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Costa Rica Tours and Travel

Coast to Coast / Adventure / Costa Rica Verde / Tropical Adventure / Honeymoon / Wonders / Highlights
South Costa Rica / Family Adventures / Highlights Self-Drive / Up & Down Self-Drive
Costa Rica-Panama Cruise / Experience / Eco-Exclusive / Kayak / Multisport / Comfort / Birds Trail

Between Two Seas - Costa Rica & Panama Cruise

Cradled between two continents and two seas lies a land as wild and primeval as any on earth. Protected in this tiny isthmus are more species of wildlife and flora than any other place on the planet. Volcanoes seethe, cloud forests flourish and turquoise bays, once hideouts for pirates, teem with marine life.

Day 1 - Arrive In Panama
Transfer from the Panama City Airport to Colón on the Caribbean coast to board the Pacific Explorer. D

Day 2 - San Blas Islands
The San Blas Archipelago is a chain of over 365 tropical islands. Only 50 of these islands are inhabited by the Kuna Indians, who live in communities of bamboo-sided, thatched-roofed houses. The Kuna Indians are one of a few indigenous groups that make up Panama's population.The area is owned and administered exclusively by the Kuna, who run it as an autonomous republic. Here, anyone who is not Kuna, including Panamanians is a foreigner.

When you step off the boat you will be subject to the laws, folkways and mores of the Kuna. Living much as their ancestors did, with beautiful golden-sand beaches and turquoise waters, the Kuna Indians pass on their customs through dances and chants, and crafts which include their richly embroidered molas. For island-to-island travel the Kuna use dugout canoes made from wild cashew trees. The women dress as their ancestors did with brilliant shawls, strands of beads wrapping their legs and gold rings through their noses.

There is no fresh water supply on the San Blas Islands so the Kuna have the daily task of traveling up the rivers of Panama to collect water. The remaining uninhabited islands are left to coconut trees, sea turtles and iguanas.Though the islands barely rise above the blue-green waters of the Caribbean, about 2 feet above sea level, protective reefs to the north and east soften the force of the wind and waves.

At an uninhabited island nearby, crystal-clear waters tempt you in for snorkeling. BLD

Day 3 - Portobelo
Enjoy a guided walk in Portobelo today. Discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1502, this was once one of the richest ports of the Spanish Main. Tons of gold and silver treasure flowed through this tiny port en route to the Spanish king. The Portobelo harbor was protected by huge stone forts, which may have slowed down but did not stop pirates. Sir Francis Drake used the port in 1570 as a base to rob Spanish merchantmen. He returned in the 1590s and promptly destroyed the beginnings of Spannish fortifications. Henry Morgan raided in 1668 and British Admiral Vernon destroyed Portobelo's forts in 1793.

Our naturalists will lead a tour through Portobelo pointing out some of its historic sights. After lunch and tides permitting, explore a mangrove forest by inflatable excursion craft, looking for sloth, monkeys and snowy egrets. BLD

Day 4 - Panama Canal
Come eye-to-eye with one of the most acclaimed engineering marvels in the world, which employs over 9,000 workers. The Canal is over 50 miles long with a minimum depth of 41 feet. A ship traveling from New York to San Francisco saves 7,872 miles using the Panama Canal instead of going around South America. Approximately 14,000 ships pass through the Canal each year. Each ship pays according to the weight of the ship, with the average cost being about $30,000.

Transiting the Panama Canal is an unforgettable experience, especially aboard a small ship like the Pacific Explorer. The Canal has 3 sets of double locks: Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks on the Pacific side and Gatun Locks on the Atlantic side. A series of locks act as aquatic elevators by opening doors that let the lock either fill with water or drain. As the water level rises, a ship is raised. Each door of each lock weighs 80 tons, yet they float and thus require only about 40 watts of power to open and close. Gravity does all the necessary water transfer, so the lock process uses no pumps.

During our transit, we will have a Panama Canal Authority pilot onboard, who will guide our Captain throughout the whole trip. Average transit time is 8-10 hours. Also during transit there will be line handlers who come onboard to connect our ship to locomotives called mules to pull us through the 1,000-foot-long and 110-foot-wide lock chambers.

