I have been to CA several times without a GPS. The only time I wished I have had one is when I am trying to find my out of a big city, due to the lack of highway signs through town. This helps your spanish, though, when you have to ask directions.
You will probably find it easier to buy paper maps at home, rather than in the countries you are travelling in. You can probably find the IMTB maps at a good bookstore in Canada. I like the city center maps in the Lonely Planet books, they show attractions like museums and whatever.
GPS's have their place. You will meet other travellers who will share routes with you to places they have been that would be difficult to find otherwise. Either way works, but no, they are not necessary.
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