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Amazingly diverse flora & fauna—and an engineering marvel
Within the lush and vibrant green of this region lie many discoveries. The flash of scarlet macaw wings amid treetops. The scintillating iridescence on the hummingbirds sipping nectar as they hover. And so many moments that will stay with you long after you leave—the atavistic thrill of hearing howler monkeys call to each other in the trees or the peace of sinking into a pool at the base of a waterfall deep in the jungle. Add to that the privilege of seeing one of the world’s great feats of engineering from the deck of an expedition ship as you cross the Panama Canal—an absolute peak travel experience.
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
From
$6,801
Prices are per person
Highlights
Central America
New
Exploring Arenal Volcano, Pearl Islands and the Panama Canal
Duration
9 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
From
$6,801
Top Highlights
Actively explore the breathtaking Arenal Volcano Area as you zipline from peak to peak, hike deep into the rainforest, and walk suspension bridges through the tree canopy
Search for the region’s fascinating wildlife, including sloths, toucans, agoutis, owls, tree frogs, and more
Take a dip in the Ecotermales Hot Springs, warmed by volcanic activity, and tour a wildlife conservation property founded by locals
Panama and Colombia: Exploring the Caribbean Coast
Duration
8 days
Oct
Nov
From
$6,310
Top Highlights
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 on Barro Colorado Island
Visit the palm-shaded Panamanian archipelago of Guna Yala (formerly San Blas Islands), an autonomous province that is home to the indigenous Guna people, and get immersed in local culture
Discover the coastal treasures and remote wilderness of Colombia, exploring vibrant villages, pristine beaches, and wildlife-rich jungles
New
The Panama Canal, Pearl Islands and Darién Jungle
Duration
8 days
Jan
Dec
From
$6,889
Top Highlights
Transit the legendary Panama Canal over two days to see it by day and dramatically lit up at night—plus enjoy an exclusive stop at the Smithsonian Research Institute
Discover the storied Spanish architecture and fascinating pirate history of Portobelo, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Explore Isla Iguana Wildlife Refuge, a former US bombing range, and spot sea turtles and black and green iguanas on the beach or while snorkeling offshore
Actively discover the legendary wildness of Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia. Hike, paddleboard, kayak, snorkel, and zip line. Go by ship to venture to places far from tourist infrastructure, landing at remote, empty beaches by Zodiac to find exotic birds and flowers. If you venture to Colombia, explore some of the most biodiverse regions on Earth, where endemic species thrive amidst intriguing, modern cultures. If you choose to cross the Panama Canal, do so in a way worthy of the peak experience. Go aboard an expedition ship with open decks to experience it up close. Cross over two days to see the workings of the locks by day and in the coolness of night.
Escape winter, or go to relish one of the world’s most exciting natural environments. The onboard atmosphere is comfortable and casual, akin to that of a large private yacht. And our wellness philosophy is designed to relax and revitalize mind, body, and spirit.
In this episode of What to Expect, National Geographic Quest Captain Tim Lyon describes the unique way we cross over from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean through the Panama Canal while taking in the lush biodiversity of the area.
Expedition Spotlight: Brilliant Biodiversity on the Osa Peninsula
In this episode of Expedition Spotlight, naturalist Zoey Greenberg highlights the brilliant biodiversity of the Osa Peninsula and the species that inhabit its lush greenery and pristine shores.
Explore with National Geographic Experts: Volcanologist Arianna Soldati
In this episode of Explore with National Geographic Experts, learn more about Arianna Soldati’s passion for volcanoes and the insights she'll share on two upcoming voyages to Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
Striking Portraits of Panama and Colombia
Recently returned from our Panama and Colombia:Exploring the Caribbean Coast voyage, staff photographer David Vargas captured soul-stirring images of the people and places at the heart of this vibrant region.
Costa Rica by Ship: A Unique Look at Tropical Wildness
With jaguars and toucans in the cool mist of cloud forests, blue morpho butterflies and sloths in tropical rainforests, and a kaleidoscope of marine life swirling around coral reefs, Costa Rica’s varied habitats burst with biodiversity. The wildest of these wild places are also the least accessible—unless you approach by expedition ship.
Take a breather and enjoy the peaceful landscapes, sounds, and wildlife of Costa Rica.
The Wonders of Corcovado National Park
Corcovado National Park's remote location has enabled this nature preserve to maintain its reputation as one of the most interesting and abundant ecological destinations around.
See, do and learn more by going with engaging experts who have been exploring this region for decades.
Expedition Leader
Veteran expedition leaders are the orchestrators of your experience. Many have advanced degrees and have conducted research or taught for years. They have achieved expedition leader status because they possess the skills, the experience, and the depth of knowledge necessary to continually craft the best expedition possible for our guests.
Our naturalists, passionate about the geographies they explore (and return to regularly), illuminate each facet through their enthusiasm and knowledge. Our guests consistently cite the expertise and engaging company of our staff as key reasons to repeatedly travel with us.
Undersea specialists are your eyes on the world that lies beneath the waves. Using an array of tools, including a high-definition camera, our Cousteau-like undersea specialists show you strikingly clear images of the seldom-seen world beneath the ship.
Every expedition aboard a ship in our National Geographic-flagged fleet offers an exclusive service—a Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic certified photo instructor. This naturalist is specially trained to offer assistance with camera settings and the basics of composition and to help you become a better, more confident photographer.
