A cruise through the Panama Canal is the best way to see this engineering marvel up close. "Full transit" cruises depart from the west coast of the United States, travel through the canal and finish on the east coast (or vice versa). More recently, shorter "partial transit" cruises that enter the canal, turn around midway and travel back to the departure port, have become increasingly popular. Cruises depart from Ft Lauderdale, San Diego and Los Angeles, but you can pick up or leave some cruises at Mexican ports as well.
Get a taste of Mexico's most popular ports at Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco or Huatulco. Take a jungle tours in Panama or Costa Rica. Explore the Dutch southern Caribbean islands of Bonaire or Curacao.