Panama Gulf and Panama Canal, 1/20/2023, National Geographic Quest
Aboard the
National Geographic Quest
Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia
Today was our second day in Panamanian waters, and what a great day it was. In the morning, we cruised the rich waters of the Gulf of Panama with seabirds as our escorts. In the afternoon, we enjoyed the Panama Canal, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
Federico Chacón, or “Fico” as he is better known by his friends, started guiding one-day nature tours on weekends and holidays at the age of 18 right at the time he started studies at the University of Costa Rica. It was just a part-time job, that wa...
Frank is a naturalist guide with a long career path involving his beloved Costa Rica. He grew up in Escazu, a small town surrounded by blue and green mountains in the Central Valley. His admiration for nature and wildlife turned him into an autodidac...
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As planned, National Geographic Quest arrived smoothly at Caletas Beach on the Osa Peninsula. The weather was perfect, with calm seas ensuring an easy landing. Guests were eager to explore one of Mesoamerica's most pristine and unique forests. The vastness of this region is remarkable, and we took great pride in sharing its significance with our guests. We hiked along the coastline and explored the trails of Caletas Beach, where we observed fascinating bird species and towering canopy trees. Next, we repositioned the ship to San Pedrillo, a station in Corcovado National Park, and offered two farewell hikes: the Pargo Trail and Marco Reyes Trail. As the afternoon cooled, we were fortunate to spot spider monkeys on both trails. To see species like these, one must visit areas like the Osa Peninsula, where 80% of the land is preserved, providing a safe habitat for wildlife to thrive. As we returned to National Geographic Quest , we recapped the day's adventures and reflected on our time in this extraordinary part of the world, rich with diverse habitats and incredible animals.
Today was beautiful, and one of my favorite days of the expedition, not only because we are exploring a stunning country and an amazing tropical rainforest, but because we had an opportunity to interact with the people living here. We were able to meet different local families that are running small projects in the area, ranging from rainforest preserves, chocolate farming, hearts of palm harvesting, a sugar mill, and even panning for gold, all family run. Not only were we welcomed with open arms by these people, but we were able to do this in a wonderful setting with, toucans, macaws, sloths, and monkeys. The cherry on top was the crew of National Geographic Quest providing a beautiful picnic lunch right on the beach for us.
After a pleasant evening sailing through the night, National Geographic Quest crossed the border from Panama into Costa Rica. We had a beautiful morning tied alongside the dock as the ship cleared customs and immigration, while two rounds of Zodiacs went out to explore the gulf. We also had a round of kayaking in the mangroves. Once the formalities of entering the country were finished, the ship departed from the bay and made way for our afternoon destination of Rio Seco. We had very informative nature walks through the grounds of Dolphin Quest Lodge. Our local guides led us along the rainforest trails in the jungle. We saw toucans and other special birds. The naturalists also pointed out interesting plants, like the spikey tree and epiphytes that live off the other trees in the forest. The evening closed with guest speakers from the last turtle program, informing us of the efforts to protect the turtles of Costa Rica. Pura vida!