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The Panama Canal & Costa Rica

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Our Price From 13,640 Per Person
 Trip Length
12 Days
 Trip Starts
San Jose
 Trip Finishes
Panama City
12 Day The Panama Canal & Costa Rica Itinerary (Tauck)
Countries Explored: Costa Rica, Panama
Trip Operator
Trip Style
Cruise
Departures
Trip Code
PCE
Cruise Line
Ponant
Ship
Ship Class
Ponant Explorers
Passengers
184
Crew
118
Launched
2020

Overview

Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on Tauck's 12 Day The Panama Canal & Costa Rica. Cruise along Panama and Costa Rica for a 12-day adventure aboard one of Ponant's new Explorer Class yachts, and a full transit of the Panama Canal – plus explore the ecological diversity of Panama, Costa Rica and pristine islands in the Pacific and Caribbean.

Itinerary

Tour begins: San José.

Welcome to Costa Rica! A transfer is included from Juan Santamaria International Airport to the Costa Rica Marriott Hotel San José or InterContinental Costa Rica at Multiplaza Mall. Join us this evening for a welcome reception and dinner at the hotel. Stay Two Nights: InterContinental Costa Rica at Multiplaza Mall (D)

San José city sightseeing today includes visits to the Baroque-style, 19th-century National Theatre, a grand symbol of civic pride dating back to 1897 – its interior glistens with Baroque gold overlays and Carrara marble – and the Gold Museum, which houses pre-Columbian works of gold crafted by indigenous islanders.

After lunch at a local restaurant, visit Sarchi, an artisans' hamlet outside of San José where workshops display the traditional painted carretas (ox carts) and other handmade products bearing the colorful starburst designs that have become a symbol of Costa Rica. After returning to the hotel, the rest of the afternoon and evening is free to spend as you wish in San José. (B/L)

Near-perfect growing conditions have made coffee 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 produced and roasted and how different microclimates affect the taste.

Also explore and have lunch at La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a private rainforest eco-park and wildlife refuge known for spectacular waterfalls and flowing white rivers; this protected reserve buzzes with the sounds and sights of wildlife including toucans, butterflies, spider monkeys, two-toed sloths and red-eyed leaf frogs – to name a few of the 100+ species. Embark your ship late this afternoon in Puntarenas for the start of your Panama Canal cruise. Stay Seven Nights: Le Dumont d'Urville (B/L/D)

Your ship arrives at Playa Herradura for a choice of shore excursions offering a range of eco-activities. One includes a walking tour in Carara National Park with a local naturalist guide, after which you'll learn about various coastal bird and wildlife species on a mangrove boat tour just outside the national park; another choice offers a more active, faster-paced walk in the park, followed by the mangrove cruise.

A third choice features a visit to Tropical Forest Sky Walk near the boundary of Carara Biological Reserve, where you'll hike across suspended cable bridges skimming the top of the rainforest, up to 126 feet above the ground; from your lofty perch, you'll see the marshlands of the Tarcoles River and views of the ocean in the distance. Your guide will point out species of birds, monkeys, butterflies and other mammals that you may encounter.

Still another possibility is a visit to the spectacular Pura Vida Gardens, whose beautifully manicured gardens are bordered by one of the tallest waterfalls in the country. Pura Vida is home to over 60,000 flowering plants, including 60 varieties of heliconia, ten varieties of ginger, and orchids; look for butterflies, macaws, parrots, parakeets, toucans, kingfishers, birds of prey, and waterfowl. (B/L/D)

Call on the city of Quepos this morning, a perfect jumping off point for a day of activities in Costa Rica's eco-wonderland. Your day begins with a walking tour in Manuel Antonio National Park accompanied by a naturalist guide, where you'll find coral reefs and white sand beaches, considered among the most beautiful in Costa Rica.

Following your walk, you'll have choice of excursions including; a scenic drive through Quepos and a stop at Espadilla Beach; an exciting river float trip* on the Savegre River (which will include lunch); or a horseback ride through a mountain forest. Back aboard the ship, enjoy dinner at your leisure tonight, as your ship sets out from Quepos, bound for the Pacific Ocean. (B/L/D)

Enjoy a relaxing day at sea today, taking advantage of your Explorer Class ship's many amenities as you make your way across the Pacific Ocean waters off Panama's coast, bound for the remote Darien region of Panama. Throughout the day, your Tauck Directors and naturalist guides will circulate about the ship answering questions – sharing their experiences and scanning the horizon for marine mammals and pelagic birds – and will also offer compelling lectures. (B/L/D)

Today you'll stop in the beautiful but remote Darien region of Panama, calling on Playa 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, watch them perform traditional dances, see how they live, and perhaps purchase some of their "Cocobolo" wood or "Tagua" vegetable ivory carvings. Return to the ship for lunch; enjoy a naturalist lecture this afternoon as your yacht begins preparations for tomorrow's entrance into the Panama Canal. (B/L/D)

This morning, your ship begins to position for her transit of 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 7,000 miles by not having to chart a course around South America.

