Costa Rica & the Panama Canal

11 nights - 28 Apr 2026

Sylvia Earle | Panama Canal

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Prices based on 2 people sharing. Cruise only price does not include flights. Fly-cruise price may vary by chosen UK airport.

(Prices correct as of today’s date, are updated daily, are subject to change and represent genuine availability at time of update).

Cruise only holidays are financially protected by ABTA. Fly cruise holidays are financially protected by AE Expeditions under ATOL number

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Itinerary

List Timeline

San José

Having made your way to San Jose, you will be met by a representative of Aurora Expeditions and transferred to ourgroup hotel. Please visit the Aurora Expeditions hospitality desk to collect your luggage cabin tags and to speak withour ground operations team, who may have informatio... Read More

Day 1

28 April 2026

San José

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Day 2

29 April 2026

San José

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Day 3

30 April 2026

Curú Wildlife Refuge

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Day 4

01 May 2026

Manuel Antonio National Park

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Day 5

02 May 2026

Punta Rio Claro National Wildlife Refuge

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Day 6

03 May 2026

Golfo Dulce

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Day 7

04 May 2026

Coiba Island

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Day 8

05 May 2026

Coiba Island

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Day 9

06 May 2026

Pearl Islands

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Day 10

07 May 2026

Panama City

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Day 11

08 May 2026

Panama Canal Transit

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Day 12

09 May 2026

Panama City

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Golfo Dulce

Golfo Dulce, or Sweet Gulf, is a large bay that hugs pristine beaches, rivers and tall evergreen forests - a protectedarea known as the Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve. As one of the wettest places on Earth with over 5,000 millimetres(200 inches) of rainfall per year, the Golfo Dulce For... Read More

Panama City

Panama Canal Transit

28 April 2026

San José

29 April 2026

San José

This morning, your luggage will be collected from the hotel and transferred directly to the port for sanitisation,clearance and delivered to your cabin ahead of your arrival on board. There is time to settle into your cabin beforeattending important safety briefings. Enjoy the thril...

30 April 2026

Curú Wildlife Refuge

Curú National Wildlife Refuge is a privately-owned nature reserve offering visitors outstanding eco-tourismexperiences. The refuge is the first privately-owned refuge in Costa Rica, encompassing more than 3,700 acres oftropical forests, mangroves, and well-marked paths. 17 hiking tr...

01 May 2026

Manuel Antonio National Park

Boasting over 100 species of mammals, 184 species of birds and an impressive variety flora, Manuel AntonioNational Park understandably attracts wildlife enthusiasts from all over the world. Costa Rica’s star attractions - twoand three toed sloths, as well as white-faced monkeys, tou...

02 May 2026

Punta Rio Claro National Wildlife Refuge

The untamed Osa Peninsula is considered by National Geographic to be ‘one of the most biologically intense placeson earth’. We plan to hike the trails at Rio Claro Wildlife Refuge, a sanctuary that encompasses 500 hectares oftropical rainforests, making it one of the most important natural preserves in Central America. Rio Claro is one of thelast refuges for pumas, ocelot, jaguarundis, tapirs, white-lipped peccaries and a host of other rainforest animals. Thehigh plateau forests, with trees towering over 43 m (140 ft), supports hundreds of species of ferns, bromeliads andorchids, and creates a biological corridor between palm swamps and...

03 May 2026

Golfo Dulce

04 May 2026

Coiba Island

We continue to Coiba Island, a National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage site, located off the southwest coast ofPanama. The national park includes the main island of Coiba and 38 smaller islands in the surrounding marine areaswithin the Gulf of Chiriquí. Protected from the cold win...

05 May 2026

Coiba Island

The following morning, we plan to land at Punta Clara, which served as a penal colony from 1919 to 1996, wherePanama’s most notorious criminals and political prisoners were incarcerated. At the peak of its operations, theprison housed up to approximately 3,000 inmates in about 30 ca...

06 May 2026

Pearl Islands

After a morning at sea, we reach The Pearl Islands of Panama, an archipelago located in the North Pacific Ocean inthe Gulf of Panama, covering around 250 small islands. The Spanish Conquistadors discovered the islands in 1503and gave the Islands its name due to the great amounts of...

