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Central America Small Ship Cruises

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Explore beautiful Costa Rica
from $6,801
HALF DEP
EXPLORE

Exploring Arenal Volcano, Pearl Islands and the Panama Canal

San Jose to Panama - 9 Day Itinerary aboard National Geographic Quest
  • Arenal Volcano exploration
  • Relax in Ecotermales hot springs
  • Pearl Islands snorkeling
  • Navigate the Panama Canal
Starts / Ends
San Jose / Panama City
Activities
Snorkeling, Kayaking, Hiking, Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Land & Sea Exploration
Activity Level
Variable
Arrive in San Jose, transfer to La Fortuna and start the 9-day land and sea adventure. Explore Arenal Volcano and rainforest trails. Fly to Panama City and embark National Geographic Quest. Kayak, hike, and cruise the Panama Canal, Gatun Lake, and Pearl Islands while snorkeling, exploring fortresses, and discovering tropical wildlife.
Cruise Details
0
Costa Rica Toucan Bird
from $2,010
EXPLORE

Costa Rica to Panama

Puerto Caldera - Balboa - 8 Day Itinerary aboard Star Clipper
  • Explore Puerto Caldera’s coast
  • Relax on Isla Tortuga’s beaches
  • Experience Golfito’s rich history
  • Snorkel in Golfo de Chiriqui’s
Starts / Ends
Puerto Caldera / Balboa
Activities
Ziplining
Activity Level
Variable
Set sail on an 8-day cruise aboard the Star Clipper, starting in Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica. Explore stunning beaches, vibrant marine parks, and rich history before concluding your adventure in Balboa, Panama.
Cruise Details
0
Ocean view of the edge of Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica
from $6,450
EXPLORE

The Natural Wonders of Central America – with Smithsonian Journeys

Colon to Puntarenas - 8 Day Itinerary aboard Le Bougainville
  • Visit San Blas Islands
  • Cross Panama Canal locks
  • Discover Balboa waterfront district
  • Reach Puntarenas Pacific coast
Starts / Ends
Colon / Puntarenas
Activities
Archaeological Site Visits, Wildlife Viewing, Village Visits, Rainforest Exploration, Local Market Visits
Activity Level
Variable
Explore Panama and Costa Rica on an 8-day voyage aboard Le Bougainville. Visit Colon, Portobelo, the San Blas Islands, Balboa, Quepos, and Puntarenas. Cross the Panama Canal, discover Afro-Caribbean heritage, meet Indigenous communities, relax at sea, and experience rainforest-lined Pacific shores.
Cruise Details
0
Clear waters of the Caribbean sea
from $7,170
EXPLORE

Panama and Costa Rica by Sea - with Smithsonian Journeys

Puntarenas to Colon - 8 Day Itinerary aboard Le Laperouse
  • Explore Darien National Park
  • Embera village visit
  • See Miraflores Locks view
  • Experience Guna community encounter
Starts / Ends
Puntarenas / Colon
Activity Level
Variable
Set sail on an 8-day cruise from Puntarenas to Colon aboard Le Laperouse. Explore Quepos, Darien National Park, Flamenco Island, the San Blas Islands, and complete the full Panama Canal crossing with cultural encounters and wildlife viewing.
Cruise Details
0
Panama Canal
from $5,772
HALF DEP
EXPLORE

Costa Rica and the Panama Canal

Eastbound - 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
Activity Level
Variable
Discover Costa Rica & Panama on this 8-day cruise aboard the National Geographic Quest. Venture into remote wilderness and hike among monkeys, sloths, and tropical birds, explore idyllic islands, snorkel over a vibrant coral reef, and take an expedition landing craft cruise through mangroves.
Cruise Details
0
Panama Canal
from $14,495
EBD
EXPLORE

Costa Rica and The Panama Canal

San Jose - Panama - 12 Day Itinerary aboard Sylvia Earle
  • Cross Panama Canal
  • Explore biodiverse rainforests
  • Visit Coiba National Park
  • Enjoy Manuel Antonio National Park
Starts / Ends
San Jose / Panama City
Activity Level
Variable
Embark on a 12-day cruise aboard the Sylvia Earle to explore Central America's rich ecosystems, from Costa Rica's diverse wildlife to Panama's vibrant coral reefs. Experience a memorable daylight transit through the historic Panama Canal, witnessing this engineering marvel firsthand.
Cruise Details
0
Crossing a stream on Osa Peninsula
from $7,700
$250 Off
EXPLORE

