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central america: costa rica

Costa Rica & the Panama Canal

There are few places in the world where nature is as exuberant, colorful or diverse as in the tropics of Costa Rica. This Costa Rica & the Panama Canal journey takes you here and beyond, to the inspiring land of Panama. To many, Panama is synonymous with the Canal, stretching more than 50 miles and traversed by some 14,000 ships each year, one of the most celebrated human achievements on the planet. What many people don't know, is that the country of Panama offers a level of natural beauty and biological diversity that's equal to Costa Rica's.

On this Costa Rica and Panama small ship cruise, explore famous national parks and wildlife reserves, including a privately owned tropical garden. Walk rainforest trails, home to capuchin and howler monkeys, three-toed sloths, green iguanas and colorful hummingbirds. Relax and enjoy all the comforts and intimacy of small ship cruising. Swim and snorkel Panama's famed Isla Coiba. Kayak along wildlife-rich, remote coastlines. Go horseback riding on the beach. Transit the legendary Panama Canal, and visit Barro Colorado with scientist escorts from the Smithsonian Research Station. The 62-passenger Sea Lion is ideal for those seeking small ship adventure, supreme naturalist guides and activities for all levels.

Day 1 - Panama City, Colon & Embark Ship

Depart U.S. late morning via American Airlines on a nonstop flight to Panama City, with a flying time of about three hours. On arrival, drive to Colon to board National Geographic Sea Lion and set sail for the first part of your Panama Canal transit, anchoring in Gatun Lake for the night.

Accommodations: National Geographic Sea Lion
Included Meals: dinner

Day 2 - Barro Colorado & Panama Canal Transit

Board zodiacs for Barro Colorado Nature Monument in Gatun Lake. Barro Colorado Island has been the primary Smithsonian center for tropical rain forest study since 1923, and this itinerary has special permission to visit the facilities at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. This is also the site of a National Geographic-supported project that tracks tagged animals using automated radio signals and wireless technology. Meet some of the scientists and walk with them through the forest to learn about their work researching the islands's 120 mammal and diverse tree species before reboarding to continue crossing the complex lock system of the Panama Canal. Often, you'll have the opportunity to cross part of the Canal during the day, and another when it is dramatically lit at night.

Accommodations: National Geographic Sea Lion
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - Gulf of Panama Islets

This archipelago of islands due south of Panama City has a storied past — pearls, conquistadors, buccaneers and so much more. Explore the turquoise waters via zodiac or kayak, where dolphins and whales have been spotted. Some of the birds you may observe are roosting and nesting magnificent frigate birds, brown pelicans, neotropical cormorants, brown boobies and blue-footed boobies on an otherwise empty stretch of white sand.

Accommodations: National Geographic Sea Lion
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Coiba National Park, Panama

Isla Coiba is one of Panama’s most remote national parks, where you may hike the tropical forest trails. The national park includes thousands upon thousands of acres, 80% of it ocean, making the area perfect for swimming and snorkeling amid tropical fish. The eastern Pacific has very few living coral reefs because the water is too cool, but the exception lies here. These waters are full of life with over 69 species of fish living among the healthy coral. Parrot fish decorate the algae, and if you're lucky, you may see the rare bifin or bifin spazus which can weigh up to 300 pounds. The National Geographic Sea Lion staff will assist both novice and expert snorkelers alike. For those preferring a drier clime, onboard Naturalists take underwater footage, which animates the evening gathering in the lounge.

Accommodations: National Geographic Sea Lion
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica

Today make your first landfall in Costa Rica with a beautiful destination, Casa Orquideas, a privately owned tropical garden accessible only by boat and special invitation. Ron and Trudy MacAllister put this garden together over 20 years of collecting local rainforest plants and trading them with other botanical gardens. To see these varied and colorful plants in such a lush, natural setting is almost dreamlike. Here roam among a profusion of orchids, spotting tanagers, parrots and gaudy toucans. Later, take some time to explore the forested bays of Golfo Dulce, ideal for kayaking and swimming. The mangrove forest that lines the shoreline forms a unique ecosystem to observe up close on kayaks. The bird watching is wonderful, so look for birds with names as colorful as their feathers: black-crowned tityra, fiery-billed aracari, chestnut-mandibled toucans and scarlet macaws.

Accommodations: National Geographic Sea Lion
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Osa Peninsula

This morning, the National Geographic Sea Lion anchors off the remote Osa Peninsula in the environs of Corcovado National Park, home to some of the most pristine lowland rainforst on the Pacific coast. The exact landing area for the day will depend on sea conditions. You may swim in waterfall pools, horseback ride on the beach, join a zodiac cruise, or trek through the rainforest for a chance to see four species of monkey in one day: howler, spider, capuchin and squirrel!

