monkey, nature, animals, costa rica, panama, rain forest, wildlife
Capuchin monkeys

Costa Rica and the Panama CanalAn adventure cruise showcasing the natural wonders of land and sea

Dec 14 - 21, 2013
An exploration by sea aboard the National Geographic Sea Lion
Starting at $5,690
Call 855-330-1542
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Special Offer
  • Book by August 30, 2013 for complimentary roundtrip international air from Miami. Subject to new bookings only and may not be combined with other offers. Not valid on pre or post-voyage extensions.
  • BRING THE KIDS: We believe sharing an expedition with your kids or grandkids is a life-enhancing experience. So, take $500 off the double-occupancy price for each person under 18.
    • Overview
  • The Pacific coasts of Costa Rica and Panama are among the world’s most beautiful and diverse. Join us to explore Costa Rica’s Manuel Antonio National Park and Casa Orquídeas, a privately owned orchid garden. Then discover lush tropical rain forests, remote wildlife reserves, and dozens of idyllic islands with pristine beaches. Go horseback riding on remote Osa Peninsula, kayak along wildlife-rich coastlines, and snorkel at Panama’s famed Isla Coiba. You’ll also walk rain forest trails, home to capuchin and howler monkeys, three-toed sloths, iguanas, and over 300 species of birds. Conclude your cruise with a transit of the legendary Panama Canal and go behind the scenes at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute on Barro Colorado Island. Cruise aboard our comfortable, expedition ship with an experienced, handpicked team of naturalists.
    • Special Highlights
  • Walk along rain forest trails with your guides and spot howler and capuchin monkeys, sloths, scarlet macaws, and toucans; explore idyllic, offshore islands by Zodiac or kayak; and enjoy time to explore the undersea world by swimming and snorkeling.
  • Transit the Panama Canal and gain a unique perspective of one of the largest and most difficult engineering projects ever undertaken. Initiated more than 100 years ago and completed under President Theodore Roosevelt, the Panama Canal is a 50-mile string of artificial channels and lakes with three sets of gravity-fed locks that lift National Geographic Sea Lion over 85 feet. The canal’s completions marked one of humanity’s greatest achievements, and it continues to evolve – guests this season will witness the construction of the canal’s massive new locks, capable of transporting new larger Panamax-sized freighters. On our transit of the canal, we overnight in Gatún Lake. This often means we have the chance to see part of the canal by day and part dramatically lit at night — an experience that is difficult to match. By special arrangement with the Smithsonian Institution, National Geographic Sea Lion was the first ship granted access to Barro Colorado Island. This island has been managed since 1923 by the Smithsonian, and one of their experts will board our ship to share with us some of the research being conducted in this tropical forest and give us a tour of the grounds.
  • Experience the natural treasures of Coiba National Park, one of Panama's most important national parks and a World Heritage site. It not only protects the most extensive tropical forest of any island in the region, but it boasts the best examples of coral reefs found anywhere between Baja California and Peru. Coiba is special because it is the one place where virtually everyone's interests can be accommodated, by offering birding walks, jungle hikes, sea kayaking and, of course, snorkeling and Zodiac cruising. Snorkeling at Granito de Oro is a not-to-be-missed experience and the sliver of white sand in the middle of the aqua sea is just irresistible.
  • Travel with expert Naturalists, including an undersea specialist and certified photo instructor. Your photo instructor is a naturalist specially trained to offer assistance with your camera settings and give you shooting tips in the field to take advantage of the region’s peerless light. With such diversity and wildness, you’ll find endless photo ops. There is the vibrant green of the rain forest, the delicate graceful details of wildflowers, the robust energy of monkeys. At sea, there are dramatic sunsets and sunrises. On land, hiking the forest trails you may capture that moment that thrills and surprises — the iridescent hummingbird, the upside-down sloth, the vibrant heliconia flower. Capture the drama of the Panama Canal both at night and by day, and document your expedition in a way few can.
    • World Heritage sites
  • This tour features the following UNESCO World Heritage sites:
    • Coiba National Park, Panama
    • Manuel Antonio National Park
    To see a complete list of all our tours featuring UNESCO World Heritage sites, click here.


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