| | | | | Arrive | Depart |
| 31st31 | OctOct | 202424 | Puntarenas, Costa Rica, embark on the Silver Wind | | 19:00 |
| This town is not on the Nicoya Peninsula, but rather on Costa Rica's mainland. It is best known as a cruise-ship port and launching pad for ferries heading southeast to the coast of the Nicoya Peninsula and for cruises sailing out on the Gulf of Nicoya. Puntarenas is also a major fishing port with a lively fish market. The town’s reputation suffers from the unimpressive parts you see from your car as you roll through town on the way to the ferry dock. But the town has a lot of character off the main drag, thanks to its illustrious past as an affluent port town and principal vacation spot for San José's wealthy, who arrived by train in the last century. Once the port was moved and roads opened to other beaches, Puntarenas's economy crashed, but it's making a comeback. Sitting on a narrow spit of sand—punta de arenas literally means "point of sand"—that protrudes into the Gulf of Nicoya, the town boasts a beautifully groomed, wide Blue Flag beach with views of the Nicoya Peninsula and spectacular sunsets, along with a public swimming pool, the San Lucas Beach Club, and a marine-life museum. Ticos arrive by bus and car to enjoy the beach and stroll the Paseo de los Turistas, a beachfront promenade lined with tree-shaded concrete benches and seafood restaurants. Crowds of locals, called porteños, cruise by on bicycles, the town’s most popular form of transport. Puntarenas sits on a spit of land parallel to the coast of Pitahaya. The mud and soil brought down to the ocean by the Barranca River and the action of some of the smaller rivers to the north of Puntarenas have led to a tongue of sand known by 1722 as Puerto de Arenas (Harbor of Sands). Were it not for a very narrow stretch of land known as “La Angostura” the city would be an island. The city of almost 100,000 inhabitants is the capital to the province of the same name, which hugs most of Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Connected by road to San Jose, the country’s capital, Puntarenas is used by Costa Rican’s to cross by ferry over to the Nicoya Peninsula which is part of the Puntarenas Province and by cruise ships as a gateway to visit the various national parks in the interior. Puntarenas still is Costa Rica’s most important fishing port, while cargo is handled some 15 kilometers southwest on the mainland at Puerto Caldera, a port created in the 1980s. To cater to visitors, the beach area has been remodeled and the Paseo de los Turistas runs parallel to the beach with many seafood restaurant, cafes and bars. |
| 1st01 | NovNov | 202424 | Playa Panama, Costa Rica | 07:00 | 17:30 |
| 2nd02 | NovNov | 202424 | Punta Leona, Costa Rica | 07:00 | 17:30 |
| 3rd03 | NovNov | 202424 | Golfito, Costa Rica | 07:00 | 12:30 |
| Golfito, is situated along a small inlet of Golfo Dulce. This small port city is a narrow strip along Golfito Bay backed against steep green hills covered with pristine rainforest, with the Golfo Dulce seaward outside Golfito Bay. Surrounded by tropical rainforest, Golfito provides an ideal location to escape from your hectic schedule and enjoy some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica with a stunning backdrop of verdant hills and lush rainforest. Follow a trail through the densely forested Golfito National Wildlife Refuge to observe rare flora and fauna, and emerge at a scenic outlook with views of the ocean, also the city has a variety of hotels and restaurants, many of which now provide free wireless Internet service for customers. Golfito was the main port on the South Pacific Coast of Costa Rica in the days when there was little except for the huge banana plantations. To help remedy the resulting economy decrease of the region, the government established a duty-free zone, support and impulse the touristic development. Golfito, is situated along a small inlet of Golfo Dulce. This small port city is a narrow strip along Golfito Bay backed against steep green hills covered with pristine rainforest, with the Golfo Dulce seaward outside Golfito Bay. Surrounded by tropical rainforest, Golfito provides an ideal location to escape from your hectic schedule and enjoy some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica with a stunning backdrop of verdant hills and lush rainforest. Follow a trail through the densely forested Golfito National Wildlife Refuge to observe rare flora and fauna, and emerge at a scenic outlook with views of the ocean, also the city has a variety of hotels and restaurants, many of which now provide free wireless Internet service for customers. Golfito was the main port on the South Pacific Coast of Costa Rica in the days when there was little except for the huge banana plantations. To help remedy the resulting economy decrease of the region, the government established a duty-free zone, support and impulse the touristic development. |
