At a glance
- Duration:
- 8 Days
- Start/End:
- San Jose, Costa Rica to Panama City, Panama
- From:
- $6,456
- Time of Year:
- November - March
On this 8-day Costa Rica and the Panama Canal cruise, exploring Costa Rica and Panama is a singular experience that combines biodiverse jungle wildlife with an in-depth crossing of the Panama Canal, a marvel of engineering. It is the perfect winter escape.
Dense, lush rainforest. Pristine deserted beaches. Monkeys galore. Hike deep into the rainforest; kayak and paddleboard along the shore; take a cool swim in a waterfall pool; snorkel over a coral reef. Opportunities abound to see creatures in their natural environs—both on land and in the sea.
Expert local naturalists and photo instructors are with you every step of the way, always giving you choices and expanding your knowledge.
Aboard, you can always savor panoramic views from the 50-cabin National Geographic Quest. Plus, you’ll get an exclusive chance to visit to Latin American Sea Turtles (LAST) Association at Playa Blanca on the Osa Peninsula, where you can meet with researchers who are critical in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of native sea turtles.
Costa Rica and the Panama Canal Highlights
- Venture into remote wilderness: hike among monkeys, sloths, and tropical birds, and explore far from any inhabited places
- Transit the Panama Canal over two days to see it by day and in the coolness of night—plus an exclusive stop at the Smithsonian Research Institute
- Discover the wild rainforests of Corcovado National Park, which National Geographic dubbed “the most biologically intense place on Earth”
- Explore idyllic islands, snorkel over a vibrant coral reef, and take a Zodiac cruise up a wild river
Costa Rica and the Panama Canal Details
Day 1: U.S./San José, Costa Rica/ Puerto Caldera/Embark
After arrival in San José this afternoon, we transfer to the Pacific Coast town of Puerto Caldera. This evening, we embark our ship National Geographic Quest and set sail south on our Central American adventure.
Day 2: Corcovado National Park
Anchor off the Osa Peninsula to see some of the most pristine lowland rainforest on the Pacific coast. In the environs of Corcovado National Park, swim in waterfall pools or trek through the rainforest for a chance to see four species of monkeys—howler, spider, squirrel, and capuchin.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Golfo Dulce/Osa Peninsula
Enter the mangrove-fringed Golfo Dulce along the southwestern edge of Costa Rica as our nimble expedition ship takes us into the remote upper reaches of this placid bay. Go ashore on the western side of the bay, in the pristine waters of Playa Blanca, on the Osa Peninsula. Head inland to meet and share with inspiring local families living in remote communities and working with cocoa, heart of palm, and sugar cane. Hike mature rainforest or kayak in peaceful waters in Golfo Dulce, the only tropical fiord in the continent. By special arrangement, visit the Latin American Sea Turtles (LAST) Association on the Osa Peninsula and assist researchers with data collection and hear presentations by the staff at LAST including a talk by the dedicated researchers, working so hard to positively impact sea turtle conservation. In the evening, enjoy drinks ashore and a beautiful sunset.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica
As our Golfo Dulce exploration continues by Zodiac, paddleboard and kayak, we encounter Pacific Costa Rica’s dazzling avifauna as we watch for golden-hooded and Cherrie’s tanagers, yellow-throated toucans, fiery-billed aracaris and crimson-fronted and orange-chinned parakeets, constantly chattering in flight above the jungle treeline. The flora is a kaleidoscope of tropical color with bromeliads, heliconias and orchids set against the verdant green of the tropical forest.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Coiba National Park, Panama
The first stop in Panama this morning is at the remote Isla Coiba, one of the many islands of Coiba National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Once a penal colony, the island has long been protected and accessible by special permit only. Among its many endemic species are the Coiba Island agouti and the mantled howler monkey, as well as four varieties of sea turtle. Discover rich marine life while snorkeling, or simply spend the afternoon exploring or relaxing on the beach.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Gulf of Panama Islets/Panama Canal Transit
Today, explore the tiny islets of the Gulf of Panama by Zodiac or kayak. Here we might spot frigatebirds, brown pelicans, neotropical cormorants, and brown boobies. Set sail for the Panama Canal this afternoon. Stretching more than 50 miles, the canal was a colossal engineering feat completed in 1914. It is still traversed by some 14,000 ships every year. As cargo ships tend to pass through the canal during the day, we’ll most likely begin our crossing at night, when the canal is dramatically lit.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Gatún Lake/Panama Canal Transit
Today, choose hikes and Zodiac cruises at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute facility on Barro Colorado Island, or take a boat ride to the mouth of the Chagres River and hike on the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center trails. This evening, continue through the complex lock system of the canal. By special arrangement, National Geographic Quest will anchor in Gatún Lake near the Barro Colorado Nature Monument overnight.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Colón/Panama City, Panama/Disembark/U.S.
After breakfast, disembark in Colón and transfer to the airport in Panama City for your flight home.
