Costa Rica & the Panama Canal Cruise

Arrive at your leisure in San José and meet your fellow travellers at our group hotel in the heart of San José. San José, the country’s capital, is nestled within the Central Valley region, with the Talamanca Mountains to the south and volcanoes to the north.

Enjoy the morning exploring the heart of San José with local guides, before transferring to the M/S Panorama. After setting sail in the afternoon, we visit the extraordinary bioluminescence area of Punta Cuchillo.

Opt for a fascinating birding excursion through the Curú Wildlife Refuge, led by local guides and our team of naturalists. In the afternoon, step foot on the secluded white sands of Quesera Beach, where you will indulge in a delicious beach barbeque and a swim or snorkel in crystal clear waters. Keep your eyes open for humpback whales.

Hike at Corcovado National Park, the largest park in Costa Rica, covering almost a third of the Osa Peninsula. National Geographic has called Corcovado, “the most biologically intense place on Earth in terms of biodiversity.” Embark on a mangrove cruise through the ecologically rich Sierpe River. Nearby is Bahía Drake, known to be a common wintering and breeding ground for humpback whales.

We start the day with a visit to the local Botanical Gardens for a peek at the region’s botanical delights. Get your camera and binoculars ready to spot wild scarlet macaws, who are regular visitors to the jungles surrounding Puerto Jiménez. In the afternoon, we will visit a family owned and operated sustainable cocoa farm, where we will have a local lunch and learn about how chocolate is grown and made.

Learn the poignant history of Isla Coiba’s penal colony, which housed Panama’s most notorious criminals and political prisoners for more than ninety years. Choose the guided walk that suits you best, spotting bird species as you go, in this natural paradise that retains 80% of its original forest cover. Relax by the beach or strap on your snorkel for views of the largest coral reef in the Eastern Pacific.

Visit Pedasi, a quaint fishing village that is rich in culture and history. We will explore the village and take a guided tour of Museo Moscoso—the home of the first female Panamanian President, Mireya Moscoso, whose family has shaped the history of Panama’s independence. After lunch ashore, we set sail to explore the mangroves of the Azureo Peninsula.

Journey into the lowland tropical forests of Darién National Park for an excursion to a traditional Emberá community—one of the seven Indigenous nations within Panama. Receive a warm welcome, watch a cultural performance, and appreciate the beautiful handicrafts and traditions.

Depart from the marina for a guided walking tour of Panama City, with stops at the Panama Canal Museum, the Miraflores Locks, and the UNESCO Word Heritage Site, Casco Viejo—Panama City’s historic old town. When you re-embark the M/S Panorama, you’ll enter the locks to officially begin your transit through the Panama Canal: gateway to the Atlantic Ocean!

Enjoy an excursion to Fort San Lorenzo, a Spanish colonial ruin and UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal, with possibilities for spotting birds and sloths along the way. Then it’s all aboard to transit the locks of Lake Gatún and begin the final leg of your seaward journey. Enjoy the on board education program and scenic views on deck as you cruise.

Disembark the M/S Panorama at Colón’s 2000 Terminal and board your complimentary shuttle to the airport or our group hotel in Panama City.