| 4th04 | NovNov | 202424 | Cocos Island, Costa Rica | | |
| Cocos Island (Isla del Coco in Spanish) is an uninhabited island located off the shore of Costa Rica. It is a National & Marine Park and UNESCO World Heritage site and is surrounded by deep waters with counter-currents, offering excellent environments for many different species of fish. The beauty of Cocos has inspired tales of pirate treasure and the island was one of Jacques Cousteau’s favorite places. Seabirds also favor Isla del Coco including Brown boobies, Red-footed Boobies and Great Frigatebirds. The three endemic land bird species call the island home; the Cocos Cuckoo, Cocos flycatcher, and Cocos finch. Found in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 550 kilometres southwest of Costa Rica, lies a little uninhabited island called Isla del Coco – Cocos Island. Uninhabited by humans that is – because the wildlife that lives above and below the water are extraordinary to say the least. The island was designated a National Park in 1978, and a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997 as it is the only island in the eastern Pacific with a tropical rainforest. It was also shortlisted as one of the seven wonders of the natural world (although sadly lost out on making the final podium). The island has garnered many fans over the years, including Jacques Cousteau who said it was his favourite place. With such a heady reputation, it is unsurprising then that the island’s flora and fauna is second to none. The island’s ornithological population is vast and diverse. Seabirds such as Brown boobies, Red-footed Boobies and Great Frigatebirds favour the island, while three endemic species (Cocos Cuckoo, Cocos flycatcher and the Cocos finch) all call it home. Underwater life is just as rich: divers consider Cocos as nirvana for its white-tip reef, whale and hammerheads sharks, rays, tuna and dolphins, as well as 300 kinds of fish. Although not quite as famous as Dawin’s neighbouring Galapagos Islands, Isla del Cocos can call many of its species both evolutionary and endemic. However, unlike the Galapagos, Isla del Cocos has predators in the shape of rats, goats and pigs, introduced here by hunters and pirates years ago. |
| 5th05 | NovNov | 202424 | Cocos Island, Costa Rica | | 13:00 |
| Cocos Island (Isla del Coco in Spanish) is an uninhabited island located off the shore of Costa Rica. It is a National & Marine Park and UNESCO World Heritage site and is surrounded by deep waters with counter-currents, offering excellent environments for many different species of fish. The beauty of Cocos has inspired tales of pirate treasure and the island was one of Jacques Cousteau’s favorite places. Seabirds also favor Isla del Coco including Brown boobies, Red-footed Boobies and Great Frigatebirds. The three endemic land bird species call the island home; the Cocos Cuckoo, Cocos flycatcher, and Cocos finch. Found in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 550 kilometres southwest of Costa Rica, lies a little uninhabited island called Isla del Coco – Cocos Island. Uninhabited by humans that is – because the wildlife that lives above and below the water are extraordinary to say the least. The island was designated a National Park in 1978, and a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997 as it is the only island in the eastern Pacific with a tropical rainforest. It was also shortlisted as one of the seven wonders of the natural world (although sadly lost out on making the final podium). The island has garnered many fans over the years, including Jacques Cousteau who said it was his favourite place. With such a heady reputation, it is unsurprising then that the island’s flora and fauna is second to none. The island’s ornithological population is vast and diverse. Seabirds such as Brown boobies, Red-footed Boobies and Great Frigatebirds favour the island, while three endemic species (Cocos Cuckoo, Cocos flycatcher and the Cocos finch) all call it home. Underwater life is just as rich: divers consider Cocos as nirvana for its white-tip reef, whale and hammerheads sharks, rays, tuna and dolphins, as well as 300 kinds of fish. Although not quite as famous as Dawin’s neighbouring Galapagos Islands, Isla del Cocos can call many of its species both evolutionary and endemic. However, unlike the Galapagos, Isla del Cocos has predators in the shape of rats, goats and pigs, introduced here by hunters and pirates years ago. |
