
Secrets of Central America
- ItineraryColón to PuntarenasDuration11 days
- DatesStarting price
Onboard onto Le Champlain for an exquisite journey
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 biodiversity that is unique in the world; from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, you will experience dream islands, natural reserves and encounters with the fascinating local communities.
San Lorenzo’s Fort is the first port of call on your cruise aboard Le Champlain. Admire this unusual fortress built by the Spanish Crown to protect transatlantic trade. Now classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is an exceptional example of military architecture from the 17th and 18th centuries.
You will then discover the golden sand and crystal-clear waters of the coral islets of the San Blas Islands. The Kuna live among the palm trees and pirogues; this people perpetuates, among other things, the traditional craft of molas, weaved textiles in sparkling colours.
After crossing the legendary Panama Canal that connects the Atlantic to the Pacific, Le Champlain will sail to the heart of the Pearl Islands, nestling in the Gulf of Panama. There, our naturalists will offer to take you on an outing in a zodiac dinghy.
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 be an opportunity to meet the astonishing semi-nomadic Emberas community.
During the final stop in Panama, in front of Cebaco Island, you will have the possibility to enjoy the beach or to take walks nearby.
Your ship will then take you to Costa Rica. 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.
After a day spent discovering Drake Bay, your final visit will be the stunning Curú nature reserve. 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.
Your voyage
All inclusive, gourmet cuisine, room service, evening entertainment, shows, fitness center, hammam, sauna… Discover what is included in every Ponant cruise.

Destination
Central America
Colón to Puntarenas
Duration
11 days, 10 nights on board
Expeditions
Ref: EC190126










Journey
Your journey day-by-day
- An expedition cruise to discover Panama and Costa Rica, meet the local populations, and explore the lush natural environment.
- Outings and shore visits in zodiac inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist guides.
- Discover the fabulous National Parks, biodiversity and tribes of Central America.
- UNESCO sites: San Lorenzo’s Fort; Darien National Park and its superb jungle, from Playa Muerto.
- In Costa Rica, outings in the Curú Wildlife Refuge, sanctuaries of unspoiled nature.
- The magnificent San Blas archipelago and its fabulous underwater wildlife.
- Sail through the Panama Canal, a masterpiece of civil engineering.
- Fauna and lush flora: tropical forest, howler monkeys, sloths, tropical birds.
- In Panama, the possibility of discovering the crafts and traditions of the Guna people in the San Blas Islands (Atlantic side), and of meeting the indigenous Emberá tribe in Darien National Park (Pacific side).
- In Panama, discover two ports of calls in San Lorenzo’s Fort and Isla Pacheca in the Pearl Islands.

Customize your journey :
Date
18 Jan 26
Date
16 Jan 26

Date
29 Jan 26

Date
29 Jan 26
Staterooms and suites
Elegance and intimacy

Deluxe Stateroom
Guests
2
Surface
19 m²

Prestige Stateroom
Guests
2
Surface
19 m²

Deluxe Suite
Guests
3
Surface
27 m²

Prestige Suite
Guests
4
Surface
38 m²

Privilege Suite
Guests
3
Surface
32 m²

Grand Deluxe Suite
Guests
4
Surface
45 m²

Owner's Suite
Guests
4
Surface
45 m²
*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.
Details
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Services included in your cruise
Important trip details
In your luggage
Itinerary