Costa Rica and the Panama Canal

Arrive in San José this afternoon and transfer to Puerto Caldera, the main port for Costa Rica. This evening, embark the National Geographic Quest and set sail south on your Central American journey. You may opt to arrive early for a pre-voyage extension in the rainforests and reserves of Caño Negro. The extension adds five days before the expedition for incredible wildlife exploration on a glamping adventure.

Arrival Time: Arrive before 1:00 p.m. local time.
Arrival City: San José, Costa Rica

San José is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica, located in the central valley region. It serves as the country’s political, economic, and cultural center. The city is known for its museums, theaters, and lively urban atmosphere surrounded by mountains. San José blends modern development with historic architecture and local traditions. It is also a major gateway for travelers exploring the rest of Costa Rica.

Puerto Caldera is an important seaport located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. It serves as one of the country’s main ports for trade and cruise ships. The town is known for its warm climate, coastal views, and nearby beaches. Puerto Caldera is a gateway for travelers visiting central Costa Rica. It plays a key role in the nation’s economy and tourism.

Anchor off the Osa Peninsula to see some of the most pristine lowland rainforest on the Pacific coast. Conditions permitting, venture into Corcovado National Park, where you can swim in waterfall pools or trek through the rainforest for a chance to see four species of monkeys—howler, spider, squirrel and capuchin.

Alternatively, we will take Zodiacs into the forest, cruising along a jungle river that is shrouded by a thick canopy harboring iguanas, monkeys, myriad bird species and beautiful blue morpho butterflies.

Enter the mangrove-fringed Golfo Dulce, along the southwestern edge of Costa Rica, as your nimble expedition ship takes you into the remote upper reaches of this placid bay. Head inland to meet and share with inspiring local families living in remote communities and working with cocoa, hearts of palm and sugar cane. Hike in mature rainforest, kayak in peaceful waters and explore by Zodiac, scanning the jungle treeline for a dazzling array of avifauna, including golden-hooded and Cherrie’s tanagers, yellow-throated toucans, fiery-billed aracaris and crimson-fronted and orange-chinned parakeets. Take in a kaleidoscope of tropical color with bromeliads, heliconias and orchids set against the verdant green.

Go ashore on the western side of the bay in the pristine waters of Playa Blanca on the Osa Peninsula. By special arrangement, visit with the Latin American Sea Turtles (LAST) Association and hear presentations by the staff at LAST including a talk by the dedicated researchers working so hard to positively impact sea turtle conservation.

Wild, scenic and incredibly bio-diverse, Golfo Dulce is not on most tourists itineraries. The name, says it all, Golfo Dulce or sweet gulf, in English. After a well justified visit to the Golfo Dulce, located in the South Pacific region of Costa Rica, and adjacent to the Osa Peninsula, visitors will be delighted and perplexed, wondering why they would ever leave this wonderland. Several coastal hamlets reside along this enchanting gulf, namely Puerto Jiménez, Golfito, Zancudo and Pavones, as well as the Piedras Blancas National Park. This is one stop on the itinerary that won’t soon be forgotten. Easily one of the wettest and most humid sections in the country, Golfo Dulce and the southwest can receive more than 200 inches (500 cm) of rainfall per year. This assures the surrounding area will be thriving with wild and plant life, perfect for aspiring adventurers. Surrounded by Corcovado National Park to the southwest, and Costa Rica’s mainland to the northeast, Golfo Dulce serves up a large platter of entertainment for all who visit. Sprouting along the edges of the Golfo Dulce are mangroves and estuaries full of wildlife. Explore these ecosystems crowded with crocodiles, river otters, waterfowl, monkeys and much more. Fed by the Coto Colorado River, the Coto River Swamps are an excellent choice for discovering these uncanny wetlands and the secrets that lay within.

Enter the mangrove-fringed Golfo Dulce, along the southwestern edge of Costa Rica, as your nimble expedition ship takes you into the remote upper reaches of this placid bay. Head inland to meet and share with inspiring local families living in remote communities and working with cocoa, hearts of palm and sugar cane. Hike in mature rainforest, kayak in peaceful waters and explore by Zodiac, scanning the jungle treeline for a dazzling array of avifauna, including golden-hooded and Cherrie’s tanagers, yellow-throated toucans, fiery-billed aracaris and crimson-fronted and orange-chinned parakeets. Take in a kaleidoscope of tropical color with bromeliads, heliconias and orchids set against the verdant green.

