Enjoy the most exciting adventure in the natural wonderland of Costa Rica. Board the Pacific Tropical Forest Aerial Tram and literally fly through the forest canopy and take an exhilarating jungle cruise on the Tarcoles River. The Pacific Tropical Forest Aerial Tram is the only tour that provides a unique exploration of the canopy in the Transitional Tropical dry Forest on Costa Rica’s mid-Pacific coastline. Dry upland forest meets humid coastal dry forest with unique species colonizing the treetops and the canopy in this 222-acre eco-tourism park, dedicated to conservation. Embark on a gondola designed for 9 passengers to safely glide through a living backdrop of giant trees, hanging gardens and lush green landscapes. Panoramic ocean views and sightings of exotic flora and fauna will introduce you to this unique transitional dry forest. Your experience includes a guided walk through the forest. A visit to the medicinal plant and Butterfly Garden will complement your walk. After your tram ride, enjoy a Costa Rican lunch at the park in a lush natural setting. You can also shop at Rainforest, where you can find a variety of local and handmade arts, crafts and designs as well as Costa Rican souvenirs before transferring to Tarcoles for a jungle river journey. Upon arrival at the Visitor Center you will board comfortable roof covered open boats to explore the world famous Tarcoles River. This river tour usually takes 1 hour. It will provide a great understanding of the life and death of the mangroves and swamps that constitute one of the most important ecosystems in Costa Rica. Noted for its mangrove forests, the Tarcoles River is a wonderful and crucial habitat for hundreds of species and a wide variety of sea and shore birds as well as colonies of the largest crocodiles in Central America. During the tour, our naturalist guide will help you identify a great variety of birds and wildlife. This habitat is also vital for the preservation of the endangered Scarlet Macaw. Tour sequence may vary.

OVERVIEW

Interact with southern stingrays and a passel of pigs while wading in the crystal-clear waters off Treasure Island. It won’t take long to reach the private oasis, giving you all the more time to enjoy these unusual encounters. Stingrays are abundant there and quite willing for you to touch them. As you will discover by being so close to these graceful, diamond-shaped stingrays, they are used to human contact. You will also have the opportunity to touch starfish, conchs and sand dollars, so you can expect the interaction to be incredibly fulfilling. Perhaps even more surprising, you will be greeted by swimming pigs. The guides will show you how to maximize your time with these friendly porcine animals. They love attention so be ready for a fun and immersive experience as the pigs happily share their swimming hole. They may even follow you ashore to the observation deck that overlooks the sea. Feel free to explore the 5000 sq ft observation deck, visit the retail store for unique souvenirs, and access the bar with breathtaking views. A variety of cold beers, Treasure Island Rum Punch, water, and more are available for purchase.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Wade into the shallows off Treasure Island where you will encounter stingrays and pigs.
• Touch and pet the typically docile stingrays as they swim right up to you.
• Interact with the island’s cute resident pigs, who are remarkably good swimmers.
• Touch other marine creatures such as starfish and conchs.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear a swimsuit and bring a towel.
• Wear flat, comfortable water shoes.

Your tour begins with a scenic journey along Jamaica’s beautiful coastline. On arrival at Dolphin Cove Negril, you’ll be greeted by a friendly hostess and receive a welcome drink. After a brief orientation, you’ll enter the world of these fascinating mammals. Get to know these gentle creatures from a platform in shallow water, experience the emotion as you caress these beautiful animals, enjoy a splash and even a kiss or two! View the stingrays in their natural lagoon. Then relax and enjoy shopping for unique souvenirs in the gift shop. After this exciting experience, you’ll be transported to the world famous Doctor’s Cave Beach located on Montego Bay’s "must see” hip strip. This beautiful white sand beach is known for its crystal-clear waters and relaxing atmosphere. Food, drink, umbrellas and beach chair rentals are available at an extra cost. After this relaxing day you'll be returned to your awaiting ship.

On this tour you’ll experience Acapulco from a unique perspective, as you cruise through one of the most beautiful bays in the region. Your transfer boat will take you to your vessel on which you’ll set sail for La Quebrada to view the world famous cliff divers as they plunge nearly 130 feet into the ocean below. Continue sailing along the coast, passing by the million dollar mansions of the rich and famous perched on the Acapulco hills. Taste an array of Mexican appetizers and beverages while you enjoy the sights from the bay.

