Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia Expeditions

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Starting in 2023, we are pleased to offer complimentary beer & wine aboard National Geographic Quest, National Geographic Venture, National Geographic Sea Bird, and National Geographic Sea Lion. See our new Free Bar Policy under special offers for details.

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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.

Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia

Costa Rica and the Panama Canal

Special Offers

Duration

8 days

Jan
Feb
Mar
Dec

From

$6,820

Prices are per person

Special Offers (2)

Highlights

Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia

Costa Rica and the Panama Canal

Duration

8 days

Jan
Feb
Mar
Dec

From

$6,820

Top Highlights

Venture into remote wilderness: hike among monkeys, sloths, and tropical birds, and explore far from any inhabited places
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
Discover the wild rainforests of Corcovado National Park, which National Geographic dubbed “the most biologically intense place on Earth”
Explore idyllic islands, snorkel over a vibrant coral reef, and take a Zodiac cruise up a wild river
Meet the Emberá people of Panama, who welcome us into their village, and meet others working to protect this eco paradise

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Special Offers

$700 AIR CREDIT OR FREE 3-DAY PANAMA CITY EXTENSION
FREE BAR POLICY

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Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia

Costa Rica's Cloud Forest through the Panama Canal

Special Offers

Duration

11 days

Jan
Feb
Dec

From

$9,210

Prices are per person

Special Offers (2)

Highlights

Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia

Costa Rica's Cloud Forest through the Panama Canal

Duration

11 days

Jan
Feb
Dec

From

$9,210

Top Highlights

Kayak, hike, swim, and snorkel; actively explore these idyllic islands and hidden waterways, getting the same enriching experience offered on our eight-day Costa Rica and Panama expedition
Plus, explore Costa Rica’s rugged interior among the mist-shrouded wild forests of Monteverde
Sail into remote wilderness; hike among monkeys, sloths, and tropical birds; and explore far from any inhabited places
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
Explore idyllic islands; snorkel over a vibrant coral reef and take a Zodiac along jungle shores teeming with birds

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Special Offers

$700 AIR CREDIT OR FREE 3-DAY PANAMA CITY EXTENSION
FREE BAR POLICY

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Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia

Panama and Colombia: Exploring the Caribbean Coast

Special Offers

Duration

8 days

Oct
Nov

From

$6,290

Prices are per person

Special Offers (3)

Highlights

Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia

Panama and Colombia: Exploring the Caribbean Coast

Duration

8 days

Oct
Nov

From

$6,290

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
Explore Colombia’s rainforests, among the most biodiverse on Earth, with almost 1,900 bird species and an astonishing list of approximately 450 mammals

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Special Offers

$700 AIR CREDIT OR FREE 3-DAY PANAMA CITY EXTENSION
FREE BAR POLICY
FREE ROUND-TRIP AIRFARE ON SELECT 2023 DATES

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Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia

Wild Costa Rica Escape: Exploring Guanacaste’s Natural Wonders

Special Offers

Duration

6 days

Feb
Mar
Nov
Dec

From

$4,190

Prices are per person

Special Offers (3)

Highlights

Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia

Wild Costa Rica Escape: Exploring Guanacaste’s Natural Wonders

Duration

6 days

Feb
Mar
Nov
Dec

From

$4,190

Top Highlights

Navigate the pristine coastline of Costa Rica’s Guanacaste region, snorkel crystalline waters, and explore wildlife-rich parks and preserves
Discover diverse tropical ecosystems while exploring via kayak and paddleboard, on foot, on horseback, and soaring by zipline
Spend an afternoon enjoying Isla Tortuga’s palm-shaded beaches before a barbecue dinner on the sand
Explore the volcanic landscapes of Rincón de la Vieja National Park and search for exotic wildlife, from monkeys to macaws

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Special Offers

FREE BAR POLICY
FREE ROUND-TRIP AIRFARE ON SELECT DATES
Book by June 30, 2023, to receive free roundtrip airfare from Miami to San Jose on select departures. Complimentary air is based on economy group flights and must be ticketed by Lindblad Expeditions. In the case that Lindblad's group flight is not available at time of booking, we reserve the right to issue a credit. Baggage fees may be additional. New bookings only and may not be combinable with other offers or pre- or post-extensions. Call for details.
$700 AIR CREDIT

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Expedition Highlights

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.

