12 Night Inviting Beaches and Latin Culture in Central America (Northbound) Cruise from Puntarenas

Your expedition cruise starts in Puntarenas. Once the largest and most prosperous cargo seaport in Costa Rica, now the city is used as a transit hub for those traveling throughout the area. 'Ticos' (the nickname for San Jose's residents) often head to the coast for their weekend getaways, and Puntarenas is the perfect spot. Stroll the oceanfront promenade and enjoy some of the freshest and most delicious seafood on the island. Lobster or ceviche? If you have a sweet tooth, we recommend a Churchill snow cone, the official snack of Puntarenas. It's shaved ice with fruit, syrup, and ice cream. Then it's time to board hybrid electric-powered MS Roald Amundsen. After you check in, you must attend a mandatory safety drill before we sail. You'll have the first of many delicious meals, capped off by the captain's welcome toast. The captain will introduce you to the ship officers and the Expedition Team members, who will be your guides and lecturers throughout the journey, both on and off the ship.

Your first stop is the southern Pacific beach town of San Juan del Sur, a gorgeous horseshoe-shaped bay that has been growing in popularity as Nicaragua's surfing hub. This once-sleepy fishing village is known for its dark-sand beaches, rolling green hills, colorful Victorian-era clapboard houses, fresh seafood restaurants, and a lively surfer lifestyle. Relax on the beach while you soak up the sun and people watch. A short walk will lead you to a spectacular 1,500-year-old petroglyph that depicts a hunting scene carved into a large rock. You can also enjoy an hour-long hike up to Cristo de la Misericordia, a statue of Jesus towering over 80 feet tall, where you'll also be rewarded with picturesque views over the town and beach. A bus tour of the city of Granada will be your included activity today. Located on the shores of Lake Nicaragua and with views of the Mombacho Volcano, Granada is home to some of the finest 16th-century colonial architecture in the country. You'll visit the main square by Central Park and admire the ornate cathedral and the Convent of San Francisco. We'll top our tour off with a visit to a local school, where we'll drop off donated school supplies. Alternatively, you have the opportunity to join an optional excursion to the Masaya Volcano. This bus tour will take you near the active volcano's crater, where you'll likely see steam rising from the fumaroles. There will also be a stop at Catarina for panoramic views of the Apoyo Lagoon and Lake Nicaragua, as well as a handicrafts market.

a city with a fascinating revolutionary history: Just one hour from Puerto Corinto by shuttle bus, we find Leon, the former capital of Nicaragua. Its large student population makes Leon a cosmopolitan and vibrant city. It's considered the intellectual and liberal center of the country. Stroll its streets and immerse yourself in the animated chatter emanating from local coffee houses and bars. Leon hosts the most elegant Colonial architecture in Nicaragua, found in its many churches and public squares. Basilica de la Asuncion is the largest cathedral in Central America, and the art museum houses one of Latin America's greatest art collections. Leon's streets tell their own story of the city's revolutionary history, with political street art covering street walls and the sides of buildings. Colorful Sandinista murals depict scenes of protest, civil war, and portraits of revolutionary heroes such as Carlos Fonseca. For a proper overview of the nation's history, visit the Museo Historico de la Revolucion (Revolutionary History Museum). Former revolutionaries guide tours and offer authentic first-hand commentary of their experiences during tumultuous times. The Museo de Tradiciones y Leyendas (Traditions and Legends Museum) and the Galeria de Heroes y Martires (Heroes and Martyrs Gallery) also offer interesting insights.

