Caletas and Agujitas River, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica, 3/15/2024, National Geographic Quest
Aboard the
National Geographic Quest
Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia
Today guests had the pleasure of being led by our local guides and shipboard naturalists on a plethora of hike and walk options in Caletas. This beach is located just south of Drake’s Bay. Guests were delighted at the chance to see mantled howler monkeys, spider monkeys, several species of birds, and even a tiger rat snake.
In the afternoon we cruised into Agujitas River for a cool Zodiac ride to find more wildlife. All in all, it was a wonderful way to spend our last day of the expedition and to cap off an amazing Central American season aboard National Geographic Quest.
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Today was our last day of the expedition, and we had a blast! We started our morning exploring the tropical forest surrounding the Panama Canal, including one of the most studied tropical rainforests on the planet (run by the Smithsonian Institute since 1940) which was the largest island created when the land of the Panama Canal was flooded. This is the place where Jane Goodall came to learn how to follow primates before further studies led her to becoming an expert. We had the incredible opportunity to explore this topical forest on different walks and boat rides, and what a last day we had! For our grand finale, we finished our crossing of the last set of locks of the Panama Canal, the Gatun Locks!
Sailing along the Pacific coast of Panama aboard a small expedition ship offers an intimate connection with nature and history. As the ship glided through calm waters, the lush coastline unfolded, dotted with secluded islands and vibrant marine life. One of the journey’s highlights was a stop at Bona Island. Accessible only by Zodiac, this pristine haven invites exploration of its rugged cliffs where we found big numbers of magnificent frigatebirds, cocos, boobies, and brown pelicans circling overhead. As we ventured closer to shore, we spotted hundreds of Sally Lightfoot crabs scuttling along the rocks. Back on board National Geographic Quest , we continued toward the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal. As we transited through the locks, the skillful coordination of this iconic passage amazed us. The ship anchored overnight in the serene expanse of Gatun Lake, surrounded by dense rainforest alive with the calls of howler monkeys and tropical birds. A tranquil evening unfolded, with the still waters reflecting the starry sky above. The overnight stay allowed for an immersion in the lake’s untouched beauty and a deeper appreciation of Panama’s remarkable blend of natural and human achievement.
Today, National Geographic Quest explored Coiba Island National Park. In the morning, we divided our guests into two groups to maximize the experience. One group visited Coco Islet for a memorable snorkeling adventure, where they encountered a variety of vibrant fish and a whitetip reef shark. The second group headed to the ranger station, enjoying a relaxing time swimming and kayaking in the pristine waters. After a fulfilling morning, we returned to the ship and began our navigation toward the Panama Canal. In the afternoon, guests gathered on the weather decks to observe marine wildlife. Several birds, dolphins, sea snakes, and turtles were spotted, adding to the excitement of the day. The calm seas and clear skies made for perfect wildlife watching conditions as we continued our journey. It was an exciting and enriching day filled with incredible encounters with nature.
