Crossing the Panama Canal: From Costa Rica to Panama

Grab your camera and embark on a journey through a limitless canvas of color, beauty, sound, and aroma. Venture deep into the countries’ national parks, in the search for macaws, sloths, howler monkey and dolphins along with our on board Naturalist. Cross the legendary Panama Canal. Swim through the crystal clear waters off Granito de Oro and Coiba Islands, soar through a rainforest canopy, and dance with Emberra Indians.. Pura Vida!. Did we mention some of the activities from which you can choose from including snorkeling, lectures, guided tours, and zip-lining? A Costa Rica & Panama Canal cruise is one full of adventures, excitement and lifetime memories.

A Costa Rica & Panama Canal cruise is one full of adventures, excitement and lifetime memories.

Day By Day

Day 1 

Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica

Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica (3PM – 4PM)
Join us on board and get to know your home for the week, its welcoming crew, and your fellow explorers. After a safety drill we begin the sail to Quepos, welcome drink in hand. Overnight at anchor.

Day 2 

Quepos – Playa Biesanz, Costa Rica

Welcome to Quepos, a small town and gateway to the Manuel Antonio Reserve known for its tropical plants and wildlife. After lunch, join us on an optional Forest Canopy tour – this is a zip line across the jungle treetops! The ship will sail on to Playa Biesanz, a stunning beach located within the reserve where we’ll gather for a tropical-themed dinner on board, before a late night sail to Drake Bay. Overnight at sea.

Day 3 

Drake Bay, Costa Rica – Golfito, Costa Rica

Like much of Costa Rica, Drake Bay is a haven for wildlife. You’ll understand what we mean after an excursion through the tropical rainforest. Here, you’re almost guaranteed to see incredible species including red-eyed tree frogs, quetzals, tapirs, harpy eagles, white-lipped peccaries, monkeys, and scarlet macaws. A swim in the bay is sharing space with marlins, dolphins and pilot whales. See – we told you it’s impressive! In the early afternoon, we’ll start our sail to Golfito.

Day 4 

Granito De Oro – Coiba, Panama

We hope you had a chance to take a dip in the ocean over the last few days, but if you were too busy wildlife spotting then today is your chance. Midday arrival at Granito de Oro – go on, dive off deck for swimming and snorkelling opportunities. After a barbecue back on deck we’ll sail to Coiba Island, Panama, the largest island in Central America and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here is your next chance to swim and snorkel, but first, take a walk with our naturalist to discover local forest life. Overnight at sea, on route to Iguana Island. It’s as intriguing as it sounds.

Day 5 

Iguana Island, Panama

We’ll start by saying, yes, there are iguanas at Iguana Island. But there is also so much more! This island was declared a wildlife sanctuary over 40 years ago and is a bird-watching paradise – including for frigate birds – and is also home to 17 different coral species, 350 species of tropical fish and 200 species of invertebrate. Hike the island paths to see plenty of crabs and iguanas. Snorkel the shallow reefs to gaze at moray eels, rays and turtles. One thing’s for sure, diving and snorkelling spots don’t come much better than this. **Overnight at sea**

Day 6 

Playa Muerto, Darien National Park, Panama

Today, join our optional excursion to Darien National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre stretching across two continents: Panama in North America and Colombia in South America. We’ll meet the Panamanian Emberá, one of 7 indiginous groups native to the country. We’re sure you’ll be enthralled by their colourful crafts and well-preserved traditions. Then, back to the ship via a quick dip in a natural waterfall. After lunch on board we sail to Panama City and dock at Flamenco Marina. Overnight at anchor.

Day 7 

Flamenco Marina Panama City – Canal Crossing, Panama

This morning’s optional excursion is a tour of Casco Viejo, the historic Panama City. Discover its French and Spanish colonial architecture via squares, cathedrals, and churches. Back on board we’ll enjoy lunch together before entering the Panama Canal where we cruise through the Pedro Miguel, Miraflores and Gatun Locks before heading towards Colon.

Day 8 

Colon 2000, Panama

Our Central America cruise comes to an end today, but we invite you to one last breakfast from 9AM to wish a fond farewell to your cabin mates – many of whom we’re sure are now friends.

Highlights

Manuel Antonio National Park

As you venture deep into Manuel Antonio National Park in Quepos, our guest Naturalist will help you spot on the treetops for endangered white-faced Capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys three-toed sloths.

Corcovado National Park

A nature preserve and tropical rain-forest that occupies almost a third of the Osa Peninsula. Unleash your inner explorer, spot some of the most incredible wildlife living in the jungles of the reserve including red-eyed tree frogs, quetzals, tapirs, harpy eagles, white-lipped peccaries, monkeys, and scarlet macaws.

Crossing the Panama Canal

It’s an engineering marvel, a multi-billion-dollar commercial behemoth. The Panama Canal, which joins the Atlantic to the Pacific, is certainly Panama’s greatest claim to fame. Moving mountains and carving through dense jungle, the creation of the canal in 1914 literally reshaped the natural landscape of this sliver of Central America.

Boat

Panorama

Gallery

Dates & Rates