Costa Rica's Pure Life Adventure Cruise

Liberia Roundtrip - 8 Day Itinerary aboard Safari Voyager
  • Hike Murciélago Bay trails
  • Snorkel Isla Tortuga reefs
  • Paddle Curú mangrove waterways
  • Spot monkeys in Osa
Starts / Ends
Liberia / Liberia
Activity Level
Variable
Sail Costa Rica’s wild Pacific coast on this 8-day roundtrip cruise from Liberia aboard Safari Voyager. Hike remote trails in Murciélago Bay, explore the wildlife-rich Curú Wildlife Refuge, and paddle through the tropical fjord of Golfo Dulce. Enjoy expert-led kayaking, snorkeling, and scenic hikes.
Cruise Details
0
Gray Whale tail splashing
from $8,540
EXPLORE

In Search of the Great Whales – with Smithsonian Journeys

Cabo San Lucas Roundtrip - 11 Day Itinerary aboard Le Bellot
  • Relax on Cabo San Lucas beaches
  • Guerrero Negro whale watching
  • Snorkel Cabo Pulmo coral reefs
  • Visit Los Islotes sea lions
Starts / Ends
Cabo San Lucas / Cabo San Lucas
Activities
Whale Watching
Activity Level
Variable
Sail along Baja California on an 11-day cruise aboard Le Bellot. Start and end in Cabo San Lucas, explore UNESCO marine parks, snorkel at coral reefs, encounter sea lions, grey whales, dolphins, and admire volcanic islands, deserts, and colonial towns for an unforgettable wildlife and cultural journey.
Cruise Details
0
Look for unique birds and other wildlife in the rain forest!
from $12,965
EBD 30%
EXPLORE

Natural Wonders, Engineering Marvels

Puntarenas - Colon - 13 Day Itinerary aboard Sea Cloud Spirit
  • Explore Nicoya Peninsula beaches
  • Visit Pearl Islands Discover Pea
  • Discover Marina Flamingo
  • Relax at Playa Panama
  • Sail through the Panama Canal
Starts / Ends
Puntarenas / Colon
Activities
Small Ship Sailing, Fishing
Activity Level
Variable
Experience the essence of “Pura Vida” on a 13-day Panama cruise from Puntarenas to Colon. Visit Punta Leona, Marina Flamingo, Playa Panama, Quepos, Puerto Jimenez, the Pearl Islands, and the San Blas Archipelago, exploring rainforests, beaches, & marinas while encountering diverse wildlife and witnessing the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal.
Cruise Details
0
Cabo Pulmo
from $9,630
HALF DEP
EXPLORE

Channel Islands National Park to Baja California

California to Mexico - 13 Day Itinerary aboard National Geographic Venture
  • Kayak Channel Islands National Park
  • Visit Valle de Guadalupe vineyards
  • Snorkel at Cabo Pulmo reefs
  • Spot migratory shorebirds
Starts / Ends
Los Angeles / Loreto
Activities
Wine Tasting
Activity Level
Variable
Embark on a 13-day voyage aboard the National Geographic Venture. Visit the Channel Islands, Ensenada, Isla San Martin, Baja's Magdalena Bay, and the Gulf of California islands. Discover unique wildlife, marine reserves, and UNESCO sites.
Cruise Details
0
Sunset over Cartagena, Colombia
from $6,450
HALF DEP
EXPLORE

Panama and Colombia: Exploring the Caribbean Coast

Panama to Cartagena - 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
Activity Level
Variable
Discover an astonishing trove of natural and cultural treasures as you navigate the Caribbean coasts of Panama and Colombia on this 8-day cruise aboard the National Geographic Quest. Sail from Panama City to Cartagena, with stops in Portobelo, Guna Yala, Archipelago, and more.
Cruise Details
0
Explore beautiful Costa Rica
from $2,010
Air Credit
EXPLORE

Costa Rica & Panama

Puerto Caldera Roundtrip - 8 Day Itinerary aboard Star Clipper
  • Discover Quepos's authentic charm
  • Experience Golfito's allure
  • Swim Bahia Potrero's calm waters
  • Marvel at Arenal's majestic volcano
Starts / Ends
Puerto Caldera / Puerto Caldera
Activity Level
Variable
Set sail on an 8-day cruise aboard the Star Clipper through Costa Rica and Panama, exploring lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and vibrant marine life. Highlights include Manuel Antonio, Coiba Island, and Isla Tortuga’s turquoise waters.
Cruise Details
0
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Sunset on the Pacific coast
Central America & Mexico

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