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Life Aboard

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.

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Turquoise waters along the Papagayo Peninsula, Guanacaste

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.

Ahhhh Moment: Costa Rica

Take a breather and enjoy the peaceful landscapes, sounds, and wildlife of Costa Rica.

6 Ways to Discover Costa Rica's Wild Wonders

Our carefully curated itineraries allow you to experience different facets of this biodiverse region, from remote shores that give way to seas teeming with marine creatures, to inland gems like a mist-shrouded cloud forest.

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.

Capturing Guanacaste: A Photographer’s Top 12 Shots

Lindblad art director and staff photographer David Vargas recently visited Guanacaste, Costa Rica, where he photographed some of the elements guests will encounter on our brand-new itinerary.

Wild About Guanacaste: Top 9 Must-See Spots

In Guanacaste, breathtaking natural beauty waits around every corner—from picture-perfect beaches to hidden jungle waterfalls. But with so much abundance and beauty, where do you even start?! We curated some of our favorite user-generated content from Instagram to highlight the top must-see places to explore when visiting Guanacaste.

Discover

Discover Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia

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.

Naturalist

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 Specialist

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.

Certified Photo Instructor

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.

Video Chronicler

Video chroniclers accompany every expedition and shoot vivid HD footage—with no recycled footage ever—to provide you with a professionally edited and completely authentic memento of your expedition. Working during the day and editing into the night, they have your video ready for preview prior to—and available to purchase at—disembarkation.

Wellness

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.

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Daily Expedition Reports

Daily Expedition Reports

3/4/2023

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National Geographic Quest

Barro Colorado Island and Gatun Lake

The last day of our expedition exploring Costa Rica and Panama began with a lovely sunrise. The first sunrays revealed the lush tropical rainforest of Barro Colorado Island. Howler monkeys howled in the distance to announce their foraging area and ensure that no other troop would disturb them. Right after breakfast, we geared up to explore the Smithsonian Tropical Research Field Station. The station is located on what was once the highest peak of the valley of the Chagres River. After they dammed the river to create Gatun Lake, the peak became the lake’s largest island with a large diversity of plants and wildlife. We had a great morning exploring the island’s trails and their surroundings. Wildlife sightings brought joy to each of our guests. We learned about the different research done in the field station. In the afternoon, we had the opportunity to explore part of Gatun Lake. We were all impressed, knowing that the islet in the lake used to be hilltops. We explored little coves in the lake, and we enjoyed all that Mother Nature had for us to see. It was a great way to conclude our expedition this week!

Daily Expedition Reports

3/3/2023

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National Geographic Quest

Otoque, Bona, and Estiva Islands and the Panama Canal

In the early morning, we arrived to the Otoque, Bona and Estiva Islands near the entrance to the Panama Canal. On Zodiacs, we circumnavigated this important nesting site for magnificent frigatebirds, brown pelicans, and brown boobies. At this time of year, trade winds blow harder across the low, narrow isthmus of Panama, particularly around the canal. This effectively creates Panama’s dry season while causing an upwelling of cold waters, which brings up nutrients to feed plankton, then small fish, and then larger fish. The higher abundance of fish at this time of the year makes it a good place for birds to nest and raise chicks. The presence of so many birds created a feast for our eyes and for our cameras. Later in the afternoon, we proceeded to our appointment to cross the Panama Canal. This masterpiece of engineering that was built over a hundred years ago is the grand finale of our adventures in Central America.

