We're a winner of Conde Nast Traveler's 2022 Readers Choice Awards
Amazingly diverse flora & fauna—and an engineering marvel
Within the lush and vibrant green of this region lie many discoveries. The flash of scarlet macaw wings amid treetops. The scintillating iridescence on the hummingbirds sipping nectar as they hover. And so many moments that will stay with you long after you leave—the atavistic thrill of hearing howler monkeys call to each other in the trees or the peace of sinking into a pool at the base of a waterfall deep in the jungle. Add to that the privilege of seeing one of the world’s great feats of engineering from the deck of an expedition ship as you cross the Panama Canal—an absolute peak travel experience.
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
From
$6,801
Prices are per person
Highlights
Central America
New
Exploring Arenal Volcano, Pearl Islands and the Panama Canal
Duration
9 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
From
$6,801
Top Highlights
Actively explore the breathtaking Arenal Volcano Area as you zipline from peak to peak, hike deep into the rainforest, and walk suspension bridges through the tree canopy
Search for the region’s fascinating wildlife, including sloths, toucans, agoutis, owls, tree frogs, and more
Take a dip in the Ecotermales Hot Springs, warmed by volcanic activity, and tour a wildlife conservation property founded by locals
Panama and Colombia: Exploring the Caribbean Coast
Duration
8 days
Oct
Nov
From
$6,310
Top Highlights
Transit the Panama Canal over two days to see it by day and in the coolness of night—plus an exclusive stop at the Smithsonian Research Institute on Barro Colorado Island
Visit the palm-shaded Panamanian archipelago of Guna Yala (formerly San Blas Islands), an autonomous province that is home to the indigenous Guna people, and get immersed in local culture
Discover the coastal treasures and remote wilderness of Colombia, exploring vibrant villages, pristine beaches, and wildlife-rich jungles
New
The Panama Canal, Pearl Islands and Darién Jungle
Duration
8 days
Jan
Dec
From
$6,889
Top Highlights
Transit the legendary Panama Canal over two days to see it by day and dramatically lit up at night—plus enjoy an exclusive stop at the Smithsonian Research Institute
Discover the storied Spanish architecture and fascinating pirate history of Portobelo, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Explore Isla Iguana Wildlife Refuge, a former US bombing range, and spot sea turtles and black and green iguanas on the beach or while snorkeling offshore
Actively discover the legendary wildness of Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia. Hike, paddleboard, kayak, snorkel, and zip line. Go by ship to venture to places far from tourist infrastructure, landing at remote, empty beaches by Zodiac to find exotic birds and flowers. If you venture to Colombia, explore some of the most biodiverse regions on Earth, where endemic species thrive amidst intriguing, modern cultures. If you choose to cross the Panama Canal, do so in a way worthy of the peak experience. Go aboard an expedition ship with open decks to experience it up close. Cross over two days to see the workings of the locks by day and in the coolness of night.
Escape winter, or go to relish one of the world’s most exciting natural environments. The onboard atmosphere is comfortable and casual, akin to that of a large private yacht. And our wellness philosophy is designed to relax and revitalize mind, body, and spirit.
In this episode of What to Expect, National Geographic Quest Captain Tim Lyon describes the unique way we cross over from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean through the Panama Canal while taking in the lush biodiversity of the area.
Expedition Spotlight: Brilliant Biodiversity on the Osa Peninsula
In this episode of Expedition Spotlight, naturalist Zoey Greenberg highlights the brilliant biodiversity of the Osa Peninsula and the species that inhabit its lush greenery and pristine shores.
Explore with National Geographic Experts: Volcanologist Arianna Soldati
In this episode of Explore with National Geographic Experts, learn more about Arianna Soldati’s passion for volcanoes and the insights she'll share on two upcoming voyages to Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
Striking Portraits of Panama and Colombia
Recently returned from our Panama and Colombia:Exploring the Caribbean Coast voyage, staff photographer David Vargas captured soul-stirring images of the people and places at the heart of this vibrant region.
