Panama City blends a shimmering skyline with cobblestone streets, rooftop bars, and centuries-old ruins. Founded in 1519, Panamá Viejo was abandoned in the mid-17th century and replaced by Casco Viejo; together they are a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage site. Visit the Panama Canal Museum for exhibits on the "Big Ditch," and honor the 22,000 workers who died building it at Plaza de Francia.

This small port city on Costa Rica's west coast is a gateway to mountains and wildlife. Cruise the Tárcoles River, home to birds and many crocodiles. In the Puntarenas highlands, see purebred Andalusian horses perform at a hacienda. Travel the Pacific coast to Carara National Park to spot scarlet macaws in rainforests and mangroves. Stroll Paseo de los Turistas by Puntarenas Beach and try a "Churchill," the local snow cone.

Though it boasts the largest industrial seaport in El Salvador, Acajutla is not heavily frequented by cruise ships and thus gives visitors an authentic look at life along the Pacific coast of Central America. Cast your line on a deep-sea fishing expedition, or take a tour to see the country's active volcanoes, Mayan ruins or coffee plantations. For more adventurous souls, a zip line canopy tour above the Apaneca jungle provides thrills.

Drive into the mountains to beautiful old Antigua, once the country's colonial capital, and discover its lovely bougainvillea-draped buildings and breathtaking views of emerald volcanoes. Travel to famed Lake Atitlan and step back in time as you encounter the indigenous people in all their finery still living along the lakeshore. Whether you opt to explore the ancient Mayan history of the region or it's more-recent colonial past, its architecture, culture and locals are sure to inspire.

Discover Puerto Vallarta's old-world charm in Banderas Bay, framed by the Sierra Madre. In Old Town, follow the bells to The Lady of Guadalupe Church, ringing every 15 minutes, and admire its carved interior and architecture. Walk cobblestone streets to the Rio Cuale, where vendors sell silver jewelry, designer clothing, leather goods, and handmade pottery. Enjoy fresh seafood, grilled meats, café de olla, and sweets.

Cabo San Lucas on Baja's southern tip offers two sides: lively, bar-and-restaurant-filled Cabo and quieter, historic San José del Cabo. Once a sleepy fishing village, Cabo now draws beach vacationers; Playa El Médano is the main draw, and Land's End has Playa del Amor and El Arco. In San José, see a 17th-century Jesuit mission, a bird-filled estuary, and the Art District's cafes and galleries.

After the Jesuits built a series of missions along the coast of Alta California, the Spaniards established a port in 1781 as a supply stop for their coastal shipping routes. With the arrival of the transcontinental railroad and the discovery of oil, people began to arrive in droves. In 1923 the much-photographed giant letters were erected on the hill, and the golden age of Hollywood was born. The scale of Los Angeles, 90 miles long by 50 miles wide, defies belief.

After the Jesuits built a series of missions along the coast of Alta California, the Spaniards established a port in 1781 as a supply stop for their coastal shipping routes. With the arrival of the transcontinental railroad and the discovery of oil, people began to arrive in droves. In 1923 the much-photographed giant letters were erected on the hill, and the golden age of Hollywood was born. The scale of Los Angeles, 90 miles long by 50 miles wide, defies belief.

Honolulu is the capital and most populous city of Hawaii. In Hawaiian, honolulu means "sheltered bay" or "place of shelter." Settled by Polynesian migrants at an unknown date, the city remained the main seaport through the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, U.S. annexation, and the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Explore Kahului, Maui, Hawaii's Valley Island, with land and sea treasures: Haleakala Crater, Iao Needle, and beaches for swimming, diving, and surfing. In Lahaina, see the world-famous banyan tree by the Old Courthouse, stroll Front Street's shops, galleries, museum, and restaurants, and try shave ice. Pick up Maui souvenirs like "Kitchen Cooked" chips, coffee, and leis. In Kahului, visit the Maui Arts and Cultural Center. Enjoy Hawaiian pig, poi, or fresh seafood in this lush tropical setting.

On Hawaii's Big Island, Hilo welcomes visitors with a historic downtown full of restaurants and shops. Don't miss Hilo Bay Beachfront Park, a beautiful black-sand spot popular with surfers and canoeists. Other highlights include Pana'ewa Zoo, the only rainforest zoo in the U.S., and Nani Mau Gardens, where a tram passes the iron bell tower and orchid pavilion. Day trips range from volcano tours and kayaking to hikes in Akaka Falls State Park.

Bora Bora lies 150 miles northwest of Tahiti in the Society Islands. The main island, home to 4,225 inhabitants, is in the center of a multicolored lagoon, surrounded by offshore "motu" islets inside a protective coral necklace. Its lagoon is world-famous for its beauty. A partially paved road circles the island, passing colorful villages, archeological sites, and old Army bunkers and cannons left over from WWII, when 5,000 American GIs made a "friendly invasion."

Moorea, often likened to James Michener's mythical island of Bali Hai, is only 11 miles from Tahiti. Many visitors say it is worth the visit just to see Moorea's spectacular bays. The volcanic peaks, reflected in the waters of Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay, rise like a shark's jaw from the island's base. Sharks sighting on nearly every dive makes this island a popular diving destination. At times a tuna will come by or dolphins will be heard clicking just out of sight.

The islands of Polynesia are a gorgeous collection of volcanic islands and atolls strewn lazily across the grand Pacific Ocean. The island of Tahiti proper is the largest of the 118 islands and atolls that comprise French Polynesia. Papeete, the modern capital of Tahiti and her islands, contains government offices, hospitals, banks and many other services dedicated to serving the islands as well as tourists who come to these islands for a life-enriching experience.

The islands of Polynesia are a gorgeous collection of volcanic islands and atolls strewn lazily across the grand Pacific Ocean. The island of Tahiti proper is the largest of the 118 islands and atolls that comprise French Polynesia. Papeete, the modern capital of Tahiti and her islands, contains government offices, hospitals, banks and many other services dedicated to serving the islands as well as tourists who come to these islands for a life-enriching experience.