8 Night Beaches Culture and Colonial History of Central America (Southbound) Cruise from Puerto Vallarta

Ship: MS Fridtjof Nansen

Cruise Line: Hurtigruten Cruise Line

Sailed: Wednesday, Oct 4, 2023 from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Ended: Thursday, Oct 12, 2023

The itinerary information below reflects the original day-by-day port of call schedule for the Wednesday, Oct 4, 2023 departure of the MS Fridtjof Nansen. If Hurtigruten Cruise Line modified this itinerary for weather or operational reasons after departing , the modified schedule would not be reflected here.

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Itinerary

Day by Day Summary and Map

Day 1 - Wednesday - Oct 4, 2023

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Welcome to this vibrant Mexican resort city. You'll begin your Central America coastal cruise in Puerto Vallarta along Bahia de Banderas. Spend some time here and you'll see why it's one of Mexico's premier coastal destinations, with its abundance of nature and water sport options. Downtown in El Malecon, the boardwalk buzzes with performers. Look up to catch the death-defying dance of the Papantla flyers. Head to Mercado Municipal Rio Cuale to sample authentic dishes of tamales, tacos, and mole. Or visit Isla Cuale, a vast open-air market close to the striking Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Then it's time to board your hybrid-powered expedition ship MS Fridtjof Nansen. Settle in and make yourself comfortable as we set sail.

Day 2 - Thursday - Oct 5, 2023

At Sea

Explore all your expedition ship has to offer. It's time for a relaxing day at sea as we cruise to Huatulco. Sit back and admire the scenery, go for a swim, pick up tips from the onboard photographer, or attend an onboard art workshop. You can also get active with the Yoga and Wellness Program, featuring early morning mile-long walks on deck and stretching sessions. Join the wellness workshops, which can help improve physical and mental balance, or book a treatment with the massage therapists. For in-depth geological and biological insights, stop by the ship's Science Center and analyze any expedition samples.

Day 3 - Friday - Oct 6, 2023

At Sea

Day 4 - Saturday - Oct 7, 2023

Huatulco, Mexico

Discover the beaches, plants, and wildlife of Huatulco. Spend the day in Huatulco-a vision of paradise with scenic bays, beaches, and sheltered coves. You'll visit its national park, home to over 700 plant species, 130 mammals, 300 bird species, and over 80 types of reptiles and amphibians. It's a dream for nature lovers and photographers. Optional excursions include catamaran trips to Chahue, Tangolunda, Organo, and Maguey bays. Or a tour to Conejos Bay, Copalita River, and a craft museum. You can also opt to visit the communities of Piedra de Moros, Pueblo Viejo, and Las Pozas, and learn about Mexican culture from cooking to cacti.

Day 5 - Sunday - Oct 8, 2023

Puerto Chiapas, Mexico

Discover Izapa's ancient past or mangrove wildlife. Our Central American expedition cruise continues to Puerto Chiapas, Mexico. From here, you'll be able to join a variety of optional excursions. Wildlife lovers can opt to join a guided boat tour to the nearby mangroves, home to pelicans, herons, hummingbirds, and turtles. Or you can visit Chocolate City and learn how artisans turn locally grown cocoa beans into sweet delights. You can explore the ancient ruins and stone carvings of Izapa, dating back to 1500 BCE, or enjoy a guided tour of Tapachula, a city filled with the cultural influences of immigrant port and farm workers.

Day 6 - Monday - Oct 9, 2023

Acajutla, El Salvador

Discover volcanoes and Mayan villages in El Salvador. Today we dock at Acajutla, a former Mayan village that's now El Salvador's main seaport. Stroll along dark sand beaches, and taste local Salvadoran dishes at the harbor restaurants. And don't forget to try the region's famous coffee. You can choose from a number of fascinating optional excursions. Take a trip inland to the cities of Sonsonate or Nahuizalco and Ataco in Acajutla. Or head to Cerro Verde National Park, home to the Izalco and Ilamatepec volcanoes. You might even visit UNESCO World Heritage-protected Joya de Ceren, a 600 CE Mayan village, nicknamed the 'Pompeii of America'.

Day 7 - Tuesday - Oct 10, 2023

Corinto, Nicaragua

Immerse yourself in the history of Leon. From Puerto Corinto, you'll explore the vibrant former capital of Nicaragua, Leon-considered the intellectual and liberal center of the country. Leon is home to one of Latin America's best art collections, while its streets and buildings tell their own tale of revolution. Look out for colorful Sandinista murals of protest, war, and local heroes like Carlos Fonseca. Explore more at the Museo Historico de la Revolucion, where former revolutionaries will be your guides, sharing first-hand commentary of what life was like then. From here, it's on to San Juan del Sur.

Day 8 - Wednesday - Oct 11, 2023

San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

Bus Travel

Granada, Nicaragua

Bus Travel

San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

Enjoy Nicaragua's best beaches and fine architecture. As we cruise the Pacific Coast, we'll visit the Nicaraguan town of San Juan del Sur. It's a surfer's paradise, framed by colorful Victorian-era clapboard houses and seafood restaurants. Our included activity is a bus tour of Granada, home to some of the country's finest 16th-century architecture. Then, we'll visit a local school where we plan to drop off donated school supplies. Alternatively, you can join an optional excursion to the steaming fumaroles of the active Masaya Volcano, and stop at Catarina for panoramic views of Apoyo Lagoon and Lake Nicaragua.

Day 9 - Thursday - Oct 12, 2023

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Enjoy Costa Rican coastal life before heading home. Your Central American expedition cruise concludes in Puntarenas, a Costa Rican city on a needle of land jutting into the Pacific Ocean. If you have time, stroll down the palm-lined Paseo de los Turistas and soak up the sights and sounds of the promenade. Before returning home, why not join one of the Post-Programs. You can visit the magnificent Arenal Volcano Area, where you'll see more of Costa Rica's beautiful flora and fauna. Or enjoy a jungle boat tour and discover the Costa Rican capital of San Jose.