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Explore the top-rated Central America & Mexico small ship cruises below.  Adventure Life works with the top-rated small ship cruise lines visiting Panama Canal, San Blas Islands, Loreto, Colon, and Puerto Caldera, and we help match you with the perfect small ship and cruise itinerary for your specific tastes and needs. There are countless advantages to exploring on a small ship cruise versus a large cruise ship including avoiding crowds and being able to visit and explore smaller ports and scenic shorelines that large ships simply cannot access. The cost of Central America & Mexico small ship cruises start at $1,640 for a trip of 6 to 15 days in 2024. Tell us about your dream Central America & Mexico small ship cruise and our team of travel planners will help you make it a reality.  
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    • Central America & Mexico
Explore beautiful Costa Rica
$1,640
EXPLORE

Costa Rica & Panama

Puerto Caldera Roundtrip - 8 Day Itinerary aboard Star Clipper
  • Enjoy Isla Tortugas
  • Discover diverse tropical ecosystem
  • Explore Coiba National Park
  • Visit Golfo de Chiriquí
Starts / Ends:
Puerto Caldera / Puerto Caldera
Activities:
Horseback Riding, Kayaking, Small Ship Cruises, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Relaxed
This 8-day Central America adventure cruise departs from Puerto Caldera. The waters of San Jose Island are considered to be among the best deep-sea fishing grounds in the world due to their abundance of tropical game species. Then, spend a few days at sea exploring islands and participating in Star …
Cruise Details
0
Transitioning the Panama Canal
$362
EXPLORE

Panama Canal Full Transit

1 Day Itinerary
  • See the Panama City skyline
  • Learn the history of the canal
Activities:
Land Exploration, Small Ship Cruises
Activity Level:
Relaxed
On a guided tour of the Panama Canal, your boat will ascend and descend 26 meters in three separate chambers. The Gaillard Cut is a major tourist attraction because it was carved through the Continental Divide and is rich in history and natural beauty. Continue on to Gatun Lake and the Gatun Locks, …
Tour Details
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San Blas
$7,090
EXPLORE

Secrets of Central America

11 Day Itinerary aboard Le Bellot
  • Explore Fort San Lorenzo
  • Discover San Blas Islands
  • Experience Panama Canal
  • Swim in the Pearl Islands
Starts / Ends:
Colon / Puntarenas
Activities:
Small Ship Cruises, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Relaxed
Embark on an 11-day expedition cruise from Colon to Puntarenas aboard the Le Bellot. Visit San Lorenzo’s Fort, an extraordinary fortress safeguarding transatlantic trade. Next, explore the San Blas Islands, home to the Kuna people and their vibrant craft of molas. Cross the legendary Panama …
Cruise Details
0
Keel-billed Toucan
$6,054
EXPLORE

Panama and Costa Rica by Sea: The Natural Wonders of Central America – with Smithsonian Journeys

8 Day Itinerary aboard Le Bellot
  • Cross the Panama Canal
  • Punta Culebra Nature Center at STRI
  • Snorkel on beautiful Holandes Cayes
  • See Darién National Park rainforest
Starts / Ends:
Colon / Puerto Caldera
Activities:
Rainforest Exploration, Small Ship Cruises, Snorkeling, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Relaxed
The San Blas Islands of Holandes Cayes, Panama City's Old Quarter, and the Darién National Park are highlights of Le Bellot's journey in Central America. Proceed to Fuente Amador and start your exploration of the Panama Canal. In Costa Rica, you may encounter sloths, the noisy howler …
Cruise Details
0
Trekking through Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica.
$6,601
EXPLORE

Costa Rica & the Panama Canal

8 Day Itinerary aboard National Geographic Quest
  • Observe animals in their habitat
  • Kayak through magical mangroves
  • Transit the historical Panama Canal
  • Explore Gulf of Panama beaches
Activities:
Horseback Riding, Kayaking, Small Ship Cruises, Snorkeling, Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Relaxed
Join the National Geographic Quest onthis 8-dayexpedition to Costa Rica and the Panama Canal.Discover diverse wilderness and jungle wildlife coupled with an in-depth crossing of the Panama Canal, a marvel of engineering, and gain special access to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in the …
Cruise Details
0
Miraflores Locks - Panama Canal
$284
EXPLORE

Panama Canal Partial Transit

  • Transit through Miraflores Locks
  • Learn the history of the canal
Activities:
Expedition Cruises, Land
Activity Level:
Relaxed
Tour Details
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Dolphins race through the water in Baja.
$12,610
EXPLORE

