The former banana-exporting town of Quepos is your basecamp for a day of rainforest adventure. Take a walk along trails that weave up to waterfalls, or ride horseback to a beautiful jungle pool. A float trip through a mangrove swamp populated by monkeys, crocodiles, egrets, and herons is also available. Or you may choose a nature walk through Manuel Antonio National Park, with its lovely beaches, easy trails, and abundant animal life. 

Your wet landing will drop you off at Punta Leona Beach Club, a well-known private beach resort community located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Nestled amidst lush tropical rainforests, Punta Leona offers visitors a pristine and picturesque environment to unwind and enjoy the natural beauty of the region. The resort is known for its stunning white sand beach, Playa Mantas, and clear turquoise waters. Traverse the suspended cable bridges over the forest canopy in Carara National Park, or board a jungle cruise boat up the Tarcoles river to see one of the largest colonies of crocodiles in Costa Rica. Whether seeking relaxation or adventure, Punta Leona provides a captivating destination for nature enthusiasts and beach lovers alike. *This port is accessed by a wet landing and there may be a fee for using the resort amenities. Taxis and tours organized independently will need to be added to the resort guest list.*

Located along Costa Rica's Pacific coast, the Curu Wildlife Reserve is an impressive nature reserve spanning 12 square kilometers. This biodiverse paradise is a haven for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers alike looking for a responsible way to experience Costa Rica’s forest and pristine beaches. Wander through dense tropical dry forests teeming with howler monkeys, capuchins, and a plethora of exotic birds or relax and bask in the sun on the beach.

Playa Flamingo is considered one of Central America’s most beautiful beaches with it pristine blue water, exotic marine life, and some of the best deep sea fishing to be found. Located in Punta Salinas on the country’s Gold Coast, Playa Flamingo is the only full-service marina between Acapulco and Panama. Other water activities include year-round SCUBA diving, swimming, and snorkeling. The stunning and unspoiled white-sand beaches will remain in your memory for years to come. This port is accessed with a wet landing.

Located on the Gulf of Nicoya, the small town of Puerto Caldera is one of Costa Rica’s top attractions, perfect for travelers who like more off the beaten path destinations where the native Tico lifestyle can be experienced. It is the gateway to San Jose, Jaco and the big city of Puntarenas, plus Los Suenos and Tortuga Island. Carara National Park is nearby, the rainforest home to crocodiles, over 400 species of birds and is considered the most likely place to see scarlet macaws.

Picture Jurassic foliage growing down steep hillsides all the way to the waterline, the hoots  of monkeys echoing through trees choked by orchids. Golfo Dulce is one of Costa Rica’s most biodiverse areas, where both the jungle and the sea brim with life. Explore the canals by kayak in search of javelinas, butterflies, and more bird species than in all of North America. This port is accessed with a wet landing.

The former banana-exporting town of Quepos is your basecamp for a day of rainforest adventure. Take a walk along trails that weave up to waterfalls, or ride horseback to a beautiful jungle pool. A float trip through a mangrove swamp populated by monkeys, crocodiles, egrets, and herons is also available. Or you may choose a nature walk through Manuel Antonio National Park, with its lovely beaches, easy trails, and abundant animal life. 

Located within a Nature Preserve of 50 islands, and part of Chiriqui Marine National Park lovely Isla Parida boasts magnificent beaches, one of which is over 1,300 feet long.  The crystal clear waters stay at 82 degrees year round and are filled with marine life. There are numerous hardwood trees like teak, mahogany, and eucalyptus, and fruit trees like mango, banana and coconut trees. Here you will be treated to Windstar's Signature Beach Party on a secluded beach that faces the Pacific Ocean.

One of the entrances to the Panama Canal on the Pacific side, Balboa/Fuerte Amador was founded in 1519 and is a short distance from Panama City.  In 2012 Balboa was ranked #1 in Latin America in the category of world's busiest container ports. Sightseeing highlights include the colonial homes, the Administration Building, the Goethals Memorial, the Prado, and the local handicraft markets of traditional Panamanian crafts.

At nearly 48 miles long, on your transit through the Panama Canal you will enter three sets of locks that raise and lower the vessel 85 feet between the calm Pacific Ocean and the shimmering waters of the Atlantic. Your voyage features a daylight hours transit with numerous observation vantage points for outside viewing and comfortable indoor air-conditioned lounges. Expert onboard commentary enhances your journey as you watch the day to day workings of this bucket list experience.

