Cartagena to Fort Lauderdale

Cartagena de Indias, to give the city its full name, was founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1533, and the beautifully preserved centre is a real highlight of Colombia's Caribbean coast. The walled old town, the Ciudad Amurallada, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a camera-friendly collection of cobbled streets and colourful, colonial-era buildings. It's not all about the old town though; the Bocagrande peninsula, fringed by a long stretch of beach, is where many of Cartagena's hotels are situated, and it's a trendy district that's home to chic restaurants and a thriving café culture.

Situated at the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal, Colón is not somewhere you will want to hang around for long, and serves merely as a gateway to the Canal, which will carry you to much nicer places.

Puerto Limón is a busy port on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, and plays a vital role in the export of bananas. Take a trip out of the city and explore the lush rainforest, with nearby attractions including the canals of Tortuguero National Park, a key breeding site for green turtles.

Roatán is the largest and busiest of the Bay Islands, which sit off the coast of Honduras in the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea. It’s a fantastic destination for divers and snorkellers, with a stunning reef just offshore, and also boasts some lovely beaches.

The port of Santo Tomás de Castilla sits on Guatemala’s sliver of Caribbean coastline, and serves as a jumping-off point to explore this fascinating country. Nearby highlights include the Mayan site of Quiriguá and colourful, laid-back Livingston, and it’s also possible to take a day trip by air to the famous ruins at Tikal.

Belize’s capital does not enjoy the best reputation, and we wouldn’t recommend spending too much time here; use it instead as a jumping-off point to explore the fascinating Mayan ruins of Xunantunich, Lamanai and Altun Ha, or take a snorkelling trip to the beautiful Barrier Reef, including the famous Blue Hole.

Cozumel first made its name as an off the beaten track destination for divers, thanks to the crystalline waters and low key beach vibe. These days the cat is very much out of the bag, but get away from the craft shops and jewellery stores of the busy port and you’ll find a welcoming island community that is still authentically Mexican.

These days Fort Lauderdale is a sophisticated place awash with upmarket hotels and excellent restaurants. The glorious weather and swathes of golden beach are still a huge draw, but there are also plenty of cultural attractions, such as the Museum of Art and the Museum of Discovery and Science.