World Wildlife Fund

Expedition on the Wild Side: Costa Rica and Panama

Aboard the Sea Lion

From $4,980 per person, based on double occupancy. Solo occupancy rates from $7,340.

Trip Overview

Discover the beautiful coasts of Panama and Costa Rica with expert and enthusiastic naturalists. By exclusive arrangement, overnight in Gatun Lake during your transit of the legendary Panama Canal. Walk rain forest trails, home to howler and capuchin monkeys, sloths, scarlet macaws and toucans. Explore idyllic, offshore islands by Zodiac or kayak. Snorkel at Isla Coiba, a World Heritage Site, and go horseback riding on the remote Osa Peninsula.

Trip Itinerary

Saturday, February 12, 2011: U.S. / Panama City / Colon / Embark
Depart Miami (or another city of your choice) in the late morning on your flight to Panama City. Upon arrival, drive to Colon to board the Sea Lion and set sail for the first part of our Panama Canal transit. Anchor in Gatun Lake for the night. (D)

Sunday, February 13: Barro Colorado Island/Panama Canal transit
Board Zodiacs this morning to explore Barro Colorado Nature Monument set in Gatun Lake and home to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. The island is inaccessible to most travelers, and by special invitation, guides from the Institute accompany us through the tropical forest, explaining their research and the wildlife you may encounter: monkeys, slow-moving sloths, brilliantly colored birds and more. Reboard the ship to continue our crossing. A daylight transit cannot be guaranteed because cargo ships have priority over passenger ships; however, the canal is dramatically lit at night. (B,L,D)

Monday, February 14: Gulf of Panama Islets
Explore a cluster of islands in the Gulf of Panama via Zodiac or kayak. Flexibility and adventure go hand in hand. Because we’re not tied to a minute-by-minute timetable, we take the day to leisurely explore. Observe large numbers of roosting and nesting magnificent frigate birds and blue-footed boobies. (B,L,D)

Tuesday, February 15: Isla Coiba National Park
Isla Coiba is one of Panama’s most remote national parks, where you may enjoy the pristine beach. The area is perfect for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking. Our staff will assist both novice and expert snorkelers alike. For those preferring a drier clime, naturalists take underwater footage, which animates our evening gathering in the lounge. (B,L,D)

Wednesday, February 16: Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica
Today we make our first landfall in Costa Rica. At Casa Orquideas, a privately owned garden accessible only by boat and special invitation, see a profusion of orchids and look for tanagers, parrots and gaudy toucans. Later, explore the bay of Golfo Dulce, ideal for kayaking or swimming. (B,L,D)

Thursday, February 17: Osa Peninsula & Corcovado National Park
Anchor off the remote Osa Peninsula and the environs of Corcovado National Park. Our exact landing spot for the day will depend on sea conditions. You may swim in waterfall pools, horseback ride on the beach or join a Zodiac cruise. Trek through the rain forest, where you may be lucky to spot three species of monkey in one day: howler, spider and squirrel! (B,L,D)

Friday, February 18: Manuel Antonio National Park
Today we explore Manuel Antonio early, when the abundant wildlife is most active. Naturalists point out monkeys and vividly colored birds as they zip through the forest, and lethargic three-toed sloths in the trees. In the afternoon, we explore Costa Rica’s beautiful coast where we’ll find a great spot for a final hike or swim. (B,L,D)

Saturday, February 19: Herradura / Disembark / San Jose / U.S.
After breakfast, disembark in Herradura and drive to the airport for flights home or on to other adventures. (B)