At a glance
- Duration:
- 8 Days
- Start/End:
- San Jose, Costa Rica to Panama City, Panama, or reverse
- From:
- $6,752
- Time of Year:
- November - March
Embark on an unforgettable 8-day voyage through Costa Rica and the Panama Canal, where lush jungles teeming with exotic wildlife meet one of the world’s greatest engineering feats. Experience vibrant rainforests, marvel at the canal’s epic crossing, and enjoy the ultimate winter escape.
Sailing the Panama Canal is more than a journey, it’s a front-row seat to one of history’s greatest engineering marvels. Aboard the National Geographic Quest, you’ll enjoy rare day-and-night transits through the locks, guided by experts who bring every detail of this monumental crossing to life. Beyond the canal’s steel and stone, immerse yourself in the vibrant worlds of Costa Rica and Panama: snorkel over kaleidoscopic coral reefs, kayak along hidden tropical shores, and trek deep into rainforests alive with monkeys and dazzling birdlife.
For over 50 years, Lindblad Expeditions has built its reputation on extraordinary staff and the camaraderie they create. From accomplished expedition leaders to world-class naturalists, many hold advanced degrees and are recognized authorities in their fields. Some join select voyages to revisit favorite destinations, others travel the globe year-round—but all share an infectious passion for exploration. It’s why so many guests say, “Where you’re going, we’re going,” returning again and again to travel alongside them. Browse our team directory to meet the experts who will make your journey unforgettable.
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-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1: San José, Costa Rica / Puerto Caldera / Embark Ship
Arrive in San José this afternoon and transfer to Puerto Caldera, the main port for Costa Rica. This evening, embark the National Geographic Quest and set sail south on your Central American journey. You may opt to arrive early for a pre-voyage extension in the rainforests and reserves of Caño Negro. The extension adds five days before the expedition for incredible wildlife exploration on a glamping adventure.
Arrival Time: Arrive before 1:00 p.m. local time.
Arrival City: San José, Costa Rica
Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2: Osa Conservation Area
Anchor off the Osa Peninsula to see some of the most pristine lowland rainforest on the Pacific coast. Conditions permitting, venture into Corcovado National Park, where you can swim in waterfall pools or trek through the rainforest for a chance to see four species of monkeys—howler, spider, squirrel and capuchin.
Alternatively, we will take Zodiacs into the forest, cruising along a jungle river that is shrouded by a thick canopy harboring iguanas, monkeys, myriad bird species and beautiful blue morpho butterflies.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Days 3-4: Golfo Dulce / Osa Peninsula
Enter the mangrove-fringed Golfo Dulce, along the southwestern edge of Costa Rica, as your nimble expedition ship takes you into the remote upper reaches of this placid bay. Head inland to meet and share with inspiring local families living in remote communities and working with cocoa, hearts of palm and sugar cane. Hike in mature rainforest, kayak in peaceful waters and explore by Zodiac, scanning the jungle treeline for a dazzling array of avifauna, including golden-hooded and Cherrie’s tanagers, yellow-throated toucans, fiery-billed aracaris and crimson-fronted and orange-chinned parakeets. Take in a kaleidoscope of tropical color with bromeliads, heliconias and orchids set against the verdant green.
Go ashore on the western side of the bay in the pristine waters of Playa Blanca on the Osa Peninsula. By special arrangement, visit with the Latin American Sea Turtles (LAST) Association and hear presentations by the staff at LAST including a talk by the dedicated researchers working so hard to positively impact sea turtle conservation.
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. Here you 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, the ship will most likely begin 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 Ship
Disembark in Colón and transfer to the airport in Panama City for flights home.
Ask your expedition specialist about enjoying a culturally-immersive post-voyage extension in Panama City and San Lorenzo, a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site.
Departure Time: Depart after 2:30 p.m. local time.
Departure City: Panama City, Panama
Meals Included: Breakfast
