Cartagena, Colombia
Charming Cartagena is one of the most fascinating towns in South America. The old city, almost completely surrounded by lagoons, bays and the Caribbean Sea, is still girded by its 17th-century fortifications. Once these guarded the gold and treasures of the New World, bound for Spain; now they shelter ornate churches and convents, the dramatic Palace of the Inquisition, and other historic gems.

Caldera, Costa Rica
Caldera provides a gateway from Costa Rica's sunbrowned Pacific coast to the riches of this prosperous Central American republic. Walk in a rainforest, visit the village of Sarchi with its brightly painted woodcrafts, or drive through sugarcane and coffee plantations to San Jose, the charming colonial capital.

Santo Tomas de Castilla, Guatemala
Santo Tomas is located on a small stretch of Caribbean coast virtually untouched by man. Do not miss an excursion to Tikal, the largest and most impressive of all classic Mayan sites with over 500 excavated structures.

Puerto Cortes, Honduras
Honduras is the most exciting country in the world for archeological research. Copan, just a few hours away, is called the "Paris of the Ancient World," known for her Mayan art, architecture and sculpture.

Roatan, Honduras
Roatan is the largest of Honduras' Bay Islands with small towns and fishing villages built along the water's edge. Ideal for snorkeling, explore her off-shore coral reefs inhabited by brilliantly colored fish and multicolored aquatic gardens.

Panama Canal, Panama
Spend an unforgettable day cruising the Panama Canal, a fifty-one-mile waterway through the rainforest that is one of the world's engineering masterpieces. The ship glides down the canal with inches to spare, through locks that raise and lower it like a toy. Along the way it crosses enormous Gatun Lake, and the amazing Gaillard Cut, blasted out of a solid mountainside.

San Blas Islands, Panama
The friendly Cuna Indians live quietly on these primitive islands off Panama's Caribbean coast. Your visit to their home is still a special occasion for these isolated island dwellers. They are happy to let you photograph them in their colorful attire, for perhaps a small tip. Bargain for one of their fancifully designed handmade embroideries called molas.