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 your ship and board your flight for Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport, our representative will warmly welcome you and ensure a smooth transfer to your hotel, where you can relax after your journey. In the evening, enjoy a memorable dining experience at Huaca Pucllana restaurant, set beside an extraordinary pre-Inca archaeological complex. As you savor a delicious dinner, take in the breathtaking view of this historic site, which served as a ceremonial and administrative center over 1,500 years ago. It’s a remarkable introduction to your Peruvian adventure.

(Includes dinner and overnight in Lima hotel)

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 before boarding your bus for a quick drive to a local museum for demonstrations of chicha brewing (a non-alcoholic beer), traditional textile techniques and to learn about Andean culture. You’ll even have the opportunity to see alpacas!   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 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   (comfort class) 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 an artist studio and gallery 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.)

Early in the morning, transfer to Cusco airport for your flight back to Lima. Upon arrival, head to Barranco, Lima’s most artistic and bohemian district, known for its vibrant murals, charming architecture, and iconic landmarks like the Bridge of Sighs. After exploring its colorful streets, visit the renowned Hotel B for a private cooking demonstration led by expert chefs, where you will learn to prepare traditional Peruvian ceviche,  followed by a delightful lunch in the hotel’s elegant, art-filled dining space. After some rest at your hotel, spend the evening at Plaza Mayor de Lima, the city’s historic heart, admiring its grand colonial architecture before enjoying an exclusive dinner at Casa De Aliaga, one of the oldest continuously inhabited colonial mansions in the Americas, where history and fine cuisine come together in an unforgettable setting.

(Includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight at Lima hotel)

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