, weather in Alaska can change very quickly at any time of year. The winter months are best avoided, unless you are looking for winter sports or northern lights. From end of August through September nature puts on quite a show in Alaska with its fall foliage, tundra turning a deep, rich red, while the birch trees, aspens, and alders become bright yellow.
Hawaii: this archipelago state in the Pacific Ocean is a great destination year-round, although the best weather is typically during April, May, September, and October. The weather is warm year-round. When planning your trip, there are a few things to keep in mind:
The US Dollar is the official currency. Typically, 1,12 to 1,20 us dollars per Euro
The United States has no official language. English is spoken by the overwhelming majority of Americans. Spanish is the second-most spoken language in the US after English, but there are at least 350 languages are spoken in the US today.
Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either a non-immigrant visa for temporary stay or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. Citizens of qualified countries may be able to visit the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program, you can check the travel documents requirements according to your nationality on the following link. Please note that all travellers travelling to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program must obtain authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) system prior to initiating travel to the United States.
If you are travelling to the USA, you can rest assured that an ATM will never be too far. There are over 400,000 ATMs in the USA. You will find them in bank lobbies, on street corners, at supermarkets, in shopping malls, at petrol stations and in bars and restaurants.
Most ATMs in the USA accept Cirrus, Maestro and Plus cards, beyong the standard Visa and Mastercard. The ATM should display the logos of all card networks it accepts. U.S. banking regulations vary from state to state and so do ATM fees. Free ATMs are rare, unless you are using an ATM of the same bank which issued your card. Fees average about $2-3 per transaction, but can be lower or much higher depending on the location.
There are different time zones in the USA. From east to west the main US time zones are, Eastern Standard Time (EST) GMT-5, Central Standard Time (CST) GMT-6, Mountain Standard Time (MST) GMT-7, Pacific Standard Time (PST) GMT-8, Alaskan Standard Time (AKST) GMT-9, Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (HST) GMT-10.
There are plenty of airports all across the US. The main ones considering the number of travellers every year, which you may get to or transit through, are Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Denver International Airport. Other international airports include:
East Coast: New York John F. Kennedy Airport (located in the south of the Borough of Queens on Long Island, southeast of Manhattan) and Miami Airport (is located in the west of the city).
West Coast: Los Angeles Airport (located in the southwest of the city of Los Angeles, south of Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Venice Beach) and Portland International Airport (northeast of downtown Portland).
Southern USA: Houston George Bush Airport (located to the north of the city) and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (west of downtown New Orleans).
Northern USA: O’Hare International Airport (located northwest from city of Chicago) and Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (largest and busiest airport in the upper Midwest region).
Hawaii: Honolulu Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (located just west of the capital Honolulu, on the island of Oahu).
Alaska: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (is the major airport in the U.S. state of Alaska, 8 km southwest of downtown Anchorage).
Some large cities provide different methods of public transportation, but in general the urban public transport networks in the US are quite poor. Americans mostly rely on their private car and taxis for transportation in most cases. When visiting most areas of the country a rental car will be the most useful and economical mode of transportation. In some large cities, such as in New York City, Chicago, Boston, Washington DC, the San Francisco Bay Area, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Atlanta the subway network provide reasonable frequencies and connections. Other cities have small, one- or two-line rail systems that mainly serve downtown areas. While light rail systems (trams and trollies) are becoming increasingly popular in cities such as Denver, Seattle, San Diego, Minneapolis and Portland.
For long distance trips, domestic flight connections offer a fast and affordable way to reach most areas of the country. Alternatively, travelling by car is a simple way to enjoy the country at your own pace. Roads are generally in good condition and driving is safe and easy.
Forgeting to tip servers in bars and restaurants, taxi and food delivery drivers, etc (low wage workers need tips to come close to a living income); discussing openly about race, gender or obesity; disrespecting the national flag or anthem; taking pictures of military facilities; not taking police seriously.
Food in the US reflects the history of the country, blending the culinary contributions of various nationalities and ethnies, including indigenous American Indians, African Americans, Asians, Europeans, Pacific Islanders, and Hispanic Americans. American food is best known for their comfort food and although it is true most eateries focus on these staples, particularly outside of larger cities, there are plenty of foods to discover throughout the US. Italian and Mexican food are prevalent across the country and restaurants specializing in Asian, European and other ethnic cuisines are reasonably easy to come across. In addition, there are clear regional culinary influences and specialities. For example, the Southwest is greatly influenced by Mexican cuisine, clearly showed by dishes such as chilli con carne, nachos, burritos or chimichangas; while seafood plays and important role in the north of the east and west coast, with specialities such as clam chowder, crab cakes and lobster sandwiches. Barbecue is nearly a religion in southern US with different states using their own styles, and cooking is heavily influenced by cajun and African American cuisines, with dishes such as Jambalaya and fried chicken. Some national favourites, beyond hot dogs and burgers, include: “Philly Cheesesteak” (hot sandwich is a Philadelphia staple and a nation’s favourite made of thin slices of beef, onions and melted cheese), “Buffalo Wings” (chicken wings, spicy sauce, creamy dressing, and crunchy veggies) and “Meat loaf” (a loaf of ground meat that’s baked, topped with sauce and served in slices).
It is important to note that portions are big and meat is the main staple in most of the country, although vegetarian and vegan options are reasonably easy to find in large towns.
Plug types in the US include types A and B, American type plugs, unearthed and earthed, respectively. Plug types A and B have two flat parallel pins, while type B also features a third grounding pin. USA operates on a 120V supply voltage and 60Hz.
In the United States free public healthcare is not available and international tourists without insurance will have to pay for any healthcare expenses, which are generally very expensive also when compared with other developed countries. Private health insurance covering any health expenses during your stay in the US is highly recommended, particularly if staying for a long duration or performing dangerous sports.
The legal age for drinking alcohol in the US is 21 years.
Racism is still prevalent in some areas of the US and entering certain neighbourhoods may call unwanted attention, so always be aware of your surroundings.
Tipping is an important part of the American culture, and should not be underestimated. People in the service industry are typically paid below minimum wage so they rely on tips as a large part of their income. It usually follows these rules: 10% if you were unsatisfied, 15% if it was ok, 20% for excellent service.
