Explore the World!
INTERPRETED VACATIONS
Deaf
Globetrotters
Est. 1975
PORTS
GALVESTON, TEXAS
Situated on the Gulf of Mexico, Galveston is a relaxed beach town with a rich history. Magnificent homes on Broadway, many now museums, recall Galveston's era of wealth and prosperity in the late 1800s, and The Strand entices visitors with its restaurants, bars, galleries, and stores housed in picturesque Victorian-era buildings. La King's Confectionery, a 1920s-style ice cream parlor and candy shop, also awaits. Pier 21 is a jumping-off point for boat excursions, dolphin-spotting cruises, and the adrenaline-pumping Jet Boat Thrill Ride. At the Texas Seaport Museum, you might search for ancestors in its database, which contains the names of about 130,000 immigrants who entered the U.S. at Galveston from 1846 to 1948, or climb aboard its 1877 tall ship Elissa. Other top sites include the family-friendly amusement park at Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier and Moody Gardens, with aquarium and rainforest attractions, a private beach, ropes course and more.
Language: English
Currency: US dollar (US$)
The biggest of the Bay Islands, Roatan is home to one of the largest reef systems on the planet. Aquatic fun abounds, from scuba excursions among the labyrinths of Mary's Place, the dive site that was shaped by volcanic activity centuries ago, to snorkeling adventures that explore old shipwrecks. Look out below on a glass-bottom boat cruise to see sharks, eels, and other marine life, or soar above lush forests on a thrilling zipline course. Afterward, head to the beach at West Bay for swimming, sunbathing and rum-infused cocktails. This tropical paradise boasts exotic wildlife, which can be discovered on visits to a sloth sanctuary, iguana farm and preserves that feature toucans, parrots, monkeys and more. Take note of the 17th-century pirate fortifications on a tour through Coxen Hole, the island's capital town, and marvel at the vibrantly painted, stilt-top houses in the fishing village of Oakridge while riding a water taxi.
ROATAN, HONDURAS
Language: English
Currency: Honduran Lempira (HNL)
Mysterious jungle ruins, pristine beaches and a magnificent coral reef are just some of the attributes of Costa Maya. This eastern slice of the Yucatan Peninsula coast includes Xcalax, a fishing village on a finger of land reaching out to Belize, and Mahahual, an oceanfront town with beach bars and palapas. The region's two biosphere reserves, Banco Chinchorro and Sian Ka'an, are home to turtles, crocodiles, jaguars and monkeys, and Banco Chinchorro is a popular dive site, thanks to a large coral atoll and several shipwrecks. Divers might spot rays, eels and, occasionally, tiger and hammerhead sharks. Shore excursions visit Mayan ruins like Dzibanche, a temple hidden deep in the jungle, and Kohunlich, a 21-acre city best known for its Temple of the Masks, a pyramid embellished with carved masks. Outings to Chacchoben, site of three excavated pyramids, sometimes end with a shared meal between guests and a Mayan family.
COSTA MAYA, MEXICO
Language: Spanish
Currency: Mexican peso (MXN), US Dollar (US$)
Just off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula sits Cozumel, a tropical oasis in the Caribbean Sea. The island often is considered one of the world's best snorkeling and scuba diving spots due to its clear, warm water, dazzling coral reef and an abundance of marine life. Popular Palancar Reef delights divers with its swim-through tunnels and caves, and beginners can encounter eels and rays at Paradise Reef. Additional shore excursions include Jet boat tours, fishing trips and expeditions that explore the island's cenotes and Mayan ruins by Jeep, horseback, or electric bike. Tequila and salsa tastings embrace local culture, and Chankanaab Adventure Beach Park thrills with ziplines, glass-bottom kayaks and a crocodile exhibition.
Language: Spanish
Currency: Mexican peso (MXN), US Dollar (US$)
COZUMEL, MEXICO