Panama and Costa Rica: Crossing the Canal

Our journey takes us on land and river today, when we visit an Emberá village on a journey into the heart of Panama’s indigenous heritage. Nestled deep within the rainforest, the community lives in stilted wooden homes with thatched roofs, surrounded by lush greenery. The Emberá people maintain a lifestyle closely tied to nature, fishing in nearby rivers, cultivating crops like yucca and plantains, and crafting baskets and carvings from local materials. Their lives are guided by ancestral knowledge, passed down through oral storytelling, music, and dance. Children learn through observation and participation, while elders serve as cultural guardians. The village operates with a strong sense of cooperation and respect, where decisions are made collectively and traditions are honoured. We are welcomed to the village not just as guests, but as students, invited to learn about a way of life that values simplicity, sustainability, and a deep connection to the land.

Board an aerial tram for a fascinating ride through Panama’s rainforest canopy, revealing a world few get to see from the ground. The tram travels around 600 meters (approximately 1,970 feet) through the jungle, rising gradually above the forest floor, passing towering trees like the kapok and Panama tree, tangled vines, and bursts of orchids. Wildlife sightings are common, with howler monkeys, toucans, and sloths often appearing among the branches. The ride is guided as an audio feed, making this a fascinating journey for nature lovers. The tram is smooth, quiet, and ideal for anyone wanting a close-up rainforest experience without having to hike.

From August to December, the warm waters of Golfo Dulce welcome southern humpback whales arriving from Antarctica to give birth and care for their young. October is an ideal time to witness mothers and calves swimming together, practicing breaching, and communicating through deep, resonant calls, accompanied by resident dolphins darting through the waves.

Golfo Dulce is one of the few places on Earth where northern and southern humpbacks overlap, though the southern whales dominate this season. As we head out on the water, we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for these majestic creatures, hoping to catch a glimpse of a tail slap or a calf learning to leap. It’s a quiet, awe-inspiring moment in one of Costa Rica’s most biodiverse marine environments.

Step into the rainforest and experience the living, breathing heart of Costa Rica. With over half the country covered in tropical forest, this trail walk offers a glimpse into one of the most biodiverse places in the Americas. As you follow your guide along shaded paths, you’ll learn how the rainforest supports everything from towering trees to tiny orchids.

In the Golfo Dulce region, wildlife is spotted high in the forest canopy. Listen for howler monkeys in the treetops, spot colourful frogs near the forest floor, and watch for flashes of toucans, parrots, or even a macaw overhead. The trail winds through a landscape shaped by water, sunlight, and time, offering quiet moments and unexpected encounters. This trail walk is perfect for nature lovers, an opportunity to slow down, look closely, and connect with the rhythms of the rainforest.

Kayaking in Golfo Dulce offers a peaceful way to explore one of Costa Rica’s most biodiverse marine environments. Whether gliding across the open bay or weaving through narrow mangrove channels, the experience is quiet, slow-paced, and deeply immersive.

The stillness is part of the magic—especially in the mangroves, where silence allows you to observe wildlife without disturbing it. Birds perch overhead, fish ripple beneath the surface, and crabs scuttle along tangled roots. In the bay, you might spot dolphins, sea turtles, or rays gliding through the clear water.

This region is rich in life, and paddling at water level offers a unique perspective on the ecosystems that thrive here. It’s not just about movement—it’s about noticing, listening, and being one with nature.

Gliding through the mangrove forests near Quepos, feels like entering a hidden world shaped by tides and time, as the mangroves grow where rivers meet the ocean, creating a rich, ever-changing environment that supports everything from crabs and caimans to monkeys and spoonbills. These coastal forests, especially around Damas Island, are home to an extraordinary mix of land and sea life.

The tangled roots of red, black, and white mangrove trees do more than look surreal—they hold the coastline together, protect against storms, and provide shelter for young marine life. Costa Rica’s Pacific coast is lined with mangroves, covering over 40,000 hectares. These forests are not only beautiful but essential: they clean the water, store carbon, and support local fisheries.

As you explore the winding estuary channels, your guide will explain how this part of the forest plays an essential role. Birds perch in the canopy, fish dart below the surface of the water, and the roots form a maze of life. Our boat journey provides us with a living classroom. Quiet, wild, and full of surprises.

Established in 1972, Manuel Antonio National Park is one of Costa Rica’s most ecologically diverse protected areas, and the place to visit when in Quepos. On a guided walk, we explore national park trails through tropical forest, where the focus loops between elusive wildlife to the rich plant life. Towering trees like espavel and guácimo form the canopy, while ferns, vines, and flowering plants crowd the understory. Guides point out medicinal plants, epiphytes like bromeliads and orchids, and explain how different species interact within the ecosystem. Because many animals hide high in the trees or blend into their surroundings, guides often carry scopes to spot sloths, monkeys, or birds tucked away in the foliage. This walk offers a chance to slow down and appreciate the complexity of the forest from the ground up, with the opportunity to glimpse some of Costa Rica’s unique wildlife.

Step into the lush countryside near Quepos for a sensory journey through Costa Rica’s most iconic crops; chocolate, vanilla, and coffee. Set on a private ranch, this immersive tour invites you to explore how these beloved ingredients are grown, harvested, and transformed, with a guided walk through the gardens, where cacao pods ripen on trees, vanilla vines climb and coffee plants thrive in the tropical climate. Our guide explains how each crop is cultivated sustainably while we discover the traditional methods used to process them into the rich flavours enjoyed around the world. After exploring the gardens and learning about the plants, sit down to a fresh farm-to-table lunch made with local produce. It’s a delicious way to connect with the land and the people who care for it.