Central America Discovery

ITINERARY

DAY 1
PICHILINGUE (LA PAZ)
Pichilingue (La Paz) is a port and a beach resort on the eastern coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico. It is located 18 km from La Paz, the capital of the state, and it offers a variety of attractions and activities for travelers. You can sunbathe, swim, and sport fish on the sandy shore or enjoy a meal and a drink at one of the restaurants along the waterfront. Pichilingue is where you can enjoy the sun, the sea, and the culture of Baja California Sur.


DAY 2
DAY AT SEA
Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.


DAY 3
MANZANILLO
Nicknamed the Sailfish Capital of the World, Manzanillo is one of Mexico’s most significant port cities. As you might expect from such a moniker, most of the activities in town are centred around the water, and seafood dominates the local culinary scene. Although the city is largely a modern development, ancient history is never far away in this part of the world. We will be visiting the archaeological site, Zona Arqueologica la Campana today, which is about a two-hour drive away from Manzanillo port.


DAY 4
ZIHUATANEJO
One of Mexico’s most visited cities, Zihuatenejo is a modern beach resort with a fascinating and ancient past. Surrounded by significant archaeological sites, this morning we will be visiting Xihuacan. Opened in 2013, the area has yet to be fully excavated. The site and museum are located a little under an hour from Zihuatenejo. Here you can explore the ruins as well as visit the eight hundred plus pre-Hispanic artefacts on display.


DAY 5
ACAPULCO
Acapulco, nicknamed ‘Pearl of the Pacific’, is Mexico’s most glamorous pacific resort that rose to fame in the jet-set era of the 1950s. Located on a deep, semi-circular bay, Acapulco is located southwest of Mexico City. With an average of 360 days of sunshine per year, the weather here is famously amicable. The city originated as a port city for Spanish galleons sailing between Spain and the Far East. Learn more about the city’s past at the Acapulco Historical Museum. Or perhaps head out on a bird-watching trip at Coyuca lagoon with a local ornithology expert. Pass through lush vegetation and native flora on the lookout for some of the 250 species of birds that call the lagoon home.


DAY 6
DAY AT SEA
Days at sea are the perfect chance to relax, unwind and do whatever takes your fancy. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, trying to spot a whale from the deck, reading a chapter or two, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to the green days spent exploring on land.


DAY 7
PUERTO QUETZAL
The modern port city of Puerto Quetzal is situated on the Pacific coastline just south of Guatemala City. From here you can explore the World Heritage Site of La Antigua Guatemala or head out to the stunning Lake Atitlan and explore its surrounding villages. The former capital of Guatemala, Antigua, is a short distance away and definitely worth a visit. Now a World Heritage site, this beautiful colonial town has buildings that date back to the 16th century. The museums and architecture will transport you back in time through the city’s fascinating past.


DAY 8
ACAJUTLA
Originally a Mayan village, Acajutla is now El Salvador’s main export town for coffee, sugar and balsam. You can still see evidence of the area’s Mayan past in the ruins near the port. The town itself is a pleasant place to spend some time exploring the boutique shops and strolling the dark sand beaches. Further afield, we will be visiting the UNESCO-protected site of Joya de Cerén, a pre-Columbian 600 AD Maya village preserved in ash, known as the ‘Pompeii of Central America.’ We will also visit the fascinating archaeological site of Tazumal. In the K’ich’ language, Tazumal means ‘pyramid where victims are burned’. Archaeologists estimate that the area was first settled in 5000BC.


DAY 9
CORINTO
Corinto is a charming town on Nicaragua's Pacific coast in the Chinandega province. It is the country’s largest and only Pacific port, with a rich history and a diverse economy. Corinto offers a variety of attractions for travelers, such as the Iglesia Santo Tomás Apóstol, a beautiful Catholic church. The Rum Factory Flor de Caña, where you can learn about the production of Nicaragua’s famous rum and the Cerro Negro Volcano.


DAY 10
PLAYA FLAMINGO, MARINA FLAMINGO
One of Costa Rica’s prettiest beaches, Playa Flamingo is just about as picture-postcard perfect as it gets. The white sand, shell beach and serene blue sea make for a popular but laid-back holiday resort. We will be visiting the nearby Palo Verde National Park, located on the banks of the Tempisque River. A birdwatcher’s paradise, Palo Verde is the meeting place of the largest concentration of aquatic birds and migratory birds on the Central American Pacific Coast. You can spot toucan, scarlet macaws, the roseate spoonbill, wood storks, tanagers and much more here. In total Palo Verde is home to 279 species of birds.


DAY 11
PUNTARENAS
Puntarenas is a place to experience the authentic and diverse culture of Costa Rica, located on a narrow peninsula that stretches into the Pacific Ocean. Puntarenas is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, who come to enjoy its beaches, seafood, and carnival atmosphere. Puntarenas is also a gateway to explore the region's natural wonders, such as the Tortuga, Chira, Coco islands, the Nicoya Peninsula, and the Monteverde Cloud Forest.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable)
• One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
• All meals onboard
• Onboard accommodation in a stateroom selected category
• 24-hour room service
• Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
• Lecture programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
• One selected shore excursion/expedition activities per port of call (Kayak not included, bookable for a fee on board)
• Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions
• Standard WiFi
• Onboard gratuities & port taxes