Explore the inner workings of the Panama Canal, head into the jungle to meet with Embera Indians, or take an aerial tram ride through the rainforest canopy.

Disembark the ship and transfer to the airport for your morning flight to Cusco, where you’ll meet your guide for the drive to the Sacred Valley. The drive alone is stupendous, with views of the Andean mountains, the valley surrounding the Urubamba River, rural villages, and roaming llamas and alpacas. But this valley also once formed the epicenter of the Inca Empire. The rich and fertile agricultural land allowed the Incas to grow essential crops like corn, potatoes, olluco, quinoa and coca leaf, considered a sacred plant. Visits to a local farm and an agricultural museum give you insights into the Inca’s sophisticated farming techniques and crop genetics, such as the development of Giant White Corn, an ancient crop that grows only here in this valley. Enjoy a four-course lunch at the hacienda and watch the museum’s demonstrations of chicha brewing (a non-alcoholic beer) and traditional textile techniques. Afterwards, proceed to the 5-star Tambo del Inka Resort & Spa, your accommodations for the night, and dine at the on-site Hawa Restaurant, which features organic ingredients and local products from Peru.

(Includes transfers, lunch, dinner, flight from Callao to Cusco, and overnight at Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, in Sacred Valley.)

Board the aptly named Vistadome train bound for Machu Picchu this morning, its panoramic windows and skylights immersing you in the Andean landscape. Machu Picchu was lost to the world until it was rediscovered by adventurer Hiram Bingham more than a century ago. The 15th-century Inca citadel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Perched nearly 8,000 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountains, the city (likely a royal retreat) was never discovered by the Spanish, and is marvelously well preserved. Explore the wondrous city with your guide, appreciating the awe-inspiring views and learning about the amazing culture, architecture, and feats of engineering the Incas were known for. After a delicious lunch at a local restaurant nearby, take the Vistadome train and private transfer back to your hotel. This evening, dine once again at the Hawa Restaurant with a newfound appreciation for their cuisine infused with indigenous flavors.

(Includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, transfer, roundtrip Vistadome train to Machu Picchu, Machu Picchu site admission, private transfers to/from the train station, and overnight at Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, in Sacred Valley.)

Get unique insights into local culture and flavors this morning as we tour the Urubamba market, an authentic food market where locals buy their daily goods, from colorful fruits and vegetables to Andean herbs, grains, meat, flowers, and household goods. After, we’ll visit a local ceramic workshop where the artist revives ancient Peruvian techniques and designs, then make our way to the gardens of the Palacio Manco Capac boutique hotel in Cusco, a picturesque 17th-century colonial home, where we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch. Our exploration continues in the afternoon with a stroll through the historic center of Cusco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Colonial sights like the Plaza de Armas (Main Square) and the magnificent Cusco Cathedral are built over what used to be Inca landmarks – respectively Warrior’s Square, and an Inca temple later rebuilt as an Inca palace. Tonight, you overnight at Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel. This boutique property in Cusco was formerly a 500-year-old mansion, and its design and décor embrace Peruvian culture with features such as stone archways, Hispanic art, and ornate gilded antiques. Dine at Inti Raymi, the on-site restaurant, serving traditional Peruvian cuisine made from local Andean ingredients.

(Includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, overnight at Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel, in Cusco.)

Rise early for your morning flight to Lima, the City of Kings. The historic center of Lima is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and there’s lots to see, as you’ll discover on our city tour. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Lima’s bustling streets as we visit the city’s main avenues, boulevards, and squares. Explore the Plaza de Armas (Main Square) of Colonial Lima on foot. This is the spot where Francisco Pizarro founded Lima. The square is bordered by the Government Palace, Town Hall, Archbishop's Palace, Casa Riva-Aguero, and the Lima Cathedral – picturesque examples of Lima’s opulent colonial architecture. At the center of the plaza, you’ll find an elegant bronze fountain from the 17th century, the oldest surviving element of the square. Enjoy a delicious lunch at Café del Museo Larco, on the lower floor of the Museo Larco, a privately owned museum of pre-Columbian art. Spend the afternoon at your leisure. Tonight, you’ll stay at the Pullman Lima Miraflores, a 5-star boutique hotel located just steps from the spectacular Pacific Ocean.

(Includes breakfast, lunch, transfers, flight from Cusco to Lima, city tour of Lima, overnight at Pullman Lima Miraflores.)

After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to the airport in Lima for your flight home.

(Includes breakfast, transfer.)