Named after the Mayaimi tribe that inhabited the area in the 1600s, Miami has skyrocketed to international recognition as the cruise capital of the world. Nestled between Biscayne National Park and Everglades National Park, the incredibly diverse tropical metropolis is equally acclaimed for its stunning sandy beaches, extravagant party scene, street art, natural beauty and glittering skyline. Vibrant, classy, edgy, exciting – Miami is everything you want in a cruise destination and more.

The Costa Maya is a beautiful, 100-mile-long coastline on the Yucutan Peninsula characterized by white sand beaches and beautiful blue water. Right on the port you can find shopping areas, restaurants and bars, and jet skis for rent, and the nearby city of Mahahual holds a popular, easy to access beach. For those looking for a more private piece of paradise, the more secluded beaches are just a short taxi ride away. One must-see for any visitor of Costa Maya is the Chacchoben Ruins, the remainders of an ancient Mayan city more than a thousand years old. For the best experience, take a guided tour to learn about what life was like for the Mayans – back then and now.

Harvest Caye is ideal for eco-tourism. With diverse ecology consisting of jungles, rainforests, swamps, coral reef and so on.

The island of Roatan sits above the second-largest coral reef in the world, making it an attractive destination for snorkelers, scuba divers and other ocean enthusiasts eager to get a glimpse of one of nature’s most colorful wonders. Book an excursion to visit the beautiful reef by boat, or simply swim from shore – some of the coral is located just 300 feet from the beach. The white sand beaches and crystal clear water make Roatan perfect for swimming and tanning alike.

Puerto Limon is a bustling, industrial port city that serves as a gateway for many cruise ship passengers to Costa Rica’s natural wonders. The Veragua Rainforest is an easy day trip outside of the city, and visitors can explore it by foot on its hiking trails, by boat on a jungle canoe tour, or from above on a zipline canopy tour. Passengers preferring to stay close to port may prefer the waterfront park Parque Vargas, or learn about local history in the Museo Etnohistoric de Limon.

Located on the Pacific side of the Panama Canal, Colon is home to a gleaming, modern, tourist-friendly port. Passengers will find plenty of opportunities to shop and eat near the cruise terminals, or to take a shore excursion to see some more scenic parts of Panama. Before the completion of the Panama Canal, the overland rail route played an important role in transporting goods between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Passengers today can still take a historic train ride on the Isthmian Railway from Colon to Panama City.

South America's most popular cruise port, Cartagena is a must-see stop on any Panama Canal or southern Caribbean cruise. The city is safe and tourist-friendly, and most tourist places will speak English and accept U.S. dollars. Beautiful parks, museums and shops welcome visitors, and beautiful Spanish cathedrals and castles lurk around every corner. For beach lovers, there are plenty of sandy beaches and coral reefs within easy access of the city. And for shopaholics, kiosks and tourist shops dot the inner city.