Port Antonio is the ideal town on an ideal island, with the best of everything Jamaica has to offer, from local cuisine to natural wonders. A different side of Jamaica, this rural town runs at a slow pace and operates by its own mysterious rhythms. The beautiful Blue Mountains, nestling centuries-old banana plantations, crash into coral-studded ocean coves. Wander through lush greens of the jungle trails, taking in the misty mountains or sail down a winding river on a bamboo raft.
Beautiful beaches, world-class dining and luxurious resorts galore on the largest of the Cayman Islands. While visiting this nature-lover’s paradise, head out along the Mastic Trail to see beautiful wildflowers and birds, take a leisurely walk through colorful botanical gardens at Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park or swim with the turtles at Cayman Turtle Centre. Take in centuries of history at the Pedro St. James, the 18th-century home and the oldest existing building in the Cayman Islands.
Island luxury and Caribbean life blend together on Great Exuma Island. Enjoy footloose freedom on the ivory sands of Emerald Bay, catching the soft breezes from the Tropic of Cancer with endless nooks and cays to explore. Exuma’s capital, the charming Caribbean city of Georgetown is a favorite spot for yachters, as the home to two major annual Regattas and Lake Victoria, the yachting paradise and a great place for boating, sailing and sea kayaking.
Set on a narrow peninsula on the coast of Slovenia is the charming coastal town of Piran, known by many as the gem of the Slovene Riviera. Half a millennium of Venetian rule has left its mark, as seen from the architecture throughout the town. A maze of narrow cobblestoned streets is outlined by colorful houses with terracotta roofs and surrounded by olive groves and pebble beaches. At the heart of the town, Tartini Square is the perfect place to grab a coffee and people watch while admiring the Gothic style Venetian house, the Teatre Piran and the harbor.
For over a century, the Panama Canal has been a vital artery nourishing the world’s economy, with hundreds of passenger ships, cargo ships and tankers sailing through the canal’s original locks every month. The massive engineering feat makes it possible for ships to transit large bodies of water in just hours rather than circumnavigating the entirety of South America to reach their final destination. This man-made marvel is a bucket list item for many world travelers--whether sailing through or exploring on foot, the Panama Canal is one of Panama’s most popular attractions.
Panama’s capital, described as the “crossroads of the world”, sits right at the heart of the country and serves as the main artery into the rest of the country. The number of skyscrapers that line Panama City’s skyline is ever-growing, and the pace of life is never slow. Even with the modernity and constant change, the city’s history remains well-preserved for all to see. See what’s left of the original Panama City at Panama Viejo dating back to the 1600s and spend an afternoon walking the cobblestoned historic center, Casco Viejo.
Set on a horseshoe bay, San Juan del Sur is a fun beachside party town surrounded by postcard-worthy beaches and mountains carving out an incredible coastal view.
Corinto, Nicaragua’s largest port, is a quiet village on the tropical Pacific coast and serves as an inlet to the rest of the country. Long stretches of white sand and clear blue waters welcome travelers to the quaint port town teeming with history and culture. Travel to the nearby city of León and visit the largest cathedral in Central America and see the ruins of León Viejo, one of the oldest settlements in the Americas, which was buried by a series of powerful earthquakes in 1610.
On the Pacific Coast, Puerto Quetzal is a cruiser’s entryway to Guatemala, with seemingly endless ways to explore the country. Just to the north is the small colonial town of Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with museums, churches, art galleries and cafes and situated between three volcanos.
Acajutla is El Salvador’s principal seaport on the Pacific coast. Visitors to this charming seaside resort are welcomed by friendly people enjoying marvelous beaches. At Los Cabanos Beach, divers can take an extended diving tour to see reefs and other marine life. Deep-sea and reef fishers can hop on a chartered boat and hit the water for an afternoon of fishing. For the more adventurous, just inland from the port, the forests of Apaneca are a prime spot for a zip-line tour with spectacular views.
