Western Caribbean

While in Tampa, be sure to stroll through the historic Ybor City, full of restaurants, shops and bars, visit the Busch Gardens theme park or explore the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg. This metropolis never stands still.

Past meets present in Costa Maya. Cruise to Costa Maya and find ancient Maya ruins and mysterious jungles just begging to be explored, as well as private beach clubs and trendy restaurants – all in one place. It’s 250 square miles of paradise packed with entertainment and history, all just 30 miles south of Cancun. The Great Maya Reef just off the coast is the second largest in the world – it’s a must-snorkel spot. Or you can kick back at the port village of Mahahual with an ice-cold michelada – a spicy beer cocktail – in hand. For a culture fix, head to the Kohunlick ruins to see the famous Temple of the Masks.

Roatán’s diverse blend of cultures and traditions is enough to charm anyone. But its mangrove forests, dense jungles and swathes of white-sand beaches will make you want to stay forever. Divers and snorkellers from all over the globe flock to the largest of Honduras’ Bay Islands every year see to the world’s second-largest barrier reef first-hand. Roatán cruises provide access to laid-back beach towns and secluded shores. On the Big Island, you can mingle with monkeys and ‘Jesus’ lizards, snorkel with stingrays and zipline through rainforest canopies. If it’s culture you crave, the island’s unique and vibrant blend is more than satisfying – made up of US ex-pat sun-seekers, Hondurans from the mainland, descendants of European settlers and Garífuna, whose Afro-Carib-Arawak heritage still flavours centuries-old communities like Punta Gorda.

With all the heart of a Central American country and all the soul of a Caribbean isle, Belize and its bustling cruise port city open the door to a nation ripe for exploration. Here you can choose your adventures – from trekking ancient Maya ruins to snorkelling the Belize Barrier Reef that teems with colourful fish and unforgettable coral formations. During your cruise to Belize, hike rainforest trails and take a zipline through lush treetops. Or hop on an inner tube and float through spectacular limestone caves and past tumbling waterfalls along the network of rivers flowing to the Caribbean. Divers and snorkellers come here from all over to explore the world’s second-largest barrier reef, and the famous Great Blue Hole. And along the 320-kilometre-long coastline, you’ll find hundreds of tiny islets called cayes (pronounced ‘keys’).

With its lively tropical reefs, crystal-clear waters and ancient ruins, Cozumel is ripe for one-of-a-kind adventures. Cruise to Cozumel and head to Chankanaab National Park, where you can snorkel amongst the colourful reefs and schools of tropical fish that give this island its premier diving status. Or travel back in time on an adventure through the towering Maya ruins of Tulum. When you’ve finished exploring, unwind with a beachside massage at Playa Mia. From culture-savouring to soaking up sunshine, you’ll find a world of adventure waiting for you in Cozumel.

While in Tampa, be sure to stroll through the historic Ybor City, full of restaurants, shops and bars, visit the Busch Gardens theme park or explore the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg. This metropolis never stands still.