A Guide To Chartering In The Americas

The Americas unfold across a sweep of coastlines, rivers, and islands as diverse as the cultures that shape them.

In Canada, the world’s longest coastline hides countless fjords and bays, with more lakes than the rest of the world combined. To the south, the United States offers cruising routes from Alaska’s icy passages to Florida’s golden shores. Fort Lauderdale—known as the Yachting Capital of the World—winds with over 300 miles of inland waterways, while the legendary Great Loop charts a continuous path through rivers, lakes, and the Gulf of Mexico.

Farther south, the Caribbean and Latin America brim with contrasts. In Belize, the world’s second-largest barrier reef dazzles with kaleidoscopic marine life. In Nicaragua, thrill-seekers surf down the volcanic slopes of Cerro Negro. In Panama, the sun rises over the Pacific and sets over the Atlantic in a single day. The Galápagos Islands bring evolution to life with giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies, while the Amazon’s vast river basin flows through untamed wilderness. And when the rains arrive, Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni becomes a mirror to the sky—an endless horizon reflected at your feet.

Where are the must-see destinations in the Americas?

United States of America

• Tourist hotspots: Miami, Key West, Newport, San Diego
• Marinas and ports: Bahia Mar, Marina del Rey, Newport Shipyard
• Popular beaches: South Beach (Miami), Clearwater Beach, Coronado Beach
• Historic sites: Alcatraz, Castillo de San Marcos, Pearl Harbor

Miami and Key West are standout hotspots in the east of the US, known for marinas like Bahia Mar and easy access to anchorages and lively city life. Over on the West Coast, San Diego and Marina del Rey provide year-round cruising weather and a laid-back yachting culture. Newport, on the other hand, is a classic New England gem with prestigious harbors like Newport Shipyard, ideal for summer sailing and regattas. Along the way, yachts can anchor off or tender into some of the country’s most beloved beaches—South Beach, Clearwater Beach, and Coronado Beach—each offering a different flavor of the American coast. For those who enjoy a touch of history, the U.S. coastline is dotted with accessible landmarks, from the storied prison island of Alcatraz in San Francisco Bay, to the colonial-era Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, and even Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, reachable via Honolulu’s deepwater harbor.

Canada

• Tourist hotspots: Vancouver, Victoria, Halifax
• Marinas and ports: Coal Harbour Marina, Port of Victoria, Québec City Marina
• Popular beaches: Kitsilano Beach (Vancouver), Wasaga Beach (Georgian Bay – yacht-accessible via inland route)
• Historic sites: Old Québec and Citadel Hill are accessible from nearby ports; L’Anse aux Meadows is remote and better suited for land expeditions 

On the Pacific side of Canada, Vancouver and Victoria are top cruising hubs, with well-equipped marinas like Coal Harbour and the Port of Victoria, where yachts enjoy easy access to city life, anchorages, and spots like Kitsilano Beach. Over in the east, Halifax is a historic and vibrant waterfront city with harbors and direct routes to places like Citadel Hill. Inland but yacht-accessible via Georgian Bay, Wasaga Beach is a summer favorite for its warm, shallow waters and long sandy stretches. For those sailing up the St. Lawrence River, Québec City Marina offers a gateway to Old Québec, a UNESCO-listed historic district rich in French colonial architecture. While some attractions like L’Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland are too remote for direct yacht access, they highlight Canada’s deep historical roots and can be explored with extended land excursions.

Mexico

• Tourist hotspots: Los Cabos, La Paz, Puerto Vallarta, Cancún, Isla Mujeres
• Marinas and ports: Marina CostaBaja, Marina Vallarta, Marina Puerto Cancún
• Popular beaches: Playa Norte, Playa Balandra, Playa del Amor (vía tender)
• Historic sites: Tulum Ruins (short drive from anchorage), Chichén Itzá and Teotihuacán are inland.

On the Pacific side of Mexico, hotspots like Los Cabos, La Paz, and Puerto Vallarta are popular for their dramatic landscapes, whale sightings, and lively marinas such as Marina CostaBaja and Marina Vallarta. Over on the Caribbean side, Cancún and Isla Mujeres are ideal for calm anchoring, island-hopping, and enjoying white-sand beaches—particularly the stunning Playa Norte. Playa Balandra, near La Paz, and Playa del Amor in Cabo San Lucas are also favorites, accessible by yacht or tender. While cruising Mexico’s coast, guests can mix beach life with culture—Tulum’s seaside ruins are just a short drive inland from anchorage points. Though Chichén Itzá and Teotihuacán are located inland and require extended land transfers, they’re well worth the journey for a deeper dive into Mexico’s ancient past. 

Belize

• Tourist hotspots: Ambergris Caye, Placencia, Caye Caulker
• Marinas and ports: Grand Caribe Marina, The Placencia Marina
• Popular beaches: Secret Beach (via tender), Maya Beach, The Split
• Historic sites: Altun Ha, Xunantunich, Lamanai 

Belize is a top-tier destination for yachting in Central America, known for its clear waters, laid-back island culture, and exceptional access to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. Yachters are drawn to Ambergris Caye, Placencia, and Caye Caulker, where marine life and beachside charm go hand in hand. Grand Caribe Marina and The Placencia Marina offer reliable docking and provisioning for exploring the surrounding cayes and reef systems. From anchorage, popular beaches like Secret Beach (via tender), Maya Beach, and The Split in Caye Caulker provide ideal spots for swimming, snorkeling, or simply relaxing with a view. While Belize’s most famous archaeological sites—Altun Ha, Xunantunich, and Lamanai—are inland, they can still be reached with guided land and river excursions from the coast.

