Between Two Seas - Costa Rica & Panama 10D/9N

Pacific Explorer - courtesy of Cruise WestFrom the tropical rainforests to isolated beaches, from remote Native villages to the Panama Canal, this is a cruise for marine animal and wildlife enthusiasts. Nearly every day of your cruise small excursion craft allow you to explore forest-lined rivers, tiny islets, and bird rookeries on seaside cliffs - or, to just poke around the next headland to see what’s there. Visit Corcovado National Park, where liana-draped trees roost nearly 300 species of birds, Isla de Coiba, where you’ll snorkel with sea turtles and puffer fish and Golfo Dulce with mangrove forests and the beautiful gardens at Orchid House. Transit the most exciting passage of the Panama Canal and visit a remote Embera village tucked away on the coast of the Darien Jungle. Also included is a visit to Manuel Antonio National Park where you’ll delight in exploring long strands of magnificent beach backed by a jungle full of monkeys agoutis, three-toed sloths and the rare white ibis.

Pacific Explorer
Maneuverable and versatile, the 100-guest Pacific Explorer is the perfect way to travel in comfort throughout your Central American adventures. The intimate vessel is staffed by friendly, knowledgeable, English-speaking Costa Ricans, with an American Exploration Leader. All cabins are air-conditioned with private baths and showers. Delicious international cuisine with Central American specialties is prepared daily using only the freshest fruits, vegetables, meats and fish.Idyllic bays, secluded coves, and white-sand beaches- you’ll relish the sense of seclusion only a small-ship can bestow. Georgeous vistas unfold, deserted shores, uninhabited islets, and crystal clear waters rich with spectacular coral reefs and marine life.Unspoiled islands ringed with forested hills, luminous turquoise waters, lush rainforest terrain, white-sand beaches. Each day of your journey is imbued with magical and stunning variety. Her less is more - because you’ll be cruising this paradise far away from crowds on our beautiful Spirit of Nantucket. Our small-ship cruises surpass your expectations, showing you this beautiful world up-close - close enough to come face-to-face with the iridescent turquoise parrotfish, close enough to cruise to clear shallow waters teeming with colorful coral gardens.

Corcovado Park area - courtesy of Cruise WestPentax Photography Cruise - December 8, 2008 and March 2, 2009
Traveling with Cruise West means getting up-close and personal with the scenery, wildlife and people in some of the world’s most beautiful destinations. In short it’s a photographer’s dream. Which is exactly why we’ve decided to partner with PENTAX Imaging Company, a leader in digital photography, to offer a series of Photographers’ Cruises on select itineraries. At no additional cost, these departures will be co-hosted by professional PENTAX photographer Kerrick James, who will conduct special field events and onboard workshops throughout the cruise. Whether novice or seasoned photographers and regardless of the brand of camera you use, you will receive valuable, hands-on instruction on everything from image composition and digital image management to tips on how to be in the right place at the right time.

Special Event Cruise Tracing the History of the Panama Canal December 11, 2008 and April 7, 2009. Very few human endeavors have changed the face of the planet the way the Panama Canal did. An expert joins guests to share stories of the extraordinary scientific and engineering endeavor of the Panama Canal. Retrace the history of the canal and learn how it functions today under the leadership of the Panama Canal Authority and what the plans are for future expansion.

Included: Accommodation in the cabin of your choice - all meals on board - all excursions - Shore activity in every port - Enrichment by several licensed naturalists - Snorkel & kayak gear, with instructions & guides - Inflatable excursion craft to give you access to remote shores - All taxes, port charges, fees, onboard services and service charges for land-based personnel - The cost of your cruise includes $194 per person which covers taxes/port charges/fees and on board services. On board gratuities are neither required nor expected.

Not Included: Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights; passport and visa expenses; Government arrival and departure taxes; baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (strongly recommended); excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as bar and beverage charges and telecommunication charges).

Departures Panama to Costa Rica: 2008: Nov 10, Dec 11, Dec 29
2009: Jan 16, Feb 3, Feb 21, Mar 11, Mar 29, Apr 16, May 04, Nov 9, Dec 28

Departures Costa Rica to Panama: 2008: Nov 1, Dec 2, Dec 20
2009: Jan 25, Feb 12, Mar 2, Mar 20, Apr 7, Apr 25, Oct 31, Dec 19

Coast to Canal cruise map - courtesy of Cruise West
Sketch Itinerary Costa Rica to Panama

  • Day 1 - ARRIVE COSTA RICA San Jose’: Board the Pacific Explorer.
  • Day 2 - MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK: Naturalists lead walks to view wildlife.
  • Day 3 - CALETAS BEACH: Discover Costa Rica’s rainforest on guided hikes.
  • Day 4 - GOLFO DULCE: kayaking, and a guided tour through the gardens at Casa Orquideas.
  • Day 5 - GRANITO DE ORO: Coiba National Park. Day of island snorkeling and kayaking.
  • Day 6 - DARIÉN JUNGLE: Visit Emberá village.
  • Day 7 - PANAMA CANAL: Transit by day boat through the Panama Canal. Visit Panama City.
  • Day 8 - PORTOBELO
  • Day 9 - SAN BLAS ISLANDS
  • Day 10 - ARRIVE IN PANAMA

Sketch Itinerary Panama to Costa Rica

  • Day 1 - ARRIVE IN PANAMA: Transfer from Panama City Airport to the Pacific Explorer.
  • Day 2 - SAN BLAS ISLANDS
  • Day 3 - PORTOBELO
  • Day 4 - PANAMA CANAL: Transit by day boat through the Panama Canal. Visit Panama City.
  • Day 5 - DARIÉN JUNGLE: Visit Emberá village.
  • Day 6 - GRANITO DE ORO IN COIBA NATIONAL PARK
  • Day 7 - MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK: Naturalists lead walks to view wildlife.
  • Day 8 - CALETAS BEACH
  • Day 9 - MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK: Naturalists lead walks to view wildlife.
  • Day 10 - TRANSFER TO SAN JOSE’

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Also tagged with: Cruise Expeditions, Central America, Costa Rica, Panama, Educational, Nature / Ecology, Bird Watching, Special Interest, Family Vacation, Cruise West, Rain Forest


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