Visiting the United States in May is like a walk in the park.

May is a great time to dust off the hiking boots if you're looking to check a few US National Parks off the list. Visiting Yosemite, Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon during shoulder season is a smart move as they tend to have higher prices and larger crowds in the summertime. And while desert parks like Joshua Tree and Zion might have sky-high temperatures in July and August, days in May are pleasantly warm with cooler nights, perfect for exploring the wonderfully unique landscapes.

Top 10 United States tours May 2023

Departing Days From NZD
1 May 2023
Hiking and Camping in Joshua Tree
4 2565
4 May 2023
Zion Ranch Stay
4 4020
4 May 2023
Hiking and Backpacking Yosemite's North Rim
4 2285
5 May 2023
Best of the South: Atlanta to New Orleans
12 8730
6984
5 May 2023
Georgia History Trail to Nashville
7 4770
3339
5 May 2023
Hiking and Camping in Zion
3 2250
8 May 2023
Hiking and Backpacking North Carolina's Appalachian Trail
3 1545
8 May 2023
Hiking and Camping in Utah
6 3405
11 May 2023
Tennessee Music Trail to New Orleans
6 4680
4212
13 May 2023
Hiking Utah's National Parks
9 5985
13 May 2023
Western USA National Parks Loop
5 3350
3015
13 May 2023
Real LA to San Francisco
Ages 18 to 29
11 3730
14 May 2023
Vegas to LA: Grand National Parks
10 6810
4767
15 May 2023
Hiking in the Grand Canyon
5 4490
15 May 2023
Walking in California's Sierra Nevada
5 3045
16 May 2023
LA to Vegas Adventure
5 1980
1485
20 May 2023
Hiking in Yosemite National Park
6 3750
3188
26 May 2023
Hiking Washington's Olympic National Park
3 3110
26 May 2023
Hiking and Backpacking in Yellowstone
4 2315
28 May 2023
Washington to New York City Discovery
7 6055
28 May 2023
Vegas to San Fran
6 1810

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United States FAQs

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Learn more about Intrepid’s COVID-19 policy

The answer is maybe – depending on where you’re from. Many countries now operate under the United States Visa Waiver Program, meaning a visa isn't required for stays of up to 90 days for travel purposes. There are 40 participating countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and Spain.

If you are eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, you will need to obtain an authorization letter that confirms you have been approved to travel. Authorization letters can be obtained by submitting an application through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, also known as ESTA. It takes roughly 20 minutes to apply and you'll need to complete the application before you travel to the States.

Learn more about visa requirements for the United States

Tipping is very much a part of the culture in the US. Tips are expected at restaurants, cafes, and diners, as well as by taxi drivers, valet attendants, porters, and hotel maids. People working in the service industry generally are generally paid a wage that is lower than the country's minimum wage and therefore rely upon tips as a major source of their income. In general, leave 15-20% of the bill at places serving food and a few dollars for hotel staff who provide a personal service like carrying bags or cleaning your room.

Learn more about tipping in the United States

Internet access is excellent in the US, and internet cafes and Wi-Fi hot spots are easily found in most cities and major towns.

Major credit cards are widely accepted by stores in the US. Smaller cafes and shops may not accept credit cards, so ensure you carry enough cash to cover small purchases. If you need to withdraw cash, ATMs in major cities are abundant.

You sure do. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their tour. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability, and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every trip.

Learn more about travel insurance

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. However, we’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Learn more about Accessible Travel with Intrepid

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