Discover captivating works of art, made by hand and by Mother Nature, on this 11-day journey through lands of exceptional beauty
animals – and fishing is still done by canoe. Later, anchored near a Holandes Cayes beach, enjoy swimming and snorkeling before your return to ship and the Captain’s dinner. Meals BLD
5. FULL TRANSIT OF THE PANAMA CANAL Opened in 1914, and considered an engineering marvel of the 20th century, the Panama Canal opened trade to the Americas by creating a transit path between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Thanks to the canal, ships traveling from New York to San Francisco save over 7,000 miles by not having to chart a course around South America. Your crossing today will take approximately eight to ten hours; the m/v Tere Moana will pass through three locks (Miraflores, Pedro Miguel and Gatún) and be raised up a total of 85 ft. before reaching the Pacific Ocean.
4 EXPERT NATURALISTS ON
Although clearance for transit by daylight cannot be guaranteed, the passage, enhanced by commentary from an expert canal guide, will be a highlight any time of day. Meals BLD
6. CULTURES OF THE DARIEN Extraordinary biological diversity and the customs of indigenous tribes living far removed from the conveniences of modern life have both contributed to the Darien’s being recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today you’ll visit an Embera Indian community living in the midst of exquisite jungle, where traditional homes are suspended high above the ground on pillars, traditional dances mimic the movements of the rainforest birds and animals, and skilled carvings are made of tagua vegetable ivory and cocobolo wood. Meals BLD
EVERY CRUISE Our onboard team of naturalists enrich every cruise with passion and knowledge gained from years of experience in the jungles and clear waters of Costa Rica and Panama. Accomplished guides such as Richard Cahill, co-founder of Panama’s first ecotourism company, and Ivan Hoyos, who has tracked gorillas in Uganda and orangutans in Borneo, lead shore expeditions into the Darien and San Blas Islands. Local residents, including Andres Alvarado, a photographer and filmmaker, and biologist and nature interpreter, Marcos Soto Ramírez, broaden your understanding of Costa Rica’s remarkable biodiversity.
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7. COIBA ISLAND, UNDISTURBED PARADISE Morning brings an opportunity to snorkel in the clear, warm waters off tiny Granito de Oro (Little Grain of Gold) Island, one of a group of 38 islands where lush flora, white sands and amazing wildlife have brought recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next up is Coiba, the main island of the archipelago and the largest in Central America, which was once used as a penal colony keeping access highly restricted. Today Isla Coiba remains undeveloped, crossed by the pristine Rio Negro, with a fortunate heritage of virgin rainforest and pristine beaches that invite swimming, kayaking* and sunning – along with a flavor-filled barbecue set out on a pearl-white beach. Meals BLD
8. COSTA RICA – OSA PENINSULA WILDS A Zodiac transfer to Punta Rio Claro National Wildlife Refuge on the Osa Peninsula brings you into the heart of Costa Rica’s amazing biodiversity. With a naturalist, you’ll explore trails through rainforest landscapes that are excellent for bird watching, wildlife observation and exploring. You’ll learn about
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