Star Collector: Pacific Coast Passage: Costa Rican Rainforests to Seattle's Evergreen Shores

Located on the Gulf of Nicoya, the small town of Puerto Caldera is one of Costa Rica's top attractions, perfect for travelers who like more off the beaten path destinations where the native Tico lifestyle can be experienced. It is the gateway to San Jose, Jaco and the big city of Puntarenas, plus Los Suenos and Tortuga Island. Carara National Park is nearby, the rainforest home to crocodiles, over 400 species of birds and is considered the most likely place to see scarlet macaws.

Located along Costa Rica's Pacific coast, the Curu Wildlife Reserve is an impressive nature reserve spanning 12 square kilometers. This biodiverse paradise is a haven for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers alike looking for a responsible way to experience Costa Rica's forest and pristine beaches. Wander through dense tropical dry forests teeming with howler monkeys, capuchins, and a plethora of exotic birds or relax and bask in the sun on the beach.

Playas del Coco, with its unspoiled cocoa-colored beaches, is a jumping off point for rainforest canopy tours, nature walks, and other inspiring eco-adventures. Itis one of the more popular beach towns in the country for both locals and tourists and is well-known for being a family friendly town. This port is accessed with a wet landing.

Puerto Chiapas is an important commercial port for agricultural produce and the gateway to Tapachula and the Izapa Mayan ruins. The Izapa played a major role in the creation of the Mayan calendar and the settlement here is 3,500 years old. The ruins include the Mayan Tree of Life carving, several plazas, pyramids and ball courts. The fertile fields produce high-quality cocoa beans and bananas. In Tapachula visit the planetarium for information on Mayan astronomy and cosmology. See the architecture and town square with its diverse influences from German, Chinese, Japanese and French cultures over the years and shop for handcrafted goods like leathers and ceramics.

Santa Maria Huatulco is one of the few places on earth to earn the pure air EarthCheck Gold Certification. It is known for the nearby pre-Hispanic ruins found at Parque Eco-Arqueologico Copalita, including a large stone temple. Huatulco is home to nine bays together called Bays National Park, a protected reserve. The coral reefs provide excellent diving opportunities and kayaking the rapids and sport fishing are also popular activities here. A visit to the Museum of Oaxacan Art will provide an chance to purchase traditional clay creations known as "Barro Negro," and date back several centuries. Each piece is unique and hand sculpted.

Recognized as Mexico's busiest seaport, Manzanillo was also the location for the filming of Bo Derek's slow-motion jog down the beach in the movie "10." The large blue sculpture at the waterside plaza is a tribute to Manzanillo's self-proclaimed status as "Sailfish Capital of the World." The waters off Manzanillo offer a high concentration of marlin and other deep-sea fish and excellent dive sites with numerous coral reefs, shipwrecks. With 350 days of sunshine a year any day can be a beach day and Miramar Beach will attract with its waterfront promenade, golden sand and spectacular view of the twin bays here.

A popular resort town, visitors come here to relax and rest on the lovely sandy beaches or take up activities like strolling the picturesque boardwalk, horseback riding, snorkeling and boat trips. The quaint cobblestone center of Puerto Vallarta is home to boutiques, restaurants, bars and the ornate Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe church.Puerto Vallarta's biodiversity is home to hundreds of species including orchids, birds, ocelots, jaguars and iguanas. The sea is full of wildlife as well including dolphins and humpbacks.

As the 4th busiest port in the United States, evergreen Seattle is surrounded by mountains, forests and water. Home to Microsoft, Starbuck's and Amazon, Seattle's most recognizable icon is the Space Needle. Northwest cuisine with Asian infusion includes apples, salmon, Dungeness crab, razor clams paired with fresh microbrews and Washington wines. Among the sights to see are Pike Place Market, Chihuly Gardens, Boeing Museum of Flight, Pioneer Square, and the Ballard Locks.