As much of USA list as one can, in Toronto and Central America: suggestions? (1 Viewer)

[earlytorise]

Suppose that I aimed to tick as much of the American list as possible
(overstating my ambitions list-wise, but just for the sake of argument)

I don't want to pay North American hotel prices - USD125 per night. My idea of a birding holiday is Malaysia - lodging USD30 per night.
I also don't want to rely on cars, for I can't drive. That rules out huge national parks that I would need a car to cover well. It doesn't rule out a taxi from one accommodation to another for a fee. Convenience is key.

Canada: my situation
Luckily, as I said in another post, I have family and friends in Toronto.
I might go there for, let's say, ten days every two years. I would visit places that don't force me to stay out of town. So e.g. Point Pelee won't be on the cards.
The trains and buses work OK. I could ask for lifts very sporadically.

America thoughts
I may tolerate one USA trip where the hotels are unusually cheap. Maybe Las Vegas? Your suggestions are welcome!

Mexico and beyond thoughts
But everything else I would prefer to get in Central America.
A stay in Mexico City would be nice. What month would be best, again for the goal of USA birds?
Your suggestions for anywhere else in Central America - as long as it's affordable, easy and towards the same goal - are welcome too!

No specific targets.
Anything that crosses your mind, even if tangentially helpful, feel free to share. For instance, the main wintering grounds for Kirtland's Warbler is the Bahamas, and I was surprised to find out just now that the accommodation is not cheap.

 

[rajas]

Hotspots in Toronto are High Park, Col Sam Smith Park, Tommy Thompson Park and the Toronto Islands. All are accessible using public transit (short ferry ride needed for the Island)

 

[Mike Crawley]

I imagine that, visiting at the right time, you could do quite well in Costa Rica.
I have no idea on hotel/hostel prices and wouldn’t presume to google on your behalf.
It’s a fabulous friendly country though with great birding spots

 

[kb57]

Cuba should be good for overwintering North American species, it's not too far from Florida. I would imagine (like in Central America) that you'd want to be there towards the end of winter, when warblers are getting back into breeding plumage.

 

[earlytorise]

Hotspots in Toronto

I have been to them in late June, a bit uneventful. I look forward to the spring migration.

Costa Rica

Cuba

These are great destinations, regardless of the USA goal. I will have to look at which specific hotspots are best for migrants from up north.

First step in my research: the most accessible place where I can clean up on New World waders?

 

[Xenospiza]

30 years ago, I went round Texas by bus. I stayed in motels or pitched a tent in National/State Park campgrounds.
This involved some (maximum) 10 km walks. I also rented a bike in Austin.
It was in summer when air conditioning was a life saver... and not the birdiest time of year.
No idea how feasible it would be nowadays. Most of Texas was obviously out of bounds!

 

[Patudo]

Anything that crosses your mind, even if tangentially helpful, feel free to share.

I'm not sure how realistic it is to expect South East Asian prices in the USA. You could camp, I suppose ... but you'd then need a car, and probably bear spray...

 

[Xenospiza]

I'm not sure how realistic it is to expect South East Asian prices in the USA. You could camp, I suppose ... but you'd then need a car, and probably bear spray...

I think you're vastly exaggerating the need for bear spray. I've camped in Texas, Wyoming, North Dakota, Minnesota and California without the requirement for any bear-related measures. Except for Texas, I did all this by car... without a car the USA is basically unviable.

 

[Brad Hacker]

South Texas is cheap by US standards and during spring migration you can see a lot of species pass through.

 

[temmie]

Another possibility:
find yourself one or more travel companions who can drive. Share costs. Camp in parks. You'll have a cheap and fun USA trip I guess (I guess = I haven't done this / been there, but I heard many such stories from friends).

 

[Patudo]

find yourself one or more travel companions

You'll then have to worry about serial killers, as well as bears...