Welcome to the land of pura vida! On arrival in the capital city of San José, be warmly greeted at the airport and transferred to the Intercontinental Hotel for your overnight stay. Relax and unwind, enjoying the hotel’s amenities or nearby attractions.

Enjoy a morning of leisure or set out to explore nearby sites and cafes. In the afternoon join your fellow adventurers at the hospitality area in the Intercontinental Hotel. After everyone has gathered, travel to the Caldera Port on the Pacific Ocean and meet your enthusiastic crew on the Safari Voyager.

At the southeastern tip of Nicoya Peninsula—in the tangled mangroves of Curu—the cycle of life is everywhere. Local “residents” include everything from exotic birds and deer to army ants, snake-eating frogs, and hungry crocodiles. Step carefully as you cross the swinging bridge, you don’t want to land on the menu! Land crabs shift in and out of their burrows with such force it’s enough to make the earth move. A hike on the Finca de Monos trail is prime monkey viewing. They are everywhere. Off shore, the vibrant, turquoise waters near Isla Tortuga offer inviting opportunities to snorkel, kayak, and paddle board.

Adventure lies around every bend in the isolated, wild Osa Conservation Area, home to the country’s largest national park, Corcovado. The area is known for its diverse plant and animal species—a whopping 2.5% of the entire planet’s biodiversity is found here—including all four of Costa Rica’s monkeys, tree frogs, caimans, anteaters, scarlet macaws, coatis, and 16 different species of hummingbird. Explore this vast area, putting feet to trail on an invigorating hike through the jungle. At the end of the day, enjoy the sunset with a tropical beverage in-hand during cocktail hour and retell stories of the day with your travel-mates.

A birder’s paradise, explore a tropical preserve exploding with vibrant color. From bromeliads, ginger plants, and heliconias, to toucans, hummingbirds, mischievous monkeys, and fluttering butterflies—there’s a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of sights, sounds, and tastes in every tree and bush you pass on your walking tour. In Golfo Dulce, which separates Oso Peninsula from the mainland, explore the rare flora and fauna of mangroves by kayak and skiff.

Sail through the islands of Coiba National Park, making a stop at the postcard-perfect Granito de Oro islet. Offering a little bit of everything despite its small size, volcanic outcroppings at either end of this tiny landmass and a dense, mini-jungle in the center are connected by gorgeous white sand beach. Named one of the world’s top 10 diving sites, your day of play features snorkeling among abundant marine life, kayaking around rocky outcroppings, and lounging on the warm sand. It’s another perfect day in paradise.

Ah, another day in paradise. Start with fresh-brewed coffee and a little limbering up with guided stretches. As always, the hardest part is picking the “what.” Your guides know the trails and help you spot monkeys, hummingbirds, and towering balsa trees. Or, slip into the drink for a kayak or snorkel. The water is crystal-clear, and the fish and turtles are swimming! Find balance to your invigorating morning—then it's cruising time. Settle into a comfy lounge chair and take in the views.

The diverse islands and islets in the Gulf of Panamá are all unique, and today, it's captain’s choice as you cruise among them. Enjoy superb bird watching of hundreds of avian species on an exciting skiff exploration, or stroll a charming coastal village that boasts the hemisphere’s second oldest church. Prepare to experience one of the top bucket-list destinations—transit from ocean to ocean along the 48-mile Panamá Canal. Truly a marvel of engineering and human tenacity, it took 9,000 workers to build it. At a special captain’s dinner, toast to your absolutely unforgettable voyage and the adventures you’ve experienced so far.

With an early start, you’re off to Gamboa for an exploration of Gatun Lake, once the largest man-made lakes in the world. Watch for toucans, osprey, Geoffroy’s tamarins, monkeys, sloths, iguanas, crocodiles, and, passing cargo ships—a striking contrast to the surrounding jungle. After lunching at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort, stop at the Agua Clara Visitor Center—the new Panama Canal expansion was built to accommodate massive Neopanamax cargo ships. See the locks in action before returning to the ship in time for happy hour. Laundry service is provided today.

Home to one of the best-preserved native cultures in the Americas, the indigenous province of Guna Yala (formerly the San Blas Islands) encompasses over 360 islands of white sand beaches backed by palm trees and dotted with thatched-roofs. Discover the remarkable heritage of the Guna (or Kuna)—don’t pass on a chance to buy their colorful handcrafted “molas.” Enjoy the natural wonders of these islands with a snorkel in the crystalline Caribbean waters.

Another beautiful day awaits in Guna Yala. Slow the pace lazily lounging on a beach or taking an easy stroll in the sand with views of the brilliant sea. Snorkel, paddle board, or kayak among these picture-perfect islands.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 1500s, Portobelo has a rich history including notable characters like Henry Morgan, Francis Drake, and Christopher Columbus. Stroll the passageways of this quaint colorful, village surrounded by jungle. You can sense the past of pirates and explorers before you. Imagine their approach while you take in the views of Portobelo from a kayak or skiff in the bay. Later, prepare for one of the most memorable travel experiences—transiting along the 48-mile marvel, the Panama Canal. (Time varies depending on when the lock authority gives the final go ahead for your evening transit).

Golden sand meets topaz-colored water, and beaches make way for lush vegetation and rocky volcanic outcroppings on the 90 islands and nearly 130 islets of Las Perlas—the Pearl Islands. Almost entirely uninhabited, the islands are host to a plethora of tropical flora and fauna. Mid-summer through early-fall, the archipelago is frequented by dolphins and humpbacks—so keep your eyes peeled for acrobatic spinning and telltale blow spouts. Select your modus operandi—kayak, paddle board, skiff, or snorkel—and set out in a nature lovers’ dreamscape.

Untouched and untamed, the Darién Jungle is nearly as wild and magnificent today as it was for early conquistadors 500 years ago. Traveling the Mogue River by motorized dugout canoe, your expedition guide helps you spot wildlife—astonishingly-colored roseate spoonbills, ibises, osprey, and raccoons can be seen fishing for breakfast from the water’s edge. After welcoming formalities at a local Emberá village, share their customs and stories, and have an opportunity to buy handicrafts from the villagers, including their highly-prized and intricately-woven rainforest baskets.

Explore the vast Punta Patiño Nature Reserve on foot, part of Darién Province and the largest natural protected area in Central America. Then set sail in search of wildlife, keeping watch for bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles, smaller shark species, and early in the season for migrating whales. This festive evening includes a special farewell dinner and celebratory slideshow from your expedition team.

After an early breakfast, bid adiós to your crew. Transfer to the airport for your flight home or to begin your hotel stay.