🇺🇸 New York / New Jersey

The region has three major airports. JFK (John F. Kennedy) is the main international airport, with direct flights from virtually every Latin American capital. Newark EWR, in New Jersey, is the closest airport to MetLife Stadium (just 15 minutes by car) and an excellent choice if the stadium is your priority. LaGuardia LGA handles mainly domestic flights.

From JFK, the AirTrain + Subway costs $10.75 USD to central Manhattan (45-60 minutes). Uber to downtown costs $50-80 USD. From Newark, the AirTrain + NJ Transit reaches Penn Station Manhattan in 30 minutes. From LaGuardia, the Q70 bus connects to the subway (free with MetroCard).

MetLife Stadium is in East Rutherford, NJ. It is NOT in Manhattan — this is key to understand. The most efficient way to get there will be via NJ Transit from Penn Station Manhattan, with special trains to Meadowlands station on event days. There will also be dedicated shuttle buses during the World Cup.

Amtrak connects to Philadelphia (1.5 hours), Boston (3.5 hours), and Washington DC (3 hours) from Penn Station — ideal if you want to visit multiple host cities.

The New York subway is the most extensive metro system in the Americas and runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The cost is $2.90 USD per ride with OMNY (contactless payment with card or phone) — you can use the same debit/credit card without buying a MetroCard. The subway covers Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx excellently.

To reach MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, you will need NJ Transit (train or bus) from Penn Station. On event days, NJ Transit operates special trains to Meadowlands station with frequent service. The cost is approximately $5-10 USD.

Uber and Lyft work throughout the region. Prices are higher than in LA or Mexican cities — a 20-minute ride in Manhattan can cost $15-25 USD.

Do NOT rent a car in Manhattan. Seriously. Parking costs $40-80 USD per day, traffic is hellish, and the subway takes you everywhere. Walking is the best way to explore Manhattan — the city is laid out in a grid and distances are shorter than they appear on the map.

To move between New York and New Jersey: PATH train ($2.75, connects Manhattan to Hoboken/Jersey City) or NJ Transit from Penn Station.

Jackson Heights, Queens, is the number one recommendation for Latin American fans. It is one of the most diverse neighborhoods on Earth with a vibrant Colombian, Mexican, Ecuadorian, and Peruvian community. The restaurants are authentic and affordable, Spanish is spoken on the streets, and the subway connection to central Manhattan takes 30 minutes. Accommodation prices: $50-100 USD per night.

Midtown Manhattan is the most convenient if you want to be in the center of the action: Times Square, Broadway, Central Park. But it is expensive ($150-400 USD per night) and touristy. If it is your first time in New York, the experience is worth it.

Brooklyn offers an interesting balance: neighborhoods like Williamsburg and DUMBO are trendy with excellent food and views of the Manhattan skyline. Prices of $100-250 USD. Excellent subway connectivity.

Jersey City and Union City, NJ, are smart and affordable options ($80-150 USD). They are closer to MetLife Stadium than Manhattan, have large Spanish-speaking communities, and the PATH train connects you to Manhattan in 15 minutes. Union City is approximately 65% Hispanic — you will feel at home.

The Bronx has very affordable options ($50-80 USD) and vibrant Dominican and Puerto Rican communities, but it is farther from MetLife Stadium.

New York has every cuisine on Earth, but for Latin American fans, Jackson Heights in Queens is the culinary paradise. Colombian restaurants (bandeja paisa, arepas, empanadas), Mexican (authentic tacos, pozole), Ecuadorian (hornado, ceviche), Peruvian (ceviche, lomo saltado), and more — all within a few blocks. Arepa Lady, which started as a street cart, is an icon.

Elmhurst, also in Queens, has some of the best tacos in the city. Corona has a huge Mexican community with bakeries, taquerias, and markets.

In Manhattan, halal carts (Arab food carts) on the corners are a legendary quick meal for $5-8 USD. Pizza by the slice ($3-5) is a mandatory New York ritual. Chinatown and Little Italy in Lower Manhattan are classics. For brunch, any Manhattan diner serves enormous portions.

Budget: street food and casual ($8-15 USD), neighborhood restaurant ($20-35 USD), trendy restaurant ($40-80 USD). New York is expensive — eat where the locals eat, not at the tourist traps of Times Square. Jackson Heights will give you the best value for money in the entire city.

New York is statistically very safe for tourists — crime is at historic lows. Manhattan, the main Brooklyn neighborhoods, and the tourist areas of Queens are safe both day and night.

Standard precautions: avoid empty subway cars late at night (ride in the busier cars), keep your phone and wallet discreet in crowded areas (pickpockets operate in tourist zones like Times Square), and watch your belongings on the subway during rush hour.

Times Square is safe but full of scams: costumed characters who aggressively ask for tips, CD sellers, and street performers who overcharge. Be firm and keep walking.

In case of emergency, dial 911. The NYPD (New York Police Department) has specialized tourist units. City hospitals are top-tier, though expensive — consider travel insurance.

Important tip for Latino fans: Jackson Heights and New York's Hispanic communities are generally safe and welcoming. Do not worry about language barriers — in many parts of Queens, Spanish is more useful than English.

June and July in New York are hot and humid. Temperatures range from 25 to 32 degrees Celsius (77-90 Fahrenheit), with occasional heat waves that can push the thermometer to 38 degrees. Humidity is high and can be suffocating, especially in the subway, where some stations lack air conditioning.

Afternoon thunderstorms are possible, usually brief but intense. Rain arrives fast and leaves fast.

What to pack: light and breathable clothing, comfortable walking shoes (you will walk A LOT in New York), sunscreen, sunglasses, a reusable water bottle, and a compact umbrella just in case. Bring a light jacket for places with strong air conditioning — restaurants, stores, and the subway can be freezing inside.

MetLife Stadium is an open-air stadium, so it will be exposed to heat or rain. Hydrate well before and during matches. Bring a cap and sunscreen.

The New York and New Jersey region has the largest Latin American population in the northeastern United States, and the diversity is astonishing. It is not just one Latino community — it is dozens of specific communities with their own identities.

Jackson Heights in Queens is the epicenter: Colombians, Ecuadorians, Mexicans, and Peruvians coexist in a cultural mosaic where restaurants, shops, and services operate entirely in Spanish. Walking along Roosevelt Avenue is like walking down a street in Bogota, Quito, or Mexico City — depending on the block.

Union City, NJ, is approximately 65% Hispanic, with a strong Cuban and Central American presence. Businesses serve in Spanish and Latino culture is the heart of the neighborhood. Hoboken and Jersey City also have growing Hispanic communities.

Spanish-language media is massive in the region: Univision and Telemundo have their headquarters nearby, Spanish-language radio stations are popular, and Spanish-language newspapers circulate widely. Consulates for Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, the Dominican Republic, and other Latin American countries are located in Manhattan.

For Latin American fans, this city does NOT feel foreign — your language and culture are everywhere in Queens. Restaurant tipping is 18-20%. Taxes (8.875% in NYC) are not included in prices. The dollar is the currency; some businesses in Queens accept pesos but at unfavorable exchange rates.