CENTRAL AMERICA EXPEDITION with SILVERSEA
FORT LAUDERDALE (Florida) To LIMA (Callao) 19 days
With the temples of the Sun and Moon as ultimate cultural high spots, embark for a colourful journey of pink beaches, rainbow fish and tropical birds. Seven countries in 19 days allows for far more than snapshots; while Zodiac cruises, lush, varied National Parks and the eponymous Panama Canal make sure there is something for everyone. Days at sea allow for ample relaxation.
FORT LAUDERDALE (FLORIDA)
Like many southeast Florida neighbours, Fort Lauderdale has long been revitalizing. In a state where gaudy tourist zones often stand aloof from workaday downtowns, Fort Lauderdale exhibits consistency at both ends of the 2-mile Las Olas corridor. The sparkling look results from upgrades both downtown and on the beachfront. Matching the downtown’s innovative arts district, cafés, and boutiques is an equally inventive beach area, with hotels, cafés, and shops facing an undeveloped shoreline, and new resort-style hotels replacing faded icons of yesteryear.
HARBOUR ISLAND, Bahamas
Harbour Island charms every visitor, with its colourful Colonial houses and wild horses occasionally spotted running along the serene beaches. A small slip of island, extending three miles from north to south and less than half a mile wide, despite its small size it has about 1,700 residents and one incorporated town, Dunmore Town, named after the governor of the Bahamas John Murray, the 4th Earl of Dunmore (1785 to 1798 governorship). The island is known for its pink sand beaches – the pink comes from a microscopic organism (foraminifera) with a reddish-pink shell.
CONCEPTION ISLAND, Bahamas
Conception Island is an uninhabited island in the Bahamas, and a protected Bahamas National Land and Sea Park. The approximately 3 square-mile island is pristine, with idyllic powder white beaches and crystal-clear water. Conception island is an important nesting location for seabirds and a hatching site for green sea turtles. Snorkelers and divers will see a wide array of tropical fish, among them Queen Anglefish, Nassau Groupers, Rainbow Parrotfish and Blue Tangs. Lucky visitors may get to see wild dolphin that frequent the area at times.
DAY AT SEA
Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is whale watching from the Observatory Lounge, writing home to your loved ones or simply topping up your tan by the pool, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.
PROVIDENCIA ISLAND, Colombia
Providencia Island boasts hike-worthy views and a stunningly bright blue lagoon noted for the vibrancy of its waters even on a cloudy day. It is a Columbian island with a distinctly Caribbean atmosphere, yet the residents of this special destination speak predominantly English and an English-based Creole.
SAN ANDRES ISLAND, Colombia
The San Andres and Providencia archipelago comprises Colombia’s Caribbean islands, lying some 290 miles north of the South American coast. Palm-dotted San Andres is only eight miles long and two miles wide. It is noted for beautiful sand beaches, crystal-clear waters and good diving sites. At one time the island belonged to Britain and, according to local lore; it was a favorite hideout for the legendary pirate Henry Morgan. In 1822, San Andres came under the control of Colombia. In recent years the original population has greatly increased due to unrestricted immigration from the mainland.
BOCA DEL TORO, Panama
Translated as Mouths of the Bull, Bocas del Toro is both a province and an archipelago in the northwest Caribbean Sea in Panama. The archipelago contains 10 larger islands (including the main Isla Colon, where the town of Bocas del Toro is situated), 50 cays and 200 tiny islets. The region contains Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park, Panama’s first national marine park that covers over 32,000 acres and protects forests, mangroves, monkeys, sloths, caiman, crocodile and 28 species of amphibians and reptiles. The park also contains Playa Larga, an important nesting site for sea turtles.
COLON, Panama
The provincial capital of Colón, beside the canal’s Atlantic entrance, is named for the Spanish-language surname of Christopher Columbus, though the Americans called it Aspinwall in the 19th century. It was once a prosperous city, as the architecture of its older buildings attests, but it spent the second half of the 20th century in steady decay.
