Between Two Seas
10 days, 9 nights from Panama City, Panama to San José, Costa Rica...or reverse
Your Cruise West voyage of exploration in Costa Rica and Panama is a true insider's experience. You'll meet fascinating local people, and visit tropical gardens and wildlife reserves accessible only by special arrangement-and only by small ship.
 CRUISE + THE HIGHLIGHTS OF COSTA RICA
- Pentax Photography Cruise - December 8, 2008 and March 2, 2009
 At no additional cost, these departures will be co-hosted by professional PENTAX photographer Kerrick James, who will conduct special field events and onboard workshops throughout the cruise. Whether novice or seasoned photographers and regardless of the brand of camera you use, you will receive valuable, hands-on instruction on everything from image composition and digital image management to tips on how to be in the right place at the right time. Learn More
Your Exploration Leaders in Costa Rica are expert naturalists who are intimately familiar with their native land-one quarter of which has been set aside in nature preserves. They'll lead you into the forest identifying the exotic species of flora and fauna you encounter. In Panama, you'll wonder at the vast panorama of history, from pre-Conquest civilizations to the legends of the pirates of the Spanish Main. Orchids, butterflies, buried treasure-this is the jungle wilderness you came to see.
CRUISE + THE HIGHLIGHTS OF COSTA RICA
YOUR SELECTION
 CRUISE + THE HIGHLIGHTS OF COSTA RICA P-CR Between Two Seas
- Tour Costs From: $5,299 pp
- 15 Days / 14 Nights
- Panama to Costa Rica, plus Land Tour
- Departures: January - April 2008, 2009, November - December 2008, 2009
|
|
 Panama to Costa Rica 30B
- Day 1 - ARRIVE IN PANAMA
- Transfer from the Panama City Airport to Colón on the Caribbean coast to board the Pacific Explorer.
D
- Day 2 - SAN BLAS ISLANDS
The San Blas Archipelago is a chain of over 365 tropical islands. Only 50 of these islands are inhabited by the Kuna Indians, who live in communities of bamboo-sided, thatched-roofed houses. The Kuna Indians are one of a few indigenous groups that make up Panama's population. The area is owned and administered exclusively by the Kuna, who run it as an autonomous republic. Here, anyone who is not Kuna, including Panamanians is a foreigner. When you step off the boat you will be subject to the laws, folkways and mores of the Kuna.
Living much as their ancestors did, with beautiful golden-sand beaches and turquoise waters, the Kuna Indians pass on their customs through dances and chants, and crafts which include their richly embroidered molas. For island-to-island travel the Kuna use dugout canoes made from wild cashew trees. The women dress as their ancestors did with brilliant shawls, strands of beads wrapping their legs and gold rings through their noses. There is no fresh water supply on the San Blas Islands so the Kuna have the daily task of traveling up the rivers of Panama to collect water.
The remaining uninhabited islands are left to coconut trees, sea turtles and iguanas. Though the islands barely rise above the blue-green waters of the Caribbean, about two feet above sea level, protective reefs to the north and east soften the force of the wind and waves. At an uninhabited island nearby, crystal-clear waters tempt you in for snorkeling. .
BLD- Day 3 - PORTOBELO
- Enjoy a guided walk in Portobelo today. Discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1502, this was once one of the richest ports of the Spanish Main. Tons of gold and silver treasure flowed through this tiny port en route to the Spanish king. The Portobelo harbor was protected by huge stone forts, which may have slowed down but did not stop pirates. Sir Francis Drake used the port in 1570 as a base to rob Spanish merchantmen. He returned in the 1590s and promptly destroyed the beginnings of Spanish fortifications. Henry Morgan raided in 1668 and British Admiral Vernon destroyed Portobelo's forts in 1793.
Our naturalists will lead a tour through Portobelo pointing out some of its historic sights. After lunch and tides permitting, explore a mangrove forest by inflatable excursion craft, looking for sloth, monkeys and snowy egrets. BLD
- Day 4 - PANAMA CANAL
- Come eye-to-eye with one of the most acclaimed engineering marvels in the world, which employs over 9,000 workers. The Canal is over 50 miles long with a minimum depth of 41 feet. A ship traveling from New York to San Francisco saves 7,872 miles using the Panama Canal instead of going around South America. Approximately 14,000 ships pass through the Canal each year. Each ship pays according to the weight of the ship, with the average cost being about $30,000.