07 May 2026

Panama City

Three million years ago, the Isthmus of Panama emerged from the sea and changed the world forever. It divided anocean and joined two continents together, triggering one of the most important natural evolution events in thehistory of the world. Today, this narrow land bridge in Central America is home to more species of birds and treesthan the whole of North America. Panama is of course world-famous for its 77 km (48 mi) canal that connects thePacific Ocean with the Atlantic Ocean.Panama’s history has been formed by a rich pre-Columbian era for more than 12,000 years. Early cultures in Panamawere the Monagrillo, the Cueva and the Conte, particularly famous for their pottery, which was the first in theAmericas. The first European claiming the territory of today’s Panama was Rodrigo de Bastidas, coming fromColombia’s Atlantic coast in 1501. In 1513 Vasco Nuñez de Balboa became the first Spaniard to see the Pacific Oceanfrom the top of a hill. Four days later he and his men stood at the shores of the Pacific Ocean. In 1519, Panama Citywas founded and became an important hub for seized goods making its way from Peru to Spain.We visit Gatun Lake, a large artificial lake with a unique ecosystem that forms a major part of the Panama Canal,carrying ships for 33 km (20 miles) on their transit across the Isthmus of Panama. At the time it was created, GatunLake was the largest artificial lake in the world. The vegetation at Gatun Lake offers ideal habitats for a large numberof bird species.The excursion starts with boat trip that heads north on the canal for 25 minutes where we may get close to some ofthe larger ships that transit the canal daily. Enjoy a leisurely cruise along the forested banks of Gatun Lake looking forwildlife such as capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, three-toed sloth, various kinds of toucans and other bird life.This is a place to observe the raw regenerative power of the forest as it struggles to claim what was once wild.In the afternoon, we visit an Emberá village, an indigenous tribe who have inhabited this region for centuries. Thereare about 33,000 Emberá living in the Darién, Panama, and 50,000 in Colombia. On our visit to one of the Emberávillages near Panama City, you will be warmly welcomed by the local villagers and enjoy a presentation to learnabout their history, culture and way of life. On a guided walk through their village, you will meet more villagers whomay show you inside their home, sample local snacks and learn about their medicinal plants. The Emberá arerenowned for their exquisite handmade jewellery and woven handicrafts, and you will have the chance to appreciateand to purchase their work.Later in the day, we may have the chance to stop at the Miraflores Visitor Centre overlooking the Miraflores lock ofthe Panama Canal. Four exhibition halls portray the canal's history and biodiversity, while three terraces andobservation decks are ideal places for observing the canal's operation and the passage of ships through the locks.

08 May 2026

Panama Canal Transit

Crossing the Panama Canal will surely be a highlight for many travellers. Each year, over a million people visit thecanal to witness this engineering marvel at work. Starting in the Pacific Ocean, you will be able to admire the Bay ofPanama and Panama City’s splendid skyline before passing under the ‘Bridge of the Americas’. The vessel will thentransit through the first set of locks, the Miraflores Locks, where it will be lifted 16 metres (52 foot) in two distinctsteps. Next, your ship will enter Miraflores Lake, which is a small artificial body of fresh water that separates PedroMiguel Locks from Miraflores Locks.The vessel will transit through Pedro Miguel Locks, which is one of the two sets of locks on the Pacific side, and herethe vessel is lifted 9 metres (29 foot) in one step. After exiting Pedro Miguel locks, your boat will travel through theGaillard Cut, where the Chagres River flows into the canal. The Gaillard Cut (also known as Culebra Cut because its curves resemble a snake) is one of the main points of interest for visitors because it was carved through theContinental Divide and this section of the canal is full of history and geological value.As you transit the cut you will see dredging occurring to control the sediments entering the canal because of theterrain’s susceptibility to landslides. Sail through Gatun Lake, which was formed by erecting the Gatun Dam acrossthe Chagres River, and during your transit through the lake, you will pass the Smithsonian Research Station at BarroColorado. The last of the three locks is the Gatun Locks, the only set of locks in the Atlantic sector of the canal. AtGatun Locks, the vessel will be lowered a total of 26 (85 foot) metres in three distinct chambers.The complete crossing from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean takes approximately 10 hours, a journey that once tookalmost two weeks to complete, when vessels were forced to sail around the notoriously rough seas around CapeHorn at the bottom of South America to reach the Pacific coast.This evening, celebrate a memorable journey at Captain’s Farewell reception.

09 May 2026

Panama City

Disembark in Colon, on the Caribbean side of the Panama Canal, where you'll farewell your expedition team beforetransferring to Panama City.Note: At the conclusion of the voyage, we do not recommend booking flights departing Panama City prior to 2.00pm. Please advise your departure...

*This holiday is generally suitable for persons with reduced mobility. For customers with reduced mobility or any medical condition that may require special assistance or arrangements to be made, please notify your Cruise Concierge at the time of your enquiry, so that we can provide specific information as to the suitability of the holiday, as well as make suitable arrangements with the Holiday Provider on your behalf.

What's Included with
AE Expeditions

From the start, AE Expeditions was destined to be different. Our passion for adventure, exploring wild places and sharing the experience with friends burns just as brightly as it did 30 years ago, as does our preference for small-group, personal expeditions.

Explore Sylvia Earle

Dining

One of the most important parts of any expedition is the food! Whatever adventures the day holds, you will be fuelled-up with hearty meals and delicious morning/afternoon teas cooked by our onboard chefs.

Meals are a great time to soak up the expedition camaraderie in our open seating dining area. Share stories with your fellow travellers and ask our expedition team questions that may have come up during the day.

