Ultimate Central & South America

Known as “The Jewel of the Pacific,” Valparaíso is one of South America’s most charming, historic and picturesque ports. Declared a World Heritage Site in 2003, Valparaíso is a pleasant blend of historical interest, natural beauty and unique architecture – particularly its mix of 19th-century houses. If you love charming and culturally distinctive surroundings, this is your kind of place.

La Serena is the capital of the Coquimbo region on Chile’s coast. The city is known for its long beaches, like El Faro with its landmark Faro Monumental lighthouse, and its colonial and neo-colonial architecture. The late-Renaissance Iglesia de San Francisco is one of many churches dominating the skyline. The Archaeological Museum displays pre-Hispanic pottery and a giant stone head (moai) from Easter Island

Arica, the ‘City of Eternal Spring’, is one of northern Chile’s up-and-coming resort destinations. Located at the edge of the Atacama Desert, its year-round sunshine and crisp, breezy, air are perfect for water sports of all kinds, and its lush city gardens, fed by the Rio Lluta, make a beautiful setting for shopping and nightlife. Start the day with a windsurfing lesson, sample fresh swordfish by the sparkling harbour, browse Indian handicrafts or try your luck in the casino nightlife. There’s also adventure to be had on day trips into the desert.

Manta is a port city on Ecuador’s central coast. It’s known for its tuna-fishing industry. The popular Murciélago Beach is on the city’s northwestern tip. Bars and restaurants are clustered along the Malecón Escénico promenade and nearby streets. The low-key Tarqui Beach has a waterside fish market. Nearby, the Central Bank Museum contains pre-Columbian relics from indigenous tribes

Situated on the long Nicoya Peninsula, Puntarenas is a great jumping-off point for the eco-adventures that have made Costa Rica famous. Trek lush rainforests in San Luis Park. Discover tropical flora and fauna in Pos Volcano National Park, and shower under Costa Rica’s tallest waterfall at Pura Vida Gardens and Waterfalls. Looking for oceanside adventure? Take the short drive from Puntarenas to the Nicoya Peninsula, where there’s a wide array of beaches – relax on family-friendly Playa Guiones, or check out dramatic Playa Ostional, with its volcanic black sands and vibrant sea turtle population. Puntarenas cruises give you access to Playa Tamarindo, where you can find some of the best surf and food in the country.

San Juan del Sur is a town on Nicaragua’s southwest coast. It’s known for a string of nearby Pacific beaches, such as Maderas Beach, with its strong-breaking waves, and the quieter Marsella Beach. A towering, contemporary Christ of the Mercy statue stands on a cliff above the bay. Near a creek on the outskirts is an ancient petroglyph. South along the coast, olive ridley turtles breed at La Flor Nature Reserve

As Baja California’s most electrifying destination and a playground for the rich and famous, Cabo San Lucas delivers a dreamy set of tropical wonders. Unspoiled shores like Lover’s Beach paint the town in brushes of turquoise and white. Fertile ocean waters supply the seafood for fish tacos with adobo sauce. Cruise to Cabo San Lucas and head to Desert Park Natural Reserve to behold expansive cream-colored desert scenery. See soaring natural rock formations plunge into the Sea of Cortez at Land’s End, only reachable by boat — the spot is also known for throwing the best beachside parties. Stride along a happy crowd while sipping on a margarita, taking in the impressive views and doing a little dancing while you’re at it.

With mild weather year-round due to its inlet location off of the Pacific Ocean, Ensenada is celebrated as a popular location for yachting, sport fishing and surfing, as well as migrating gray whales.

Discover Los Angeles’ multicultural history by walking through its diverse selection of neighborhoods: See the ornate Twin Towers Dragon Gateway in Chinatown and the traditional Mexican shopping stalls and vendors of Olvera Street. Then, chill by the beach at Santa Monica Pier, or take the iconic drive down Sunset Boulevard, one of the most often-filmed thoroughfares in the country.

Santa Monica, Venice, Malibu and Long Beach are four of Los Angeles’ most popular beach destinations. Of the four, Malibu is the most remote and least urban — head here for surfing and stand-up paddleboarding. Depending on traffic, you can get to Long Beach in 40 minutes, while the others take around an hour.

Snap a pic of the Hollywood sign, stroll down the Sunset Strip and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, or visit Paramount Studios. You can see all of these and more on the Grand City Tour by StarLine Tours which operates two times a day, seven days a week.