Go ashore on the western side of the bay in the pristine waters of Playa Blanca on the Osa Peninsula. By special arrangement, visit with the Latin American Sea Turtles (LAST) Association and hear presentations by the staff at LAST including a talk by the dedicated researchers working so hard to positively impact sea turtle conservation.

The first stop in Panama this morning is at the remote Isla Coiba, one of the many islands of Coiba National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Once a penal colony, the island has long been protected and accessible by special permit only. Among its many endemic species are the Coiba Island agouti and the mantled howler monkey, as well as four varieties of sea turtle. Discover rich marine life while snorkeling or simply spend the afternoon exploring or relaxing on the beach.

Coiba Island is a large, remote island off the Pacific coast of Panama and forms the heart of Coiba National Park. Often called the “Galápagos of Panama,” it is renowned for its extraordinary biodiversity, pristine rainforests, coral reefs, and rich marine life. The island was isolated from mainland Panama thousands of years ago, allowing many unique species of plants and animals to evolve. It is home to endemic wildlife, tropical forests, mangroves, and surrounding waters that support sharks, sea turtles, whales, dolphins, and hundreds of fish species

Today, explore the tiny islets of the Gulf of Panama by Zodiac. Here you might spot frigatebirds, brown pelicans, neotropical cormorants, and brown boobies. Set sail for the Panama Canal this afternoon. Stretching more than 50 miles, the canal was a colossal engineering feat completed in 1914. It is still traversed by some 14,000 ships every year. As cargo ships tend to pass through the canal during the day, the ship will most likely begin crossing at night, when the canal is dramatically lit.

Today, choose hikes and Zodiac cruises at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute facility on Barro Colorado Island or take a boat ride to the mouth of the Chagres River and hike on the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center trails. This evening, continue through the complex lock system of the canal. By special arrangement, National Geographic Quest will anchor in Gatún Lake near the Barro Colorado Nature Monument overnight.

The Panama Canal Transit is the process of a ship traveling through the Panama Canal, moving between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. During the transit, vessels are raised and lowered through a system of locks to cross the continental divide. It is considered one of the most remarkable engineering journeys in the world. The transit offers passengers a close view of how massive ships are carefully guided through narrow waterways. Today, it remains a key route for global maritime trade and travel.

The provincial capital of Colón, beside the canal's Atlantic entrance, is named for the Spanish-language surname of Christopher Columbus, though the Americans called it Aspinwall in the 19th century.. The city was founded in 1850 by Americans working on the Panama railroad and named Aspinwall for one of the railway engineers. Following completion in 1855, Colon gained in importance, which was furthered by the plans for an isthmian canal. During the time of the French canal attempt, a fire in 1885 burned the city nearly to the ground and left thousands of people homeless. Colon was rebuilt in the architectural style then popular in France. Buildings from that era plus the ones constructed by Americans between 1904 and 1914 are still in use today, although the majority is on the verge of collapse. In addition to its importance as a port, Colon boasts the world’s second largest duty-free zone, known as Zona Libre, which is contained in a huge fortress like, walled-off area with giant international stores. However, most of the merchandise is sold in bulk to commercial businesses throughout the country.

Expect incredible morning views as you arrive into the port for Panama City. Tinged with a silver pre-dawn light, the city will metamorphosise into a golden glow as the sun rises above it. And from then on expect one stunning view after another. Very interesting in its own right, Fuerte Amador is obviously overshadowed by its proximity to Panama City. So should the Miraflores museum of the Canal, which offers a comprehensive and immersive tour of the Canal including a 3-D experience, four exhibition halls, an observation deck, and a surprisingly good restaurant not interest you then there is always the option of lovely Casco Viejo – literally the old quartier of Panama. The grand old colonial houses, cobbled streets, independent boutiques and buzzing street scene make this a must stop on your itinerary. And if you like seafood, you will not want miss the many restaurants and market stalls serving different variations of so-fresh-it’s-still-practically-swimming ceviche. Best eaten like the Panamanians do, with salty crackers and a cold beer on the beach. And if money is no object, a cup of geisha coffee – supposedly the world’s best and definitely the world’s most expensive at $7 a shot is definitely a pick me up! Cool cosmopolitan capital aside, Panama has a skyscraper filled skyline that is worthy of some of its North American counterparts. But if urban utopia is not your scene then fear not, the sandy beaches and lush rainforests are never more than a short cab ride away.