Bridgetown (Barbados) to Puerto Caldera (Costa Rica) Cruise on Wind Star from Bridgetown (Barbados)

Bridgetown (Barbados)

Bridgetown is the capital and largest city of the nation of Barbados. The Bridgetown port, found along Carlisle Bay lies on the southwestern coast of the island. Bridgetown is a major West Indies tourist destination, and the city acts as an important financial, informatics, convention centre, and cruise ship port of call in the Caribbean region. Bridgetown´s centre was originally composed of a swamp, which was quickly drained and filled-in to make way for the city´s early development. At the heart of Bridgetown is the Careenage and Constitution River.This body of water provides the city with direct access from medium sized yachts or small craft boats. Although moderately shallow, the Careenage slices Bridgetown into two parts. During the rainy season the Constitution River flows into the Careenage area and acts as an outflow for water from the islands interior storm drainage network. Flowing into the Carlisle Bay on the southwest coast of the island, the Careenage can be observed as a marina for boaters entering or exiting the inner basin located directly in front of the Parliament buildings of Barbados. In the centre lies the main street of Bridgetown which is Broad Street which runs directly through the centre of the city. Broad Street passes the Parliament Buildings and serves as the centre of city´s shopping area.

Bequia

Bequia is the largest island in the Grenadines at 7 square miles (18 km2). The native population are primarily a mixture of people of African, Scottish and Carib Indian descent. A substantial number of white Barbadians also settled the Mount Pleasant area of Bequia in the 1860s. Many of their descendants still inhabit the area. Other highly populated areas include the island capital, Port Elizabeth, which hosts the ferry terminal and Paget Farm, which hosts the airport. There are also villages at Lower Bay, La Pompe, Hamilton and Belmont. Other prominent areas of Bequia include Spring, the site of a former coconut plantation and home to agricultural animals, Industry Bay and Park Bay, where the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary is located. Bequia is popular among cruising yachts, expats and tourists. One of the busiest times of the year is the annual Easter Regatta. Two scuba diving stores run dive trips to 28 identified dive sites around Bequia. There are several wrecks and shallow caves accessible to advanced divers. It is not unusual to see Hawksbill turtles, lobsters, moray eels and many kinds of fish when diving around Bequia.

Mayreau, Grenadines

Grenada (Antilles)

Located on the southeast of the caribbean sea, to the north of Trinidad and Tobago, northeast of Venezuela and south of Saint Vincent. The island named Grenada is the biggest of the country. The smaller islands called Grenadines are Carriacou, Petit Martinique, Ronde Island, Caille Island, Diamond Island, Large Island, Saline Island, and Frigate Island.

Kralendijk (Bonaire)

Located in the Southern Caribbean and part of the Dutch Antilles, Kralendijk is the capital and principal port of Bonaire. Visitors are treated to crystal clear waters, golden beaches and surrounded by 20km of stunning coral reefs the island is a hugely popular destination for snorkling and scuba diving as well as windsurfing, wakeboarding and other watersports. The town with its main street, known as Kaya Grandi, and its promenade along the waterfront play host to several shops, bars and restaurants

Willemstad (Curacao)

Curaçao is an island in the southern Caribbean Sea, off the Venezuelan coast. The Country of Curaçao which includes the main island plus the small, uninhabited island of Klein Curaçao ("Little Curaçao"), is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Coral reefs for snorkeling and scuba diving can be reached without a boat. The southern coast has calm waters and therefore the majority of diving locations. The coastline of Curaçao also features bays and inlets, where boats are moored. Some of the coral reefs are affected by tourism. Porto Marie Beach is experimenting with artificial coral reefs in order to improve the reef's condition. Hundreds of artificial coral blocks that have been placed are now home to a large array of tropical fish.

Oranjestad (Aruba)

The flourishing capital of Aruba, dream of any shopper, although it is not a port free of taxes, they charge the minimum. The habits of Aruba have been influenced to a mayor grade than any of the other near islands, for those from south america, for as the life in America is distinctly latin.

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.

Colon (Panama)

Colón, Panama, is the second largest city in Panama, at the Caribbean end of the Panama Canal. Colón is an important port, commercial center, and tourist destination. It was made a free trade zone in 1953 and is the worlds second largest duty-free port. The city was founded in 1850 by Americans working on the Panama railroad. Colón is the Spanish form of Columbus. Monuments Not to Miss: Christopher Columbus statue, Christ statue and Virgin Mary statue (both near the Seawall), Shell Monument, Aspinwall Monument, and Monument of the Students' Revolution.

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.

Balboa (Panama)

Balboa is a district of Panama City, located at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal. Balboa itself is not a popular tourist destination; however Panama City is only ten kilometers northwest. Panama City offers numerous tourist attractions. Of particular interest is the old quarter where various sites are located including Las Bovedas, the Cathedral, Interoceanic Canal Museum, Heron´s Palace and numerous restaurants.

Balboa (Panama)

Balboa is a district of Panama City, located at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal. Balboa itself is not a popular tourist destination; however Panama City is only ten kilometers northwest. Panama City offers numerous tourist attractions. Of particular interest is the old quarter where various sites are located including Las Bovedas, the Cathedral, Interoceanic Canal Museum, Heron´s Palace and numerous restaurants.

Parida Island

Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica

Quepos

Puerto Caldera (Costa Rica)

Caldera, is one of the main ports in the country.Puntarenas 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.This tiny town is a key port for ships from all across the globe. Places to visit: Carara National Park, Poas Volcano,Turubari adventure center, San Jose day trip, Monteverde Cloud Forest