Costa Rica

• Tourist hotspots: Papagayo, Tamarindo, Quepos
• Marinas and ports: Marina Papagayo, Marina Pez Vela, Los Sueños
• Popular beaches: Playa Conchal, Playa Flamingo, Manuel Antonio Beach (via tender)
• Historic sites: Mostly inland (e.g., Guayabo), but San José’s sites can be visited via private inland transfer

Key hotspots like Papagayo, Tamarindo, and Quepos in Costa Rica are known for their anchorages, luxury resorts, and access to some of the country’s most beautiful beaches. Marinas such as Marina Papagayo, Los Sueños, and Marina Pez Vela provide top-tier facilities and easy launch points for cruising. Yachters can enjoy golden stretches of sand like Playa Conchal and Playa Flamingo, or tender ashore to the famous Manuel Antonio Beach, located within a national park teeming with wildlife. While Costa Rica’s major historic sites, like Guayabo, are located inland, private transfers from the coast to San José make it possible to explore museums and colonial-era landmarks for those wanting a touch of cultural depth.

Panama

• Tourist hotspots: Panama City (Amador Causeway), San Blas Islands, Bocas del Toro
• Marinas and ports: Flamenco Marina, Red Frog Marina, Linton Bay Marina
• Popular beaches: Isla Perro (San Blas), Starfish Beach, Playa Blanca (via anchorage or tender)
• Historic sites: Panama Canal, Casco Viejo (short transfer from marinas), Portobelo Ruins (accessible by water)

Yacht charters in Panama City often begin with Flamenco Marina on the Amador Causeway serving as a prime hub for provisioning and access to the legendary Panama Canal. From there, charters head to the San Blas Islands, home to the Guna Yala people and anchorages near beaches like Isla Perro, or sail toward Bocas del Toro, a laid-back archipelago with nearby marinas such as Red Frog and Linton Bay. Along the way, yachts can anchor off Starfish Beach or tender to the scenic shores of Playa Blanca. For history lovers, Casco Viejo—the colonial district of Panama City—is just a short ride from port, while the Portobelo Ruins, once a key Spanish stronghold, are accessible directly by water. 

Brazil

• Tourist hotspots: Rio de Janeiro, Angra dos Reis, Paraty
• Marinas and ports: Marina da Glória, Bracuhy Marina, Marina Verolme
• Popular beaches: Copacabana, Ipanema (tender access), Lopes Mendes (Ilha Grande)
• Historic sites: Pelourinho (via Salvador harbor), Paraty’s colonial center (direct docking available)

The most popular cruising grounds in Brazil are around Rio de Janeiro, Angra dos Reis, and Paraty, where mountains meet bays. Yachts are well-supported by excellent facilities such as Marina da Glória in Rio, Bracuhy Marina, and Marina Verolme in Angra—ideal for exploring the nearby islands, including Ilha Grande. You can drop anchor and tender into iconic beaches like Copacabana and Ipanema, or head to the more secluded Lopes Mendes, known for its white sand and clear water. Beyond the beaches, Brazil’s cultural richness shines through sites like Pelourinho, the historic heart of Salvador, accessible from the city’s harbor, and Paraty’s colonial center, which is directly accessible by yacht.

What are some cultural highlights, festivals, and events awaiting you?

From January to December, the Americas host a vibrant calendar of cultural festivals. The year kicks off with the Panama Jazz Festival in January, drawing international talent to the heart of Central America. February follows with the Miami International Boat Show, one of the world’s premier showcases for luxury yachts. In March, Argentina’s Vendimia Wine Harvest Festival brings together wine, music, and celebration in the scenic region of Mendoza. Come June, cultural energy rises with Inti Raymi in Cusco, Peru, an ancient Incan solstice celebration, and Brazil’s river-accessible Parintins Folklore Festival. July brings music to the coast at the Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island—right near one of America’s most iconic sailing hubs. August heats up in Buenos Aires with the internationally acclaimed Tango Festival & World Cup, celebrating the rhythm and soul of Argentine dance. September highlights yachting culture again with the São Paulo International Boat Show, the largest of its kind in Latin America. October is a busy month, featuring both the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, a must-visit for yacht enthusiasts, and Mexico’s Cervantino Festival, a celebration of global performing arts. As the year winds down, Día de los Muertos in November turns Mexico into a colorful tribute to heritage and remembrance, while December closes the calendar with the Fiesta de los Diablitos in Costa Rica, an indigenous New Year celebration rich in tradition. 

What local dishes should you try in the Americas?

Sailing through the Americas offers not just breathtaking coastlines but also a chance to enjoy some of the region’s most beloved coastal dishes. In the U.S., yachting hubs like Florida and New England are known for fresh and flavorful staples like key lime pie, clam chowder, and Cajun-style seafood boils—easy to enjoy dockside or onboard. Cruising along Mexico’s Riviera Maya, you’ll find ceviche, grilled fish, and tacos al pastor. Belize, a top yachting destination, is known for its rice and beans with stewed chicken, and the Garifuna dish hudut, a rich coconut-based fish stew that reflects the country’s coastal culture. In Costa Rica and Panama, you’ll find ceviche tico and sancocho—light, citrusy seafood and hearty soups made with local ingredients like yuca and plantains, often served at seaside eateries near marinas. In the Galápagos Islands of Ecuador, shrimp ceviche is a must-try—usually paired with crunchy plantains or popcorn, and best enjoyed after a day exploring the islands. If you’re yachting along Brazil’s northeastern coast, especially in Bahia, moqueca is the go-to dish—a fragrant seafood stew with coconut milk and local spices, often found in charming coastal towns.

What’s next? 

Explore the best of the Americas with our curated destination guides and sample itineraries, designed to highlight the region’s most unforgettable coastal experiences.

Browse our selection of luxury charter yachts available across the Americas and find the perfect yacht for your journey.