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Caribbean & Central America Cruises

From verdant volcanic peaks to coral-filled waters, Mayan temples, and exotic wildlife, Central America and the Caribbean have it all

See all expedition cruises

Caribbean & Central America Cruises

From verdant volcanic peaks to coral-filled waters, Mayan temples, and exotic wildlife, Central America and the Caribbean have it all

See all expedition cruises

Cruising the Caribbean and Central America with Hurtigruten

Most people’s idea of paradise is based on the tropical land and seascapes of Central America and the Caribbean. It’s easy to understand why. Closed-canopy rainforests, towering volcanoes, azure skies, and turquoise blue waters teeming with colorful marine life are an exotic feast for the senses.

Through our wide range of land or sea activities, get closer and spend more time exploring the natural beauty that awaits you. Our ships are much smaller than the big ships usually seen in these parts, allowing you to visit remote coastal communities and hidden island gems.

Immerse yourself in the charming villages, ancient cultures, and diverse ecosystems of countries such as Belize, Costa Rica, Columbia, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Mexico, and Panama. Indulge in the region’s culinary delights, wide sandy beaches, and endless sunshine.

Caribbean & Central America Travel Guide
  • Beach in Key West, Florida USA
  • Rainforest in Panama
  • Tropical fish exploring a colourful reef in the Caribbean
  • Marine life in Inagua Islands, Bahamas
  • Mayan Temple, Mexico

Photo: Dan Avila and Shutterstock

Reasons to cruise the Caribbean & Central America

Most people’s idea of paradise is based on the tropical landscapes and seascapes of Central America and the Caribbean—and it’s easy to see why. Closed-canopy forests, towering volcanoes, azure skies, and turquoise waters teeming with colorful marine life are just some of the stunning sights that await you.

Visit Central American coastal communities, ranging from vibrant, cosmopolitan cities to isolated villages nestled in gorgeous pockets of rainforest. Visit sleepy fishing towns with soft sandy beaches, ancient Maya ruins, and national parks that are home to some of the most exotic wildlife on the planet.

Reasons to cruise the Caribbean & Central America

Most people’s idea of paradise is based on the tropical landscapes and seascapes of Central America and the Caribbean—and it’s easy to see why. Closed-canopy forests, towering volcanoes, azure skies, and turquoise waters teeming with colorful marine life are just some of the stunning sights that await you.

Visit Central American coastal communities, ranging from vibrant, cosmopolitan cities to isolated villages nestled in gorgeous pockets of rainforest. Visit sleepy fishing towns with soft sandy beaches, ancient Maya ruins, and national parks that are home to some of the most exotic wildlife on the planet.

Spectacular Scenery

The dramatic sights and sounds of the Caribbean and Central America’s jungles may seem familiar from films and wildlife documentaries, but nothing can prepare you for experiencing these things in person. Don’t forget about the pristine beaches, lagoons, atolls, reefs, and palm-tree islands the region is so famous for.

Exotic Wildlife

The trees and vegetation of Costa Rica’s dense forests is home to approximately 5% of the world’s biodiversity. The Caribbean and Central America are a haven for exotic wildlife, including iguanas, dolphins, whales, sloths, monkeys, turtles, manta rays, and toucans. Whether you’re hiking up a volcano, trekking through a forest, or simply strolling through a botanical garden, you’ll see why this special part of the world is a dream for animal lovers, birdwatchers, and photographers alike.

Active Adventures

Make the most of your expedition by enjoying a range of optional excursions and Pre- and/or Post-Program adventures. Take a romantic catamaran tour to the many bays of Huatulco, Mexico. See spectacular coral and colorful fish while snorkeling in Belize’s famed barrier reef. Or watch for basilisk lizards and crocodiles from a riverboat in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, before your cruise.

Culinary Delights

As you might expect, the food in this region is both delicious and diverse. Sample a pupusa, El Salvador’s national dish, griddle cakes made with cornmeal filled with cheese, pork, or beans. Join an optional excursion to a communal kitchen in Piedra de Moros, in Mexico, to see how the locals make authentic tortillas and tamales. And don’t forget two of Central America’s greatest exports: coffee and chocolate.

Mayan History

Your expedition to Central America will take you into Mayan civilization territory. Learn about their history in informative lectures from our Expedition Team and on optional excursions to ancient ruins. Whether you’re taking in stunning views from atop a carefully restored Mayan temple in Belize or exploring a village preserved in volcanic ash in El Salvador, you will leave with a deeper knowledge of this fascinating civilization.

Local Communities

The region includes a mix of native customs, immigrant traditions, and Spanish and English colonial influences. Our commitment to sustainable travel includes forming meaningful relationships with local communities. One of our included activities in Granada, Nicaragua, is a visit to a local school, where we drop off donated school supplies.

Cruises

Caribbean and Central America Cruises

Meaningful exploration doesn’t just mean tracing the Caribbean coastline, it means going ashore to hike to ancient ruins, snorkeling among coral reefs, and watching for wildlife in one of the world’s most biodiverse regions.

The Caribbean and Central America region is an outdoor-adventure playground ripe for exploration. Nature enthusiasts, thrill seekers, and beach lovers alike all flock to this part of the world. Choose from various included and optional activities and immerse yourself in this tropical paradise.

Caribbean and Central America Cruises

Meaningful exploration doesn’t just mean tracing the Caribbean coastline, it means going ashore to hike to ancient ruins, snorkeling among coral reefs, and watching for wildlife in one of the world’s most biodiverse regions.

The Caribbean and Central America region is an outdoor-adventure playground ripe for exploration. Nature enthusiasts, thrill seekers, and beach lovers alike all flock to this part of the world. Choose from various included and optional activities and immerse yourself in this tropical paradise.

