Central America Small Ship Cruises

from $4,536

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Wild Costa Rica Escape

6 Day Itinerary aboard National Geographic Quest

• Navigate Costa Rica’s Guanacaste
• Discover diverse tropical ecosystem
• Enjoy Isla Tortuga’s beaches
• Explore volcanic landscapes

Starts / Ends

San Jose / San Jose

Activities

Horseback Riding

Activity Level

Variable

Discover the treasures of one of Costa Rica’s richest regions, Guanacaste, on a 6-day voyage aboard National Geographic Quest. As you venture from uninhabited isles to wildlife-rich jungles and friendly surf towns, bask in the “pura vida” that infuses this ecologically rich country.

Cruise Details

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from $6,420

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Panama and Costa Rica by Sea: The Natural Wonders of Central America – with Smithsonian Journeys

Colon - Puntarenas - 8 Day Itinerary aboard Le Champlain

• Discover San Blas
• Experience Panama Canal
• Explore Fuerte Amador
• Visit Darien National Park

Starts / Ends

Colon / Puntarenas

Activity Level

Variable

Join this 8-day cruise aboard Le Champlain to explore the natural wonders and cultural heritage of Panama and Costa Rica, including the white sands of Holandes Cayes, the iconic Panama Canal, and Panama City's historic Old Quarter.

Cruise Details

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from $6,981

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Baja California: Among the Great Whales - Eastbound

San Carlos - Loreto, Mexico - 8 Day Itinerary aboard National Geographic Venture

• Observe California gray whales
• Hike across desert islands
• Experience the Baja California
• Snorkel with sea lions

Starts / Ends

Puerto San Carlos / Loreto

Activities

Hiking

Activity Level

Variable

Enter the California gray whale birthing lagoons of Bahia Magdalena for close encounters with these gentle giants, a rare privilege in the natural world. Plus explore the islands dotting the azure Sea of Cortez, one of the best places to see marine mammals.

Cruise Details

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from $11,295

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Costa Rica & Panama Canal

Costa Rica - Colombia - 12 Day Itinerary aboard Greg Mortimer

• Explore Costa Rica's wildlife
• Discover vibrant bird species
• Learn about the Emberá tribe
• Cross the Panama Canal
• Visit Curú National Wildlife Refuge

Starts / Ends

San Jose / Colon

Activities

Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Archaeological Site Visits, Village Visits, Scuba Diving

Activity Level

Variable

Embark on a 12-day Costa Rica & Panama Canal Cruise with travel photographer Richard I'Anson. Explore Costa Rica's rainforests, and Panama's coral reefs, connect with the Emberá tribe, and delve into Panama Canal's history.

Cruise Details

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from $1,960

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Costa Rica & Panama

Puerto Caldera Roundtrip - 8 Day Itinerary aboard Star Clipper

• Discover Quepos's authentic charm
• Experience Golfito's allure
• Swim Bahia Potrero's calm waters
• Marvel at Arenal's majestic volcano

Starts / Ends

Puerto Caldera / Puerto Caldera

Activities

Ziplining

Activity Level

Variable

Set sail on an 8-day cruise aboard the Star Clipper through Costa Rica and Panama, exploring lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and vibrant marine life. Highlights include Manuel Antonio, Coiba Island, and Isla Tortuga’s turquoise waters.

Cruise Details

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from $323

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Panama Canal Full Transit

1 Day Itinerary

• See the Panama City skyline
• Learn the history of the canal

Activity Level

Relaxed

This Panama City one-day tour takes you on the incredible journey from the Atlantic Ocean all the way to the Pacific Ocean, traversing two impressive locks via the manmade wonder that is the Panama Canal.

Tour Details

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from $7,461

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Costa Rica and the Panama Canal

San Jose - Panama - 8 Day Itinerary aboard National Geographic Quest

• Observe animals in their habitat
• Kayak through magical mangroves
• Transit the historical Panama Canal
• Explore Gulf of Panama beaches

Activities

Land & Sea Exploration

Activity Level

Variable

Discover Costa Rica & Panama on this wonderful 8-day expedition cruise aboard the National Geographic Quest. Venture into remote wilderness and hike among monkeys, sloths, and tropical birds, explore idyllic islands, snorkel over a vibrant coral reef, and take an expedition landing craft cruise through mangroves.

Cruise Details

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from $276

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Panama Canal Partial Transit

½ Day Itinerary

• Transit through Miraflores Locks
• Learn the history of the canal

Activity Level

Relaxed

Climb aboard and experience the "Eighth Wonder of the World" first hand as you transit through the Miraflores Locks to the Pacific Ocean.

Tour Details

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from $9,230

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Secrets of Central America

Colón - Puntarenas - 11 Day Itinerary aboard Le Champlain

• Discover National Parks
• Sail through the Panama Canal
• Encounter with Emberas tribe
• Visit San Blas archipelago

Starts / Ends

Puerto Caldera / Colon

Activity Level

Variable

Join this 11-day Secrets of Central America cruise and explore Panama and Costa Rica, starting at San Lorenzo’s Fort and traveling from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Visit the San Blas Islands, the Pearl Islands, Darien National Park, and cross the Panama Canal. Meet local communities, and discover the biodiversity of Rio Esquinas and Curú Nature Reserve.

