Isla Iguana, Panama, 12/22/2022, National Geographic Quest
Aboard the
National Geographic Quest
Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia
Today’s adventure was full of lots of colors and great landscapes. We arrived at Iguana Island early in the morning. The island puts on quite a show for adults and children with beautiful corals, a white sand beach, and hundreds of frigatebirds.
We enjoyed a successful snorkel in clear, warm waters. The variety of fish blew our minds. We learned about the behaviors and adaptations of several species.
Some guests decided to take a walk and learn about the geology of Panama. They saw black spiny-tailed iguanas and mangrove yellow warblers. They enjoyed interpretations about the plants and insects shared by our guides.
Our day was incredible, even more so when a pod of pantropical spotted dolphins decided to bow ride with us for few kilometers. What a fun day!
Mauricio was born and raised in Panama City. He is studying at the University of Panama to obtain his bachelor’s degree in Biology and has worked on research projects collaborating with institutions like the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute an...
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Today was our last expedition day, and it was a sunny and beautiful day with lots of nature and plenty of wildlife sightings. Different options were offered in the morning, including a visit to Barro del Colorado Island with hikes into the rainforest, Zodiac rides around the island, and walks in the Rainforest Discovery Center. Barro del Colorado Island is one of the most studied places on Earth. Scientists from the Smithsonian Institute use the forest as a living lab, and research is conducted in many different branches of biology. Today we discussed the Neotropics, coatis and their routes, the decomposition of organic matter by ants, and the dispersion of seeds by agoutis. We spotted several bird species, including lattice-tailed trogons, great tinamus, and antbirds. In the interior of the forest and from Zodiacs, we spotted howler monkeys at the edge of the forest near Gatun Lake. We enjoyed a surprise spotting of the American crocodile. Finally, in a more remote area in the Gamboa region, some guests did their best to photograph the hummingbirds in the Rainforest Discovery Center. During a walk in the rainforest, they spotted monkeys nearby. We could not have finished the week in a better way. This morning was a great wrap up of the whole expedition. The forest presented its best self with a nice breeze and low humidity and heat, which triggered a substantial amount of wildlife activity. From reptiles to mammals, we had a little bit of everything. As if all that was not enough, we had the chance to travel around the lake in pangas in the afternoon. We enjoyed a lot of good surprises, including a sighting of tamarin monkeys. This completed our list of five possible monkey species to see during the expedition. One of our house specialties was also spotted: the snail kite. No matter which walks our guests took or which activities they participated in, they are leaving with a new understanding of the dense biodiversity in this part of the world. Every single day of this trip, we had multiple opportunities to enjoy the animals that live in the heavy, rainy forest, and we feel very grateful for that. There is no doubt that it is worth it to get out there and look for what we love during an incredible adventure in nature. Thanks to our guests for coming to this part of the world and joining us on this expedition. It was simply fantastic.
We woke up to waves battering the hull as we transited from Coiba National Park to the Bay of Panama and the Panama Canal. At 9:00 a.m., our expedition leader gave us a morning briefing, explaining what the canal crossing would be like and introducing activities for tomorrow. Afterwards, we watched a fascinating film on the construction of the Panama Canal. We enjoyed a delicious lunch in the dining room while watching brown boobies swoop and dive all around the boat. After lunch, guests were treated to presentations and a Q & A by Panamanian naturalists Joshua and Gabriel. By the time they finished, we were waiting in the Bay of Panama for our turn to cross the canal. We enjoyed sangria and ceviche on the sundeck as we watched whales spouting among the cargo boats. Panama City gleamed white in the distance. For dinner, we had a Panamanian feast, featuring chicken tamales, “ropa vieja” or shredded beef, tortillas, and fried mature plantains. The staff wore festive Panama hats and carried maracas. After dinner, everyone waited eagerly on the bow for our 8:00 p.m. appointment to enter the canal. Joshua and Gabe talked about the canal as we waited and answered guests’ questions as the lights twinkled beautifully from shore and from the other ships. Finally, we entered the locks and began to cross, eventually anchoring at Barro Colorado Island in Lake Gatun.
After spending three days learning about the tropical rainforest and culture of beautiful Costa Rica, we moved to our next destination, Coiba National Park, which is located in Panama. Panamanians consider Coiba to be the jewel of the Pacific Ocean. It plays a very important role in the conservation of marine wildlife. Panama, Costa Rica, and Colombia share a marine corridor for important species like whales, dolphins, and hammerhead sharks. In 1919, the government of Panama created a prison on the island that remained open until 2000. When the prison closed, the Smithsonian grew interested in Coiba, and they set up a research station on the island. Recently, Dr. Hector Guzman led a team in an important exploration of deeper water, and they found new species of fish and soft coral reef. On board National Geographic Quest , we landed early and dropped anchor in this amazing place. At 8:30 a.m., guests went to Cocos Islet for snorkeling and to the ranger station for nature walks. Midmorning, we swapped the groups, so guests had the opportunity to enjoy both activities. After lunch, we offered kayaking and paddleboarding. Many guests participated, and everyone enjoyed these experiences. During the walk, guests had the opportunity to observe white-throated capuchin monkeys. We took some time to observe their behavior. On the island, the species developed different skills because there are no natural predators. This allows the monkeys to spend more time on the ground. They can open coconuts and have developed tools to open shells and clams. Around 3:30 p.m., we moved to our next destination, Panama City, for the canal crossing.
