Panama to Costa Rica + Monteverde, Sarapiqui & Arenal Volcano

Cloud forests, volcanoes, waterfall gardens and the sea: The ultimate allure of a Panama and Costa Rica vacation. This expedition offers an amazing variety of experiences, including an in-depth transit of the Panama Canal; and time on land in Monteverde Cloud Forest and at Arenal Volcano, active since 1968. Explore the area by small ship cruising aboard the versatile Sea Voyager, go kayaking, or use Zodiac landing craft, and snorkeling gear. Join rainforest hikes amid monkeys, sloths and tropical birds. Naturalists accompany every activity and our Undersea Specialist uses state-of-the-art equipment to open up the vibrant undersea world.

Itinerary:

Day 1 - Miami/Panama City, Panama/Colon/Embark Sea Voyager
Depart Miami late morning via American Airlines on a non-stop flight to Panama City, with a flying time of about three hours. On arrival, drive to Colon to board Sea Voyager and set sail for the first part of our Panama Canal transit anchoring in Gatun Lake. This unique interruption makes us one of the few ships that make the crossing in two days, as well as the only ship permitted the exclusive opportunity to explore impressive Barro Colorado, which we visit tomorrow. (D)

Day 2 - Barro Colorado Island & Gatun Lake/Panama Canal Transit
Today we’ll combine two of the main reasonsmany of us come south of the border: the Panama Canal and the tropical rain forest. By special invitation, board a Zodiac this morning to explore Barro Colorado Nature Monument, set in Gatun Lake and home to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Inaccessible to most travelers, the island itself is quite unique. Before the building of the Canal it was actually the top of a mountain, and when the river valley was flooded to form man-made Gatun Lake, it became the island we see today. You’ll hike through the lush forest with Smithsonian guides, who share their insights into the research and the wonders of nature. As always, the forest is full of surprises: monkeys, anteaters, slow-moving sloths, brilliantly colored birds and more. We reboard Sea Voyager to continue our crossing, possibly at night when the Canal is dramatically lit. (A daylight transit cannot be guaranteed since cargo ships have priority over passenger ships.) (B,L,D)

Day 3 - Gulf of Panama Islets
Flexibility and adventure go hand in hand. Since we’re not tied to a minute-by-minute timetable, we take the day to leisurely explore a cluster of islands in the Gulf of Panama via Zodiac or kayak. It’s a wonderful introduction to the region’s varied birdlife. Observe large numbers of roosting and nesting seabirds: magnificent frigate birds, brown pelicans and blue-footed boobies of Galápagos fame. (B,L,D)

Day 4 - Isla Coiba National Park
Isla Coiba is one of Panama’s most remote national parks, where you may hike tropical, moist forest trails, swim and snorkel amid tropical fish. Our staff will assist both novice and expert snorkelers alike. For those preferring a drier clime, naturalists take underwater footage, which animates our evening gathering in the lounge. (B,L,D)

Day 5 - Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica
Today we make our first landfall in Costa Rica. At Casa Orquideas, a privately-owned garden accessible only by boat and special invitation, see a profusion of orchids, look for tanagers, parrots and gaudy toucans. Later, explore the bay of Golfo Dulce, ideal for kayaking or swimming. (B,L,D)

Day 6 - Osa Peninsula & Corcovado N.P.
Sea Voyager anchors off the remote Osa Peninsula and the environs of Corcovado National Park. Our exact landing spot for the day will depend on sea conditions. You may swim in waterfall pools, horseback ride on the beach or kayak. Trek through the rain forest for a chance to see three species of monkey in one day: howler, spider and squirrel! (B,L,D)

Day 7 - Manuel Antonio National Park
The abundant wildlife here is most active in the early morning, so we are sure to get an early start. Monkeys or vividly colored birds can be easy to spot, but it often takes the expert eye of a naturalist to point out lethargic three-toed sloths. In the afternoon, we explore Costa Rica’s beautiful coast where we’ll find a great spot for a final hike or swim. (B,L,D)

Day 8 - Herradura/Disembark/Carara Biological Reserve/Monteverde Cloud Forest
Disembark Sea Voyager in Herradura and take a 20-minute drive to the Carara Biological Reserve. View monkeys, iguanas, the endangered scarlet macaw and huge American crocodiles. A drive up the mountain takes us to the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Bathed in cool, yearround moisture, the forest is covered with lichen, moss and 300 species of orchid. Spend two nights at a charming, family-owned lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 9 - Monteverde Cloud Forest
Visit a butterfly garden of native species. Explore forest trails; watch for the quetzal. (B,L,D)

Day 10 - Monteverde/Arenal
Experience the Skywalk, a series of suspension bridges, for a bird’s-eye view of the forest canopy — considered the last frontier of the tropical cloud forest. Take a leisurely 31/2-hour drive to Arenal, past verdant Tilaran and around Lake Arenal, Costa Rica’s largest lake, adorned by the mighty Arenal Volcano. (B,L,D)

Day 11 - Arenal Volcano
Explore rain forest trails and take the afternoon for volcano gazing. (B,L,D)

Day 12 - Arenal/Sarapiquí
Cross the northern plains leading to the rich rain forests of Sarapiquí. After lunch, visit the pre-Columbian-styled Sarapiquí Neotropical Center. Visit the center's Museum of Contemporary Indigenous Culture and its botanical garden, highlighting medicinal and edible plants used by ancient cultures. Tour an excavation site at the Center and discover how indigenous peoples lived in these wild environs. Settle in for the night at nearby Sueño Azul, a working hacienda and spa. (B,L,D)

Day 13 - Sarapiquí
In the morning visit La Selva, a well-known site for research on tropical ecology. In the afternoon walk the hacienda’s grounds, swim in the pool or river, or sample spa treatments. (B,L,D)

Day 14 - La Paz Waterfall Gardens/San Jose
Reach out and touch five magnificent waterfalls from a series of observation decks set on the banks of a cool forested canyon. After lunch, enjoy a scenic route to the capital city San Jose. Spend the night at Hotel Maria Cariari. (B,L)

Day 15 - San Jose/Miami
This morning we drive to the airport for flights home. (B)

What's Included:

Accommodations, all meals aboard ship.

What's Not Included:

Air fare from Miami/Panama City and return San Jose/Miami, or vice versa.

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