Central America Jewels & Panama Canal

Board Le Lapérouse in Puntarenas between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. before the ship departs at 6:00 p.m. The capital of the province of the same name, Puntarenas is sometimes called the pearl of the Pacific for its distinctive charm. The city lies on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast along the Gulf of Nicoya, which is bordered by long stretches of untouched nature. Farther inland, amid the abundant rainforest of Costa Rica’s national parks, the Poás and Arenal volcanoes rise in impressive splendor. Within this lush setting, Costa Rica protects some of the richest biodiversity on Earth, including monkeys, sloths, tropical birds, iguanas, crocodiles, and more than 10,000 species of tropical plants, along with waterfalls and canyons.

Arrive in Golfito early in the morning. This town on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, in the province of Puntarenas, sits in one of the most humid regions on the planet and was home to the indigenous Brunca people before the arrival of Europeans. Formerly a center for banana exports, Golfito now serves as the gateway for travelers heading to one of Central America’s largest primary tropical rainforests. The beaches of Golfo Dulce rank among the loveliest in Costa Rica, set against a lush forest that shelters many tropical birds, monkeys, and rare plant species. The ship departs in the late afternoon.

Included excursions:

Marine Escape in the Heart of Osa
Meet the dolphins of the Osa Peninsula, a true natural paradise, and discover the secrets of the Pacific ecosystem on a boat trip guided by an experienced naturalist. Bathed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean, the Osa Peninsula is described by National Geographic as “one of the most biologically intense places on the planet”. It offers a unique spectacle, with large groups of dolphins performing a natural ballet alongside sea turtles, manta rays, large schools of tuna, and billfish, such as marlin and swordfish, all searching for their next meal. On this tour, you can have the opportunity to observe this extraordinary wildlife while listening to your guide's fascinating tales about the Pacific ecosystem. There will also be several stops to allow you to photograph the different species encountered on the trip. Finally, weather permitting, you can have some free time to relax and swim in the calm waters of a local beach. While sightings of the described wildlife are likely, they cannot be guaranteed. Swimming is subject to weather conditions.

In the Heart of the Calathea Garden
Fall under the spell of the Calathea Botanical Garden, a natural setting sheltering an exceptional wealth of local tropical plants and a multitude of exotic birds. During a guided tour, you plunge into the heart of the region’s abundant biodiversity. After a short bus journey through charming villages, you reach the Calathea Botanical Garden. Here, discover a captivating universe, populated with numerous tropical plant species. Connected to the Piedras Blancas National Park, home to over 300 bird species, the site is also the theater for a ballet of colorful birds: hummingbirds, toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, parrots and many other remarkable species. On arrival, you receive a warm welcome and then have a presentation of the site. Your guide will then lead you along accessible paths in search of the different plants, flowers, trees and medicinal plants that make up this ecosystem. During the visit, you can observe and take photographs of the birds as well as taste edible plants and some of the fruit grown on site. After this fine experience, head back to the welcome center to enjoy some delicious tropical fruit.

Golfito’s Wild Sanctuary
Discover the Golfito Wildlife Refuge, one of Costa Rica’s most iconic national reserves, during two guided discovery walks. With an experienced naturalist, set off to encounter this exceptional natural sanctuary’s wonderful biodiversity. Golfito Wildlife Refuge has fauna and flora that are characteristic of many species usually found in the south of the continent, including some endemic ones, which makes it a destination that lends itself well to scientific tourism. Your adventure will start with a first one-hour nature walk, followed by a snack break before you set off again on a second one-hour discovery walk in the heart of this surprising refuge. During your walk, discover around thirty orchid species and a dozen or so species of heliconia and ferns. You perhaps also have the chance to observe the abundant fauna to be found in the reserve: four species of monkeys, over 300 varieties of birds, 139 mammal species and more than 200 species of amphibians and reptiles! After this immersion in wild nature, you can enjoy some fresh fruit before heading back towards the port. On the way, stop in a charming village where you be able to admire a vintage locomotive, a witness to the banana export era, as well as the famous Pre-Columbian stone spheres, whose mysterious origins still inspire the passionate tales shared by local guides.

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness center. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. If you love the open sea, visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

The most remote and least developed region of Panama, the province of Darien is an unspoilt land with an extremely rich variety of flora and fauna. Listed by UNESCO as World Heritage, Darien National Park offers its extraordinary scenery of rocky coastlines, mountain ranges, mangroves, rivers and creeks. Discover Playa Muerto, a tiny coastal village home to the Emberas Amerindian community. Visit the village, attend traditional songs and dances of the locals, and admire beautiful local craft.

Included excursions:

Embera Village Immersion
Immerse yourself in the rich culture of the Emberá people during an authentic visit to one of the region’s most preserved indigenous communities. After a pleasant 10-minute walk along the beach, discover the traditions, way of life, and heritage of a community that has maintained its identity through generations. Explore the village, meet its inhabitants, and enjoy a traditional dance performance that reflects the spirit and customs of the Emberá culture. The excursion also includes a visit to a scenic viewpoint and a beautiful waterfall, where you may enjoy a refreshing swim. You can also have the opportunity to admire and purchase locally handcrafted souvenirs made by members of the community (small bills are recommended). More than just an excursion, this experience offers a unique insight into the Emberá way of life and ancestral traditions. As guests in their village, visitors are encouraged to respect the community, its environment, and its privacy. 

