Panama Canal & the Pacific Coast

Get acquainted with Costa Rica’s natural and cultural gifts on this scenic ride into the country’s Central Valley. Drive by motor coach, heading east to Esparza, a picturesque town founded in 1574 by the Spanish. Local dancers will greet you dressed in traditional costumes, and you will also have time here to browse among the crafts stalls. Your roundtrip journey will take you along the deep blue waters of the Pacific Ocean and past mango farms and cashew plantations. You will also have an opportunity to admire rural homes and bucolic gardens, all while keeping an eye out for the many species of colorful birdlife. At the CROC Sky Walk Experience Center, step onto a platform overlooking the famous Tárcoles River crocodiles. Enjoy a chocolate-making demonstration, sample fresh tropical fruits, sip authentic Costa Rican coffee and browse the gift stalls, before returning to your ship.

Discover Costa Rica’s cloud forest biodiversity along beautiful trails and suspended bridges amid the tree canopy. Begin with a short downhill walk that leads to an open hummingbird garden, where many species of these tiny, brightly colored birds gather around and amaze you with their spectacular acrobatic maneuvers. After, you will arrive at the first of four suspended bridges that cover over half a mile of verdant terrain, and rise up to 126 feet above the ground. As you continue your way over rivers and cascades, your naturalist guide will point out the most outstanding features of this misty forest. Look for many species of birds, butterflies and small mammals, and flora such as orchids, heliconias, ferns, bromeliads and more. En route back to your ship, take a stroll around picturesque gardens and pause at a local gift shop for the perfect memento.

Enjoy an invigorating cycle ride on this nature bike trail to explore the beautiful scenery of Costa Rica. The ride begins on a flat, partially paved road to the intersection of Bajamar. Begin your journey and admire the stunning landscapes, and the flora and fauna, as you pass cattle ranches and the wildlife in this wetland area. Keep your eyes peeled for the various species of magnificent water birds, such as egrets and herons. Cycle through the rolling hills, with plenty of chances to stop and photograph the lovely flowers and amazing views along the way. Your tour guide will provide you with a commentary of the landscape and nature highlights as you encounter them. Stop at a scenic look out point that offers breathtaking views over the Pacific Ocean and enjoy a selection of tropical fruits before returning to your ship.

Witness firsthand Starbucks’s efforts to promote sustainable coffee farming practices at the Hacienda Alsacia. From its humble start as a single storefront in Seattle’s Pike Place Market, Starbucks has grown into one of the world’s most recognizable coffee brands. An industry innovator, the company bought its first coffee farm—the Hacienda Alsacia—in 2013, with the goal of ensuring the future of coffee production. Your guided tour of the facility will give you the opportunity to view the coffee bean’s journey from the field to the cup, from the working tree nursery and micro wet mill to the drying patio and roaster. Visit the on-site café, where you can sample freshly roasted brews and explore the range of gifts. Afterward, enjoy a tasty Costa Rican lunch at a local restaurant before returning to your awaiting ship.

Immerse yourself in the world of high equestrian arts during an excursion to the highlands of the Alajuela Province. Rancho San Miguel has been exhibiting horse fiestas for more than 30 years and is famous throughout the Americas for its purebred Andalusian horses. Upon arrival at the hacienda, meet your guide, who will introduce you to the equine world. Then, sit back and enjoy the Fantasía Ecuestre, an exciting show that combines dressage training with the masterful abilities of the riders. Every act will be explained by your guide while you listen to the rhythms of Spanish flamenco music and enjoy a selection of tapas, accompanied by a glass of wine. After the show, stop in Orotina, where you can browse market stalls and mingle with locals selling regional produce, including fresh tropical fruits, savory snacks, sweet treats and cold drinks, en route to your ship.

Discover Sarchí and its heritage, and immerse yourself in nature at the Else Kientzler Botanical Garden. You will travel to the scenic town of Sarchí, where more than a century ago, local artists began painting and decorating their traditional oxcarts in intricate and colorful designs. Here, you will visit a local plaza where you will have the opportunity to observe the intricate work of the artisans, and see the world-famous hand-painted oxcarts. Afterward, continue to the immaculate Else Kientzler Botanical Garden, home to more than 2,000 species of tropical plants. Your guide will share insights into the story of each plant and tree as you explore the surroundings. After you will head to a local eatery for lunch and a folkloric performance that showcases the rich cultural traditions of the region, before returning to your ship.

Set sail amid the mangroves on a jungle boat to observe local wildlife and discover Costa Rica’s crocodiles. Your journey unfolds near the Carara National Park, on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. The Tárcoles Estuary is noted for its mangrove forests, and the mouth of the Tárcoles River is considered to be one of the richest sites for seabirds and shorebirds. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife; you may spot cuckoos, hummingbirds, Panama flycatchers, and herons, as well as iguanas and lizards. The riverbanks are home to a large crocodile colony, with some of these reptiles measuring nearly ten feet in length. Continue to the CROC Sky Walk Experience Center, and step onto a platform overlooking the famous Tárcoles River crocodiles. Enjoy a chocolate-making demonstration, sample fresh tropical fruits, sip authentic Costa Rican coffee and browse the gift stalls, before returning to your ship.

Explore a biodiverse cloud forest by aerial tram and along suspended walkways amid the leafy canopy. An important wildlife refuge, the Monteverde Cloud Forest is a rare type of forest that occurs within high-altitude tropical or subtropical environments, where the atmospheric conditions allow for consistent cloud cover. It is home to vast numbers of mammal, bird, insect and plant species, including the world’s largest number of orchids. Upon arrival, board the aerial tram, then begin your ascent through the cloud forest, admiring sweeping views of your surroundings. Afterward, follow your knowledgeable guide on a nature walk to the first of four suspended bridges that cover over half a mile of verdant terrain, and rise up to 126 feet above the ground. After your treetop adventure, you will enjoy a delicious Costa Rican-style buffet lunch, before returning to your ship.

Learn about efforts to save and protect endangered species from extinction at the Natuwa Wildlife Sanctuary. A conservation charity, this wildlife refuge is home to a variety of the native flora and fauna that is in danger of vanishing due to human actions. The sanctuary has a designated area where the orphaned animals continue their life in the most natural environment possible, surrounded with native trees of different species. Embark on a scenic drive through the Costa Rican countryside to the refuge. Upon arrival, you will take a short walk, stopping at different observation stations for an opportunity to view the resident animals. Keep your eyes peeled for sloths, jaguars, tapirs, monkeys, macaws and more that inhabit the sanctuary while listening to a local expert give insight into these extraordinary animals. Afterward, enjoy a refreshing snack before returning to your ship.