A Journey to the Land Bridge Connecting the Americas

A tale of two cities, Cartagena is a seaside siren who is both heroic and handsome with a well-preserved 15th century fortress (a UNESCO marvel) that staved off plunderers with massive iron cannons that now, ironically, point toward her shining city of modern buildings. Magnificent marvels continue in Colon, home to the impressive Gatun Locks and Gatun Dam of Panama Canal as well as the UNESCO site of Fort St. Lorenzo, that once protected the Spanish Crown. Wonders never cease here at the world’s second largest free-trade zone, Zona Libre, where virtually everything is sold. Curacao calms the pace with its UNESCO site harbour that resembles a tropical Amsterdam. Don’t miss the adjacent Pietermaai District which is referred to as the “SoHo of Curacao,” the likewise hippest borough of New York City. Cosy cafés, chic shops, and pedestrian streets lined with bright, bygone abodes of wealthy shipping merchants. For the ultimate utopian experience, Bonaire offers unmatched drama: dazzling coral reefs, blue coastal grottoes, flocks of pink flamingos, and cacti that grow to more than 9 meters tall. But its best curiosity may be its massive pyramids of salt that tower up to 16 meters, as goods exported around the world. It’s little wonder that salted fish figures into the local cuisine. In Martinique, we anchor off the Arrondissement of Saint-Pierre before the brooding baroque facade of Notre-Dame-du-Bon-Port, where ancient cannons atop stoic city walls under the looming shadow of Mount Pelée. In a few steps you can join hiking trails that scale upwards through the clouds to reach the rim of the crater. Our final UNESCO delight is Bridgetown Garrison, that has guarded the prosperous British outpost of Barbados since 1705.

Welcome to your reprieve from the 21st century. Slip beyond the bounds of the city and step into a primordial paradise that is 100% committed to wildlife preservation. Board a narrow-gauge railway, monster truck, tree-top tram, or quiet kayak to delve deeply into a ecological bio-sphere of surreality: howler monkeys call out in Cahuita National park; stealth jaguars and pumas prowl throughout Tortuguero; gentle sea cows and turtles curiously raise their heads in palm-fringed rivers. Pura vida, the good life, continues with yoga on the beach, hiking wondrous in cacao farms or in the convivial kitchen on a Master Chef. Live well, vivir bien.