Star Collector: Natural History Meets Ancient Mystery: Latin America & Beyond

Known for having some of the best beaches in the Caribbean, this Dutch port makes it easy to just … take it easy. Walk through town to choose your favorite carved wooden door, or spend the day like the Arubans do playing dominos at a beachside table.

Romantic Santa Marta has it all: history (Colombia’s oldest city), natural beauty (from gentle bays and beaches to the highest coastal mountain range in the world), and its very own celebrity. Simon Bolivar  (“The Liberator”) is known as the George Washington of South America, and this was his Mount Vernon. Visit his beautiful estate or head to one of  the two UNESCO Biosphere Reserves nearby.

Welcome to the sparkling city of Cartagena, where the gold and jewels of the Spanish Main awaited shipment across the Atlantic. No pirate could resist, nor will you be able to when you visit this historic city. The Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is surrounded by 400-year-old walls and contains a plethora of churches, fortresses, and restored colonial mansions. Outside the walls are more treasures: Climb the massive Castillo de San Felipe to investigate its maze of hidden tunnels, or shop for the perfect emerald.

Bocas del Toro on Bastimentos island was visited by Columbus in 1502 and then built up with colorful and Caribbean-style clapboard houses by the United Fruit Company in the early 20^th century.&nbsp;&nbsp; Situated on the beautiful Bocas del Toro archipelago, the laid-back and friendly community is a great combination of races and ethnicities living harmoniously. West Indians, Latinos and <em>Extraneros </em>(the resident gringos) make this an easy place to feel right at home and embrace the relaxed Caribbean vibe of the town. Not far from town is the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, as well as two national parks, La Amistad and many banana plantations.

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.

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.

Bocas del Toro on Bastimentos island was visited by Columbus in 1502 and then built up with colorful and Caribbean-style clapboard houses by the United Fruit Company in the early 20^th century.&nbsp;&nbsp; Situated on the beautiful Bocas del Toro archipelago, the laid-back and friendly community is a great combination of races and ethnicities living harmoniously. West Indians, Latinos and <em>Extraneros </em>(the resident gringos) make this an easy place to feel right at home and embrace the relaxed Caribbean vibe of the town. Not far from town is the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, as well as two national parks, La Amistad and many banana plantations.

At 10 square miles, the small island of San Andrés is considered a Colombia hot spot. The island, part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is multicultural and bilingual with the best beaches, and snorkeling spots. It&rsquo;s a highlight to snorkel with puffer fish, angel fish, sea turtles and eels in the crystal-clear turquoise waters surrounding the island.

The ocean playground around Roatan is part of the huge Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. These protected waters provide excellent snorkeling, kayaking, swimming with dolphins and other marine life and pristine powdery white beaches. Sample tradition island cuisine like conch, baleadas or pastilles in one of the many excellent cafes accompanied by delicious Honduran coffee

With an origin as a logging camp and exporter of mahogany, Belize City is known now as the gateway to lovely nature and beautiful offshore islands. But stay in town long enough to check out the Swing Bridge &ndash; the only functioning manually operated bridge in the world. Then find the Cave Branch River for a float through ancient Mayan caves or visit the howler monkeys at the Community Baboon Sanctuary.

Costa Maya is the closest gateway to the Chaccoben Mayan Ruins some of which you can climb to get an amazing view. The port features interesting shopping, local artisans and good restaurant and bars. It is part of the massive Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and the Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve, home to sharks, dolphins and turtles and the Sian Ka&rsquo;an Biosphere Reserve where jaguars, monkeys and hundreds of bird species live.

The Mesamerican Barrier Reef spans 14 miles around the Mexican island of Cozumel and the impressive marine diversity here makes it an excellent place for snorkeling and diving. Chankanaab, an eco-park surrounding a lagoon offers underwater caverns that are home to dolphins, manatees and sea turtles.&nbsp; Or take a ferry ride over to the mainland to explore the beaches of Playa del Carmen.