This morning have the opportunity to explore the capital city of Costa Rica, San Jose. Wander through some of the many plazas that dot this historic city and try a plate of the national dish, Gallo Pinto. After your afternoon rendezvous at a central location in San Jose, then transfer two hours west to Puerto Caldera. Here meet your vessel, RCGS Resolute, head aboard and settle into our rooms. Tonight enjoy dinner and then migrate to the deck, reveling in the first of many tropical sunsets. RCGS Resolute makes a short sail across the Gulf of Nicoya to anchor off the Nicoya Peninsula, ready for the next day’s adventures.

Today explore the Curú National Wildlife Refuge which is nestled at the southeast tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. From a gentle walk along the well established trails in the heart of the park, to a more challenging hike on the Finca de Monos trail - a prime Spider Monkey viewing area - there are several ways to explore this national treasure and its diverse wildlife. The refuge hosts one of the most beautiful beaches on the peninsula and has spearheaded many successful sustainable development programs from reintroducing the near extinct Spider Monkey, to the coral reef restoration project and migratory bird monitoring. The tangled mangroves of the shoreline and nearby islands are the ideal backdrop for kayaking, paddle boarding or snorkeling.

Your adventure continues in the Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the smallest yet most visited national parks in Costa Rica. Boarding the zodiacs, access the park, slowly cruising along the turquoise blue waters of this tropical paradise. Boasting over 100 species of mammals, 184 species of birds and a plethora of diverse flora, this park is a wildlife lover’s dream. Keep your eyes peeled for two and three toed sloths, white-faced monkeys and toucans as you explore the entanglement of trails weaving through the park. The network of hiking trails crisscross the parkland, providing access to its rainforest, white sand beaches, waterfalls and coral reefs. You may also catch a glimpse of the dramatic volcanic rock formations, Punta Cathedral and Punta Serrucho, from several of the beaches that line the Manuel Antonio National Park. If you would rather explore the park by water, use a paddle board or kayak for an aquatic adventure, or simply relax on one of the white sand beaches.

Extending into the sea at the southern end of Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, the Osa Peninsula is rich with both wildlife and history. This is the first of two days in one of the country’s most remote destinations and once again take advantage of your coastal access to explore the ‘Parque Nacional Corcovado’. Almost half of the peninsula is devoted to the park which protects an incredible variety of wildlife, including Costa Rica’s largest population of jaguars and tapirs. The park is also home to the only remaining old growth wet forests on the Pacific coast of Central America, all four of the country’s monkey species: howler, spider, white-faced capuchin and squirrel, 20 species of hummingbird, the endemic yellow-billed cotinga and black-cheeked ant tanager, crimson fronted parakeets, and more.

On the second day on the Osa Peninsula round its most southern point, while navigating the emerald waters of the Golfo Dulce or “Sweet Gulf”. Experience the breathtaking tropical paradise unfolding before your eyes. There are two ways to explore the Golfo Dulce, either by land or sea. If you want to try your hand at panning for gold, a practice that extends back thousands of years in the region, join us when you visit the little town of Puerto Jimenez, one of the largest towns on the Osa Peninsula, boasting just over 3,000 inhabitants. If the water is your prefered method of exploration, kayak or paddle board through the expansive tangled mangroves as the wildlife thrives around you. Pods of spinner, bottlenose and spotted dolphins are also residents of the gulf, and in April and May, the enigmatic whale shark comes to breed in Golfo Dulce. If you are lucky you may be able to spot one of these solitary gentle giants, who can live up to 150 years.

As you bid farewell to Costa Rica, our first stop in Panama is Coiba Island, a place with an unusual history. Having separated from the mainland an estimated 15,000 years ago, Coiba is now home to many endemic subspecies, such as the Coiba Island howler monkey and the Coiba Spinetail. In 2005, Coiba National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is home to numerous native flora that have since become extinct on the mainland of Panama due to deforestation. This is also one of the last places in Central America where the scarlet macaw can still be found in sizeable numbers. Venture out on foot, kayak, or paddle board to explore this tropical gem. If time permits, have the opportunity to sail to near-by Granito De Oro, which is a top snorkeling location due to the diversity and volume of marine life. In the afternoon explore the famous wetlands of the Golfo de Montijo, whose 50,000 acres of mangroves are home to a staggering abundance of wildlife. Cruise the shoreline of the gulf with your cameras and binoculars poised, ready to view the wetlands that are teaming with waterfowl and wading birds

You have now entered the Gulf of Panama, but before you head for the Panamanian mainland, make one more island-hopping stop at the Pearl Islands, oras locals refer to it, Islas de las Perlas. This archipelago of more than 250 islands received its name from Spanish Conquistadors who found countless pear ls when they visited the islands in 1503. Isla Del Rey is the largest and most visited, with several resorts and hotels, while Isla Saboga is less populated, less visited and offers a glimpse into traditional island culture. Most famous for their deserted white sand beaches, fragile ecosystems and marine life, the islands also made a splash when they were featured as the location for the Survivor television series

After a week of exploring the remote tropical coastline and far-flung islands, trade your flip-flops for walking shoes today as you venture into the cityscape of Panama City. Steeped in rich Spanish history, its cobblestoned historic centre, Casco Viejo, is framed by colonial era landmarks such as the Presidential Palace and Metropolitan Cathedral. Be sure to enjoy an espresso or mojito in one of the many cafés shaded by bougainvillea in Panama’s old quarter. For those in search of a cultural experience, the numerous museums, including the Museum of Biodiversity, designed by Frank Gehry, is an experience every architectural fan should check off their bucket list. If you are looking for a quintessential Panamanian hat or a mola made by the Guna Indians in the San Blas Islands, then the markets are a must see. Head to the fish market for a tasty snack or the National Handicraft Market if pottery, molas and jewelry handcrafted by the pre-Spanish indigenous people of Panama is more your style.

With your cups full of the cultural experiences of Panama City, today sit back and let the history come to you. Spending the better part of the day (8+ hours) moving though the 77km Panama Canal from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea, pass under the Bridge of the Americas before entering the Miraflores Locks. The locks  then takes you up to Miraflores Lake, then up again to Gatun Lake, before being lowered back down to the sea level of the Caribbean Sea. You can not simply watch this incredible feat of engineering, you have the opportunity to experience it firsthand. With the crossing completed, then anchor near the city of Colon to enjoy your final dinner together attended by the Captain of the ship and toast your adventures.

After breakfast, it is time to bid farewell to your crew and fellow travelers as we disembark RCGS Resolute. A transfer back to Panama City is provided for all guests and while some of you travel to the airport, many may wish to add a few extra days to explore more of the masterpiece that is Panama City.