Costa Rica
Travel to Costa Rica and venture into wilderness draped in a thousand shades of green. Guided by a veteran expedition team, you’ll hike through lush rainforests teeming with colorful birds and chattering monkeys, kayak pristine waters with vibrant sea life and explore jungle rivers by Zodiac. Discover legendary swaths of biodiversity, from Corcovado National Park to the Guanacaste Conservation Area—one of the world’s oldest and largest UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Combine your Costa Rican adventure with a trip extension to explore Panama City, San Lorenzo and the legendary Panama Canal, one of history's greatest engineering marvels.
“The Panama Canal, which effectively connects more than 144 shipping routes, 1,700 ports, and 160 countries, is much more than its transit locks. It is miles of wild landscape, rich with intrigue and an astonishing biodiversity of wildlife.”
Why National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions?
Costa Rica Expeditions
Costa Rica Expedition Ships
National Geographic Quest
GUESTS 100
CABINS 50
DECKS 4
National Geographic Quest was purpose-built to explore the Americas, her design and engineering informed by nearly 40 years of experience in these regions.
The Expedition Team
Every member of the expedition team—from your naturalists and photographers to your expedition leaders—is committed to ensuring you have an unforgettable experience in Costa Rica’s untamed wilds. Many are veteran guides chosen for their extensive knowledge of subjects like marine biology and climate sciences, while special guests—from volcanologists to National Geographic experts—offer additional insights into the region’s diverse natural landscape. Exploring in small groups, you’ll hear different perspectives each day of your voyage, and because there are no assigned groups you can gravitate toward the experts who share your interests and inspire your curiosity.
Your knowledgeable and passionate expedition team is complemented by your dedicated hotel team who strives to ensure that your time on board is as comfortable and rewarding as your time on shore.
Photo Gallery: Highlights from Costa Rica
Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
Photo Gallery: Highlights from Costa Rica
Bahía Drake
Photo Gallery: Highlights from Costa Rica
Guachipelin National Park, Guanacaste
A traveler wades through crystal-clear waters near a majestic waterfall in Guachipelin National Park.
Photo Gallery: Highlights from Costa Rica
Curú Wildlife Refuge
A white-faced capuchin monkey, the most intelligent among all New World monkey species, climbs the trees of Curu Wildlife Reserve.
Photo Gallery: Highlights from Costa Rica
Golfito
Locals perform an enchanting dance against the stunning backdrop of Golfito.
Photo Gallery: Highlights from Costa Rica
Panama Canal
The nimble National Geographic Quest transits the Panama Canal at night while guests take in this engineering marvel.
Photo Gallery: Highlights from Costa Rica
Tamarindo Beach, Guanacaste
A photographer captures a stunning sunset on the shores of Tamarindo beach.
Photo Gallery: Highlights from Costa Rica
Corcovado National Park
Scarlet macaws—known for their bright red plumage, blue and yellow wings, and long tails—fly over the lush forests of Corcovado National Park.
Latest Video
Expedition Spotlight - Brilliant Biodiversity on Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula
- Aug 2023
One of the highlights on Costa Rica and the Panama Canal is a journey to the Osa Peninsula, a remote area of Costa Rica known for its lowland rainforest with a seemingly unquantifiable amount of wildlife. Walking through Corcovado National Park, you can experience 400 different species of birds, and aboard the National Geographic Quest spot northern and southern humpback whales intermingling in the surrounding waters. In this episode of Expedition Spotlight, naturalist Zoey Greenberg highlights the brilliant biodiversity of the Osa Peninsula and the species that call it home.
View our brochure for more details
Central America 2024-26