At the crossroads of two continents, Central America is a land of rich biodiversity with an array of colorful, exotic wildlife and a long and significant human history. This Central America expedition on the Sea Adventurer reveals the wonders of five countries, including Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Honduras, and Belize; two oceans; and, during a stunning daylight transit, the Panama Canal. Throughout your Central America adventure travel experience, snorkel over colorful reefs teeming with tropical fish and discover an abundance of birds and wildlife during nature walks and Zodiac cruises, particularly during your Costa Rica expedition. Cultural highlights include visits to traditional villages in San Blas during the Costa Rica tour and the Darién. Optional post-voyage extension to Tikal and Copán are also available on this amazing tour.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Home to pristine rainforest and serene waters frequented by acrobatic dolphins, Golfo Dulce is a nature lover’s paradise. Visit Casa Orquideas, a botanical garden full of colorful tropical trees and exotic plants including many species of orchids. Search the lush flora for resident wildlife including scarlet macaws, white-faced capuchin monkeys, red-legged and shining honeycreepers, and chestnut-mandibled toucans. Take the opportunity to swim or take a stroll along the beach.
In the afternoon take a Zodiac cruise up Rio Esquinas to search for birds and mammals in the complex maze of mangrove-lined canals.
Anchor off Isla Coiba for a two-day exploration of one of the largest marine parks in the world. On nature hikes search for more than 130 species of birds, including red-legged honeycreepers, crimson-backed tanagers, and brilliantly colored lance-tailed manakins. Zodiacs take you on excursions along wild shores and bring you to secluded beaches. Snorkeling is excellent as Coiba is also the site of a large coral reef where a convergence of currents reveals an array of eastern tropical Pacific marine life.
Panama’s remote Darién Province is one of Central America’s last unspoiled regions. This morning explore the Emberá Indian territory as the ship lands on Playa del Muerto at the mouth of the Mogue River. Be greeted by the Emberá community of Mogue, and learn about their traditional way of life while enjoying a lively Emberá dance performance.
During your daylight transit, the Sea Adventurer gracefully navigates the dramatic Gaillard Cut, Gatún Lake, and the canal’s three mighty locks. Relax on deck and enjoy a historical perspective as you follow this famed waterway to the Atlantic.
The San Blas Archipelago is a group of over 350 islands stretching for 200 miles along Panama’s east coast. Largely roadless, and many ringed with reefs, they vary in size from tiny uninhabited islets with few palm trees to larger islands clad in jungle. Your explorations offer up-close views of the wildlife native to the archipelago. San Blas is also home to the Kuna Indians, a semiautonomous tribe still practicing the traditions of their ancestors, including the crafting of molas, brightly colored, appliquéd fabrics. Meet the Kuna, learn about their culture, and admire or purchase molas. In the afternoon land at Holandes Caye to beachcomb or snorkel in the inviting waters.
This morning disembark in the historic town of Portobelo, one of Spain’s most important strongholds in the Americas during colonial times. Visit Forts San Geronimo and Santiago de la Gloria as well as the Church of San Felipe. After lunch, transfer to Colon for a VIP tour of the five billion dollar Panama Canal expansion project. Go behind the scenes at the Panama Canal Expansion Observation Center, and meet one of the authorities currently working on the expansion project.
Day 10: Puerto Limón / Tortuguero Canals, Costa Rica
Board shallow-draft boats today for an excursion among the Tortuguero Canals, home to 2,000 plant species, more than 400 species of birds, and 13 of Costa Rica’s 16 endangered mammals. During your exploration of the raffia-lined waterways, you may spy sloths, howler and capuchin monkeys, wood storks, bare-throated tiger herons, roseate spoon-bills, Montezuma oropendolas, and ringed kingfishers, and crocodiles, caimans, turtles, iguanas, and the Jesus Christ lizard, so named for its unique ability to run across water. Return to the ship for lunch and set sail for Colombia.
Far from mainland Colombia, rarely-visited Isla de Providencia is a warm and friendly English-speaking island with the nostalgic feel of the Caribbean of yesteryear. An island tour takes you to a parochial school and other points of interest ashore. Or, venture out to snorkel among a variety of fish that populate the island’s coral reef.
The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef stretches over 600 miles from the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula down to the Bay Islands of Honduras. Today make an expedition stop to snorkel over coral reefs that are among the healthiest in the Caribbean. Permission pending, go ashore for nature walks, beachcombing, or to simply relax on the white-sand beaches.
Established in 1981, Lighthouse Reef’s Half Moon Caye Natural Monument is a bird sanctuary and the only nesting site in the region for red-footed boobies. Observe these pelagic birds during nature walks, along with magnificent frigatebirds, ospreys, mangrove warblers, and white-crowned pigeons. The waters off Half Moon Caye offer excellent snorkeling among seafans and colorful fish.
Day 15: Belize City / Disembark
1 Breakfast
Disembark in Belize City and transfer to the airport for your independent flight.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
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Cat 1
Two lower berths, two twin beds, shower, porthole window, 119-143 sq. ft
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Cat 2
Two lower berths, two twin beds, shower, porthole window, 117-153 sq. ft.
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Cat 3
Two twin beds, shower, two lower berths, double window, 115-142 sq. ft.
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Cat 4
Two lower berths, two twin beds, shower, porthole window, 121-161 sq. ft.
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Cat 5
Two lower berths, two twin beds, shower, double window, 121-161 sq.ft.
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Cat 6
Two lower berths, two twin beds, bath or shower, two windows, 121-161 sq.ft.
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Cat 7
Two lower berths, two twin beds, en suite bathroom, two windows, 160-165 sq. ft.
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Suite
Suite, two lower twin beds, bath with shower, four windows, sitting area, 221 sq. ft.
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Owner's Suite
Owner’s Suite, two lower berth twin beds, shower/ bathtub, four windows, sitting area, 273 sq ft.
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Single Cat 2
Two lower berths, two twin beds, shower, porthole window, 117-153 sq. ft.
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Single Cat 3
Two twin beds, shower, two lower berths, double window, 115-142 sq. ft.
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Single Cat 4
Two lower berths, two twin beds, shower, porthole window, 121-161 sq. ft.
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Single Cat 5
Two lower berths, two twin beds, shower, double window, 121-161 sq.ft.
Notes
- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy. If you are traveling alone and wish to share accommodations, a roommate will be assigned to you whenever possible.
- Additional singles may be available at 1.6 times the share rate.
Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
This was our first trip to South America and we were a little nervous. But Adventure Life made things so easy! All our questions were answered before we left, and our guide, Vidal, was amazing! He gave us enough space to explore without rushing us along. He also knew where the best picture taking opportunities were, which was great.
Lindsay Gompf
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
1 day ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
3 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
4 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.