An Extended Journey from Cinematic Shores and the Panama Canal Cruise on Explora I from Los Angeles

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the largest city in California and the second-largest urban area in the nation. It is located in the southern part of the state on the Pacific Ocean. It is a favorite vacation destination and attracts millions of tourists to the area each year from all over the world. Apart from the movie studios, points of interest include the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the La Brea Tar Pits (famous for Ice Age fossils), Disneyland (Anaheim), and the Santa Anita and Hollywood racetracks. Today, Hollywood is a part of Los Angeles.

San Diego (California)

San Diego is a large coastal city in California. Located on the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, it is home to 1.3 million citizens and is the second-largest city in the state. San Diego is home to the Pacific Fleet of the United States Navy. It is also known for its ideal climate, impressive beaches, and several tourist attractions which include the SeaWorld theme park and the San Diego Zoo. The city sits just north of the Mexican border, across from Tijuana. Though a large city, San Diego has a slower paced atmosphere and when visiting, some may find it provides a soothing break from hustle and bustle.

Cabo San Lucas (Mexico)

Cabo San Lucas is a modern city with natural tourist attractions and interesting nightlife. It is located in the southern tip of the peninsula of Baja California Sur and bathed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean. the climate is warm. On the coast strong currents cause the erosion of rocks form rocky arches and cliffs that are the principal touristic attraction. From those formations stands out The Arch and Finistere, where the Pacific finds the warm waters of the Sea of Cortez. The region has a shelter for several species of marine life near a deep canyon that opens off the coast. You can also find here a port dedicated to coastal fisheries. Industrial development because this activity was boosted by the establishment of a packing of seafood. San Lucas has become in the favourite touristic spot due to it's extensive beaches and it's beautiful coastline. Fishermen recognize it as an exceptional place because the capture unique specimens can be captured. From the golf courses near the sea, at the same time as you can practice that sport, you will se the migration of the whales that on their journey pass very near the coast. The visitor will also have the possibility of staying in first class hotels, of visiting the elegant shops and various restaurants and night clubs like the famous Hard Rock Cafe and Planet Hollywood.

Mazatlan (Mexico)

A city located in northwestern Mexico, Mazatlan is also known as the Pearl of the Pacific. Renowned for the beauty of its beaches and its rich marine life, Mazatlan is a popular tourist destination and has also become home to major fishing tournaments such as the Bisbees Billfish Classic. The Zona Dorada or Golden Zone is home to many of the citys hotels, restaurants shops and lively nightlife while the Centro Historico offers a glimpse into the the citys history and traditional way of life.

Puerto Vallarta (Mexico)

Puerto Vallarta is a Mexican balneario resort city situated on the Pacific Ocean's Bahía de Banderas. Puerto Vallarta is the place for natural beauty of the ocean and hills and the warmth of the people. Things to do: listen to the the Mariachi music, see the colorful, swirling traditional dresses, the manly horsemen, and try the most popular drink, the tequila

Puerto Quetzal (Guatemala)

Puerto Quetzal is Guatemalas largest Pacific Ocean port. It is located in Escuintla department, alongside the city of Puerto San José.The area around Puerto Quetzal is supposed to have some of the nicest beaches in all of Guatemala. About three miles west is Balneario Chulamar, and three miles to the east is Balneario Likín, a popular Guatemalan resort town. Bird watching and surfing are also popular pastimes in and around Puerto Quetzal. ´There are various tours available that take passengers to La Antigua, Auto Safari Chapin zoo, La Reunion world class golf resort, and other various tour packages are offered specially created for cruise passengers. At the port there is a market selling lots of crafts and souvenir items for those who choose not to take any tours inland. There is also several bars, hammocks to relax in, a restaurant, and performances from Marimba bands. The nearest town, San Jose, is about a mile away. Cruise lines list this as the port for La Antigua Guatemala, which is approximately 90 minutes away by bus.

Puntarenas (Costa Rica)

Puntarenas (Pointsands, from "punta arenas", or "sand point" in Spanish) is the capital and largest city in the province Puntarenas, Costa Rica, at the Pacific coast. The eponymous and oddly shaped province has its largest section in the South, far from the capital. Some 100,000 live in the city and close towns. With beaches on the Pacific Ocean, it also attracts many tourists, especially surfers. It is also a possible stopover point for the tourist destination Monteverde, to the northwest. Its port, Caldera, is one of the main ports in the country. Also, regularly scheduled ferries carry vehicles from Puntarenas to the Nicoya Peninsula.

