Located along the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, Puntarenas is a great place to see native wildlife such as the scarlet macaw and the capuchin monkey. This region’s volcanic terrain and rainforest environment continue to attract travelers from around the world.

The canal is a marvel of engineering, but the area is also a sanctuary for sloths, eagles, ocelots and toucans, thanks to a lush rainforest environment and tropical temperatures.

Cobbled streets, balconies with blooming bougainvillea, and pastel plazas make Cartagena one of Latin America’s most photogenic cities. But it’s not just another pretty seaport. Founded in 1533, this Spanish-Colonial city is steeped in history. Its location made it a popular port for plunderers and pirates. Today thrill-seekers will find a perfect mix of old and new with a twist of island attitude.

Many visitors to Ocho Rios enjoy a hike up Dunn’s River Falls where you’ll pass through a series of limestone steps hidden beneath the rushing water. Stop along the way for a dip in one of the falls’ clear, terraced pools.

Grand Cayman is one of a group of three magnificent tropical islands Christopher Columbus called “Las Tortugas” (the turtles) for the sea creatures he found in the ocean water. The designation did not endure, however, for on later maps the islands were labeled the Caimanau, the Carib Indian word for “crocodile.” The name “Caimanas” refers inaccurately to the iguanas native to the islands, which were perhaps at one point mistaken for crocodiles. Among other attractions, visitors to the island will enjoy learning about the turtles, visiting the town of Hell, exploring Seven-Mile Beach and enjoying the undersea world.

First a sponge-fishing center for Greek immigrants and later a cradle for a large Cuban-exile population, Tampa has evolved into a bustling metropolis on the more laid-back Gulf Coast of Florida. Museums, amusement parks like Busch Gardens, and even tobacco emporiums are just some of the more popular attractions in the area.