Panama to Costa Rica

Along the piers of Balboa, the port marking the Pacific terminus of the Panama Canal, you'll see yachts from all over the world. Balboa was built to house the American administrative headquarters for the Canal and many of the buildings are handsome examples of the American colonial style of the early 1900s.

San Jose Island is the second largest in the Pearl Islands. It's located just 90 kilometers from Panama City in the Gulf of Panama. The waters of San Jose abound in tropical game fish and are considered among the best deep-sea fishing grounds in the world. They host an abundance of tuna, black marlin, coberra, red snapper, lobster, shrimp, and giant oysters. Coconut palms and wild sugar cane dot the irregular coastline. There are also a stunning array of beaches to be found that vary in color from coral white to ebony black and golden.

Iguana Island is a natural attraction of the Azuero Peninsula offering the only white sand beach in the region and beautiful clear waters. Accessible only by boat and Inhabited by rare birds, purple and red crabs, and iguanas, it's considered to be a wildlife refuge. It is great for snorkeling and you may spot eels, rays, and turtles swimming in the warm waters. There is also a hiking trail that you can follow where you can see nesting birds.

Coiba Island lies 30 miles off of the south coast of Panama. It is the largest among the 38 islands constituting the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Coiba National Park. The island boasts 1,450 plant species, and its rainforests house hundreds of diverse animals. The surrounding waters host the eastern Pacific's second-largest coral reef, offering particularly rewarding scuba diving experiences. Witness whale and tiger sharks, manta and eagle rays, and large schools of fish. Coiba Island has a fascinating history, having served as a penal colony and remained largely isolated for the past century.

Golfito is Costa Rica's southern port town. It was built for banana exports – the United Fruit Company moved its regional headquarters here in the 1930s and remained until the 1980s. Today it acts as a gateway to visitors who wish to surf at Pavones or go sport-fishing. There are plenty of other activities on offer including horseback riding, kayaking, and trips to nearby mangrove forests.

The small busy town of Quepos serves as the gateway to the Manuel Antonio National Park. There is a good restaurant scene, the streets are easy to navigate and the locals are friendly. You won't want to miss visiting Manuel Antonio National Park, where wildlife seem to be everywhere you look.

Isla Tortuga is widely regarded as the most beautiful island in Costa Rica. With giant coconut palms framing powder-soft white sand beaches that are lapped by crystal clear turquoise waters, this really is a tropical paradise. You can play beach volleyball, rent a kayak, swim, or ride on a glass-bottom boat. However, if you are feeling adventurous you can ride zip-line on a canopy tour.

Puerto Caldera is the cruise port that is the major gateway to Costa Rica's Pacific Coast. Of the many excursions here, a trip to the Arenal Volcano should not be missed.