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
Special Offers
Length
8 days
From
$6,620
Prices are per person
Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia
Special Offers
Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia
Special Offers
Length
9 days
From
$5,220
Prices are per person
Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia
Special Offers
Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia
Special Offers
Length
13 days
From
$8,650
Prices are per person
Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia
Special Offers
Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia
Special Offers
Length
11 days
From
$8,610
Prices are per person
Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia
Special Offers
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.
See more Highlights
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.
Read moreEnjoyed learning about the environment and creatures by taking pictures. The snorkeling and kayaking was a treat.
Barbara W.
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.
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.
Mar 20
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National Geographic Quest
I love my country. I love its people and food and more than anything else, its natural resources. After 29 years as a guide for Central America, especially Costa Rica and Panama, traveling widely around the world with the work I do (I am also a tropical biologist), the Osa Peninsula is my uncontested favorite. Not a single time in my life have I come here and not be wowed by its lush forest, green waters, blue mountains and unmatched biodiversity. Our itinerary was split between two destinations: This morning we disembarked onto Caletas Bay, owned by our friend Banbam (Enrique), and in the afternoon we went to one of the Estacion San Pedrillo ranger station. Choices this morning: A wonderful horseback ride to Rio Claro, a two-mile hike to Agujitas River, a longer paced hike through the forested trails of Caletas Wildlife Refuge, or a casual tour of the wildlife refuge’s gardens. We loved all, coming back with unforgettable wildlife sightings, including a mother three-toed sloth with her baby, a bird eating snake straight from the trail, and a lot of bird sightings such as riverside wrens and black-hooded antshrikes. With the afternoon came the icing on the cake: Corcovado National Park. Again, more opportunities: walking the longer, more strenuous trail to the San Pedrillo Waterfall, and a waterhole to come with it or the Pargo River trail to explore the lowland forests. What a way to finish our trip! From army ants, to basilisks, to pale-billed woodpeckers, howler-, spider- and white-throated capuchin monkeys, to the very scarcely seen Central American Tapir. We could not have asked for a better last day in our trip, and an amazing way to say farewell to Central America, for the time being.
Mar 20
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National Geographic Quest
Today was the day to acquaint ourselves with Costa Rican families partnered with Lindblad, to witness their way of living within the rainforests of this region. We anchored in front of Playa Blanca, where we spent much of the day visiting several Costa Rican families, learning how they produce sustainably in harmony with nature. This peninsula has set aside 80 percent of its land for conservation, so it is crucial that locals combine their daily activities with the industry of eco-tourism. We toured four different operations. At Rancho Quemado, the two families showcase the historic methods of panning for gold and sugar cane for local consumption. The heart of palm operation shows the production of this delicious crop while Ms. Eida herself prepares delicious empanadas made with freshly harvested heart of palm. The cacao plantation has a wealth of fruit trees, and of course we opt to taste the pure, unprocessed chocolate. And then finally the rainforest trek for those who wanted to look for wildlife!
Mar 20
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National Geographic Quest
Today we entered the second country of our journey, Costa Rica. We came into the Southernmost Gulf called Golfo Dulce – the Sweet Gulf – and into amazingly green and lush tropical rainforest covered mountains. Even deep into the dry season, this area offers green dense vegetation to meditate. Early this morning we had Golfito Port authorities check us into the country, and we began with our activities. First, in hand the kayaking or Zodiac ride amongst the Golfito estuary and in the afternoon onto the beautiful Casa Orquidea Botanical Garden. Off we went early in the morning to enjoy the scenery of the mountains surrounding Golfito and we hoped to spot some wildlife in our kayaks or Zodiacs. We were not disappointed; both outings had the chance to see many animals, from birds to mammals to reptiles: howler and white-faced capuchin monkeys, little blue-green and tricolored herons, great and snowy egrets, American crocodile, yellow-headed caracara, common black hawk, and many more. Back on board for a presentation in Costa Rican history, lunch and a quick rest to get ready to disembark onto Casa Orquideas. Ron and Trudy McAllister have been living in this area for the past forty years. They left their homeland to go south and this is as far as they reached. They fell in love with the lush forests and the nice people and decided to stay, live and raise a family. Into the garden we went, and were not disappointed: heliconias, orchids, bromeliads, aroids, giant palms, toucans, macaws, flowers and fig trees welcomed us into their realm. What a great way to start our trip in Costa Rica.
Feb 20
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National Geographic Quest
Today we awoke halfway through the Panama Canal, in front an island, a manmade one, created when the United States flooded this area to create the waterway for the canal. The island is better known as “BCI” which stand for Barro Del Colorado Island, translate to Red Mud Island for its type of clay color soils. BCI is not only the largest island on the Panama Canal but is one of the most studied tropical rainforests in the world, which research going back even before the construction of the canal and it’s been managed by the Smithsonian since 1923. National Geographic Quest is one of the few ships allowed to stop here in its transit as guests visit BCI to learn about the research, explore by forest trail and shoreside excursion by Zodiac. After our morning on BCI we got a canal pilot on board National Geographic Quest to finish our cruising of the Panama Canal, one of the engineering marvels of the world.
Feb 20
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National Geographic Quest
Right at sun rise we got ready today and headed to explore the Island of Bona, a recently declared a wildlife refuge, in which we observe a great number of nesting sea birds. We can see brown and blue-footed boobies, magnificent frigatebirds, brown pelicans and many more. After a short navigation toward the Panama Canal we stopped at the cute island of flowers, Taboga Island, there we enjoyed a colorful walk getting acquainted with the Panamanian culture.
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
