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

Colon, the second-largest city in Panama, sits at the Caribbean gateway to the Panama Canal. Today, it thrives as a vital port city, bolstered significantly by establishing a free trade zone in 1953. Founded in 1850 by American workers constructing the Panama Railroad, which linked the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, Colon quickly outpaced Panama's older Caribbean ports with the canal's opening, cementing its role as a key hub of commerce and trade.

Nestled off Panama's northeast coast, the San Blas archipelago is a dazzling collection of over 300 coral islands scattered across 300 square kilometers in the Caribbean Sea. Protected by a vibrant coral reef, these islands boast pristine white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life. Visitors can unwind in tranquil anchorage and discover the rich culture of the Kuna Indian community, which maintains traditional hunting and fishing lifestyles. The welcoming villages of bamboo houses near the shore offer a unique glimpse into their heritage.

Included Excursion

A Day on Holandes Cayes: Holandes Cayes, part of Panama's San Blas Archipelago, offers idyllic anchorages, pristine white-sand beaches, and crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Visitors can also meet the indigenous Kuna people, who traditionally hunt and fish on these serene islands.

Aboard your ship and experience something unique that has inspired the imagination of numerous adventurers in the 20th century: sailing the Panama Canal. Its construction started in 1880 under the direction of Ferdinand de Lesseps. Abandoned then resumed, the United States completed this engineering marvel and opened in 1914. The canal crosses the Isthmus of Panama and links the Atlantic to the Pacific. Including three levels of locks and raising ships to Lake Gatun, almost as if the water was a lift, allows them to avoid having to round Cape Horn.

The province of Darien, the most remote and least developed region of Panama, is an unspoiled land with an extremely wide variety of flora and fauna. Listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage, Darien National Park offers its extraordinary scenery of rocky coastlines, mountain ranges, mangroves, rivers, and creeks. Discover Playa Muerto, a tiny coastal village home to the Emberas Amerindian community. Visit the village, attend the traditional songs and dances of the locals, and admire beautiful local crafts.

Included Excursion

The Embera Tribe of the Darien: Darien National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is home to the Embera people, who maintain their traditional lifestyle. Visit a coastal village, meet the Chief, enjoy cultural dances, and explore their crafts. A short hike to a nearby waterfall offers a scenic finale before returning to the ship.

An artificial peninsula at the Panama Canal's Pacific entrance, Fuerte Amador is the gateway to several noteworthy sites. Right near there, the impressive Miraflores Locks are a shining example of the engineering feats deployed during the construction of the Panama Canal. Further north, in villages nestling amid dense vegetation, lives the Embera tribe, guardian of the forest and the Chagres River. These proud people have successfully preserved their traditions and ancestral way of life, predating the Spanish colonization of the region.

Included Excursion

Biological & Cultural Diversity of Panama: Explore Panama City's vibrant contrasts on this enriching excursion. Begin at the Smithsonian's Punta Culebra Nature Center, where expert guides introduce you to marine species and the tropical dry forest. Then, stroll through Casco Antiguo's colonial streets, rich in history and architecture, before visiting the striking Frank Gehry-designed Biodiversity Museum to uncover Panama's ecological significance.

Archaeology & Biological Diversity of Panama: Discover Panama City's highlights, starting with the striking Frank Gehry-designed Biodiversity Museum, which showcases the ecological impact of the Isthmus of Panama. Visit the Smithsonian's Punta Culebra Nature Center, guided by experts, to explore marine species and tropical flora. After lunch, explore the archaeological remains of Panama Viejo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness center. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, shop in the boutique, or meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. It is an enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest, and entertainment.

Quepos makes for a charming stop-off on the Pacific coast, just next door to the famous Manuel Antonio National Park, an untouched tropical natural reserve lined with white sandy beaches. The town's seafront is an opportunity to stroll through market stalls touting pineapples and bananas in the shade of the manchineel trees. In this coastal town crisscrossed with tree-lined streets in bloom, admire the houses and their incredible sculpted balconies. Enjoy shopping in the many traditional boutiques: pick up some handmade cotton clothing, ceramics embellished with Costa Rican designs, and home décor pieces in hand-painted wood.

Included Excursions

Rafting on the Savegre River: Experience the pristine beauty of the Savegre River, renowned for its clear waters and lush surroundings. After a scenic drive, embark on a guided two-hour rafting journey with gentle Class I and II rapids, perfect for adventure and relaxation. Spot diverse wildlife before enjoying fresh fruit and returning to the pier.

Manuel Antonio National Park: Explore the stunning Manuel Antonio National Park, a unique blend of rainforest and idyllic Pacific beaches. Guided by a naturalist, walk easy trails to spot diverse wildlife like monkeys, sloths, and tropical birds. Relax on Espadilla Beach before enjoying a light snack and returning to your ship.

Rainforest and Waterfalls Walk: Experience the lush biodiversity of Costa Rica at Rainmaker Conservation Park. Walk along the Rio Seco through pristine rainforest, spotting butterflies, birds, and wildlife. Enjoy stunning views, cascading waterfalls, and an optional swim in a waterfall pool before savoring a light snack at the welcome center.

Birding in the Rainforest: Travel to the Esquipulas Rain Forest, a private reserve with easy trails with birds and butterflies. Guided by a naturalist, discover the forest's delicate ecosystem, with possible sightings of hummingbirds, cotingas, and more. Enjoy Costa Rican coffee and tropical fruits at a forest coffee house before returning to your ship.

Boating Through the Mangroves: Explore the biodiverse mangroves of the Damas Islands Estuary on a relaxing riverboat tour. Observe kingfishers, herons, scarlet macaws, monkeys, iguanas, and crocodiles thriving in this unique ecosystem. Conclude your two-hour journey with a snack of fresh fruits and cookies before returning to the ship.

The capital of the eponymous province, Puntarenas, is sometimes called “the pearl of the Pacific” for its unique charm. It sits on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, along the Gulf of Nicoya, lined with long expanses of wild natural environments. Further inland, among the countless natural wonders to be found in the generous rainforest of Costa Rica’s national parks, Poas and Arena volcanoes tower up in all their majestic glory. In this luxuriant natural setting, Costa Rica protects one of the planet’s richest biodiversity: monkeys, sloths, tropical birds, iguanas, crocodiles, waterfalls, canyons, and more than ten thousand species of tropical plants.