Shore excursions*

Tour volcanoes by bus or scenic bays on a catamaran. Experience local culture through cultural performances or cooking classes. Visit ruins and learn about Mayan history. Whatever you choose to do, it’ll add special memories to your expedition.

* Please note that guided hikes are an optional activity subject to additional cost.

Kayaking*

Calm bays, lagoons, beaches, and rugged coastlines are all picture-perfect settings for kayaking. It’s also a great way to discover remote places that can’t be reached otherwise. The sea life you’ll see is always a surprise—they might even surface next to you!

* Please note that this an optional activity subject to additional cost.

Snorkeling*

The Caribbean and Central America offer great options for snorkeling. Beneath the azure waters lies a colorful world full of marine life, spectacular coral reef landscapes, and even the occasional submerged shipwreck.

* Please note that these are optional activities, and additional cost applies.

Stand-up paddle boarding (SUP)*

The Caribbean Sea’s warm, clear waters are perfect for stand-up paddle boarding (SUP). This activity gives you a unique vantage point to see under the water and out on the horizon. With only a little instruction, you’ll be able to stand on the board while looking at the colorful, exotic fish darting in and out of coral reefs beneath you

* Please note that these are optional activities subject to additional cost

Landings

Embark on our small boats (RIBs) to make landings at sites set in gorgeous scenery, hard to reach, and off the beaten track, adding to your sense of discovery when you do. Look forward to exploring smaller, more remote islands of the Caribbean and meeting the local communities that call them home.

Hiking*

Picture yourself standing on a hill overlooking the town of San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. The walk up to the colossal statue of Jesus may have taken an hour, but you have your reward: panoramic views over the town and beach. Or imagine exploring a vast rainforest in Costa Rica among the chirping of exotic birdlife, with a towering volcano in the distance.

* Please note that guided hikes are an optional activity subject to additional cost.

Birdwatching

This region is a birdwatcher’s mecca. From mountain ranges and rainforests to coastal areas, you can spot hundreds of bird species in pristine, natural surroundings. Scan for frigatebirds and boobies from deck, pelicans along the coast, and beautiful parrots and hummingbirds in the jungle.

Lectures

Your expert Expedition Team will deliver lectures on a range of fascinating topics, such as the geology, marine biology, history, and ornithology of the Caribbean and Central America, among many others. This will primarily take place in the ship’s onboard Science Center, but more informal discussions may occur on deck or even ashore during a landing.

Yoga and Meditation

Our ships offer you the opportunity to participate in yoga and meditation classes, refreshing you in body, mind, and spirit. These classes may be held on deck to take advantage of the Caribbean sunshine and balmy sea breeze.

Caribbean and Central American Wildlife

Howler monkey calls and the hum of insects create a captivating soundtrack that reverberates through the jungle. Flashes of color from the plumage of toucans and macaws decorate the lush, emerald canopy. The striking azure waters teem with life, including vibrant coral reefs, shimmering fish, sea turtles, and manta rays.

The wildlife is just as fascinating whether you’re perched among the leaves of palm tree jungles or swimming among the coral reefs in warm turquoise waters.

Caribbean and Central American Wildlife

Howler monkey calls and the hum of insects create a captivating soundtrack that reverberates through the jungle. Flashes of color from the plumage of toucans and macaws decorate the lush, emerald canopy. The striking azure waters teem with life, including vibrant coral reefs, shimmering fish, sea turtles, and manta rays.

The wildlife is just as fascinating whether you’re perched among the leaves of palm tree jungles or swimming among the coral reefs in warm turquoise waters.

Monkeys

The verdant jungles of Central America are the perfect habitat for monkeys. At least seven species are native to the region. The shrieks of howler and spider monkeys dominate the soundscapes of the rainforests in Costa Rica, Belize, and Panama. Find these mischievous and intelligent creatures peering down at you from their treetop hideaways at all times of day.

Sloths

Unlike their noisy neighbors who never stay still—monkeys!—sloths are silent and extremely slow-paced. They avoid anything strenuous. Spot them hanging upside down in large-leaved trees, where they may be feeding or, more likely, sleeping.

Birds

The Caribbean is home to over 700 birds species, including 171 species endemic to the region and found nowhere else on Earth. Central America has more than 1,200 bird species. Spot an abundance of birdlife, ranging from beautiful parrots and hummingbirds in the jungle to pelicans and giant condors along the coast.

Dolphins

Several dolphin species, such as the bottlenose, spinner, and common dolphin, can be spotted in the Caribbean Sea. Bottlenose dolphins are frequent companions to our ships and can often be seen from the deck. They love to ride in the ship’s wake and are capable of impressive acrobatics, leaping high out of the water and somersaulting!

Turtles

Six of the seven known species of sea turtle are found in this region. Snorkeling opportunities, perhaps within Belize’s famed barrier reef, will give you the opportunity to seeloggerhead, hawksbill, and green turtles. If you’re lucky, you might even spot the iconic leatherback turtle in Bocas del Toro, a gorgeous archipelago off the Panamanian coast with UNESCO Marine Sites.

Whales

A highlight of every expedition is seeing a pod of whales feeding—or sometimes even breaching the water with acrobatic flips. From July to mid-November, humpback whales migrate from the Antarctic Peninsula to breed in the warm waters of Costa Rica. The rock formation at the tip of Cabo San Lucas, where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean, is a picturesque location to watch for humpback whales on an optional excursion.

Tropical Fish

In the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean and Central America, the coral reefs are filled with a remarkable variety of aquatic life. Over 700 fish species live here, from graceful angelfish to large manta rays. Picture yourself snorkeling in the shallow waters of Isla de Providencia, off the Columbian coast, perhaps even spotting turtles, octopuses, starfish constellations —among the coral.

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