Guna Yala, Panama , 11/8/2022, National Geographic Quest
Aboard the
National Geographic Quest
Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia
Today we enjoyed one of the most amazing cultural experiences Panama has to offer. We visited the people of Guna Yala in their amazing archipelago of incredible islands. In the morning we visited the village of La Maquina, where we were greeted by many of its 500 inhabitants. We learned about their culture and looked at the different art and souvenirs they sell to visitors, especially the molas. We also enjoyed the beach on one little island, with crystal clear water and white sand the snorkeling was amazing.
Known for his passion for nature and dedication to conservation and ecotourism, Max Vindas has been guiding natural history trips in Costa Rica since 1993. On his first trip to the rainforest at age eight, Max realized his love for the outdoors and w...
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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.
