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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
$6,612
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
$7,389
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.
Today, our explorations took us inside a little-known part of Colombia to the town of San Antero. Located in the Córdoba Department of Northern Colombia, this quaint town surrounded by farmlands, is known as the land of donkeys. Since 1987, El Festival del Burro, or the Donkey Festival, has become an emblematic event in San Antero, taking place during Holy Week to honor the hard work of donkeys that carry plantains and dig ditches. We made our way to Santa Cruz de Lorica and met up with our local guides who led us through this charming riverside town. In the architecture, art, and artisan market (a national monument) we could sense the influence of the several waves of immigration from France, Belgium, England, Syria, and Lebanon. Before moving on to our next destination, we were treated to folkloric music and dancing along the Sinú River. The indigenous village of Tuchin was our next stop and here, not only were we treated to traditional dancing by the Zenu people, but we also got a glimpse of the process that goes into making the sombrero vueltiao, the national symbol of Colombia. The artisans of Tuchin produce more than 1,000 vueltiao hats a day, continuing an art form that has existed within the region for over 1,000 years.
It’s always hard to pick a favorite day on this itinerary, however this day in particular I consider special. This morning’s excursion was unique, offering us the opportunity to cross a physical boarder between Panama and Columbia on foot. It happens to also be the start of a month filled with Panamanian patriotic festivities, celebrating four cries of independence and the separation from Colombia on November 3, 1903. Expedition Leader Mauricio Hoyo (half Colombian half Panamanian) and I (born and raised in Panama) decided to seize this moment to commemorate the day by displaying the flag of Panama as we reached the border. Later, we walked on the outskirts of the Colombia town of Sapzurro which is surrounded by the thick Darien Rainforest. These are towns with no connection by road, its either by foot or by boat that you´ll be able to see these coastal border towns. Our nature walkers enjoyed several glimpses of the biodiversity this jungle holds. Certified Photo Instructor Steve Morello led the walk, capturing great images of the birds, sloths, and monkeys. Without dispute, he got the photo of the day, nesting crimson-crested woodpeckers. Closing our afternoon was the most special part of the day, a visit to the Capurgan School. The kids put on an incredible talent show, performing the country’s local folklore with enthusiasm. For many, it was a highlight. Photo caption and credit: Group photo in front of the Panamanian flag. Photo by Liza Dias Lalova
National Geographic Quest dropped anchor early in the morning in front of an Edenic island. This island, surrounded with white sand and lots of coconut trees, is part of the 365 islands that form the Guna Yala Archipelago. Our guests were eager to land and enjoy the beauty of it. We disembarked right after breakfast. A group of Guna gave us a lovely welcome to the island. Today we enjoyed the crystal-clear waters by using kayaks and standup paddle boards. A lovely reef also invited us to snorkel and discover the underwater world. A group of our guests enjoyed a guided walk with one of our naturalists and learned about the important use of the coconut in Guna culture. Several Guna families displayed colorful molas. They shared with us the mesmerizing art of making the molas. From a young age, the Guna girls learn how to make this lovely art. We spent the whole day in this small paradise. We could have stayed forever in this peaceful place, but our journey had to continue. The Guna community gave us a wonderful sendoff by performing several of their traditional dances and music. It was a great way to end our day.
I have always heard about the color and richness of the Caribbean Islands, but it was not until today that I got to experience it firsthand. From the moment we set foot on shore, the color of the murals on the walls and the paint on the buildings, you could tell we were in for a truly rich experience. After touring the island town, we were treated to traditional dance and conga music from some of the local people. As a woman says in one of the videos at a visitor site, “This is not a show, this is what we do.” The drum beat and the dancers drew us in, and we became part of the experience.
We are fortunate to be one of the only vessels that overnights in the Panama Canal. This gives us a chance to explore the canal and see some of the fascinating wildlife and experience what it’s truly like to be in the canal. Our ship divided into three groups this morning. One group visited Borro Colorado Island where the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute is located to learn about some of the incredible research that is underway in the canal zone. Another group enjoyed a Zodiac cruise around the island, while a third group, my group, visited the Canal Discovery Center to look for wildlife.
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.