Transiting the Panama Canal is an unforgettable experience, especially aboard a small ship like the Pacific Explorer. The Canal has three sets of double locks: Miraflores and Pedro Miguel Locks on the Pacific side and Gatun Locks on the Atlantic side. A series of locks act as aquatic elevators by opening doors that let the lock either fill with water or drain. As the water level rises, a ship is raised. Each door of each lock weighs 80 tons, yet they float and thus require only about 40 watts of power to open and close. Gravity does all the necessary water transfer, so the lock process uses no pumps. During our transit, we will have a Panama Canal Authority pilot onboard, who will guide our captain throughout the whole trip. Average transit time is 8-10 hours. Also during transit there will be line handlers who come onboard to connect our ship to locomotives called mules to pull us through the 1,000-foot-long and 110-foot-wide lock chambers.
International maritime law gives priority to commercial freighters and the Pacific Explorer will likely transit the Canal in the late afternoon or evening. Cruise West has included a daytime visit to the Miraflores Locks Visitor Center, only steps away from the Canal. The Center tells the ongoing Panama Canal story through up-close observation of transiting vessels, details about canal operations, a collection of historic artifacts, and information about the biodiversity of the region. The schedule for this visit varies. BLD
- Day 5 - DARIEN JUNGLE
- As we make our way toward the Darien Jungle, we hope to see whales, dolphins and marine birds. Some dolphins, including bottle-nosed and pantropical spotted dolphins, will often rush to the bow and surf the pressure wave that the ship creates as we pass through the water.
The Darien Jungle represents five ecological zones of tropical forest from the high elevations to lowlands, with about 10,000 known species of plants. Of the over 900 resident species of Panamanian land birds, the majority are found in the Darien. Listen for the roars of howler monkeys, the screeches of parrots and macaws and look for black mangrove hawks soaring above. The jungle is also home of the harpy eagle, the national bird of Panama.
Visit a remote Embera village tucked away on the southwest coast of the Darien Jungle. The Embera people open their homes and hearts to welcome Cruise West friends. They will perform native dancing with traditional music. The women will show the baskets they make, tightly woven, exquisitely shaped and adorned with traditional patterns. The men will pull out a piece of rag wrapped around delicately carved animals cut in Tagua, a palm fruit sometimes called vegetable ivory for its resemblance to polished horn material. BLD
- Day 6 - GRANITO DE ORO IN COIBA NATIONAL PARK
- Some of the richest waters of Central America's Pacific coast can be found here, plus the largest expanse of lowland tropical forest, 80% of which is largely untouched, primary forest. The Park includes Panama's biggest island and is one of its newest protected areas, established in 1991. In the early 1900s it was a maximum security prison and before that, it was used for many years as a hideaway for pirates. Pre-Columbian remains dating from around A.D. 500 have been found there.
A preliminary study of the marine life here during 1997 identified 69 species of fish, like white-tipped reef sharks, manta rays and the comical puffer fish. To date, 147 species of birds have been identified, including scarlet macaws. The Coiba Spinetail, a little brown-and-white bird, is found only on the islands in Coiba National Park. Coiba Spinetails are mainly arboreal and prefer dense tangles of vines and leaves where they forage, climbing through the denser cover rather than over the more open branches. Coiba Park's marine animals include 23 species of whales and dolphins, including humpback, sperm and killer whales, which inhabit its waters year round.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site of pristine waters and abundant sea life makes this one of the top 10 diving locations in the world. Enjoy a day of island snorkeling and kayaking. Please keep in mind that the underwater world is a very sensitive marine environment. Coiba National Park has the second largest coral reef in the Central-Eastern Pacific Ocean. Coral is actually an animal and grows very slowly. Stepping on coral can kill what has taken literally years to grow. Coral can also give you a painful, slow-healing cut, so it is best to avoid contact with it. BLD
- Day 7 - GOLFO DULCE
- Take a guided tour through the beautiful gardens at Casa Orquideas or "Orchid House." Casa Orquideas is a private botanical garden cultivated by long-time local residents, who have lovingly landscaped this homestead for over 20 years. They have amassed a wonderful collection of tropical fruit trees, bromeliads, cycads, palms, heliconias, ornamental plants and more than 100 varieties of orchids. See, smell, and touch a wide variety of beautiful ornamental plants and taste some unusual fruits.
