Costa Rica & Panama: Wild Coast Expedition
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Cruise differently in Costa Rica and Panama. Rainforest hikes, a Panama Canal crossing, UNESCO-protected coral reefs and wildlife that stops you mid-sentence — all from a small ship.
Some journeys have a centerpiece moment. Here, it's the Panama Canal — 48 miles of audacious engineering connecting two oceans, more impressive in person than it has any right to be. But this 14-night expedition earns its place long before and after the crossing. Hike jungle trails while scarlet macaws and howler monkeys go about their business overhead. Snorkel the crystalline waters of Coiba National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore remote island coves by skiff and discover national parks that most travelers never reach. Costa Rica will do the rest — surprising you, delighting you and slowing you down in the best possible way. Pura vida.
Built on genuine respect for Costa Rica's extraordinary ecosystems, our expedition partner sources local food, serves only sustainable seafood and follows Leave No Trace practices throughout — while expert naturalist guides bring you closer to the local communities and wild places that make this coastline so remarkable. This is cruising reimagined.
About this UnTour Cruise
Itinerary Highlights
Route: Liberia Airport to Panama City Airport (or reverse) Duration: 14 nights
Transit the 48-mile-long Panama Canal connecting the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Discover Costa Rica’s magnificent biological diversity at several national parks and a wildlife refuge. Tropical rainforest hikes: watch for howler monkeys, scarlet macaws, white-faced capuchins, and sloths. Snorkel and explore the crystalline waters and marine life in Coiba National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unparalleled off-the-beaten-path exploration in lush jungles, crystal clear coves, and remote peninsulas.
What's included
- Group transfers and baggage handling between the airport/vessel on embark/disembark day
- Entry fees to national parks & reserves
- Limited Wi-Fi connectivity on board (not available in preserved areas)
- From-the-vessel adventure activities and equipment
- Exclusive activities and shore visits
- All meals aboard the vessel
- Premium wine, beer, liquor, and craft cocktails (excludes super-premium wines)
- Non-alcoholic beverages
- Wellness amenities
- Onboard expedition guides and guest experts
Itinerary
Day 1 - Liberia/Marina Flamingo – Embarkation
Welcome to the land of pura vida. Upon arrival at Liberia’s Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport, transfer to the marina to board the Safari Voyager. Settle in, meet the crew, and enjoy a welcome dinner and route talk.
Meals included: dinner
Day 2 - Murciélago Bay (Santa Rosa National Park)
Your adventure begins in remote Murcielago Bay, part of Santa Rosa National Park. Accessible only by boat, this area invites exploration by skiff or snorkel. There will also be opportunities for guided hikes nearby. Enjoy scenic islands and vibrant underwater life far from the crowds.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3 - Santa Elena Bay (Santa Rosa National Park)
Santa Elena Bay is known for its rich marine life including tropical fish, sea turtles, and coral reefs. Kayak pristine waters, snorkel over vibrant reefs, or hike scenic trails in the surrounding area.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 - Curu Wildlife Refuge
Discover the diverse wildlife of Curu Wildlife Refuge, home to monkeys, exotic birds, butterflies, and crocodiles. In the afternoon, enjoy kayaking, paddle boarding, or relaxing at a beach party near beautiful Isla Tortuga.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5 - Isla San Lucas National Park & Puntarenas
Visit Isla San Lucas, once home to Costa Rica’s most notorious prison and now a national park. Tour preserved prison structures, hike forest trails, and kayak scenic coastlines. Later, stroll Puntarenas’ Paseo de los Turistas boardwalk, admire local landmarks, shop, and immerse yourself in coastal culture.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6 - Osa Peninsula: Drake Bay & Corcovado National Park
Experience the wild beauty of the Osa Peninsula near Corcovado National Park, one of the most biologically rich places on Earth. Hike Drake Bay’s rugged coast and watch for monkeys, reptiles, birds, and migrating humpback whales. Cool off with snorkeling or a refreshing river swim.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7 - Golfo Dulce & Saladero Preserve
Explore Golfo Dulce, one of only four tropical fjords in the world and a birding paradise. Kayak or skiff alongside mangroves and lush rainforest shorelines, spotting endemic wildlife in this biodiversity hotspot. Explore Saladero Preserve, a beautiful area where palm trees line the crystal-clear water.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8 - Coiba National Park
Today, we will be heading south and crossing into the waters off the coast of Panama. Your captain will take you to remote islands inside Coiba National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a beautiful snorkeling spot. Hop in the water with your expedition team and discover the colorful world beneath the surface.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 9 - Darien Gap: Punta Alegre
The Darien Gap is a well-known region that connects North and South America. It is a roadless stretch of dense rainforest, swamps, and mountains. We will anchor near Punta Alegre for a day of exploration by kayak, skiff, and hiking ashore.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 10 - Darien Gap: Native Village Visit
Today, we will continue our exploration of the Darien Gap with a visit to a native village. You will take a beautiful skiff tour up a river lined with mangroves to reach your destination: Embera Village. Here, there are no roads, plumbing, or electrical grids. Villagers raise their children in the culture with near complete isolation from the modern world. You will learn all about their way of life through dancing, singing, and storytelling.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 11 - Taboga Island & Panama Canal Crossing
Arrive at Taboga Island, also known as the “Island of the Flowers.” You will have free time to explore this picturesque Panamanian town or take a ridge hike with your guides for fantastic views of Panama City, the Gulf of Panama, and the Canal zone. The island is an excellent spot for birding, as it supports significant breeding colonies of brown pelicans, as well as other resident birds. Later today, sail into the sunset and experience one of the top bucket-list destinations on Earth: the Panama Canal. Marvel at the engineering and human tenacity that went into constructing this landmark while enjoying dinner with your fellow guests.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 12 & 13 - Guna Yala Islands (San Blas)
Explore the Guna Yala Islands, a collection of 378 tropical islands known for their white sand beaches, clear waters, and rich cultural traditions. Visit uninhabited islands and local Kuna native villages, meet the welcoming Kuna people, and learn about their famous handmade Molas. Spend your days swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, playing beach volleyball, and relaxing on the beach, or just enjoy the beauty of this remote island paradise.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 14 - Portobelo – Spanish Fort Exploration
You will go back in time today as you explore an isolated Spanish fort that was constructed in the 16th century onward. Over time, it was attacked and reconstructed, and today it survives as ruins. You will have the opportunity to explore the village on your own, or your guides will offer kayak and skiff tours to see the area from the water. Your night will end with a Captain’s Dinner and a slideshow recapping your trip.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 15 - Colon Disembarkation & Transfer to Panama City
Meals included: breakfast
Variations in itinerary, ship, and order of days may occur to maximize your experience
Excursions
All excursions are included, as outlined in the itinerary above.
