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

Cruise Le Champlain, 7 Night Panama and Costa Rica by Sea: The Natural Wonders of Central America – with Smithsonian Journeys ex Puntarenas, Costa
Cruise Line Ponant
Ship Le Champlain
Destination Panama & Central America
Brief Description 7 Night Cruise sailing from Puntarenas, Costa Rica onboard Le Champlain
Type of Cruise Luxury
Departure Date 26 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 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.

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.

Le Champlain continues to 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.

After a daytime sailing from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean through the world-famous Panama Canal, your final call will be 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.

The encounters with the wildlife described above illustrate possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed.
Sailing Dates
26 Feb 2026
Category Single Twin Triple Quad
DEL AU $12,120 AU $8,360
PR4 AU $13,420 AU $9,230
PR5 AU $14,100 AU $9,680
PR6 AU $14,890 AU $10,210
DS5 AU $20,690 AU $14,080 AU $7,460
DS6 AU $20,690 AU $14,080 AU $7,460
PS5 AU $27,920 AU $18,900 AU $9,870
PS6 AU $29,370 AU $19,860 AU $10,350
PV6 AU $30,830 AU $20,840 AU $10,840
PV5 AU $30,830 AU $20,840 AU $10,840
GD6 AU $33,860 AU $22,850 AU $11,850
Cruise Itinerary
Date Port Arrive Depart
26 Feb 2026 Puntarenas, Costa Rica 6:00 PM
27 Feb 2026 Quepos, Costa Rica 6:00 AM 6:00 PM
28 Feb 2026 At Sea    
1 Mar 2026 Playa Muerto, Darien National Park 12:00 PM 6:00 PM
2 Mar 2026 Flamenco Island, Panama 7:00 AM
3 Mar 2026 Panama Canal 6:00 PM 6:00 PM
4 Mar 2026 San Blas Islands, Panama 6:00 AM 6:00 PM
5 Mar 2026 Colón, Panama 7:00 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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