Central America Jewels & Panama Canal on Le Dumont d'Urville

The program begins on Thursday, January 1 in Panama City, Panama with one hotel pre-night. Most flight options from both the US East and West coasts will require one calendar day to travel to Panama City. Consequently, guests should plan to depart on December 31 to ensure arrival on January 1. There are some options out of Boston, NYC, and Los Angeles that will get guests to Panama City the same day, but travel from other major cities in the US will require one day.

Arrive in Panama City, Panama, where you will be met and transferred to the Waldorf Astoria, Panama City (or similar). Gather this evening with your Harvard Alumni Study Leader and fellow alumni and friends for a welcome cocktail reception. 

Overnight: Waldorf Astoria, Panama City (or similar)

Meals: R

After breakfast at the hotel, join an excursion to the Punta Culebra Nature Center at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), a fascinating, open-air museum dedicated to marine science and conservation.

Continue with a walking tour of the Panama City’s Casco Antigua district, where churches, colonial palaces, and military buildings display French, Spanish, and Italian architectural influences after lunch at a local restaurant, transfer 1.5 hr to Colon, where you embark Le Dumont d’Urville. 

Nestled at the Caribbean entrance of the Panama Canal, Colón is Panama's second-largest city and an important port. Founded in 1850 by Americans building the transcontinental Panama Railroad, it quickly outshone older Caribbean ports after the canal's inauguration. The city's development surged with the establishment of the free trade zone in 1953, making it a vibrant hub of commerce and culture.

Overnight: Le Dumont d'Urville

Meals: B, L, D

Off Panama's northeastern coast, the San Blas archipelago is a tropical paradise of over 300 coral islands and cays. These stunning isles, protected by a long coral reef, boast powdery white beaches and crystal-clear waters teeming with vibrant marine life. Guests can relax in this pristine environment before visiting the Kuna community, whose centuries-old traditions endure. Experience their warm hospitality, bamboo homes, and unique crafts that reflect their harmonious connection with nature.

Overnight: Le Dumont d'Urville

Meals: B, L, D

Embark on an unforgettable journey through the Panama Canal, a 20th-century engineering marvel. Built between 1880 and 1914, the canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, transforming global trade. Your ship will ascend through the locks to Gatun Lake, offering a fascinating glimpse into this technological masterpiece that bypasses the treacherous journey around Cape Horn.

Overnight: Le Dumont d'Urville

Meals: B, L, D

Visit the Embera Quera Tribe, recognized as Panama’s Model Village of Indigenous Tourism for its cultural preservation and environmental conservation. Travel by dugout canoe* on the Gatún River to the village, where the Chief will welcome you with traditional hospitality and dances. Explore freely, interact respectfully, and admire local craftsmanship, with souvenirs available. 

*Boarding canoes requires dexterity.

Overnight: Le Dumont d'Urville

Meals: B, L, D

Discover the wild, unspoiled beauty of Darien National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. With its rugged coastline, mangroves, rivers, and pristine rainforests, this remote region is home to extraordinary biodiversity. Visit Playa Muerto, a small coastal village inhabited by the Embera community. Engage with their rich culture through traditional music, dance, and exquisite handicrafts, offering a rare window into an ancient way of life.

Overnight: Le Dumont d'Urville

Meals: B, L, D

Enjoy a day of relaxation and discovery aboard your ship. Unwind in the spa, stay active in the fitness center, or simply soak in the sun by the pool. Explore onboard boutiques, attend enriching lectures or entertainment, and take in panoramic views of the open sea. Keep an eye out for marine life from the upper deck—this day at sea offers a perfect balance of leisure and exploration.

Overnight: Le Dumont d'Urville

Meals: B, L, D

Nestled on Costa Rica's Pacific coast, Golfito is a gateway to one of Central America's largest tropical rainforests. Once a hub for banana export, this town now offers visitors pristine beaches framed by lush jungles rich in wildlife, including exotic birds and playful monkeys. Explore the untouched beauty of Golfo Dulce or venture into the rainforest to uncover its many wonders.

Overnight: Le Dumont d'Urville

Meals: B, L, D

Disembark after breakfast, and proceed on to the first stop at Espíritu Santo in Naranjo for a coffee tour, where you'll explore the history of Costa Rican coffee production. Then, head to the Else Kientzler Botanical Garden in Sarchí, where you'll enjoy a peaceful stroll among over 2,000 species of plants, followed by a delicious lunch surrounded by the beauty of the gardens. Afterward, visit the Oxcart Factory and Sarchí's artisan workshops to discover colorful handcrafted wooden oxcarts and traditional Costa Rican crafts. Transfer to your hotel Hilton San Jose La Sabana in San José, dinner will be on your own.

Meals: B, L

Transfer to the airport for flights homeward.  
 
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