Cruise Details

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from $12,726

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Baja California: A Remarkable Journey

15 Day Itinerary aboard National Geographic Venture

• See gray, sperm, blue & fin whales
• Hike islands of Gulf of California
• Snorkel among playful sea lions
• Learn photo techniques from experts

Starts / Ends

Loreto / Loreto

Activities

Kayaking, Wildlife Viewing, Snorkeling, Whale Watching, Photography Seminars

Activity Level

Variable

Join a comprehensive 15-day photo expedition exploring both the Pacific side of Baja California and the islands in the Sea of Cortez. Venture into the gray whale lagoons for up-close encounters, and then spend ample time exploring the Sea of Cortez and all its marine mammals.

Cruise Details

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from $6,500

15% Off

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Baja California's Whales & Sealife

La Paz Roundtrip - 8 Day Itinerary aboard Safari Voyager

• Snorkel with young sea lion pups
• Visit the Sea of Cortes
• Search whales in the Sea of Cortez
• Kayak around coastal rocks

Starts / Ends

La Paz / La Paz

Activity Level

Variable

Embark on a 7-night adventure aboard the Safari Voyager, discovering the stunning marine life and landscapes of Baja California. Starting in La Paz, visit Isla San Francisco, Bahía Agua Verde, Honeymoon Cove, and more. Snorkel with sea lion pups, kayak, hike, and spot dolphins, whales, and birds along Baja’s rugged coastlines.

Cruise Details

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from $6,741

Save 20%

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Panama and Colombia: Exploring the Caribbean Coast

8 Day Itinerary aboard National Geographic Quest

• Transit the Panama Canal
• Meet Indigenous people of Guna Yala
• Look for unique tropical wildlife
• See colonial architecture

Starts / Ends

Panama City / Cartagena

Activity Level

Variable

Discover an astonishing trove of natural and cultural treasures as you navigate the Caribbean coasts of Panama and Colombia on this 8-day cruise aboard the National Geographic Quest. Sail from Panama City to Cartagena, with stops in Portobelo, Guna Yala, San Bernardo Archipelago, and more.

Cruise Details

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from $3,750

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Baja California: Observing the Whales of Magdalena Bay

6 Day Itinerary aboard National Geographic Sea Bird

• Discover whales in Magdalena Bay
• Hike through island landscapes
• Kayak on the glassy waters
• Learn about ecosystems

Starts / Ends

Loreto / Puerto San Carlos

Activity Level

Variable

In the nursery waters of Magdalena Bay, live amid massive gray whale mothers and their calves. See them up close onboard the National Geographic Sea Bird and local pangas. Kayak and paddleboard through magnificent mangroves, or beachcomb boundless stretches of sand.

Cruise Details

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from $4,350

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Barbados to Panama

15 Day Itinerary aboard Royal Clipper

• Explore Bridgetown, Barbados
• Enjoy Grenada's unique aromas
• Discover Dutch colonial Curacao
• Transit the historic Panama Canal

Starts / Ends

Bridgetown / Balboa

Activities

Small Ship Sailing

Activity Level

Variable

Starting at the Caribbean port of Bridgetown, this 15-day cruise aboard the Royal Clipper sails through the turquoise Caribbean waters en route to the Panama Canal, visiting Grenada, Bonaire, Curacao, Aruba, and Colombia along the way. Explore the tropical jungles, snorkel in vibrant reefs, immerse yourself in tribal culture, and marvel at the Panama Canal.

Cruise Details

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from $4,350

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Panama to Antigua

15 Day Itinerary aboard Royal Clipper

• Explore Balboa’s colonial charm
• Transit Panama’s iconic canal
• Discover San Blas culture
• Enjoy Aruba’s clear waters

Starts / Ends

Balboa / St. John's

Activities

Local Market Visits

Activity Level

Variable

Set sail on a 15-day Royal Clipper cruise from Balboa, Panama, featuring a full Panama Canal transit and visits to the San Blas Islands, Cartagena, and the Caribbean gems of Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire. Experience lush Grenada and volcanic St. Lucia, and finish your journey in Antigua, all while enjoying elegant sailing and stunning island views.

Cruise Details

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from $7,553

Save 20%

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Baja California Holiday Voyage: A Living Sea and Desert Isles

8 Day Itinerary aboard National Geographic Venture

• Explore the islands and caves
• Search for marine animals
• Snorkel among fish and sea lions
• Visit the town of Santa Rosalia
• Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites
• Visit Isla Rasa

Starts / Ends

Loreto / Loreto

Activity Level

Variable

Explore the Sea of Cortez among the best places in the world to see a great variety of whales, plus dolphins in abundance. With a flexible itinerary, rely on our expert staff to follow the seasonal movements of migrating birds and feeding whales ensuring excellent wildlife sightings. Hike forests of giant cacti, snorkel with sea lions and discover rare wildlife among desert islands.

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