We dock at Acajutla, which is El Salvador's main seaport to export coffee, sugar, and balsam of Peru. Ruins near the port reveal how the city was originally a Mayan village. Enjoy the comfortable atmosphere here, hunt for treasures in the quaint shops, and stroll the dark-sand beaches. Restaurants on the harbor serve up fantastic seafood and will be delighted to introduce you to typical Salvadoran dishes. Order a pupusa, the national dish of El Salvador. This corn tortilla can be filled with cheese, pork, or beans, and is topped with a sour cabbage salad and light tomato sauce. Don't forget to try the local coffee, too. The region is famous for it. You may also have the choice to participate in one of several optional excursions while you're here. You can visit the cities of Sonsonate or Nahuizalco and Ataco, found inland from Acajutla. Another possible excursion will bring you to Cerro Verde National Park, two square miles of beautiful nature and home to the towering Izalco and Ilamatepec Volcanoes. This excursion may include a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage-protected Joya de Ceren, a pre-Columbian Mayan village preserved in volcanic ash and dated to 600 AD, also known as the 'Pompeii of the Americas'.

We arrive at Puerto Chiapas in Mexico. This is the main port affiliated with the bustling commercial center of Tapachula, about a 30-minute drive inland. The fertile soil of the Soconusco province is famed for producing coffee, bananas, cacao, and sugar cane. The region's reputation for premium coffee and cocoa plantations brought immigrants from Germany, China, and France. Their influence is clearly visible, especially in the city itself. Chinese cuisine has fused with regional Mayan, Mestizo, and Spanish cultures, and fusion dishes have left Tapachula's small Chinatown district and forged their way into Puerto Chiapas restaurants. Fascinating optional excursions may be possible from Puerto Chiapas, including a tour of culturally diverse Tapachula itself. The ancient ruins of Izapa are thought to date from 1,500 BC, and could even be the origin of the sacred Mayan Calendar. A guided tour here may delve into a series of stone carvings depicting the fabled Tree of Life. Another possible optional excursion is the aptly named Chocolate City, which offers a glimpse into how locally grown cocoa beans are transformed into the delicacy we all know, love, and crave! For an opportunity to spot pelicans, herons, hummingbirds, storks, and turtles, take an optional boat excursion to the nearby mangrove streams and lagoons, accompanied by a professional captain and guide.

We'll spend the day in Huatulco, home to nine scenic bays, 36 pristine beaches, sheltered coves, and a range of eco-lodges and beach resorts. The national park here stretches over three of the nine bays and includes several different ecosystems, including a deciduous forest, mangroves, savanna, wetlands, and coral reefs. The park is a dream for nature lovers, birdwatchers, and photographers alike. It's home to over 700 species of plants, 130 different types of mammals, 300 different types of birds, and more than 80 types of reptiles and amphibians. Optional excursions to further explore and experience Huatulco may include visiting Chahue, Tangolunda, Organo, and Maguey Bays on a romantic catamaran ride. Or choose the bus tour to Conejos Bay, the Copalita River, and the arts and crafts museum in the town of La Crucecita. Another possible optional excursion dives into Mexican culture by visiting three small communities. You'll visit a communal kitchen in Piedra de Moros to see how the locals make authentic tortillas and tamales. Then you'll tour a prickly pear cactus plantation in Pueblo Viejo and examine traditional edible and medicinal plants in Las Pozas.

After an action-packed week of activities, you'll be ready for a relaxing day at sea with no fixed program. Reflect on your experiences, edit your photos, update your travel journal, rest your weary legs, or chat with your new friends on the ship. Admire the scenery from the observation decks or from inside the Explorer lounge. Or, go for a refreshing swim and then soothe your tired muscles in the sauna. You can also join an art workshop and create your own art, inspired by your travels so far. Stop by the ship's Science Center for more in-depth geological and biological insights. If you've collected any samples on your expedition so far, you can analyze them under a microscope with the help of the Expedition Team's chief scientist. Want to stay active? Take advantage of onboard Yoga and Wellness Program. Enjoy early morning walks on deck taking in the fresh sea air and join stretching sessions to release tension and strengthen your joints. You can also let our massage therapists work their magic to offer relief to any aches and strains.