Baja California: A Remarkable Journey

15 Day Itinerary aboard National Geographic Venture
  • See gray, sperm, blue & fin whales
  • Hike islands of Gulf of California
  • Snorkel among playful sea lions
  • Learn photo techniques from experts
Starts / Ends:
Loreto / Loreto
Activities:
Kayaking, Photography Seminars, Small Ship Cruises, Snorkeling, Whale Watching, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Moderate
Your 15-day remarkable cruise offers the most comprehensive Baja California and the Sea of Cortez experience available. This is a true expedition, which means that your captain plans day-by-day movements and itinerary according to the conditions that best offer sightings and up-close encounters …
Cruise Details
0
Cabo Pulmo
$7,000
EXPLORE

Baja California and the Sea of Cortez: Among the Great Whales

8 Day Itinerary aboard National Geographic Venture
  • Observe California gray whales
  • Hike across desert islands
  • Experience the Baja California
  • Snorkel with sea lions
Starts / Ends:
Puerto San Carlos / Loreto
Activities:
Hiking, Small Ship Cruises, Snorkeling, Whale Watching, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Relaxed
Experience Baja in full with visits to lively La Paz and lovely Loreto. La Paz invites you to follow your curiosity into a maze of quaint streets and sun-drenched promenades, promising discoveries of all kinds. Loreto, a charming coastal town spectacularly backed by the Sierra de la Giganta …
Cruise Details
0
Watching ships pass through the Panama Canal
$8,251
EXPLORE

Costa Rica & Panama Canal Discovery

Punta Arenas - Cartagena - 12 Day Itinerary aboard SH Diana
  • Discover Puntarenas
  • Discover Tortuga, Chira, and Coco
  • Explore Nicoya Peninsula
  • Witness Costa Rica culture
Starts / Ends:
Puntarenas / Cartagena
Activities:
Fishing, Hiking, Small Ship Cruises, Snorkeling, Village Visits
Activity Level:
Relaxed
On this 12-day cruise aboard SH Diana, discover the hidden treasures of Puntarenas, a captivating destination that showcases the authentic and diverse culture of Costa Rica. Nestled on a narrow peninsula stretching into the Pacific Ocean, this vibrant city is a favorite among locals and tourists …
Cruise Details
0
Get stunning views of historic Cartagena
$13,395
EXPLORE

Costa Rica & Panama Canal

Costa Rica - Colombia - 15 Day Itinerary aboard Greg Mortimer
  • Explore Costa Rica's wildlife
  • Discover vibrant bird species
  • Learn about the Emberá tribe
  • Explore Cartagena de Indias
Starts / Ends:
San Jose / Cartagena
Activities:
Archaeological Site Visits, Photography Seminars, Scuba Diving, Small Ship Cruises, Snorkeling, Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Village Visits, Whale Watching, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Relaxed
Immerse in the coastal landscapes of Costa Rica and Panama on this 15-day cruise aboard Greg Mortimer with travel photographerRichard I'Anson. Costa Rica stands as one of the world's most biodiverse regions, offering opportunities to explore lush tropical rainforests with a remarkable array …
Cruise Details
0
Spot stunning wildlife in the tree canopy
$4,190
EXPLORE

Wild Costa Rica Escape

6 Day Itinerary aboard National Geographic Quest
  • Navigate Costa Rica’s Guanacaste
  • Discover diverse tropical ecosystem
  • Enjoy Isla Tortuga’s beaches
  • Explore volcanic landscapes
Starts / Ends:
Puerto Caldera / Puerto Caldera
Activities:
Horseback Riding, Kayaking, Small Ship Cruises, Snorkeling, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Relaxed
Discover the treasures of Guanacaste, one of Costa Rica’s richest regions, on a six-day voyage aboard National Geographic Quest. Snorkel and kayak among untouched corals and palm-lined beaches in the Guanacaste Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Hike, ride horseback, and zipline …
Cruise Details
0
Zapatilla Cay, Panama
$6,290
EXPLORE

Panama and Colombia: Exploring the Caribbean Coast

8 Day Itinerary aboard National Geographic Quest
  • Transit the Panama Canal
  • Meet Indigenous people of Guna Yala
  • Look for unique tropical wildlife
  • See colonial architecture
Starts / Ends:
Panama City / Cartagena
Activities:
Small Ship Cruises, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Relaxed
Discover an astonishing trove of natural and cultural treasures as you navigate the Caribbean coast of Panama and Colombia on this 8-day cruise aboard theNational Geographic Quest. Hike into dense rainforests that harbor extraordinary biodiversity, glide through little-explored inlets by Zodiac and …
Cruise Details
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Scenic Landscape
$3,677
EXPLORE

