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Le Champlain, 7 Night Panama and Costa Rica by Sea: The Natural Wonders of Central America – with Smithsonian Journeys ex Colón, Panama to P

Cruise Le Champlain, 7 Night Panama and Costa Rica by Sea: The Natural Wonders of Central America – with Smithsonian Journeys ex Colón, Panama to P
Cruise Line Ponant
Ship Le Champlain
Destination Panama & Central America
Brief Description 7 Night Cruise sailing from Colón, Panama onboard Le Champlain
Type of Cruise Luxury
Departure Date 19 Feb 2026
Cruise Description In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys.

This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.

Discover Panama and Costa Rica with PONANT on this splendid 8-day cruise aboard Le Champlain, which explores the region’s abundant natural splendours, local indigenous communities, and the modern marvel of the Panama Canal.

Your journey in Central America will start along the white sands and translucent waters of Holandes Cayes, one of the coral islets of Panama’s San Blas Islands. Spend a day in this tropical paradise and enjoy the opportunity to swim and snorkel. Members of the Guna community call these islands home, and you may encounter them along the beach.

After a daytime sailing from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean through the world-famous Panama Canal, Le Champlain calls in Fuerte Amador for an exploration of Panama City’s Old Quarter and of the region’s fantastic biodiversity at the superb Frank Gehry-designed Biomuseo.

Here, you will also visit the Punta Culebra Nature Center at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), a fascinating, open-air museum dedicated to marine science and conservation. On a specially arranged tour guided by Smithsonian staff, hear about the latest studies, observe marine species up close, and explore the unique flora and fauna of the tropical dry forest.

Your ship calls next in the remote and magnificent Darién National Park. This little corner of paradise is a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to a remarkably diverse range of plants and wildlife. Rocky coastlines, mangroves, swamps, and tropical rainforests abound and offer a feast for photographers. Here, meet members of the local Emberá community.

Your final call will be in Quepos, Costa Rica, gateway to the spectacular Manuel Antonio National Park, where you will encounter myriad tropical flora and fantastic fauna, including sloths, the noisy howler monkey, the white-faced capuchin, and the tiny squirrel monkey. The combination of forest and ocean also provides a special opportunity to observe both terrestrial and sea birds—toucans, pelicans, hummingbirds, terns, and more.

The encounters with the wildlife described above illustrate possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed.
Sailing Dates
19 Feb 2026
Category Single Twin Triple Quad
DEL AU $12,090 AU $8,330
PR4 AU $13,390 AU $9,200
PR5 AU $14,070 AU $9,650
PR6 AU $14,860 AU $10,180
DS6 AU $20,660 AU $14,050 AU $7,430
DS4 AU $20,660 AU $14,050 AU $7,430
PS5 AU $27,890 AU $18,870 AU $9,840
PS6 AU $29,340 AU $19,830 AU $10,320
PV6 AU $30,800 AU $20,810 AU $10,810
PV5 AU $30,800 AU $20,810 AU $10,810
GD6 AU $33,830 AU $22,820 AU $11,820
Cruise Itinerary
Date Port Arrive Depart
19 Feb 2026 Colón, Panama 8:00 PM
20 Feb 2026 San Blas Islands, Panama 6:00 AM 6:00 PM
21 Feb 2026 Panama Canal 7:00 AM 7:00 AM
22 Feb 2026 Flamenco Island, Panama 7:00 PM
23 Feb 2026 Playa Muerto, Darien National Park 7:00 AM 1:00 PM
24 Feb 2026 At Sea    
25 Feb 2026 Quepos, Costa Rica 6:00 AM 6:00 PM
26 Feb 2026 Puntarenas, Costa Rica 8:00 AM
All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.

* Unless otherwise noted all pricing is on a per person twin share basis. All prices based on cash payment - credit card fees may apply. Cruise deposit, amendment and cancellation conditions apply. Special conditions may apply - please ask for full details at time of enquiry. All passports, vaccinations and visas are the responsibility of the travelling guest to secure prior to departure from Australia. Any pricing not in Australian Dollars will be converted on the day of payment into the relevant currency based on our daily rate of exchange. Please note that many of the prices shown on this website are not shown in real time. Whilst we endeavour to keep our pricing as up-to-date as possible, the advertised prices shown here may differ slightly from the live prices in our booking system. All pricing and offers are subject to availability at time of booking. Whilst all information is correct at the time of publication, offers are subject to change. We reserve the right to correct errors without penalty. Please submit any data errors/omissions you may notice on this site.

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