International maritime law gives priority to commercial freighters and the Pacific Explorer will likely transit the Canal in the late afternoon or evening. We have included a daytime visit to the Miraflores Locks Visitor Center, only steps away from the Canal. The Center tells the ongoing Panama Canal story through up-close observation of transiting vessels, details about canal operations, a collection of historic artifacts, and information about the biodiversity of the region.
The schedule for this visit varies. BLD

The Darién Jungle represents 5 ecological zones of tropical forest from the high elevations to lowlands, with about 10,000 known species of plants. Of the over 900 resident species of Panamanian land birds, the majority are found in the Darién. Listen for the roars of howler monkeys, the screeches of parrots and macaws and look for black mangrove hawks soaring above. The jungle is also home of the harpy eagle, the national bird of Panama.

Visit a remote Emberá village tucked away on the southwest coast of the Darién Jungle. The Emberá people openly welcome us as friends. They will perform native dancing with traditional music. The women will show the baskets they make, tightly woven, exquisitely shaped and adorned with traditional patterns. The men will pull out a piece of rag wrapped around delicately carved animals cut in Tagua, a palm fruit sometimes called vegetable ivory for its resemblance to polished horn material. BLD

Day 6 - Granito De Oro In Coiba National Park
Some of the richest waters of Central America's Pacific coast can be found here, plus the largest expanse of lowland tropical forest, 80% of which is largely untouched, primary forest. The park includes Panama's biggest island and is one of its newest protected areas, established in 1991. In the early 1900s it was a maximum security prison and before that, it was used for many years as a hideaway for pirates. Pre-Columbian remains dating from around A.D. 500 have been found there.

A preliminary study of the marine life here during 1997 identified 69 species of fish, like white-tipped reef sharks, manta rays and the comical puffer fish. To date, 147 species of birds have been identified, including scarlet macaws. The Coiba Spinetail, a little brown-and-white bird, is found only on the islands in Coiba National Park. Coiba Spinetails are mainly arboreal and prefer dense tangles of vines and leaves where they forage, climbing through the denser cover rather than over the more open branches. Coiba Park's marine animals include 23 species of whales and dolphins, including humpback, sperm and killer whales, which inhabit its waters year round.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site of pristine waters and abundant sea life makes this one of the top 10 diving locations in the world. Enjoy a day of island snorkeling and kayaking. Please keep in mind that the underwater world is a very sensitive marine environment. Coiba National Park has the second largest coral reef in the Central-Eastern Pacific Ocean. Coral is actually an animal and grows very slowly. Stepping on coral can kill what has taken literally years to grow. Coral can also give you a painful, slow-healing cut, so it is best to avoid contact with it. BLD

In the afternoon take a walk in search of wildlife. Look for toucans, monkeys and maybe even a snake. If you prefer a quiet afternoon on your own, stay onboard and relax on the Sun Deck. BLD

Day 8 - Corcovado Conservation Area
Discover a pristine rainforest, populated by a number of endangered species including puma, tapir, poison dart frogs, crocodile, jaguar, and marine turtles. It is home to the largest population of scarlet macaws in Costa Rica. Close to 400 species of birds have been seen here. There are also around 140 mammals and over 500 species of trees. Giant trees draped with vines and lianas and supported by massive buttress roots tower over the forest floor. Corcovado is inundated with nearly 20 feet of rain a year and is technically known as a very humid tropical lowland rainforest. Guided hikes will be offered, of varying degrees of difficulty. Lunch is a picnic on the beach, weather permitting. BLD

Day 9 - Manuel Antonio National Park
This park was created in 1972 and consists of 3 magnificent white-sand beaches that are backed by a jungle sheltering hundreds of fascinating plant species. Naturalists lead walks to outstanding wildlife viewing. There are over 109 mammal species and 184 species of birds here. Watch for monkeys, iguanas, agoutis, sloth, and the rare turquoise cotinga.

Manuel Antonio offers well-maintained trails where you can explore the jungle on your own or join a walk with one of our naturalists. You may wish to see the small shopping area, relax on the white-sand beach or take a swim. BLD

Day 10 -Transfer
Disembark at Los Sueños and transfer to the San José Airport for your flight home. B

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

2010 DEPARTURES and RATES PER PERSON IN US$—

Panama to Costa Rica. *Costa Rica to Panama

The cost of your cruise includes $341 per person, which covers taxes/port charges/fees and on board services. On board gratuities are neither required nor expected. Prices are per person, double-occupancy, U.S. dollars. Single/Triple rates available upon request where applicable. Airfare extra. Prices do not include fuel surcharges which may be added up to the time of your departure.

Note: For the destinations in this cruise, small motorized excursion craft are the only way to get ashore. Travelers should have confident balance and mobility to participate. Due to the unpredictability of international flights an add-on night in Panama City, Panama, is strongly advised.