| 6th06 | NovNov | 202424 | At Sea | | |
| 7th07 | NovNov | 202424 | Puerto Lopez, Ecuador | 08:00 | 18:00 |
| 8th08 | NovNov | 202424 | At Sea | | |
| 9th09 | NovNov | 202424 | At Sea | | |
| 10th10 | NovNov | 202424 | Callao, Peru, disembark the Silver Wind | 07:00 | |
| When people discuss great South American cities, Lima is often overlooked. But Peru's capital can hold its own against its neighbors. It has an oceanfront setting, colonial-era splendor, sophisticated dining, and nonstop nightlife.It's true that the city—clogged with traffic and choked with fumes—doesn't make a good first impression, especially since the airport is in an industrial neighborhood. But wander around the regal edifices surrounding the Plaza de Armas, among the gnarled olive trees of San Isidro's Parque El Olivar, or along the winding lanes in the coastal community of Barranco, and you'll find yourself charmed.In 1535 Francisco Pizarro found the perfect place for the capital of Spain's colonial empire. On a natural port, the so-called Ciudad de los Reyes (City of Kings) allowed Spain to ship home all the gold the conquistador plundered from the Inca. Lima served as the capital of Spain's South American empire for 300 years, and it's safe to say that no other colonial city enjoyed such power and prestige during this period.When Peru declared its independence from Spain in 1821, the declaration was read in the square that Pizarro had so carefully designed. Many of the colonial-era buildings around the Plaza de Armas are standing today. Walk a few blocks in any direction for churches and elegant houses that reveal just how wealthy this city once was. But the poor state of most buildings attests to the fact that the country's wealthy families have moved to neighborhoods to the south over the past century.The walls that surrounded the city were demolished in 1870, making way for unprecedented growth. A former hacienda became the graceful residential neighborhood of San Isidro. In the early 1920s the construction of tree-lined Avenida Arequipa heralded the development of neighborhoods such as bustling Miraflores and bohemian Barranco.Almost a third of the country's population of 29 million lives in the metropolitan area, many of them in relatively poor conos: newer neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city. Most residents of those neighborhoods moved there from mountain villages during the political violence and poverty that marked the 1980s and ’90s, when crime increased dramatically. During the past decade the country has enjoyed peace and steady economic growth, which have been accompanied by many improvements and refurbishment in the city. Residents who used to steer clear of the historic center now stroll along its streets. And many travelers who once would have avoided the city altogether now plan to spend a day here and end up staying two or three. Splashing colour and culture into the arid Peruvian landscape, Lima is a city bedecked with grand colonial splendour. Founded in 1535, this sprawling capital enjoys a breezy oceanfront location and forms one of the world's largest desert cities. A place of sharp contrasts, almost 10 million people are packed into the city, occupying vastly different living conditions. Visit for an unfiltered experience of this richly layered place of ancient history, colonial relics and dazzling flavours. Rising from the misty blanket of the garua - a persistent fog that cloaks Lima during winter - you'll find one of South America's most culturally vibrant cities. The former capital of the Spanish colonists - head to Plaza de Armas to immerse yourself in the heart of the old city. The Basilica Cathedral of Lima watches over Plaza Mayor - listen out for the stomps of boots outside, as the pomp and ceremony of the Changing of the Guards draws crowds to the Government Palace. The history of this area runs much deeper, however, and pre-Colombian cities and temples emerge from the dusty earth nearby. Grand museums showcase unearthed treasures from the extraordinary civilisations who built vast mud adobe cities across Peru's coastline, and incredible settlements in the country's valleys and mountains. The Barranco district is Lima's artsy area, and you can walk from modern art galleries to see the local muse, the Bridge of Sighs. This wooden bridge is an artist's favourite, and one of the city's most romantic spots. Afterwards, sample some of Lima's cuisine, and the zingy flavours of spicy, lime-marinated fish ceviche. So revered in these parts, ceviche even has its own national day on June 28th. Sipping a Pisco Sour is the perfect way to round off your visit to this engrossing, multi-layered city. |