In the afternoon take a walk in search of wildlife. Look for toucans, monkeys and maybe even a snake. If you prefer a quiet afternoon on your own, stay onboard and relax on the Sun Deck. BLD
- Day 8 - CALETAS BEACH
- Discover the Corcovado Conservation Area, a pristine rainforest, populated by a number of endangered species including puma, tapir, poison dart frogs, crocodile, jaguar, and marine turtles. It is home to the largest population of scarlet macaws in Costa Rica. Close to 400 species of birds have been seen here. There are also around 140 mammals and over 500 species of trees. Giant trees draped with vines and lianas and supported by massive buttress roots tower over the forest floor. Corcovado is inundated with nearly 20 feet of rain a year and is technically known as a very humid tropical lowland rainforest. Guided hikes will be offered, of varying degrees of difficulty. Lunch is a picnic on the beach, weather permitting BLD
- Day 9 - MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK
- This park was created in 1972 and consists of three magnificent white-sand beaches that are backed by a jungle sheltering hundreds of fascinating plant species. Naturalists lead walks to outstanding wildlife viewing. There are over 109 mammal species and 184 species of birds here. Watch for monkeys, iguanas, agoutis, sloth, and the rare turquoise cotinga.
Manuel Antonio offers well-maintained trails where you can explore the jungle on your own or join a walk with one of our naturalists. You may wish to see the small shopping area, relax on the white-sand beach or take a swim. BLD
- Day 10 - ARRIVE IN SAN JOSE
- Disembark in Los Suenos and transfer to the San Jose Courtyard by Marriott. Opt for a dip in the pool and enjoy a day at leisure. B
- Day 11 - SAN JOSE GOLD MUSEUM AND RAINFOREST AERIAL TRAM
- Start your morning with a city tour of San Jose including a visit to the world-class Gold Museum and the artisan workshops of Moravia. Continue to a private nature reserve just north of Braulio Carrillo National Park, home to 2/3 of all rainforest species, and float through the treetops in a Rainforest Aerial Tram. Overnight in Sarapiqui. BLD
- Day 12 - YOUR CHOICE: ADVENTURE OR CULTURE
- Choose one of two full-day tours. Feeling adventurous? Opt for two activities at Hacienda Pozo Azul, including horseback riding, a canopy zip line tour, a float or river rafting trip, a dairy farm and butterfly garden visit or an easy nature hike. If it's culture (and something sweet) you're after, take a guided tour of a chocolate plantation and learn how cacao is processed – even make your own chocolate bar! Visit a pineapple plantation to learn the history and cultivation of pineapples (and for the world's freshest pina colada) and top off your day at the Museum of Indigenous Cultures and the Alma Alta Archaeological Park for a glimpse into Costa Rica's indigenous history. Overnight in Sarapiqui. BLD
- Day 13 - LA PAZ WATERFALL GARDENS AND COFFEE PLANTATION
- Explore the cloud and rainforest and majestic falls of the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, with visits to a Hummingbird Garden and Butterfly Observatory. Next, visit a coffee plantation on the slopes of the Poas Volcano. Enjoy a tour and tasting as you learn how coffee is processed from bean to brew, and how Costa Rica’s varied microclimates determine the flavor of the final cup. Overnight in Arenal. BLD
- Day 14 - ARENAL VOLCANO AND HOT SPRINGS