Our wellness program embodies the belief that nature is vitalizing and that wildness, as Thoreau famously said, supplies a tonic. Wellness specialists are fully accredited and experienced licensed massage therapists and are aboard every ship in the National Geographic-flagged fleet. They lead morning stretch class, aerobic walks ashore, kayak outings, and more.
Making a Difference
Lindblad Expeditions supports stewardship efforts through the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic (LEX-NG) Fund. One hundred percent of traveler contributions to the LEX-NG Fund in Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia support the National Geographic Society’s Early Career Grants, which promote future leaders with novel and exploratory projects that span the fields of conservation, education, research, storytelling, and technology. In awarding each $5,000 to $10,000 grant, preference is given to projects that directly impact Costa Rica, Panama, or Colombia coastlines and communities.
FAQs
FAQs and Key Information
From climate conditions to water temperature to packing the right footwear, find answers to the questions Expedition Specialists get most often.
Our ship anchored off Coiba Island, Panama, early in the morning. The sun had just risen, casting a golden light over the dense rainforest. After a wonderful breakfast, we disembarked at the ranger station. Dividing into groups, some of us set off on a guided walk through the jungle, spotting scarlet macaws and other colorful birds in the trees adjacent to the ocean. Others chose to kayak or paddleboard along the mangrove-lined shores, gliding over the calm, clear water. By midday, we returned to the ship and cruised by Zodiacs toward Cocos Island, an uninhabited islet nearby. The staff prepared our snorkeling gear, and soon we were in the water, surrounded by schools of vibrant fish. The reef was teeming with life—parrotfish, angelfish, and even a few white-tip reef sharks moved gracefully among the coral. Sunlight filtered through the surface, illuminating the underwater world in dazzling colors. After an unforgettable afternoon, we returned to the ship, exhilarated by the day’s adventures. As the sun set, we looked back at the islands, grateful for the opportunity to explore such pristine and biodiverse waters.
Today National Geographic Quest anchored at Iguana Island Wildlife Refuge in Panama. The island offered a stunning beach with perfect shade, ideal for relaxation. Guests enjoyed the warm sands and the inviting waters, where snorkeling revealed vibrant fish and majestic sea turtles. The island was teeming with wildlife, including numerous iguanas basking in the sun. Above, thousands of frigatebirds soared gracefully through the skies. The day's activities allowed for both peaceful beach time and exciting underwater exploration, creating unforgettable experiences for everyone on board. A perfect balance of natural beauty and wildlife immersion, Iguana Island proved to be a highlight of our journey.
Our first day exploring the wonders of Panama began with a marvelous sunrise and the call of howler monkeys in the forest of Barro Colorado Island. After hearing this call of the wild, we were all excited to disembark right after breakfast. Today some of our guests had the opportunity to learn about the research being conducted in Barro Colorado, while other guests visited the Rainforest Discovery Center in the midpoint of the Panama Canal. The wildlife sightings left our guests mesmerized. On the island, which is run by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, several scientists shared their research with our guests. In the Discovery Center, our guests enjoyed observing the behavior of different species of birds. Back on board, our guests shared their experiences and what they had learned from the naturalists. For the rest of the afternoon, we gathered in the lounge to learn some important facts about the canal and its future projects. Soon we met the Pilot of the Panama Canal Authority, and he guided us in completing our transit through the rest of the Panama Canal. What a great way to finish our first day exploring the wonders of Panama.
Today was our last day of the expedition, and we had a blast! We started our morning exploring the tropical forest surrounding the Panama Canal, including one of the most studied tropical rainforests on the planet (run by the Smithsonian Institute since 1940) which was the largest island created when the land of the Panama Canal was flooded. This is the place where Jane Goodall came to learn how to follow primates before further studies led her to becoming an expert. We had the incredible opportunity to explore this topical forest on different walks and boat rides, and what a last day we had! For our grand finale, we finished our crossing of the last set of locks of the Panama Canal, the Gatun Locks!
Sailing along the Pacific coast of Panama aboard a small expedition ship offers an intimate connection with nature and history. As the ship glided through calm waters, the lush coastline unfolded, dotted with secluded islands and vibrant marine life. One of the journey’s highlights was a stop at Bona Island. Accessible only by Zodiac, this pristine haven invites exploration of its rugged cliffs where we found big numbers of magnificent frigatebirds, cocos, boobies, and brown pelicans circling overhead. As we ventured closer to shore, we spotted hundreds of Sally Lightfoot crabs scuttling along the rocks. Back on board National Geographic Quest , we continued toward the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal. As we transited through the locks, the skillful coordination of this iconic passage amazed us. The ship anchored overnight in the serene expanse of Gatun Lake, surrounded by dense rainforest alive with the calls of howler monkeys and tropical birds. A tranquil evening unfolded, with the still waters reflecting the starry sky above. The overnight stay allowed for an immersion in the lake’s untouched beauty and a deeper appreciation of Panama’s remarkable blend of natural and human achievement.
The Panama Canal, which effectively connects more than 144 shipping routes, 1,700 ports, and 160 countries, is much more than its transit locks. It is miles of wild landscape, rich with intrigue and an astonishing biodiversity of wildlife.