Today National Geographic Quest was awakened next to the famous Barra del Colorado Island run by the Smithsonian Institute in the Gatun Lake. Our guests had the opportunity to hike with local experts on the island research station, take Zodiac trips around the island’s perimeter or travel by panga and then by bus to the Rainforest Discovery Center where guests scaled the 100 foot observation tower for an opportunity to witness the different levels of the rainforest as well as observe several species of hummingbirds at the feeders. After lunch we completed the canal passage to the Caribbean at daytime, a perfect contrast to yesterday’s pacific nighttime passage.
3/20/2025
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National Geographic Quest
Caletas Private Reserve and Corcovado National Park
Over five days ago, we began our journey in Panama and now we’re on our last day in Costa Rica. We decided to explore one of the most important areas in terms of biodiversity, the Osa Peninsula. The Osa Peninsula is home to approximately 4% of the biodiversity in the world. For many years, people tried to mine the area because it is very rich in minerals, specifically gold. Over thirty years ago the government of Costa Rica decided to promote the country as a tourist destination and today it is a pioneer of sustainability in Central America. We began our morning activities offering different options for our guests. The first activity was a coastal walk, and some had the opportunity to see a boa, a white-throated capuchin monkey, and a mantled howler monkey. In the afternoon, part of our group chose to go for a waterfall hike led by our naturalists, and they finished at a swimming hole where they took time to relax and enjoy themselves. Other guests took the long Pargo trail where they saw a Central American spider monkey, and a tapir, one of the most difficult animals to see in the tropics. We finished our day with an amazing sunset from the bow of the National Geographic Quest , a great end to a great day.
