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Overview

Breathtaking biodiversity and cultural study

This lavish cruise aboard Le Bellot will take us through one of the most beautiful spots in the world, touching both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, and stopping at ports of call such as San Lorenzo’s Fort, Darien National Park, and Cébaco Island—and that’s before our vessel even hits the waters of Costa Rica!

In Costa Rica we’ll embark on a Zodiac-dinghy tour of the mighty Río Esquinas where twisting mangroves provide a lush, green home for common squirrel monkeys, white ibis, ospreys, toucans, snowy egrets, and more. During our journey, we’ll learn from Guna and Emberá locals, study magnificent underwater wildlife, and marvel at sanctuaries of unspoiled nature. 

Dates

February 2–13, 2025

Duration

12 days

Price

From $9,995 per person

Trip size

45 participants

Minimum age

18 years
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Faculty leader

A different kind of classroom

With renowned Stanford faculty and scholars leading the way, every Travel/Study trip is a one-of-a-kind educational experience.

Bill Durham

Anthropology and Human Biology

An enthusiastic and innovative educator, Bill's lectures cover ecology, evolution and the interactions of genetic and cultural change in human populations.

Bill brings such wisdom and joy to the trip. He alone is reason to go.

—Vicky Marchand, ‘89

Itinerary

Crossing the Panama Canal from the Caribbean to the Pacific

On this luxury voyage from Panama to Costa Rica, we’ll explore national parks steeped in biodiversity, visit indigenous communities, and marvel at the Panama Canal during a daytime transit. Take in the beautiful songs and dances of the Guna and Emberá, explore underwater wildlife in the San Blas archipelago and Pearl Islands, and search for monkeys, sloths, and tropical birds in Darién and Coiba National Parks.

  • Panama City, Panama

    Arrive in Panama City and transfer to our hotel. Gather with fellow travelers for a welcome cocktail reception and dinner this evening.

    Accommodations:

    Waldorf Astoria Panama

    Included meal: Dinner
  • Panama City

    After breakfast, embark on a tour starting with Panama Viejo, site of the original European settlement and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue with a walking tour of the city’s Casco Antigua district, where churches, colonial palaces, and military buildings display French, Spanish, and Italian architectural influences. After free time for lunch on our own, embark Le Bellot later this afternoon.

    Accommodations:

    Le Bellot

    Included meals: Breakfast and dinner
  • Fort San Lorenzo

    In the Colón Province, Fort San Lorenzo faces the sea, its cannons pointing towards the horizon as they used to protect transatlantic trade under the Spanish Crown. The fort is an excellent example of 17th- and 18th-century military architecture. Wander along the fort’s alleyways accompanied by the melodious singing of the birds that have made the surrounding forest their home.

    Accommodations:

    Le Bellot

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • San Blas Islands

    Today we visit the San Blas archipelago, a string of coral islands in the Caribbean Sea. Walk the white sand beaches and enjoy the clear waters before meeting with members of the local Guna community who still subsist on hunting and fishing. Marvel at their traditional molas, the intricately embroidered shirts of vibrant colors.

    Accommodations:

    Le Bellot

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Panama Canal Transit

    The 48-mile-long Panama Canal cuts through the Isthmus of Panama to connect the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Built between 1881 and 1914, the canal has been named one of the seven wonders of the modern world by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Relax on deck and take in the passing scenery as we listen to historical commentaries from our local guides. Our transit takes us through three levels of locks, rising to the level of Gatún Lake.

    Accommodations:

    Le Bellot

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Pearl Islands

    Pacheca Island lies in the far north of the maze of more than two hundred islands composing the Pearl Islands. This small piece of uninhabited land is a special place for the numerous bird species that have taken up residence there, including the blue-footed booby. Go ashore by Zodiac to swim from the beach and observe schools of multi-colored fish.

    Accommodations:

    Le Bellot

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Darién National Park

    The remote province of Darién is an unspoiled land with a rich variety of flora and fauna. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Darién National Park offers a stunning landscape of rocky coastlines, mountain ranges, mangroves, and rivers. Discover Playa Muerto, a tiny village home to the Emberá Amerindian community. Visit the village, attend a traditional ceremony, and admire their beautiful crafts.

    Accommodations:

    Le Bellot

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Cébaco Island

    Off the Pacific Coast of Panama, Cébaco Island conjures visions of paradise lost. Covered in tropical rainforest and edged by white sandy beaches, the island is crisscrossed with hiking routes. Its magnificent coral reefs, part of the outlying region of Coiba National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, are refuge to many marine species and underwater landscapes.

    Accommodations:

    Le Bellot

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Río Esquinas, Costa Rica

    Today, board Zodiacs to discover the incredibly dense ecosystem of Río Esquinas. Brush past the tangled arms of the mangroves in search of common squirrel monkeys, white ibis, ospreys, toucans, snowy egrets, and other wildlife.