An artificial peninsula situated at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal, Fuerte Amador is the gateway to several noteworthy sites. Further north, in villages nestling amid dense vegetation, lives the Embera tribe, guardian of the forest and of the Chagres River. This proud people have successfully preserved their traditions and their ancestral way of life, which predate the colonization of the region by the Spanish.

Included excursion:

Biomuseo: Living Panama
Upon disembarking at the pier, passengers will enjoy spectacular views of the Amador Causeway, a scenic roadway built using material excavated during the construction of the Panama Canal. This iconic route connects several islands and offers unique panoramic views of Panama City, the Bridge of the Americas, and the entrance to the Canal, making it one of the capital’s most emblematic landmarks. The visit will continue with an entrance to the Biomuseo, one of the country’s most important cultural and scientific attractions, designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry. Through interactive exhibits and themed galleries, you can learn how the formation of the Isthmus of Panama, approximately 3 million years ago, transformed the planet by connecting North and South America. This geological event triggered a massive exchange of species and altered ocean currents, influencing global climate patterns. The tour highlights Panama’s extraordinary biodiversity, considered one of the richest in the world per square kilometer, and explains why Panama is known as a true “bridge of life” between two continents. At the end of the visit, return to the pier, taking with you an educational and visually impressive experience that showcases Panama’s historical, geographical, and natural importance. 

Casco Antiguo: History and Flavors
Upon leaving the pier, head toward Colonial Panama, also known as Casco Antiguo, a historic district founded in 1673 and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you travel along the coastline, take in the scenic views before beginning a guided walking tour of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes through the charming cobblestone streets of this vibrant neighborhood. During the walk, you can hear fascinating stories of gallantry and piracy, and admire the area’s remarkable architecture an eclectic blend of French, Spanish, and Italian influences that reflect the rich cultural legacy of the city. Following the guided tour, you can have some free time to explore on your own, take photographs, shop for local crafts, then you walk to Hotel La Concordia, where you be able to enjoy the Geisha Experience. Discover the essence of Panama’s Geisha coffee in a unique experience that blends tradition, flavor, and excellence.
The tour will begin with a narrated journey through the fascinating history of Geisha coffee in Panama from its arrival in the highlands to its rise as one of the most recognized and awarded coffees in the world. You can learn about the environment, the people, and the practices that have shaped this exceptional bean. The experience will continue with a curated tasting of three Geisha coffee processes: washed, honey, and natural. Each cup offers distinct aromatic and flavor profiles, guided by experts who will help you appreciate every detail. To top off the experience, enjoy a selection of handcrafted desserts made with Geisha coffee, specially designed to highlight the unique qualities of each brew. 

Rythms of Panama: Folkloric Show
El Trapiche is more than just a restaurant, it is a cultural scene where Panamanian identity is celebrated. Enjoy this unique experience with an hour-long show featuring traditional dances and music. In a warm and festive atmosphere, surrender to the rhythm of Panamanian traditions. The country's emblematic dances — El Punto, Tamborito, Cumbia and Atravesao — will come to life before your eyes, performed by dancers dressed in sumptuous traditional costumes. This will also be an opportunity to admire the famous pollera, one of the most elegant national costumes in the world, as well as the montuno, worn by men. Each choreography will tell the story of a region of Panama, to the sound of traditional instruments such as the drum, the mejorana and the caja, for an authentic immersion in the spirit of the country.

Miraflores Locks
From the pier, depart to the Miraflores Locks, reached after a 30-minute drive. Take this opportunity to admire the gargantuan ships that make their way through the Panama Canal and visit the exhibitions halls, organized by themes that constitute the heart of the Miraflores Visitors Center. After the visit, return to the pier and your ship.

Aboard your ship, experience something unique, that has inspired the imagination of numerous adventurers in the 20th century: sailing the Panama Canal. Its construction started in 1880 under the direction of Ferdinand de Lesseps. Abandoned then resumed, this marvel of engineering was completed by the United States and opened in 1914. The canal crosses the Isthmus of Panama and links the Atlantic to the Pacific. Including three levels of locks and by raising ships to the level of Lake Gatun, almost as if the water was a lift, it allows them to avoid having to round Cape Horn.

Located on the north-east coast of Panama, the San Blas archipelago is a string of coral islands in the heart of the Caribbean Sea. More than 300 islands and cays cover an area of 300 square kilometers offering travelers a multitude of treasures. Sheltered behind a long coral reef, the San Blas Islands are full of enchanting anchorages. The long sandy white beaches bound by crystal-clear waters will allow you to relax and enjoy incredible marine fauna before engaging with the Guna community. Still subsisting on hunting and fishing, they welcome you in their villages of bamboo houses gathered near the beaches.

Colón is the second largest city in Panama, at the Caribbean entrance of the Panama Canal. Colón is today an important port, and the free trade zone created in 1953 contributed greatly to the development of the city. Colón was founded in 1850 by Americans working on the Panama railroad connecting the Atlantic and Pacific coasts through the isthmus of Panama; the city rapidly overshadowed the older Caribbean ports of Panama when the canal opened.