7 Night Costa Rica and the Panama Canal Cruise from Colon

Arrive in Panama City, the capital of Panama, this afternoon and transfer to Colon to embark the National Geographic Quest this evening. You may opt for a culturally-immersive pre-voyage extension in Panama City and San Lorenzo, a UNESCO World Heritage-designated site.

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 Gatun Lake near the Barro Colorado Nature Monument overnight.

Today, explore the tiny islets of the Gulf of Panama by Zodiac. Here you might spot frigatebirds, brown pelicans, neotropic cormorants, and brown boobies.

Begin your day 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 Coiban 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.

Enter the mangrove-fringed Golfo Dulce, along the southwestern edge of Costa Rica, as the nimble expedition ship takes us 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.

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.

Disembark in Puerto Caldera and transfer to the airport in San Jose for flights home. Ask your expedition specialist about enjoying a post-voyage extension in the rainforests and reserves of Cano Negro. The extension adds five days after the expedition for incredible wildlife exploration through a glamping adventure.