Fort Amador (Panama)

The primary touristic point of Fort Amador, is due to the privileged location in the entrance of the Canal through the Pacific Coast, where you can enjoy of the spectacular view of the capital.

Panama Canal

The interest of establishing a short route from the Atlantic to the Pacific seas started with the explorers of central america at the beginning od the XVI century. The conqueror of Mexico, Hernan Cortes, suggested the construction of a canal through the isthmus of Tehuantepec. During the years they made a few attempts and projects, but all were neglected or forgotten. Fernando de Lesseps, constructor of the Suez Canal started building it but for economical and political reasons the project failed. Finally the United States took over the company in charge. The construction of the Panama Canal was one of the biggest engineering projects of all times. It was calculated that it would be completed in ten years; although in the summer of 1914 before provisions, it started to work. The construction involved not only the excavation of approximately 143 million m3 of earth, but also the entire sanitation of the canal zone (that was infested of mosquitos that spreaded malaria and yellow fever). The sanitation was done by the medical department of the United States Army, which nearly completely eradicated the diseases. The final cost of the canal was 336 million dolars. Panama has the control of the canal and complete sovereignty of the calle Canal Zone, since the 31st of december 1999.

Panama Canal

The interest of establishing a short route from the Atlantic to the Pacific seas started with the explorers of central america at the beginning od the XVI century. The conqueror of Mexico, Hernan Cortes, suggested the construction of a canal through the isthmus of Tehuantepec. During the years they made a few attempts and projects, but all were neglected or forgotten. Fernando de Lesseps, constructor of the Suez Canal started building it but for economical and political reasons the project failed. Finally the United States took over the company in charge. The construction of the Panama Canal was one of the biggest engineering projects of all times. It was calculated that it would be completed in ten years; although in the summer of 1914 before provisions, it started to work. The construction involved not only the excavation of approximately 143 million m3 of earth, but also the entire sanitation of the canal zone (that was infested of mosquitos that spreaded malaria and yellow fever). The sanitation was done by the medical department of the United States Army, which nearly completely eradicated the diseases. The final cost of the canal was 336 million dolars. Panama has the control of the canal and complete sovereignty of the calle Canal Zone, since the 31st of december 1999.

San Blas Islands (Panama)

The San Blas Islands of Panama is an archipelago comprising approximately 378 islands and cays. They lie off the north coast of the Isthmus of Panama, east of the Panama Canal. They are home to the Kuna Indians and a part of the comarca Kuna Yala (also spelled Guna Yala) along the Caribbean coast of Panama. The area is popular for sailing, as it is known for its beauty and lack of hurricanes.

Cartagena de Indias (Colombia)

Cartagena or cartagena de Indias is a city surrounded by the Caribbean sea. The port has one of the strongest forts in South America. An area system divides the city in three neighbourhoods: San Pedro with the Cathedral and many andalusian style palaces, San Diego where the merchants and the petite-bourgeoisie lived and Gethsemani, the most popular neighborhood. Cartagena offers the tourists ancient forts, palaces and churches. It is a walled town filled with exquisite Spanish 16th and 17th century architecture. You can visit beaches, excellent restaurants, practise snorkeling and scuba diving in the reefs, or enjoy the day doing great shopping.

Santa Marta, Colombia

Probably the most beautiful colonial city of Colombia, a very sentimental city to the eyes of the Colombians. It was also the last home for Simon Bolivar. The places to visit in Santa Marta are: The Cathedral and Ethnologic Museum, Simon Bolivars home/museum, Edificio de la Aduana, and the beaches at Tayrona National Park.

Miami

Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county of Miami-Dade County. Miami is a major center and a leader in finance, commerce, culture, media, entertainment, the arts, and international trade. Miami is nicknamed the "Capital of Latin America", with a Spanish-speaking majority, and the largest city with a Cuban-American plurality. The Port of Miami, known as the "Cruise Capital of the World," has been the number one cruise passenger port in the world. It accommodates some of the world's largest cruise ships and operations, and is the busiest port in both passenger traffic and cruise lines. Going south you will find the Coral Gables, a select and elegant neighborhood with beautiful waterways, fountains and squares. It is recommended to take a guided tour that can pick the Old Town Trolley tours and you will have up to 90 minutes ride departing from Bayside. Miami Beach, between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic are some of the most fascinating areas of the Great Miami. Here prevailing Art Deco buildings, the sophisticated atmosphere, and the best beaches...