Panama

Panama, uniquely situated as a land bridge connecting North and South America, is famed for the Panama Canal that links the world's largest oceans. Many travelers visit the Miraflores Locks on the canal's Pacific entrance. Here, you can see millions of gallons of water transferred in mere minutes, all done by gravity.

Itineraries can feature nocturnal wildlife cruises along the Chagres River and Gatun Lake, in search of howler monkeys, toucans and myriad reptiles; aerial tram tours through the forest canopy in Soberania National Park; and opportunities to meet the self-governing, indigenous Kuna people in the San Blas archipelago.