Before our crossing, we'll welcome aboard a canal pilot, the local navigation professional who will guide our ship under the Bridge of the Americas, through Miraflores and Pedro Miguel locks, into the narrow Gaillard cut and into Gatun lake, before finally clearing the Gatun Locks on the Atlantic side of the isthmus. Your Tauck Director, Tauck Naturalist and an official of the Panama Canal Authority will provide both technical and historical information about this engineering wonder. (B/L/D)

Your yacht arrives in the archipelago of San Blas today, where you'll transfer by Zodiac for a wet landing at Holandes Cayes. Here, you'll visit Guna Indians, whose language and customs reflect lives with few outside influences, women sell handmade molas – reverse-appliquéd fabrics with brilliant images of fish, birds and jungle animals – and fishing is still done by canoe.

After your visit to a Guna village, you can spend a leisurely afternoon swimming and snorkeling before returning by Zodiac to your ship. Join us for the Captain's farewell dinner tonight, as your yacht sails to Colon, Panama. (B/L/D)

After completing the Panama Canal crossing, your Explorer Class vessel arrives this morning at the port of Colón, where you'll disembark and bid your ship and its crew a fond farewell. Once ashore, learn more about the Panama Canal on a visit to the Agua Clara locks. Then start across 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 Panama), or a boat cruise along waterways leading to hidden islands, where you might spot monkeys at play.

After lunch at a local restaurant, continue across the Isthmus to Panama City; check into your hotel in the city's heart this afternoon. Spend the rest of the day and evening as you wish in historic Panama City. Stay Two Nights: Hilton Panama (B/L)

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 in various stages of redevelopment, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site; you'll also have free time to explore on your own.

After lunch at a local restaurant, tour the former Canal Zone, driving through Ancon Hill, a lush residential enclave that was home to US military facilities until a 1977 treaty granted Panamanian sovereignty over the "Zone;" Albrook, a former US Air Force Base; and Clayton, once a US Army base. Then enjoy a fascinating visit to the exhibits and gardens of the Biomuseo, the Panama City biodiversity museum designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry. Please join us tonight to cap your memorable Panama Canal cruise experience with a farewell reception and dinner at your Panama City hotel. (B/L/D)

Tour ends: Panama City. A transfer from the Hilton Panama or JW Marriott Panama to Tocumen International Airport is included. Please allow at least 3 hours for check-in formalities. (B)

Trip Inclusions

  • 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

  • Tauck's private shore excursions and distinctive inclusions valued at AUD $4,561
  • 7-night cruise aboard one of Ponant's 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
  • Aboard ship, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages are included throughout the day.
  • Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted
  • Applicable fuel surcharges, service charges, porterage and most taxes

  • 30 included meals (11 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 9 dinners)

  • Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
  • Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
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Deck Plans

DEL
Deluxe Stateroom
DS3
Deluxe Suite
Deck 3
PR4
Prestige Stateroom
DS4
Deluxe Suite
Deck 4
PR5
Prestige Stateroom
DS5
Deluxe Suite
PS5
Prestige Suite
PV5
Privilege Suite
SA
Owner's Suite
Deck 5
PR6
Prestige Stateroom
DS6
Deluxe Suite
PS6
Prestige Suite
PV6
Privilege Suite
GD6
Grand Deluxe Suite
Deck 6
Deck 7

Cabins

Balcony

Deluxe Stateroom

One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm) and TV. A bathroom with shower. A private 4 m² balcony with two armchairs. A glazed panoramic swing door and rectangular window. Additional services provided include 24-hour room service, inclusive Wifi internet access, individually-controlled air conditioning, dressing room with shelves and closet, dressing table and hairdryer, Dyptique Paris top-of-the-line bath products, minibar, Nespresso coffee maker, Bose Bluetooth speaker and Flat screen TV.

Balcony

Prestige Stateroom

One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm). One chaise longue. A bathroom with shower. A private 4 m² balcony with two armchairs. A panoramic sliding bay window or glazed panoramic swing door. Additional services provided include 24-hour room service, inclusive Wifi internet access, individually-controlled air conditioning, dressing room with shelves and closet, dressing table and hairdryer, Dyptique Paris top-of-the-line bath products, minibar, Nespresso coffee maker, Bose Bluetooth speaker and Flat screen TV.

