Panama To Costa Rica + Monteverde, Arenal Volcano & Tortuguero with National Geographic

Description

An extraordinary, holistic expedition
Experience all the wildness and beauty of Costa Rica and Panama on a sweeping adventure through the canal, along the coasts, and inland to a mist-shrouded cloud forest, volcano, lake, and a car-free, jungle village.

Exhilarating coastal adventures
First explore aboard the versatile National Geographic Quest, with a variety of expedition tools. You’ll walk in the rain forest, kayak through mangrove forests, search for whales and dolphins in an expedition landing craft, and transit the Panama Canal—a modern wonder of the world. Snorkel at Isla Coiba, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with some of the best reefs in the Eastern Pacific.

An extensive inland exploration
Following your expedition, travel to dramatic Monteverde cloud forest for naturalist-guided walks in the rain forest reserve. Walk suspension bridges along Arenal Volcano, active since 1968. Visit a family owned, third-generation coffee farm with a chance to pick coffee cherries during a tour of the grounds. Drive to Lake Arenal, which we cross in small boats.

Wild Tortuguero: The Caribbean coast
After a short charter flight and a lake crossing by private boat, you’ll find yourself in remote, wild Tortuguero National Park. Stay in a rustic lodge at the water’s edge, wander the narrow streets of the car-free village where the rain forest pushes in from all sides. Experience the wildness on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica by venturing into the narrow canals that let us navigate deep into the park in search of monkeys, caiman, and tropical birds.

Travel with an exceptional team
Explore with the largest, most knowledgeable expedition team in the region. With one naturalist for every 12 guests, you’re ensured more access and varied points of view. With no assigned groups, you are free to experience the different personalities and specialties of our staff. They know these trails and coastlines well, adding insight, depth, and clarity to each landing. Our naturalists are adept at spotting wildlife and our photo instructors will help you with camera settings in the jungle and aboard ship. Their enthusiasm for the region and its biodiversity is contagious.

Trip Name

Panama To Costa Rica + Monteverde, Arenal Volcano & Tortuguero with National Geographic

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Expedition Ship Length: 72 metres Passenger Capacity: 100 guests (in 50 cabins) Built: 2017 Designed with decades of expedition experience in the region, National Geographic Quest more than comfortably accommodates 100 guests in 50 cabins. Her twin expedition craft landing platform allow us to rapidly get on and off the ship to take advantage of wildlife sightings and to ensure we maximize our time off the ship exploring. Created with a shallow draft, Quest draws only nine feet of water allowing her to sail into places where much larger ships cannot go. PUBLIC AREAS: Global gallery; fitness centre; LEXspa; lounge with full service bar and facilities for films and presentations; observation deck; mudroom with lockers for expedition gear, and a partially covered sundeck with chairs and tables. Our ‘open bridge’ provides guests an opportunity to meet our officers and captain and learn about navigation. MEALS: Served in single seatings with unassigned tables for an informal atmosphere and easy mingling. Breakfast is a wide selection buffet and dinner is served family-style. Menu emphasises local fare. CABINS: All cabins face outside with windows or portholes, private facilities and climate controls. Some cabins have balconies. EXPEDITION EQUIPMENT: Expedition landing craft, a fleet of 24 kayaks, Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), hydrophone, splashcam, underwater video camera, video microscope, snorkelling gear for all guests (where applicable). SPECIAL FEATURES: Guest internet access, elevator, National Geographic certified photo instructor, a video chronicler and undersea specialist. WELLNESS: The vessel is staffed by a Wellness Specialist and features a gym with an elliptical machine, treadmill, exercycles, handweights and resistance bands. Treatments in the LEXspa are available by appointment.