    Accommodations:

    Le Bellot

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Drake Bay

    Spend a full day on the biologically rich and diverse Osa Peninsula in the vicinity of Corcovado National Park, considered the crown jewel in Costa Rica’s extensive system of national parks and biological reserves. One of the few remaining large areas of lowland tropical rain forests in the world, three species of monkeys, scarlet macaws, toucans, and peccaries may be spotted here.

    Accommodations:

    Le Bellot

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Curú Wildlife Refuge

    The Curú Wildlife Refuge is the oldest protected park in Costa Rica. After a Zodiac ride, walk through the tropical forest, watching for the most emblematic species of Costa Rica, including monkeys, iguanas, sloths, and over 200 bird species. Since their recent reintroduction, the scarlet macaw and spider monkey have thrived in this environment.

    Accommodations:

    Le Bellot

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Puntarenas / San José / Home

    After breakfast, disembark in Puntarenas and transfer to San José for flights returning home.

    Included meal: Breakfast

Trip details

Start preparing for the trip of a lifetime

From top to bottom, we’ve taken care of all the details, so you can enjoy a no-stress, worry-free travel experience.

Pricing

Secure your spot today

The price of your trip covers a comprehensive educational program in addition to meals, accommodations, tours, and excursions. Continue reading for a full list of what’s included.

Category G

Deluxe Stateroom on Deck 3 with one king bed or two single beds, a 43 sq. ft. private balcony with two armchairs, a panoramic swing door, and a rectangular window

Size: 204 sq. ft.

  • Double: $9,995 per person

  • Single: $12,295 per person

Category F

Prestige Stateroom on Deck 4 with one king bed or two single beds, a chaise lounge, a 43 sq. ft. private balcony with two armchairs, and a panoramic sliding bay window or swing door

Size: 204 sq. ft.

  • Double: $10,395 per person

  • Single: $12,995 per person

Category E

Prestige Stateroom on Deck 5 with one king bed or two single beds, a chaise lounge, a 43 sq. ft. private balcony with two armchairs, and a panoramic sliding bay window or swing door

Size: 204 sq. ft.

  • Double: $10,795 per person

  • Single: $13,395 per person

Category D

Prestige Stateroom on Deck 6 with one king bed or two single beds, a chaise lounge, a 43 sq. ft. private balcony with two armchairs, and a panoramic sliding bay window or swing door

Size: 204 sq. ft.

  • Double: $11,095 per person

  • Single: $13,895 per person

Category C

Deluxe Suite on Deck 3, 4, or 5 with one king bed or two single beds, an armchair and sofa, a 65 sq. ft. private balcony with two armchairs, and a panoramic sliding bay window

Size: 291 sq. ft.

  • Double: $13,195 per person

Category B

Prestige Suite on Deck 5 with one king bed or two single beds; a lounge with convertible sofa, armchair, second TV, and sliding courtesy door; a second bathroom; an 86 sq. ft. balcony with four armchairs; two panoramic sliding bay windows; and canapés and fruit basket delivered daily

Size: 409 sq. ft.

  • Double: $15,895 per person

Category A

Prestige Suite on Deck 6 with one king bed or two single beds; a lounge with convertible sofa, armchair, second TV, and sliding courtesy door; a second bathroom; an 86 sq. ft. balcony with four armchairs; two panoramic sliding bay windows; butler service; and canapés and fruit basket delivered daily

Size: 409 sq. ft.

  • Double: $16,495 per person

Privilege Suite

Privilege Suite on Deck 5 or 6 with one king bed or two single beds, a lounge area with chaise lounge and armchair; an 86 sq. ft. balcony with two armchairs; a panoramic sliding bay window; butler service; and canapés and fruit basket delivered daily

Size: 344 sq. ft.

  • Double: $16,995 per person

Grand Deluxe Suite

Grand Deluxe Suite on Deck 6 with one king bed or two single beds; a bathtub; a lounge with convertible sofa, armchair, and second TV; a 323 sq. ft. terrace with two deckchairs and dining table; two panoramic sliding bay windows; butler service; and canapés and fruit basket delivered daily

Size: 484 sq. ft.

  • Double: $18,095 per person

Owner's Suite

Owner’s Suite on Deck 5 with one king bed or two single beds; a bathtub; a lounge with armchair, double sofa bed, and second TV; a 430-sq-ft terrace with hot tub and outdoor lounge area; two panoramic sliding bay windows; butler service; two spa treatments; and canapés and fruit basket delivered daily

Size: 484 sq. ft.

  • Double: $18,795 per person

Join us in Panama and Costa Rica

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