Suite

Deluxe Suite

One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm). An armchair and sofa (90 x 190 cm). A bathroom with shower. A private 6 m² balcony with two armchairs. A glazed panoramic swing door and panoramic window. Additional services provided include 24-hour room service, inclusive Wifi internet access, individually-controlled air conditioning, dressing room with shelves and closet, dressing table and hairdryer, Dyptique Paris top-of-the-line bath products, minibar, Nespresso coffee maker, Bose Bluetooth speaker and Flat screen TV.

Suite

Prestige Suite

A bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm). A lounge with convertible sofa to a king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm), armchair, second TV, and sliding courtesy door. Two bathrooms with shower. A private 8 m² balcony with four armchairs. Additional services provided include priority boarding, butler service, champagne and fruit basket on arrival, an assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day, inclusive Wifi internet access, individually-controlled air conditioning, dressing room with shelves and closet, dressing table and hairdryer, Dyptique Paris top-of-the-line bath products, minibar, Nespresso coffee maker, Bose Bluetooth speaker and Flat screen TV.

Suite

Privilege Suite

One king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm). A lounge area with chaise longue and armchair. A bathroom with shower. A private 8 m² balcony with two armchairs. A panoramic sliding bay window. Additional services provided include priority boarding, butler service, inclusive Wifi internet access, individually-controlled air conditioning, dressing room with shelves and closet, dressing table and hairdryer, Dyptique Paris top-of-the-line bath products, minibar, Nespresso coffee maker, Bose Bluetooth speaker and Flat screen TV.

Suite

Grand Deluxe Suite

A bedroom with one king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm). A lounge with sofa convetible to a double bed (160 x 190 cm), armchair, and second TV. A bathroom with shower and Balneo bathtub. A private 32 m² terrace with two deckchairs and four-seater dining table. 2 panoramic sliding bay windows. Additional services provided include priority boarding, butler service, champagne and fruit basket on arrival, an assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day, inclusive Wifi internet access, individually-controlled air conditioning, dressing room with shelves and closet, dressing table and hairdryer, Dyptique Paris top-of-the-line bath products, minibar, Nespresso coffee maker, Bose Bluetooth speaker and Flat screen TV.

Suite

Owner's Suite

A lounge with armchair, double sofa bed (160 x 190 cm), and second TV. A bedroom with king-size bed (180 x 200 cm) or two single beds (90 x 200 cm). A bathroom with shower, Balneo bathtub and smart mirror. A private 40 m² terrace: 2 deckchairs, jacuzzi, and outdoor lounge area with sofa and armchair. Two panoramic sliding bay windows. Additional services provided include concierge service from your reservation until you return from your trip, priority boarding, butler service, a one-hour spa treatment per person (for 2 people) in the well-being space, chosen from the facial and body treatments on offer, premium drinks at the bar, champagne and fruit basket on arrival, an assortment of sweet or savoury canapés and fruit basket every day, inclusive Wifi internet access, individually-controlled air conditioning, dressing room with shelves and closet, dressing table and hairdryer, Dyptique Paris top-of-the-line bath products, minibar, Nespresso coffee maker, Bose Bluetooth speaker and Flat screen TV.

Availability

Exclusive Savings
Saturday 11 Jan 2025
Wednesday 22 Jan 2025
Status
From: $14,250
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Exclusive Savings
Saturday 25 Jan 2025
Wednesday 05 Feb 2025
Status
From: $13,640
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Exclusive Savings
Saturday 11 Jan 2025
Wednesday 22 Jan 2025
Status
From: $19,918
  Enquire
Exclusive Savings
Saturday 25 Jan 2025
Wednesday 05 Feb 2025
Status
From: $19,070
  Enquire
Note
Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.

Cabin Upgrades Optional cabin upgrades. Upgrades priced per person

Deluxe Stateroom   (Prices Shown) $ 0
Prestige Stateroom $ 1,040 - $ 1,800
Deluxe Suite $ 4,520
Prestige Suite $ 9,070 - $ 9,830
Privilege Suite $ 10,580
Grand Deluxe Suite $ 12,860
Owner's Suite $ 15,890
Note
Upgrade prices shown are per person. Upgrade prices can vary depending on the departure date & the month of travel. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will confirm and include the upgrade price in your quote.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Tauck. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Tauck. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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