Itinerary

Day 1 - DAY 1: Panama City, Panama/Colón/Embark

Upon arrival in Colón, transfer by land to Panama City and embark our ship National Geographic Quest. (D)

Day 2 - DAY 2: Gatún Lake/Panama Canal Transit

By special arrangement, National Geographic Quest will anchor in Gatun Lake near the Barro Colorado Nature Monument overnight. Today, choose hikes and Zodiac cruises at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute facility on Barro Colorado Island, or take a boat ride to the mouth of the Chagres River and hike on the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center trails. This evening, continue through the complex lock system of the canal. (B,L,D)

Day 3 - DAY 3: Gulf of Panama Islets

Today, explore the tiny islets of the Gulf of Panama by Zodiac or kayak. Here we might spot frigatebirds, brown pelicans, neotropical cormorants, and brown boobies. (B,L,D)

Day 4 - DAY 4: Coiba National Park, Panama

Our last stop in Panama this morning is at the remote Isla Coiba, one of the many islands of Coiba National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Once a penal colony, the island has long been protected and accessible by special permit only. Among its many endemic species are the Coiba Island agouti and the mantled howler monkey, as well as four varieties of sea turtle. Discover rich marine life while snorkeling, go kayaking or hiking, try stand-up paddleboarding, or simply relax on the beach. (B,L,D)

Day 5 - DAY 5: Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica

Spend the day exploring the mangrove-fringed Golfo Dulce, on Costa Rica’s southwest coast. Visit Casa Orquídeas, a tropical paradise of ornamental palms, bromeliads, heliconias, and orchids, closed to the general public and reached by boat only. Keep your eye out for tanagers, parrots, and toucans. Later, explore the placid bay, ideal for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, Zodiac rides, and swimming. (B,L,D)

Day 6 - DAY 6: Osa Peninsula

Go ashore in the pristine waters of Playa Blanca. Head inland to meet and share with inspiring local families living in remote communities and working with cocoa, heart of palm, and sugar cane. Hike mature rain forest or kayak in peaceful waters in Golfo Dulce. In the evening, enjoy a beautiful sunset.

Day 7 - DAY 7: Corcovado National Park

Anchor off the Osa Peninsula to see some of the most pristine lowland rain forest on the Pacific coast. In the environs of Corcovado National Park, swim in waterfall pools, take an optional horseback ride on the coast, or trek through the rain forest for a chance to see three species of monkeys—howler, spider and capuchin. (B,L,D)

Day 8 - DAY 8: Puerto Caldera/Monteverde

Disembark and transfer to bird watch and search for American crocodiles. Later, visit the Bat Jungle exhibit or hear from an early Quaker settler. (B,L,D)

Day 9 - DAY 9-10: Monteverde/Arenal

Enjoy a visit to a butterfly farm and a tour of the Monteverde reserve. Get a new perspective on the region as you sail across Lake Arenal. Check into your hotel and relax in the naturally heated pools. (B,L,D)

Day 10 - DAY 11-12: Arenal/Tortuguero

Walk the Arenal Hanging Bridges, strung through two miles of dense rain forest canopy. Then, a charter flight will bring us to Tortuguero, a spectacular lowland forest on Costa Rica’s northeast coast. Tour the wildlife-rich canals of Tortuguero National Park in small, guided boats. Later, check into a rustic lodge at the water’s edge for dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 11 - DAY 13-14: Tortuguero/San José

Enjoy a visit to the Sea Turtle Conservancy to learn the area’s history and go for a stroll through the carless village. Then, partake in a workshop on preparing chocolate at Sibu Chocolatier. The day ends with a farewell dinner at Costa Rica Marriott Hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 12 - DAY 15: San José/Home

Transfer to the San José airport for flights home. (B)

Day 13 - Please Note:

All day-by-day breakdowns are a sampling of the places we intend to visit, conditions permitting.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Explore the Pacific and Caribbean sides of Costa Rica, inland rain forests, mountains, and see wonderful wildlife
Transit the Panama Canal, with an exclusive visit to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute at Barro Colorado Island
Kayak, snorkel, swim, hike—actively explore every day
Hike through the mist-shrouded cloud forest reserve in Monteverde and enjoy great bird watching
Walk suspension bridges in the dense forest surrounding Arenal Volcano and relax in nearby hot springs
Visit the remote, car-less town of Tortuguero and venture through rain-forest-shrouded canals in small boats.