Secrets of Central America

Ponant takes you to discover Panama and Costa Rica with an 11-day expedition cruise. A circuit of extraordinary beauty around the isthmus of Panama, a link between two continents, which concentrates a unique biodiversity; from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean between dream islands, natural reserves and encounters with the fascinating local communities. Your journey in Central America will begin with a port of call in the magnificent Portobelo Bay, which includes mangroves, tropical forest and discovery of the Congo culture.

The fortifications of this former gateway to the New...read more World are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will then explore the golden sand and crystal-clear waters of the coral islets of the San Blas Islands. The Kuna people live among the palm trees and pirogues (small boats); this culture continues, among other things, the traditional craft of molas, weaved textiles in sparkling colours. After sailing through the world-famous Panama Canal, your ship will stop in the Pearls Islands, which nestle in the Gulf of Panama. Your ship will then head for the magnificent Darien National Park in Panama. This little corner of paradise is a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to remarkable plants and wildlife.

Sandy beaches, rocky coastlines, mangroves, swamps and tropical rainforests vie with each other for beauty and offer a feast for photographers. This will also provide an opportunity to meet the astonishing semi-nomadic Emberas community. The next stage of your cruise: Rio Esquinas. You will ride aboard one of our zodiac dinghies to observe this lush environment where monumental mangroves and emblematic species reign supreme. You will then enjoy a visit to the Curú Wildlife Refuge. Deep inside the tropical rainforest you may be lucky enough to see multicoloured birds, monkeys, iguanas and sloths. The encounters with the wildlife described above illustrate possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed.