Coiba National Park, Panamá, 2/27/2024, National Geographic Quest
Aboard the
National Geographic Quest
Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia
Today marked our last day in Panamá, and it was a glorious one. We spent the entire day exploring one of the country’s newest national parks, Coiba, a place that offers true immersion in tropical paradise.
Guests enjoyed kayaking, snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, swimming, bird watching, hiking, and gazing at the antics of capuchin monkeys, whose comedic behavior never ceases to amuse.
Zoey grew up in Bellingham, Washington, where the Salish Sea and temperate rainforest were powerful catalysts in sparking her love of the coast. Her studies took her to tall ships in the eastern U.S. where she taught kids how to haul sail, sing sea s...
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Today we had a beautiful day at Playa Blanca exploring this amazing tropical forest. In addition to seeing the macaws and monkeys, we had a wonderful, rich experience hosted by the locals. We were able to visit some of the unique, small projects that the families of Playa Blanca are developing, from a sugarcane artisanal mill and hearts of palm farm to an organic cacao farm. Not only did we learn about their businesses, but we had a beautiful time with these people who welcomed us warmly with open arms (and also gave us delicious local snacks!). What a wonderful day we had enjoying the wildlife, the diversity of the tropical rainforest, and the people.
Today, National Geographic Quest entered Costa Rica. Our Morning was spent enjoying Zodiac cruises or kayaking mangroves as the ship’s officers were checking into this beautiful country. After lunch, we visited Dolphin Quest Gardens in Golfo Dulce and explored the gardens and tropical rainforest. Teeming with life, we were delighted to find the variety of wildlife that exists within this magical area of Costa Rica. From spider monkeys and scarlet macaws to various lizards and abundant flora, there was something to entice all to fall in love with this destination. As our hikes drew to a close, Mother Nature helped cool us down with a short but substantial rainfall, known locally as a chubasco.
Our ship anchored off Coiba Island, Panama, early in the morning. The sun had just risen, casting a golden light over the dense rainforest. After a wonderful breakfast, we disembarked at the ranger station. Dividing into groups, some of us set off on a guided walk through the jungle, spotting scarlet macaws and other colorful birds in the trees adjacent to the ocean. Others chose to kayak or paddleboard along the mangrove-lined shores, gliding over the calm, clear water. By midday, we returned to the ship and cruised by Zodiacs toward Cocos Island, an uninhabited islet nearby. The staff prepared our snorkeling gear, and soon we were in the water, surrounded by schools of vibrant fish. The reef was teeming with life—parrotfish, angelfish, and even a few white-tip reef sharks moved gracefully among the coral. Sunlight filtered through the surface, illuminating the underwater world in dazzling colors. After an unforgettable afternoon, we returned to the ship, exhilarated by the day’s adventures. As the sun set, we looked back at the islands, grateful for the opportunity to explore such pristine and biodiverse waters.
