Classic Panama Canal Passage

Upon arrival in Panama City, you will meet your Viking Representative and transfer to your hotel to check in, followed by time at your leisure to relax and enjoy the hotel’s amenities. This evening, you may choose to venture out of your hotel to dine at a local eatery, perhaps heading to a beachfront restaurant for seafood and tropical cocktails.

After breakfast, head to the historic port town of Portobelo, where you will see the ruins of a Spanish castle and its old cannons; declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980, it is an important remnant of Panama’s Spanish heritage. After lunch, transfer to the Agua Clara Locks Visitor Center to learn about this architectural wonder and watch for crossing vessels. This evening, you will have a guided dinner experience at your hotel, including a visit to the hotel’s wine cellar. (B, L, D)

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel this morning. Then, you will set out for Panama’s museum of biodiversity to learn about this incredibly biodiverse area through an array of genetic, ecological and biological displays. Following a local lunch, transfer to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute at Punta Culebra, located at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal. It is dedicated to exploration and discovery of the natural world through science. After a guided visit, return to your hotel. (B, L)

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)

Disembark your ship in Panama City and transfer to the airport, where you will board your flight to San Jose. Continue to your hotel in La Fortuna for check-in, followed by time to relax and make use of the hotel’s amenities, or begin exploring the grounds on your own. Your Viking Tour Director will be available to provide suggestions so you can make the most of your visit. This evening, you will enjoy dinner at your hotel with your fellow guests. (D)

Following breakfast, set out for the Sky Tram, a gondola that rises high above the rainforest canopy and offers breathtaking views of the Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal. After your descent, head to a local restaurant for a lunch of Costa Rican delicacies, followed by a hike through Arenal Volcano National Park. Unwind after your trek at a nearby hot springs known for its thermal waters and lush gardens, where you will enjoy dinner under the stars before returning to your hotel. (B, L, D)

Enjoy breakfast, then visit the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, an important stopover for migratory birds and home to a variety of wildlife. Embark on a guided cruise along the Río Frío and watch out for the animals who make their homes here—caimans, iguanas and more can often be spotted along the shoreline, in addition to the abundant birdlife. After lunch, you may join an optional excursion to visit La Fortuna Waterfall, or you may return directly to your hotel for an evening at leisure. (B, L)

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)

Disembark your ship and set out to discover more than 500 years of history. Panama City was the first European settlement on the Pacific Coast of the Americas, founded by the Spanish in 1519. Explore the city ruins of Panama Viejo, once an important trade center for gold and silver. After lunch on your own, take a stroll around Casco Viejo (Old Town) and browse quaint streets lined with shops and plazas. This evening, enjoy dinner at your leisure. (B)

Explore Panama City on your own today or join one of the optional excursions on offer. Perhaps head out to go birdwatching in the Soberania National Park or visit the Panama Canal Interoceanic Museum and Reprosa. This evening, you may choose to journey through Panama’s old town and enjoy dinner, or spend the evening at your leisure. A Viking Host is available to help you plan your time in Panama City so you can make the most of your visit. (B)

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)