Wild Baja Escape: The Whales of Magdalena Bay

6 Day Itinerary aboard National Geographic Sea Bird
  • Discover whales in Magdalena Bay
  • Hike through island landscapes
  • Kayak on the glassy waters
  • Learn about ecosystems
Starts / Ends:
Loreto / Puerto San Carlos
Activities:
Kayaking, Small Ship Cruises, Whale Watching, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Relaxed
Spend six days with majestic gray whales and their curious calves in Mexico's Bahia Magdalena, one of the best locations in the world to observe gray whale mother-calf interactions. From the luxury of National Geographic Sea Bird, take in the sights and sounds of the bay before embarking on an …
Cruise Details
0
Boats Moored to the Quay at Bridgetown Harbour
$4,440
EXPLORE

Barbados to Panama

15 Day Itinerary aboard Royal Clipper
  • Explore Bridgetown, Barbados
  • Enjoy Grenada's unique aromas
  • Discover Dutch colonial Curacao
  • Transit the historic Panama Canal
Starts / Ends:
Bridgetown / Balboa
Activities:
Small Ship Cruises, Small Ship Sailing, Snorkeling, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Relaxed
Royal Clipper takes you to the seas for a stunning adventure packed with incredible experiences starting at the charming port town of Bridgetown, Barbados. Scour the streets of the UNESCO-listed cities of Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, and Willemstad, Curaçao. Swim in the protected, …
Cruise Details
0
Gatun Lock of the Panama Canal
$4,440
EXPLORE

Panama to Antigua

15 Day Itinerary aboard Royal Clipper
  • Transit the historic Panama Canal
  • Enjoy Grenada's unique aromas
  • Discover Dutch colonial Curacao
  • Swim in paradise in Bonaire
Activities:
Small Ship Cruises, Small Ship Sailing, Snorkeling, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Relaxed
Royal Clipper takes you to the seas for a stunning adventure packed with incredible experiences starting at the charming port town of Bridgetown, Barbados. Scour the streets of the UNESCO-listed cities of Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, and Willemstad, Curaçao. Swim in the protected, …
Cruise Details
0
Boats Moored to the Quay at Bridgetown Harbour
$3,540
EXPLORE

Barbados to Panama Christmas Cruise

15 Day Itinerary aboard Star Clipper
  • Explore Bridgetown, Barbados
  • Enjoy Grenada's unique aromas
  • Discover Dutch colonial Curacao
  • Transit the historic Panama Canal
Starts / Ends:
Bridgetown / Balboa
Activities:
Small Ship Cruises, Small Ship Sailing, Snorkeling, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Relaxed
Star Clipper takes you to the seas for a stunning adventure packed with incredible experiences starting at the charming port town of Bridgetown, Barbados. Scour the streets of the UNESCO-listed cities of Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, and Willemstad, Curaçao. Swim in the protected, …
Cruise Details
0
Snorkeling among the coral reef system
$6,990
EXPLORE

Baja California Holiday Voyage: A Living Sea and Desert Isles

8 Day Itinerary aboard National Geographic Venture
  • Explore the islands and caves
  • Search for marine animals
  • Snorkel among fish and sea lions
  • Visit the town of Santa Rosalia
  • Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites
  • Visit Isla Rasa
Starts / Ends:
Loreto / Loreto
Activities:
Hiking, Kayaking, Small Ship Cruises, Snorkeling, Whale Watching, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Relaxed
Designated by UNESCO as a marine world heritage site and dubbed “the world’s aquarium” by Jacques Cousteau, the waters and islands of the Sea of Cortez are places of legendary biodiversity. This is an expedition of pure discovery, sailing to islands that lie in close proximity to …
Cruise Details
0
Collected a starfish while snorkeling.
$6,500
EXPLORE

Baja California's Whales & Sealife

8 Day Itinerary aboard Safari Voyager
  • Snorkel with young sea lion pups
  • Hike around rugged islands
  • Go gray whale watching
  • Kayak around coastal rocks
Starts / Ends:
San Jose del Cabo / La Paz
Activities:
Kayaking, Small Ship Cruises, Snorkeling, Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Whale Watching, Wildlife Viewing
Activity Level:
Relaxed
Explore Baja island-to-island on this 8-day cruise of Mexico's Sea of Cortez.Your journey begins in San Jose del Cabo where you join the Safari Voyager for an 8-day exploration of the Sea of Cortes. Your adventure includes wildlife watching, hiking, kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling with sea …
Cruise Details
0
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