OVERVIEW

You'll be escorted to the embarking point in the port, where your adventure begins. Sail to the pristine beach that rims Bahia de las Aguilas in a regular motor boat for a one-hour boat ride to your pop-up beach adventure. You may even spot manatees, which thrive in the crystalline waters as the bay lies within the protected Jaragua National Park. Bahia de las Aguilas translates to Bay of the Eagles, a name that may refer to the sea eagles that feast on the fish there. The area couldn’t be more remote or undeveloped, which is much of its appeal. The captain will pick a spot that will be ideal for you to relax on the beach and within a carpeted tent ideal for glamping.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take in the gorgeous tropical scenery as you cruise to secluded Bahia de las Aguilas.
• Relax on a lengthy stretch of beach chosen for its privacy and natural beauty.
• Enjoy access to a tent with a carpet to enhance your glamping experience.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

This Mexican Outback and Camel Safari is an unforgettable eco-adventure that combines spectacular views, delicious cuisine and an exciting beach camel ride.

Check in at the pier, sign your waivers, and make a quick bathroom stop. Continue with a short walk to board your A/C vans for the scenic 45 minute drive into the heart of the Baja outback and Rancho Tierra Sagrada.

Upon arrival at Rancho Tierra Sagrada, you will be greeted by your friendly and knowledgeable local expert who will give you a briefing of the adventure that awaits you.

Start by meeting our friendly camels, these gentle giants will then take you on a fun and unique caravan across the white sands of the beach. From your perch high atop the camel, you'll have excellent views of your surroundings and in the winter months, you'll want to keep an eye out for whales which are sometimes spotted off-shore.

After you've dismounted your camel, your good times continue as you expert guide leads you on a guided tour through desert vegetation, pointing out the indigenous flora and fauna, making this a true eco experience.

The pathway of your nature walk will lead you to the restaurant of our local ranch overlooking the Pacific Ocean, where you'll have a chance to catch your breath and savor some traditional Mexican food of hand-made tortillas, beans and salsas. Your guide will continue with a Tequilla sampling and a short class on how to make traditional tortillas.

Then it's time to head back to the pier. Re-board the A/C van and enjoy some breathtaking views of the Baja desert while you drive beside the Pacific Ocean coast line.

The image conjured by Panama is generally that of the spectacular Canal, considered by many as one of the eighth wonder of the world, and rightly so. The Panama Canal cuts through one of the narrowest saddles of the Isthmus of Panama approximately 80 kilometers long, joining North & South America with the Atlantic & Pacific Oceans.

Today you will have a unique opportunity to travel on board a comfortable air conditioned motor coach and travel from Atlantic to Pacific on a similar route once used by the Spanish Conquistadors and the 49ers seeking a short cut in search of Gold in the West.

Your first stop will be Miraflores Locks, take this opportunity to pause and view the gargantuan ships that make their way through the Panama Canal and visit the four exhibition halls, organized by themes that constitute the heart of the Miraflores Visitors Center.

Continuing with the Panama Canal informative tour, you will visit the Panama Canal Expansion the largest project at the Canal since its original construction that created a new lane of traffic along the Canal through the construction of a new set of locks, doubling the waterway’s capacity, be a witness of this major undertaking by visiting the New Observation Center of the Canal Expansion.

The new Observation Center of the Canal Expansion, located in Colon Panama, is a park style concept based on open platforms and roofed terraces, built in an area of four hectares, 400 visitors, simultaneously, will be able to enjoy in this new center, the construction of the new locks of the Panama Canal in the Atlantic, at the same time, from its privileged location, visitors see the majestic Gatun Lake, where ships continue their transit through the waterway.

OVERVIEW

Interact with the friendly, highly intelligent dolphins at Ocean World and enjoy the marine park’s other attractions at your leisure. Few experiences are quite so memorable as wading out into the waist-deep water for an up-close encounter with the resident bottlenose dolphins. After a brief introduction describing their behavior and what to expect during your interaction, you will ease into the water to touch, feed and hug the dolphins, if you wish. As you will discover, these marine mammals are curious, sociable and love the attention. But the dolphin encounter is only one adventure at the marine park. You might also snorkel in the reef aquarium, take a refreshing swim in the sheltered waters just off the enclosed beach lagoon, watch a sea lion exhibit, meander through the rainforest and feed lovebirds at the bird sanctuary. A hearty buffet lunch will be served, as well.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy an up-close interaction with bottlenose dolphins in waist-deep water.
• Spend hours enjoying the attractions at Ocean World, a dolphin habitat with plenty more.
• Walk through the rainforest, watch marine animal exhibits and snorkel in a reef aquarium.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing. Bring a bathing suit, towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Visit one of the largest animal parks in Guatemala. Depart on a scenic one hour ride towards a drive-through zoo called the Auto-Safari Chapin – a natural reserve founded in 1980 and one of the largest animal parks in Guatemala. Its mission is to help preserve the fauna and to educate the public about the vital importance of animals. Upon arrival at the premises, your coach will stop at the entrance for a brief orientation and a written guide to the nature park will be distributed.