Pre-Cruise Options
This cruise pairs beautifully with our Guanacaste and Arenal UnTours, allowing you to experience both Costa Rica’s vibrant coastline and its lush inland landscapes in one seamless journey. Imagine combining small-ship exploration with time in volcanic hot springs and wildlife-rich national parks — it truly offers the best of both worlds.
Combine any UnTour on land with a cruise and receive an exclusive $200-per-booking discount. You’ll always receive seamless booking guidance from our in-house travel experts. Inquire for more details.
Ship
Safari Voyager
Discreet, classy, and stealth, the Safari Voyager is comfortable in warm water regions.
The 66-guest Safari Voyager boasts spacious decks and big, 270-degree view windows in the lounge that spotlight the natural surroundings, a casual atmosphere, colorful art, nautical décor, and full menu of amenities.
The Safari Voyager is a favorite, comfortable option for our Baja, Mexico and Latin America options built to handle humidity and heat. With her ease of navigating the tropical waters, adventure, wilderness access, and the natural landscape are always at the forefront. A seamless extension of the places she sails, the boat and her mostly local crew exude pura vida (pure life). Handcrafted artwork throughout the vessel and in each cabin pays homage to the cultures of Latin America. Casual in nature, the Safari Voyager is a bit of a show-off, too—take in 270-degrees of view from the top deck or window-to-window in the air-conditioned lounge.
Four decks for your exploration and relaxation. The sun deck houses fitness equipment and the kayaks and skiffs. The Bridge deck offers a shaded sitting area aft and the air-conditioned lounge, as well as Pathfinder and Admiral cabins and the Bridge. The lounge deck offers the bow viewing area, another covered area aft, and most of the cabins, including the luxurious Commodore Suite. The Main Deck hosts the Navigator cabins and brings the underwater camera to see marine life from the lounge and the launch platform when you are ready to see marine life yourself!
The window-lined, air-conditioned lounge provides refuge from tropical heat while offering a 270-degree view with seating for all 66 guests.
The DVD and book library on the lounge deck offers a beautiful spot to read, with plush furniture and floor-to-ceiling windows. The elegant dining room hosts all 66 guests in one seating for lunch and dinner, with a breakfast buffet in the morning. Some meals may be served al fresco on the Sun deck.
Specifications:
Decks: 3
Length: 174'
Beam: 54'
Guests: 66
Cabins: 34
Crew: Guest-to-crew ratio - 2.2:1
Cabin Categories:
Compass Cabin - Cabin Deck (2)
Navigator Cabin - Main (lower) Deck (8)
Trailblazer Cabin - Cabin Deck (14)
Pathfinder Cabin - Bridge Deck (3)
Admiral Cabin - Bridge Deck (2)
Jr Commodore - Cabin Deck (4)
Commodore Suite - Cabin Deck (1)
Disclaimer
Our staff have inspected this cruise and the above description and photographs reflect what they saw at that time. It is possible that the supplier has made changes to the cruise without our knowledge. While we do our best to keep up with any changes or improvements made to our cruises, we cannot guarantee that everything in the above description will be accurate.
Sep 18, 2027 to Oct 2, 2027
Oct 2, 2027 to Oct 16, 2027
Nov 27, 2027 to Dec 11, 2027
Dec 11, 2027 to Dec 25, 2027
Sep 15, 2028 to Sep 29, 2028
Sep 29, 2028 to Oct 13, 2028
Nov 24, 2028 to Dec 8, 2028
Dec 8, 2028 to Dec 22, 2028
- Private cabin
- All onboard meals
- Shore excursions
- Port taxes & fees
- Transportation to/from the vessel
- International Flights
- Travel Insurance
- Transportation outside of cruise dates
- Tips and gratuities