PANAMA CANAL TRANSIT, Panama
In daylight we will traverse the 48-mile Panama Canal, a manmade waterway that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and one of the most challenging engineering projects ever undertaken. Between the canal and the rain forest that covers its islands, banks, and adjacent national parks, there is enough to see and do to fill several days. Central Panama stretches out from the canal across three provinces and into two oceans to comprise everything from the mountains of the Cordillera Central to the west, to the Caribbean coral reefs and colonial fortresses in the north, to the beaches of the Pearl Islands in the Bahía de Panamá (Bay of Panama) in the south.
DAY AT SEA
QUEPOS, Costa Rica
Quepos allows tourists to experience a once in a lifetime nature experience in Manuel Antonio National Park without leaving any of the familiar amenities behind. The close proximity of the park, located just 4.3 miles (7 km) to the south, and a wide array of services makes Quepos the perfect place to visit for those who wish to explore this enchanting area. Home to many of Costa Rica’s endangered species, while this is Costa Rica’s “smallest” national park, it spans 1,700 acres of land and 136,000 acres of ocean! The site is known for its wildlife-rich hiking trails and gorgeous white sand beaches.
GOLFITO, Costa Rica
Golfito, is situated along a small inlet of Golfo Dulce. This small port city is a narrow strip along Golfito Bay backed against steep green hills covered with pristine rainforest, with the Golfo Dulce seaward outside Golfito Bay. Surrounded by tropical rainforest, Golfito provides an ideal location to escape from your hectic schedule and enjoy some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica with a stunning backdrop of verdant hills and lush rainforest.
DAY AT SEA
ISLA DE LA PLATA, Ecuador
Isla de la Plata translates to ‘Island of Silver’, and the name was derived from the legend of swashbuckling pirate Sir Francis Drake’s buried silver treasure. The popular legend states that in the 16th century, hundreds of tons of silver and gold were never fully recovered and are still hidden on the island. The island was privately owned until 1979, when it was declared part of Ecuador’s Machalilla National Park. Best known for its fauna, which is amazingly similar to that of the Galapagos Islands, Isla de la Plata is a delightful place for birding, photography and long nature walks.
MACHALA, Ecuador
Several National Sanctuaries and Ecological Reserves found near Machala boast sun-drenched beaches and mangrove forests. Pelicans, frigatebirds, and egrets nest nearby as Blue-footed Boobies dive for fish further out to sea. Whales and dolphins can occasionally be seen in the vicinity. Machala, with a population of approximately 250,000 inhabitants, is moreover known for traditional Latin American foods from shrimp ceviche to fried bananas. In fact, bananas feature heavily in the culture as the city is also known as the “Capital of the Banana.
DAY AT SEA
CRUISE ISLA LOBOS DE TIERRA, Peru
Isla Lobos de Tierra and Lobos de Afuera are steep and rocky islands that protrude more than 200 feet from the surface of the deep blue Pacific. An abundant array of marine mammals and seabirds surround these two islands. Sea lions bask on the beach and hundreds of Blue-footed Boobies can be viewed ashore as well, while Peruvian Pelicans pass overhead. Lucky visitors may see the rare blue whale pass by these islands.
SALAVERRY, Peru
Located about nine hours north of Lima, Trujillo was founded in 1534 by the Spanish conquistador Pizarro. The attractive, colonial city retains much of its original charm with elegant casonas, or mansions, lining the streets. Nearby is Chan Chan, the ancient capital of the Chimú, a local Indian tribe who came under the rule of the Incas. The area has several other Chimú sites, some dating back about 1500 years. The region is also famous as the home of the Peruvian Paso horses, as well as excellent beaches offering world-class surfing and other water sports.
LIMA (CALLAO), Peru
When people discuss great South American cities, Lima is often overlooked. But Peru’s capital can hold its own against its neighbours. It has an oceanfront setting, colonial-era splendour, sophisticated dining, and nonstop nightlife. It’s true that the city—clogged with traffic and choked with fumes—doesn’t make a good first impression, especially since the airport is in an industrial neighbourhood.
