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the exuma cays land and sea Park, which is the world's first land-and-sea
preserve, protects rare wildlife native to the Bahamas, seabird breeding
habitats and stromatolite reefs.
the caribbean
the British Virgin islands are nearly unrivaled in their consistent trade
winds, crystal-clear waters and excellent diving and snorkeling. a prime
starting point is tortola, which is also the largest island and home to the
famed BVi spring regatta.
from here, you might head south to the Windward islands which
include Grenada, st. lucia, st. Vincent and martinique. yachtsmen
navigate here among hot springs, dormant volcanoes, rainforests, and an
abundance of varied bird and marine life.
for some of the area's best snorkeling and diving, don't miss the
indians, a small archipelago of islets west of British Pelican island, and
norman island caves. offering among the largest variety of fish and reefs
in the caribbean, st. Vincent and the Grenadines is mostly uncluttered by
tourists.
in the U.s. Virgin islands, st. croix, st. John and st. thomas each has its
own distinct culture, attractions and appeal, characterized by its old-world
charm and cultural diversity.
Puerto rico
Puerto rico is often overlooked as a yachting destination, and that's
a shame, because the temperate weather invites yachting in all seasons.
there is no shortage of marinas with top-notch facilities and services. san
Juan, the country's capital and principal port, has the distinction of being
the second-oldest, european-established city in the americas.
central america (costa rica and Guatamala)
costa rica is one of the most visited international destinations, with a
wealth of biodiversity, old forests, lush jungle valleys and elusive wildlife.
an excellent introduction to costa rican culture is the town of no-
sara, best known for surf and yoga, with no fewer than three renowned
yoga retreats. tamarindo, on the nicoya Peninsula, also attracts visitors for
the surfing and eco-tourism, with other activities ranging from horseback
riding to zip-lining.
for wildlife sightings, the Piedras Blancas national Park, near Golfito
on the southern Pacific coast, is another must-see.
if you plan to spend any extensive time on land, among the most
highly recommended and safest places to berth a boat are los sueños
marina, to the south of Golfo de nicoya; the costa rica yacht club in
Puntarenas, and the Banana Bay marina in Golfito, which features a
"cruisers' clubhouse" replete with wi-fi, satellite tV, and a large deck per-
fect for an afternoon barbecue.
elsewhere in central america, Guatemala is one of the lesser-known
destinations. the ruins at tikal, north of Guatemala city, offer a glimpse
of pre-columbian maya civilization in a series of excavated temples set
among lush tropical rainforests.
finally, you can't leave Guatemala without visiting semuc champey,
near the Q'eqchi' maya town of lanquin. semuc champey, or "sacred
water," features a nearly two-mile natural limestone "bridge," under
which is a wonderland of stepped turquoise pools and waterfalls...
swimmers welcome.
Puerto rico
costa rica
the caribbean