Meals Included: Breakfast
| Dates | Direction | Cat. 1 | Cat. 2 | Cat. 3 | Cat. 4 | Cat. 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, January 9, 2025 | San Jose to Panama City | $7,078 | $7,984 | $8,627 | $9,700 | $10,709 |
| Thursday, January 16, 2025 | Panama City - San Jose | $7,007 | $7,904 | $8,540 | $9,603 | $10,602 |
| Tuesday, January 28, 2025 | San Jose to Panama City | $7,538 | $8,358 | $9,023 | $10,154 | $11,215 |
| Tuesday, February 4, 2025 | Panama City - San Jose | $7,615 | $8,443 | $9,115 | $10,257 | $11,329 |
| Sunday, February 16, 2025 | San Jose to Panama City | $7,690 | $8,361 | $9,031 | $10,158 | $11,225 |
| Sunday, February 23, 2025 | Panama City - San Jose | $6,720 | $7,300 | $7,885 | $8,871 | $9,800 |
| Friday, March 7, 2025 | San Jose to Panama City | $7,312 | $7,948 | $8,584 | $9,659 | $10,670 |
| Friday, March 14, 2025 | Panama City - San Jose | $6,581 | $7,153 | $7,726 | $8,693 | $9,603 |
| Sunday, November 30, 2025 | San Jose to Panama City | $7,389 | $8,033 | $8,669 | $9,758 | $10,776 |
| Sunday, December 21, 2025 | Panama City - San Jose | $8,174 | $9,263 | $9,786 | $10,698 | $11,377 |
Dates and rates are effective the date the information was updated on this site. Dates and rates may have changed by the cruise line prior to an update here. Contact Sunstone Tours & Cruises for the latest dates & rates.
* Prices are per person, double occupancy
Included
Inclusive pricing means real value
We include just about everything you have the opportunity to do as part of your expedition aboard ship and ashore. The value of what we include, combined with the quality of our service and the excellence of our expedition staff, adds up to considerable value—especially compared to the impact of cost for excursions and other add-on charges to the so-called savings other travel companies offer.
What we offer is not inexpensive. But our guests find that when you look at the alternatives and add up the costs, our expeditions are really an extremely good value. The cost of your voyage includes basically everything you have the opportunity to do as part of your expedition with us, both on board and on shore. The only things not included are those of a personal nature–alcohol (on certain ships), airfare to and from, an occasional meal ashore where we feel you might like to have the option, tips to crew (on certain ships), spa treatments, and certain specialized events or activities–that may interest only a limited number of people. You could literally go on our voyages with not a dollar in your pocket and have a perfectly excellent experience taking advantage of everything we offer.
Aboard ship
- All meals and non-alcoholic beverages*
- Your bar tab and all crew gratuities are included in the voyage price on all National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Endurance, and National Geographic Orion voyages. Please call for details.
- Your bar tab and WiFi** are included in the voyage price on all National Geographic Islander or National Geographic Endeavour II voyages. Please call for details.
- Cappuccinos, lattes & filtered water
- 24-hour coffee, tea & soda on demand (soda not included on Lord of the Glens)
- Hors d’oeuvres & snacks during Recap
- Fitness center or exercise equipment, depending on the ship
- Fully stocked library, and other gracious public spaces
- The guidance and company of our expedition staff
- The services of a physician on certain ships/destinations
Ashore
- Hotels ashore as indicated in itinerary
- Meals on land, as indicated in itinerary
- Sightseeing & entrance fees
- Special access permits, park fees, port taxes
- Transfers to and from group flights
- The expertise of our expedition staff
Activities
- All excursions
- Zodiac & kayak explorations
- Snorkeling, including wetsuits, masks, fins & snorkel where relevant
- Presentations and guest speakers in the lounge
*Alcoholic beverages are included on the National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Orion, National Geographic Endurance, Sea Cloud, and Lord of the Glens; certain super-premium brands are not included.
** Travel aboard any National Geographic Islander or National Geographic Endeavour II voyage and we will cover your bar tab; certain premium brands not included. Free WiFi, up to one hour a day per person aboard any National Geographic Islander and National Geographic Endeavour II departure.
Unused services or items included in our programs are non-refundable.
Not Included
Find out what is not included in the cost of your expedition
While aboard ship nearly everything is included in the cost of your expedition, but getting to and from our ships is not included. International airfare and internal airfare are not included in the price of the expedition. Our air department is more than happy to help make your travel arrangements, and often, our guests choose to pay for their flights using miles.
Airfare
- International and internal airfare
Pre- and post-expedition
- Additional hotel nights
- Private transfers
- Travel Protection Plan
- Passport, visa, and immigration fees
- Expedition extensions
- Gratuities
Aboard ship
- Alcoholic beverages (except aboard Sea Cloud, Lord of the Glens, National Geographic Orion, National Geographic Explorer, National Geographic Endurance, National Geographic Islander and National Geographic Endeavour II); certain super-premium brands not included
- Spa treatments
- Gratuities (except aboard Sea Cloud, National Geographic Orion, National Geographic Endurance & National Geographic Explorer)
- Scuba diving
- Laundry
- Internet and phone
- Gift shop items and any other items of personal nature
- Cappuccinos and lattes are not available on the Delfin II
National Geographic Quest
The 100-passenger National Geographic Quest is the perfect ship to explore the same remote locations Lindblad Expeditions has sought out for decades while setting a new standard in comfort and style.