Tea, coffee and snacks are available 24 hours a day, and our chefs offer different menu options and courses for each meal. Enjoy the range of house wine, beers and soft drinks included with dinner after a long day in the wild.

We also invite you to join your captain and expedition team for informal Captain’s Welcome and Farewell drinks, with complimentary beverages and cocktail appetisers, followed by a 3 course meal.

Excursions

Although the ship is fun, the real enjoyment comes from the many shore excursions that are available. Depending on weather conditions, it may be possible for multiple landings, taking a look at everything from rock formations and ancient ruins to cute groups of penguins. We know time is of the essence in these wild locations, so the Sylvia Earle has been designed to carry 15 Zodiacs, which means you can maximise your time on shore.

From four dedicated sea level launching platforms, transfers are quicker, safer and enable you to get closer to the action for a longer period of time. Just remember to charge your camera before you step onto the Zodiac!

Observation Points

Let's face it – you don't want windowless rooms when travelling around some of the most beautiful locations around the world. This is why the Sylvia Earle is designed with plenty of dedicated observation spaces – ideal for keen bird spotters, wildlife watchers and those wanting to watch the scenery go past.

From the indoor 180-degree lounge and outdoor 360-degree open deck, both on deck 8, to the 270-degree open sundeck on level 7, there are plenty of observation points to share around the ship!

Sauna & Spa

You are welcome to visit the wellness centre during your voyage where you can use our sauna (which we highly recommend after the polar plunge!) or book a massage (additional cost applies).

Deck 8

Observation decks
Observation lounge
Bar
Top deck restaurant
Elevator
Seating area

Deck 7

Bridge
Elevator
Gym
Wellness Centre / Sauna
Bar
Swimming pool & sun deck
Jacuzzis
Junior Suite
Aurora stateroom Superior
Observation decks

Deck 6

Upper glass atrium lounge
Library
Elevator
Balcony stateroom (A,B,C)
Balcony stateroom Superior

Deck 5

Lower glass Atrium lounge
Lecture room & lounge
Assembly Station
Reception
Dining room
Ship Shop
Elevator
Dining room
Bar
Citizen Science centre

Deck 4

Elevator
Captains Suite
Balcony stateroom (A,B,C)
Balcony stateroom Superior
Expedition desk
Main entrance

Deck 3

Elevator
Aurora Stateroom Superior
Activity launching platform
Zodiac Access Points
Change room / Mudroom
Medical Clinic

Sylvia Earle Cabins & Suites

Aurora Stateroom Superior

With a bit more room to stretch the legs, the Aurora Stateroom Superior are perfect for polar adventurers who travel with plenty of gear.

Located on Deck 7, the Staterooms feature french balconies, floor to ceiling windows, en-suite bathrooms and a comfortable desk area.

Cabin Inclusion

1 x mug per person
1 x drink bottle per person
1 x 3-in-1 polar jacket per person (polar voyages only)
1 x drybag backpack per person (Costa Rica voyages only)

Amenities

Twin or king bed
Private En-suite
Porthole window
Desk area
Closet space
Sofa bed (can sleep 3rd passenger in select cabins)
Room-controlled thermostat
Safe for storing valuables
42" flat-screen TV

Balcony Stateroom Superior

With a bit more room to stretch the legs, the Balcony Stateroom Superior cabins are perfect for polar adventurers who travel with plenty of gear.

Located on Deck 4 and 6, the Staterooms feature floor to ceiling windows, en-suite bathrooms and a comfortable desk area.

Some of these rooms are equipped with wheelchair accessible bathrooms.

Cabin Inclusion

1 x mug per person
1 x drink bottle per person
1 x 3-in-1 polar jacket per person (polar voyages only)
1 x drybag backpack per person (Costa Rica voyages only)

Some of these rooms are equipped with wheelchair accessible bathrooms.

Amenities

Twin or double bed
Private en-suite
Full size window
Desk area
Closet space
Private balcony
Room-controlled thermostat
Safe for storing valuables
42" flat-screen TV

Captain's Suite

The largest of all our rooms, the singular Captain's Suite will take you to the polar regions in ultimate style and comfort. Complete with large lounge area, balcony, walk-in wardrobe and en-suite, you'll need to get in early to secure this suite.

Inclusion

1 x mug per person
1 x drink bottle per person
1 x 3-in-1 polar jacket per person (polar voyages only)
1 x drybag backpack per person (Costa Rica voyages only)
1 x free pair of binoculars per suite
1-hour spa treatment (per person)*
Free stocked mini bar^
1x Free bottle of champagne per suite

*Valid on 1-hour massage or facial treatment only. Further details provided on board.
^Balcony Suites and Junior Suites stocked once only, not replenished. Captain’s Suite replenished as needed.

Amenities

Twin or king bed
Private en-suite
Full size window
Desk area
Closet space
Private balcony
Room-controlled thermostat
Safe for storing valuables
Seperate lounge area
42" flat-screen TV