Costa Rica by Ship: A Unique Look at Tropical Wildness
With jaguars and toucans in the cool mist of cloud forests, blue morpho butterflies and sloths in tropical rainforests, and a kaleidoscope of marine life swirling around coral reefs, Costa Rica’s varied habitats burst with biodiversity. The wildest of these wild places are also the least accessible—unless you approach by expedition ship.
Take a breather and enjoy the peaceful landscapes, sounds, and wildlife of Costa Rica.
The Wonders of Corcovado National Park
Corcovado National Park's remote location has enabled this nature preserve to maintain its reputation as one of the most interesting and abundant ecological destinations around.
See, do and learn more by going with engaging experts who have been exploring this region for decades.
Expedition Leader
Veteran expedition leaders are the orchestrators of your experience. Many have advanced degrees and have conducted research or taught for years. They have achieved expedition leader status because they possess the skills, the experience, and the depth of knowledge necessary to continually craft the best expedition possible for our guests.
Our naturalists, passionate about the geographies they explore (and return to regularly), illuminate each facet through their enthusiasm and knowledge. Our guests consistently cite the expertise and engaging company of our staff as key reasons to repeatedly travel with us.
Undersea specialists are your eyes on the world that lies beneath the waves. Using an array of tools, including a high-definition camera, our Cousteau-like undersea specialists show you strikingly clear images of the seldom-seen world beneath the ship.
Every expedition aboard a ship in our National Geographic-flagged fleet offers an exclusive service—a Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic certified photo instructor. This naturalist is specially trained to offer assistance with camera settings and the basics of composition and to help you become a better, more confident photographer.
Our wellness program embodies the belief that nature is vitalizing and that wildness, as Thoreau famously said, supplies a tonic. Wellness specialists are fully accredited and experienced licensed massage therapists and are aboard every ship in the National Geographic-flagged fleet. They lead morning stretch class, aerobic walks ashore, kayak outings, and more.
Making a Difference
Lindblad Expeditions supports stewardship efforts through the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic (LEX-NG) Fund. One hundred percent of traveler contributions to the LEX-NG Fund in Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia support the National Geographic Society’s Early Career Grants, which promote future leaders with novel and exploratory projects that span the fields of conservation, education, research, storytelling, and technology. In awarding each $5,000 to $10,000 grant, preference is given to projects that directly impact Costa Rica, Panama, or Colombia coastlines and communities.
FAQs
FAQs and Key Information
From climate conditions to water temperature to packing the right footwear, find answers to the questions Expedition Specialists get most often.
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.
We arrived right before sunrise to Rio Seco, a former cattle ranching farm and our morning destination. Now it hosts a beautiful tropical garden and a dense secondary growth rainforest. We spent the morning exploring the garden and the trails that lead to the forest. We enjoyed good wildlife sightings, including colorful scarlet macaws, different species of birds, and a very active troop of squirrel monkeys that ignored our presence while foraging. During lunch, we repositioned National Geographic Quest to the dock in Golfito. We explored the mangrove estuaries by kayak and Zodiac cruises. Our guests returned to the ship with happy faces to share their experiences of all that Mother Nature had shared while they explored. It was our last day exploring the wonders of Costa Rica. Now we cast off the dock and start navigating to our next destination, Coiba National Park in Panama.
An amazing day of cultural experiences was had by all as we explored the many facets of Playa Blanca in Gulfo Dulce today. Using Playa Blanca as our “hub,” we visited several families and their farms and businesses. We enjoyed panning for gold at an artisanal mine, long treks through the Danta Rainforest, a barbecue lunch at Playa Blanca with youth presenting local dances, and visits to a sugarcane mill, the Finca Kobo chocolate farm, and Mrs. Eida’s hearts of palm plantation. Everyone returned to National Geographic Quest well-fed and full of great stories from our day ashore.
The Panama Canal, which effectively connects more than 144 shipping routes, 1,700 ports, and 160 countries, is much more than its transit locks. It is miles of wild landscape, rich with intrigue and an astonishing biodiversity of wildlife.