Daily Expedition Reports

3/2/2023

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National Geographic Quest

Coiba National Park

Our adventure in Costa Rica was incredible, and today we woke up on the pristine, turquoise waters of Coiba National Park in Panama. The sunrise gave us quite a show as we enjoyed the sound of birds and a good cup of coffee at the beginning of our day. We dropped anchor at Canales de Afuera. With its white sand beach and lots of hermit crabs, it was the perfect place to enjoy a full morning of snorkeling. We were ready to get in the calm, clear water. It only took five minutes for somebody to say, “Look! There’s a turtle!” It was a good-sized hawksbill sea turtle. The excitement of several people was one of the most memorable moments of our day. The sea turtle was busy eating chunks of sponges. We talked about the diet of these reptiles, which includes a variety of species, including anemones, jellyfish, crustaceans, mollusks, and fish. The turtle is considered one of the reef’s important predators. We spotted a whitetip reef shark under a brain coral, and we enjoyed observing a green pufferfish and several soldierfish. We also found a crown of thorns, a starfish that feeds on hard or stony coral polyps. They are considered among the largest starfish in the world. Our day went fast, and we had a lot of fun visiting the archipelago formed by 38 islands and islets. It was an incredible excursion. Coiba National Park is one of Panama’s jewels. It is such a beautiful place, and it left us mesmerized.

Daily Expedition Reports

3/1/2023

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National Geographic Quest

Rio Seco Rainforest and Golfito

Early this morning, we woke up to an astonishing sunrise. In front of us, a thick carpet of rainforest covered every visible hill. We were in the Piedras Blancas National Park, and we visited a section of the Rio Seco Rainforest near the coast. The Piedras Blancas National Park is one of the jewels in the south of Costa Rica. The park has over 30,000 acres of wilderness, and it is full of incredible jungles. It is also home to some of this lush country’s most astonishing wildlife, including toucans, macaws, tapirs, pumas, jaguars, and four species of monkeys. As part of the national park, the Rio Seco Rainforest is 400 acres of private property. It offers visitors the opportunity to walk through a tropical rainforest full of wildlife. With very few access points due to a lack of roads, the park can only be accessed by sea. We took short, medium, and long hikes today. Scarlet macaws seemed to be painting every single tree with colors, and it was overwhelming. We observed a lot of great wildlife, especially birds. The hikers were very satisfied with the adventure. In the afternoon, we repositioned to the town of Golfito for kayaking and Zodiac tours. Kayakers discovered a good coastal section, and their efforts paid off when they finished their tour in a local bar. Those in Zodiacs enjoyed a wealth of wildlife sightings. We spotted howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys, and many birds. The star of the day was the colorful scarlet macaw. IMAGE: Scarlet macaw. Photo by Jose Calvo

Daily Expedition Reports

2/28/2023

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National Geographic Quest

Playa Blanca, Golfo Dulce Costa Rica

After a nice, calm navigation of around 90 nautical miles, National Geographic Quest dropped anchor in front of a little fishing town known as Playa Blanca, or the white beach. Locals spend their weekends here enjoying the calm, warm ocean with their families. Today was a great day for everyone. We call it our cultural day, and we visit various family projects, all supported by a local NGO known as Caminos de Osa. The Osa Peninsula comprises one of Costa Rica’s largest national parks, Corcovado National Park, and there is a great deal of conservation. Some families struggle to make a living while keeping the rainforest protected for future generations. We toured different places that turned former plantations or hotels into more ecofriendly businesses. It was a “hard decision day” because there were so many nice families to meet and so many places to see and experience. It did not matter which tour we picked, though, because they all stole our hearts. Some of us visited family businesses to learn about a sugar mill or gold panning. Both enterprises allow the families to support themselves. The sugar mill sells raw sugar to local hotels and grocery stores, and Don Juan still sells pieces of gold to support the wellbeing of his family. Other guests toured an undercover botanical garden. Why “undercover”? Well…the tour is advertised as a chocolate tour, but it is so much more. The owner told us about the work of finding more plants, better vanilla crops, and sweeter pineapples while still protecting the forest. On her hearts of palm plantation, Dona Eida and her sister-in-law cut palmito every day and sell it to local restaurants. They greeted us and showed us how they care for the land. We had a great picnic lunch on the beach and enjoyed observing as children from the community performed beautiful traditional dances. Today was definitely a great day. We met lovely local families and learned why Costa Ricans are known to be Pura Vida! This problem free philosophy was clear in our interactions.

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.

Sven-Olof Lindblad

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1.800.397.3348

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Central America 2023-25

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Central America 2023-25

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