Panama Canal Westward Cruise

Home to the Panama Canal's Atlantic Ocean entryway, Colón is the second-largest city in Panama. Start your adventure at the Gatun locks, where you can watch ships being raised by water lifts to the higher elevation of the canal. Then, visit the Portobelo Natural Park and take in the beauty of its 16th century forts. Or head to the beach at Playa Maria Chiquita for clear Caribbean Sea waters and white sands. Cruise to Colón, Panama and check out Portobelo National Park, where you can see 17th-century Fort San Lorenzo or go bird-watching along the Achiote Trail in San Lorenzo Protected Forest. Or take the one-hour trek to Panama City, the Caribbean's urban heartbeat.

Undeniably, Panama’s biggest attraction is the Panama Canal, a modern day wonder of the world. Constructed between 1903 and 1914, the canal’s three locks allow 14,000 boats a year to cross a 48 mile body of water from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic.

Situated on the long Nicoya Peninsula, Puntarenas is a great jumping-off point for the eco-adventures that have made Costa Rica famous. Trek lush rainforests in San Luis Park. Discover tropical flora and fauna in Pos Volcano National Park, and shower under Costa Rica's tallest waterfall at Pura Vida Gardens and Waterfalls. Looking for oceanside adventure? Take the short drive from Puntarenas to the Nicoya Peninsula, where there's a wide array of beaches – relax on family-friendly Playa Guiones, or check out dramatic Playa Ostional, with its volcanic black sands and vibrant sea turtle population. Puntarenas cruises give you access to Playa Tamarindo, where you can find some of the best surf and food in the country.

Charming Huatulco captivates visitors with its picturesque bays and idyllic beaches, all lapped by the azure waves of the Pacific Ocean.

Puerto Vallarta – or simply Vallarta, as the locals call it – is a romantic's dream, with its cobblestoned lanes, beachfront eateries and an old city centre filled to the brim with charming boutiques. Jump onboard a Puerto Vallarta cruise and head to the shimmering waters of Yelapa beach for a dream-like escapade, or pop into Cafe des Artistes for a romantic meal in a candlelit garden. Then check out the landmark Los Arcos, a set of Roman-style arches by the waterfront, for a perfect photo of Vallarta's official symbol. For a break from the city life, head to Jardin Botanico Vallarta and enjoy the delightful scents of orchids and bromeliads and the refreshing waters of a boulder-filled river.

Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world, dazzles with its glittering skyline, diverse culture and endless opportunities for exploration.