Situated along Bahia de Banderas, Puerto Vallarta is one of Mexico's premier coastal destinations. The town is vibrant and full of personality, while the beaches and marine life offer plenty of nature and water sports options. Downtown in El Malecon, the seafront boardwalk buzzes with activity. Admire street performers as you peruse the many stands selling souvenirs and cold refreshments, such as Jalisco tejuino (a regional drink made of fermented corn) and agua fresca. Look to the sky for the death-defying dance of the Papantla Flyers, an ancient Mesoamerican ceremony that is used to invoke rain during a dry season. Enjoy music and watch friendly locals dance in the plazas-maybe even join in, if the mood inspires you. Puerto Vallarta is a great place to pick up local Mexican handicrafts, such as colorful bags, silver jewelry, wooden toys, and leather goods. Expect a friendly haggle. Then, check out Isla Cuale, a vast open-air market close to the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe (a downtown landmark) or stroll past the 160 stalls in Mercado Municipal Rio Cuale, whose large food hall serves tamales, tacos, mole, and other traditional Mexican dishes. You can also go on an optional excursion to the Vallarta Botanical Gardens, which have an orchid house and impressive display of native palms, agave, and cacti. Or why not learn some authentic recipes at a Mexican cuisine cooking class? Master the art of making stuffed green peppers (chile relleno) or tri-color chiles en nogada, which is both sweet and savory.

Situated at the southern tip of Baja California, where the Sea of Cortes meets the Pacific Ocean, the Los Cabos Peninsula is a mixture of desert and coastal landscapes. The stunning beaches and azure waters of Cabo San Lucas has long made it the resort of choice for Hollywood stars and other holidaymakers. Its reputation as a party town is well earned. Here, you can frolic in the sea by day and enjoy the lively bar scene by night. Land's End, where the Sea of Cortes meets the Pacific, jagged granite rocks in the form of arches, stacks, and needles create El Arco, Cabo's most recognizable landmark. The waters here are teeming with sea life. Aside from fish, you might also see sea lions, rays, and even whales. Join an optional excursion to El Arco and visit Baja's most famous beach, Playa del Amor, nestled into a sheltered bay with pristine waters and perfect white sand. Or go to the cynically named Playa del Divorcio on the other side of Land's End. Head to downtown Cabo San Lucas to the Museo de Historia Natural (Natural History Museum) to learn about the geology, botany, and anthropology of the region, as well as local conservation efforts for dolphins, whales, and sea turtles. Don't forget to sample local Baja Californian specialties such as almejas chocolatas (chocolate clams) and fresh fish and shellfish, deep fried and encased in delicious freshly made tortillas.

Wave goodbye to Mexico as we sail to our final destination, San Diego. Take time to reflect on your experiences in the wonderful places you've visited over the last few days. At this stage of your trip, some of your fellow explorers likely have become new friends, after bonding over common interests and shared experiences. Meet them in the Explorer Bar for a drink or in the Fredheim bistro over snacks. The crew and Expedition Team will also be on hand and at your disposal, always up for a chat and some friendly banter. The onboard lecture program continues, offering a wide range of subjects to spark your interest. Hone your expedition photography skills on deck as you scout for wildlife and seabirds. Weather permitting, join a Yoga and Meditation Program, or relax in the Wellness Center. Relive the highlights of your Pacific coast adventure with the Expedition Team, as they present a photo slideshow of the expedition before you arrive in San Diego-if you're lucky, the crew may even put on an impromptu farewell show.

Bid a fond farewell to MS Roald Amundsen as we dock in the fabulous city of San Diego, where you'll end your expedition. Welcome to 'America's Finest City', the 'Beach City' of California! San Diego has it all: a mix of urban sophistication, a laid-back surfer vibe, and year-round sunshine. Spend your final day enjoying some fun in the sun and water sports at one of its many beaches. Or take a trolley car tour and explore Downtown, from the historic Gaslamp Quarter to the San Diego Bay waterfront. Culture buffs should head straight to Balboa Park, the 'Smithsonian of the West', with its 17 museums, art galleries, and numerous performing arts venues. This city is also a delicious melting pot of cuisine, local wines, and craft beers. San Diego offers so much to do and see that it's highly recommended booking a post-program to better explore the city and its surroundings before you return home.