Accommodations: National Geographic Sea Lion
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Manuel Antonio National Park

Although this UNESCO World Hertiage site is the smallest national park in Costa Rica, it rivals Poas Volcano Park for the title of most popular. Because the abundant wildlife here is most active in the morning, get an early start, arriving here before breakfast. Lethargic, three-toed sloths remain statue-like in the dense trees. White-throated capuchin monkeys, agoutis, howler monkeys, white-nosed coatis, squirrel monkeys, white-lined sac-winged bats and tamandua anteaters are all well within reach here. Birders will be happy too, with the possibility of seeing the purple crown fairy, bare-throated tiger heron, orange chinned parakeet and so much more. The smallest kingfisher on the continent is the American pygmy kingfisher. It's hard to spot, but the ship naturalists often can find one for those with the patience to wait. In the afternoon, explore Costa Rica's beautiful coastline, finding a great spot for a final hike or swim.

Accommodations: National Geographic Sea Lion
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - Disembark Herradura & Depart San Jose

Disembark National Geographic Sea Lion this morning in Herradura and drive to the airport for flights home, or on to other adventures. The U.S.-bound group flight departs in late morning, arriving in the late afternoon.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast

Alternative Itinerary: In addition to the northbound itinerary listed above, this trip travels in reverse, southbound from Herradura/San Jose to Colon/Panama City.

Reverse Itinerary
Day 1 - San Jose to Embark Herradurra
Day 2 - Manuel Antonio National Park
Day 3 - Osa Peninsula
Day 4 - Golfo Dulce
Day 5 - Coiba National Park, Panama
Day 6 - Gulf of Panama Islets & Panama Canal Transit
Day 7 - Barro Colorado & Panama Canal Transit
Day 8 - Disembark Colon & Depart Panama City

Extend Your Trip: Call AdventureSmith Explorations about the possibilities of combining trips to other regions of Costa Rica. We offer custom extensions to Manuel Antonio National Park, Arenal Volcano, Monteverde Cloud Forest, Corcovado National Park, Tortuguero National Park and many other great options.

Itinerary Notes: Use the itinerary as a guide only. Itineraries may be altered due to weather, wildlife, National Park regulation or at the captain's discretion. The ability to be flexible makes this type of small ship cruising unique.

Included: Accommodations aboard Sea Lion; meals as indicated; nonalcoholic beverages aboard ship; shore excursions, sightseeing and entrance fees; transfer from airport/ship if traveling on group flights; use of kayaks and snorkeling gear; all port taxes and service charges during the voyage; services of natural history staff and a ship physician.

Exclusions: Air transportation; airport departure tax; extensions; horseback riding; passport/visa fees; insurance of any kind; items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages, emails, voyage DVD, etc; gratuity to ship's crew and naturalist staff at your discretion.

Room Configurations: Sole occupancy cabins are available in categories 1 and 2. Shares can be arranged for solo travelers at the double occupancy rate in categories 1 and 2 only. We match you with a cabin mate(s) of the same gender. Even if we are unable to find a cabin mate for you, no single supplement will be charged. Third person rates are available in certain categories at one half the double occupancy rate.

Families & Children: Travelers aged 17 years old and under save $500. Specially skilled staff who are trained in organizing activities that inspire curiosity in young people of all ages. These staff members have gone through a course designed by travel experts with years of experience in childhood and environmental education. This course has also been created in conjunction with the National Geographic Education department and NG Kids Magazine.

For your party of 8 or more, you will each receive 5% off your expedition. A 10% deposit is due at time of reservation, and an additional 25% is required 120 days in advance.

Arrival & Departure: Costa Rica & the Panama Canal cruise begins in Panama City and ends in Herradura, or reverse. Embarkation time may vary as it is based upon arrival of group flights from Miami, California. Disembarkation is after breakfast on day 8 of the outlined itinerary.

Payment & Cancellation: In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of $550 is required at the time of booking. A Reservation Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Cancellations are subject to the following fees, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 90 days - $150 fee, in form of Lindblad Travel Certificate
89 to 60 days - Advance payment cost
59 to 30 days - 50% of total trip cost
29 to 0 days - No refund

Terms & Conditions: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation.

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with travel insurance. Please note that you must purchase your travel insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions. Click the link below for a selection of policies from our partners at Travelex.



Qualifications: The Costa Rica & the Panama Canal cruise will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health and leads an active life. Daily excursions from the boat will be made in zodiacs. Trip members will take excursions to specific areas for wildlife observation. Hiking time for most landings will be a couple of hours roundtrip with lots of time to stop to study, photograph and enjoy the flora and fauna. Some landings are dry but many are "wet," requiring cautious footing on slippery rocks. The boat staff will be on hand to assist.

Photo Expeditions: Departures flagged as Photo Expeditions are part of the exclusive Expedition Photography program, meaning that they are accompanied by a Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Certified Photo Instructor and are designed expressly to move at a photographer's pace so that you can take advantage of some of the most photogenic places on the planet. Travel with Susan Seubert on Nov 30, Erika Larsen on Dec 7, Kike Calvo Feb 22 or Christopher Baker on Mar 1. All other Costa Rica & the Panama Canal sailings feature a Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Certified Photo Instructor onboard. This naturalist is specially trained to offer assistance with camera settings, the basics of composition and to help you become a better, more confident photographer.

Guest Lecturer: Explore the region with travel writer and photographer Christopher P. Baker, who will be on board Jan 4, 11 and Mar 1, 2014.

For additional information and reservations, please contact us:

800-728-2875 | 530-583-1775 | fax 530-583-1711 | travel@AdventureSmithExplorations.com