- This morning visit the Eco-Center Danaus where you’ll learn the natural history of butterflies and choose a tree from the nursery to plant later on during your excursion. Continue to La Casa Rio Fortuna, a 100-year-old estate rich in culture and tradition, for a tortilla cooking demonstration using a traditional woodstove. Next, visit a local elementary school for a traditional folk dance presentation and to participate in a reforestation project. This afternoon, visit Arenal Volcano and take a dip in the local hot springs. When night falls, watch for Arenal’s glowing eruptions (weather permitting) and enjoy dinner at Mirador Kioro. Overnight in Arenal. BLD
- Day 15 - SAN JOSE
- Transfer to the airport in San Jose for your return flight home. B
B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner
|
|
|
|
CRUISE DATES & PRICES
|
TOUR 30B P-CR
|
|
A |
AA |
AAA |
DLX |
|
|
$5299 |
$5799 |
$6149 |
$6599 |
|
|
$5299 |
$5799 |
$6149 |
$6599 |
|
|
$6299 |
$6799 |
$7149 |
$7599 |
| |
|
|
A |
AA |
AAA |
DLX |
|
|
$6099 |
$6599 |
$6949 |
$7399 |
|
|
$6199 |
$6699 |
$7049 |
$7499 |
|
|
$6199 |
$6699 |
$7049 |
$7499 |
|
|
$6199 |
$6699 |
$7049 |
$7499 |
|
|
$5899 |
$6399 |
$6749 |
$7199 |
|
|
$5899 |
$6399 |
$6749 |
$7199 |
|
|
$5899 |
$6399 |
$6749 |
$7199 |
|
|
$6399 |
$6899 |
$7249 |
$7699 |
The cost of your cruise-land tour includes $233 per person which covers taxes/port charges/fees and on board services. On board gratuities are neither required nor expected. Prices are per person, double-occupancy, U.S. dollars. Single/Triple rates available upon request where applicable. Airfare extra. Prices do not include fuel surcharges which may be added up to the time of final payment.
Note: For the destinations in this cruise, small motorized excursion craft are the only way to get ashore. Travelers should have confident balance and mobility to participate.
TOUR 31B CR-P
|
|
A |
AA |
AAA |
DLX |
|
|
$5299 |
$5799 |
$6149 |
$6599 |
|
|
$5299 |
$5799 |
$6149 |
$6599 |
|
|
$6299 |
$6799 |
$7149 |
$7599 |
| |
|
|
A |
AA |
AAA |
DLX |
|
|
$6099 |
$6599 |
$6949 |
$7399 |
|
|
$6099 |
$6599 |
$6949 |
$7399 |
|
|
$6199 |
$6699 |
$7049 |
$7499 |
|
|
$6199 |
$6699 |
$7049 |
$7499 |
|
|
$6199 |
$6699 |
$7049 |
$7499 |
|
|
$5899 |
$6399 |
$6749 |
$7199 |
|
|
$5899 |
$6399 |
$6749 |
$7199 |
|
|
$6399 |
$6899 |
$7249 |
$7699 |
The cost of your cruise-land tour includes $233 per person which covers taxes/port charges/fees and on board services. On board gratuities are neither required nor expected. Prices are per person, double-occupancy, U.S. dollars. Single/Triple rates available upon request where applicable. Airfare extra. Prices do not include fuel surcharges which may be added up to the time of final payment.
Note: For the destinations in this cruise, small motorized excursion craft are the only way to get ashore. Travelers should have confident balance and mobility to participate.
|
|
|
| |  |
Pacific Explorer
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Cabin Category PEX - A :
A cabins forward on the Main Deck offer one double, a picture window that opens, storage closet and shelves, and private facilities. |
|
|
YOUR SELECTIONS BELOW
Between Two Seas
| | |
- 100 guests
- 185 feet in length
- Cruising speed of 12 knots
- Registered in Honduras
- English-speaking Costa Rican crew
- American Exploration Leader
- All cabins feature picture windows and teak beds
- Built 1995, completely remodeled
| |
|
|
PEX - A
PEX - AA
PEX - AAA
PEX - Deluxe
|
|
|
|
Expand/Contract All
 Panama
Traverse two seas and continents in a single day in Panama.
 Panama is the ultimate crossroads of the Americas. It is bordered by Colombia to its south and Costa Rica to its northwest. The Isthmus of Panama is a land bridge that unites the Americas, and is also, of course, the site of the man-made technological wonder of the Panama Canal, which connects the Caribbean to the Pacific. Panama’s arched shape provides a Caribbean coastline o
|
videos 
booked guests 