Then relax and enjoy as the coach drives through the park and you see a variety of animals such as hippopotamus, giraffes, lions, zebras and many other animals from Africa and Guatemala. After the drive through the park, you can walk around another area that is more like a zoo to see other animals including birds and reptiles.

This completely unique tour could easily be the highlight of your trip. Just imagine traveling down the tracks of the first transcontinental railroad in a beautifully restored and richly adorned railcar, while viewing what is widely considered to be the 8th wonder of the world; the Panama Canal, as well as spectacular Gatun Lake and the extraordinarily beautiful flora and fauna of the surrounding countryside. Adding to all of that, the unrivaled experience of traveling from one ocean to another, crossing the amazing continent of the Americas in just over one hour!

The Panama Railroad was the brainchild of a group of New York Financiers who wanted to create an easy passage for the increasing gold rush traffic. The railroad took five years and eight million dollars to build and was completed in 1855. During its first 12 years of operation, the train carried over 750 million dollars’ worth of gold and silver and collected one-quarter of one percent of each shipment as duty. The railroad was rebuilt in 1909 during the construction of the Panama Canal, and without it, the canal could not have been built. Your journey will begin with a short coach transfer from the pier in Amador to the Pacific side railroad station where you will board the train for your approximately 75-minute rail journey. As you travel through the lush tropical rainforest, there is a good chance you'll sight some Howler monkeys, colorful toucans or other exotic wildlife. Crossing the Continental Divide, you'll find yourself on the Atlantic side, where you will disembark the train.

Following your time at locks, you will re-board your coach and transfer back to the pier in Amador.

While the ingenuity of the Panama Canal is world renowned, few know about the amazing history that shaped Panama and this tour invites you to discover it. Enjoy a scenic view of the skyline while traveling to the old Panama City, founded in 1519 and destroyed by the infamous Welsh Captain Henry Morgan in 1671. This scenic excursion takes you to see the ruins of the churches and convents, colonial palaces, bridges and military buildings that attest to the city’s history and grand past.

As you make your way along the coastline, take the opportunity to discover the tales of gallantry and piracy that wait in the narrow streets of Colonial Panama. You’ll walk through the old French Quarter, founded in in 1673 by French colonists. On a leisurely 45 minute walk, you’ll appreciate the many changes of the city by viewing its unique architecture, influenced by a combination of French, Spanish and Italian styles.

Experience the thrill of an Iron Chef-style cooking challenge, where you can put your skills to the test with fellow passengers. With breathtaking rooftop views of San Francisco as a backdrop, classes are taught by local hosts who bring their expertise and passion to each session.

Spend hours with a chef as they demonstrate culinary techniques and provides cooking tips, all in the interest of improving your skills in the kitchen. Whether you are somewhat of a novice or a highly experienced cook, this course has plenty to offer. During the session, you will learn how to prepare dishes using seasonal ingredients that are nutrient-rich and responsibly sourced. You will also discover the principles of flavor composition so you can create memorable dishes without following a recipe when you return home. Much of the course will be hands on, allowing you to better understand the principles by practicing the techniques under the chef’s watchful eye. Afterwards, you will enjoy a lunch made with garden-fresh ingredients that reflect California international cuisine. The exact dishes will be determined by what’s in season, but past offerings have included Thai, summer vegetable galette, balsamic Swiss chard tart and buckwheat crepes with tarragon zucchini.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Spend time in a hands-on cooking class with an accomplished chef in her home kitchen.
• Learn techniques to better prepare nutrient-rich, responsibly sourced dishes.
• Gain an understanding of flavor composition so you can prepare meals without a recipe.
• Dine on dishes that reflect California cuisine.