The Panama Canal & Costa Rica - Westbound 2019
12 days
Map not provided by operator
Additional images not provided by operator
Video not provided by operator
Small Ship Cruise
Earth Journeys, created by Tauck and BBC Earth! A 12-day journey includes a 7-night Panama and Costa Rica cruise aboard one of Ponant's new Explorer Class yachts, and a full transit of the Panama Canal - plus exploring the ecological diversity of Panama, Costa Rica and pristine islands in the Pacific and Caribbean.
Overview
Trip type
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule
Highlights
- Earth Journey featuring on-tour film vignettes custom-made for Tauck by BBC Earth natural history experts plus other select BBC Earth touches; full transit of the Panama Canal aboard one of Ponant's new Explorer Class yachts; a Tauck naturalist onboard for full journey; opportunity for cultural exchange with locals in Panama and along Costa Rica's Pacific coast; many opportunities for exploring the region's rich biodiversity; two nights hotel accommodations with guided sightseeing in San José and Panama City
What's this trip about?
Earth Journeys, created by Tauck and BBC Earth! A 12-day journey includes a 7-night Panama and Costa Rica cruise aboard one of Ponant's new Explorer Class yachts, and a full transit of the Panama Canal - plus exploring the ecological diversity of Panama, Costa Rica and pristine islands in the Pacific and Caribbean.
Compare to similar trips
Details
Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transport
Start CityPanama City, Panama
End CitySan José, Costa Rica
Travel Themes
Destinations
Activities
Trip includes
- All gratuities to Tauck Directors, local guides, naturalists and ship staff Tauck's private shore excursions and distinctive inclusions valued at $2,130 On-tour film vignettes custom-made for Tauck by BBC Earth natural history experts plus other select BBC Earth touches 7-night cruise aboard one of Ponant's new Explorer Class yachts Your cruise may be a shared ship experience with non-Tauck guests onboard as well; all Tauck guests will be accompanied by one Tauck Director for approximately every 40 Tauck guests, and your itinerary will always be highlighted by exclusive, private Tauck shore excursions Full small-ship transit of the Panama Canal with onboard commentary by a local expert 4 nights' hotel accommodations with guided sightseeing in San José & Panama City Tauck's experienced naturalist, Tauck Director and local guides join the cruise aboard ship, leading excursions ashore to enrich your experience of the jungle, water and flora & fauna Visits to Manuel Antonio National Park and Carara National Park in Costa Rica, the Darien and the San Blas Islands Aboard ship - alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available throughout the day aboard ship including house wines and spirits; premium spirits and wines are available at extra cost. Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted 30 meals (11 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 9 dinners); applicable fuel surcharges, service charges, porterage and most taxes
View Similar Trips
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Panama City
Tour begins: 6:30 PM, Hilton Panama or InterContinental Miramar Panama. Welcome to Panama! A transfer awaits to take you from Tocumen International Airport to the Hilton Panama or InterContinental Miramar Panama. Meet your Tauck Director and your fellow travelers at our ...
Day 2 Exploring Panama City
Begin today's exploration of Panama City in its key historic district, Casco Viejo; a walking tour will show you this walled cobblestoned city, built in the 1670s at the foot of Ancon Hill, to provide safety from attack. The area is a gem of Spanish colonial architecture...
Day 3 Canal Zone, Gamboa Rainforest & your cruise begins
From Panama City, start across the Isthmus of Panama; during a stop at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort, you'll choose between an aerial tram ride with a naturalist through the rainforest at eye-level with exotic birds and animals (aboard the only gondola of its kind in Pana...
Day 4 The Guna people of the San Blas Islands
Your yacht arrives in the archipelago of San Blas today, where you'll transfer by Zodiac for a wet landing at Holandes Caye. Here, you'll visit Guna Indians, whose language and customs reflect lives with few outside influences, women sell handmade molas - reverse-appliqu...
Day 5 Transiting the Panama Canal
Opened in 1914, and considered an engineering marvel of the 20th century, the Panama Canal opened trade to the Americas by creating a transit path between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Thanks to the canal, today ships traveling from New York to San Francisco save over...
Day 6 The Embera people of the Darien
Today you'll stop in the beautiful but remote Darien region of Panama, calling on Play del Muerto for a wet landing by Zodiac craft to visit an indigenous community of the Emberá people, whose lifestyle remains largely unaffected by modern times. You'll meet the locals, ...
Day 7 Day at sea
Enjoy a relaxing day at sea on the Pacific Ocean today, taking advantage of your Explorer Class ship's many amenities. Throughout the day, your Tauck Directors and naturalist guides will circulate about the ship answering questions - sharing their experiences and scannin...
Day 8 Manuel Antonio National Park
Call on the city of Quepos this morning, a perfect jumping off point for your excursion to Manuel Antonio National Park, where you'll find coral reefs and white sand beaches, considered among the most beautiful in Costa Rica, lined with rainforest. Your choices here incl...
Day 9 Carara National Park & Pura Vida Gardens
Your ship arrives at Playa Herradura for a choice of shore excursions offering a range of eco-activities. One includes a walking tour and a mangrove cruise in Carara National Park with a local naturalist guide. Following your jungle walk through the park, enjoy a local l...
Day 10 Ox carts in Sarchi and gold in San José
As your cruise ends in Puerto Caldera, bid farewell to your Explorer Class ship and her crew, and set off to discover Costa Rica's fascinating interior en route to the capital city of San José. Visit the artisan village of Sarchi, known for the production and painting of...
Day 11 Coffee, waterfalls & rainforest wildlife
Coffee has long been one of Costa Rica's most important exports. Today you'll visit the Doka Coffee Plantation, located on the fertile slopes of Alajuela's Poás Volcano, where the soil and altitude make for ideal growing conditions. Your guide explains how the beans are ...
Day 12 Journey Home
Tour ends: San José, Costa Rica. Fly home anytime. A transfer from the Costa Rica Marriott Hotel San José or InterContinental Costa Rica at Multiplaza Mall to Juan Santamaría International Airport is included. You should allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in. MEALS : B PORTOFCALL : San José, Costa Rica
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
Price From $6,990
Price per day$583
Last Updated: 2/16/2023
All prices are per person in U.S. dollars.
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Tauck.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Tauck Reviews & Ratings
Most Memorable Moment
San Jose, Costa Rica, where we began our trip, is at nearly 4000 ft, cool and surrounded by mountains. Panama City, where we ended is at sea level and hot with a mod...
The small ship experience
The small ship experience (80+ people) was wonderful. By the end of the cruise we were able to put names and hometowns with about half of the faces. The two director...
Other Tauck Reviews
Great Scenery but Accommodations Lacking for cost
My husband and I booked the Yellowstone tour with Tauck expecting so much more with the accommodations, food, and tour director based on the price point. We were sa...
Nine Tours and Done
Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done o...
Skip this cruise - not worth it
My husband and I went on the Treasures of the Mediterranean Isles Trip jn October 2022. This was our third Tauck cruise with Ponnant but our first post covid and the...
Travelers also viewed
Tour Operator
About Travelstride
Find your perfect trip
An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.
Save time
Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.
Save money
Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.
Travel confidently
Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.
Logistics
Accommodation
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against
unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies.
It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before
or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination.
It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements.
For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements,
please visit this link
.
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
[object Object]
Trip ID
tauck-PCW2019
Become a member
(it's free)
- Save up to $700 per person
- Access members-only specials
- Personalize trip recommendations