Costa Rica and the Panama Canal

We invite you to witness one of the greatest feats of the modern age—the Panama Canal, a stunning Travel in the company of alumni and friends from March 1 to 9, 2024 and witness one of the greatest feats of the modern age—the Panama Canal, a stunning example of engineering prowess. This nearly 50‑mile passage through the narrow Isthmus of Panama continues to astonish even the most veteran traveler. This 9-day, 8-night itinerary also showcases some of the pristine rainforests and islands of Costa Rica and Panama.

Cruise aboard the 5‑star Le Dumont d’Urville, a sophisticated small ship offering only 92 suites and staterooms, each with a private balcony. Dock in small ports of call inaccessible to larger vessels and enjoy a variety of included excursions led by experienced onboard naturalists. Tour the stunning and biodiverse Manuel Antonio National Park, where guides will lead a trail walk through an ecosystem of rare species, including the scarlet macaw and fiery-billed aracari. Visit the Rio Seco Rainforest, an off-the-beaten-path destination accessible only by boat for a day of hiking and discovery. Spend a day anchored off the coast of Cébaco Island to enjoy snorkeling in its beautiful reefs with fish, turtles, and other spectacular marine life or a guided walk along the beach.

Conclude your expedition with a specially arranged daylight transit of the Panama Canal to experience the mighty locks that raise and lower ocean-going vessels 85 feet, employing the force of gravity to achieve in mere hours what once involved a three‑week circumnavigation of South America.

Enhance your journey with the San José Pre-Program or the Panama City Post-Program options.  This amazing program will fill up fast. Please contact the Georgetown Travel Society at 866-525-8664 or GeorgetownTravelSociety@Georgetown.edu for more details and to confirm your place today.

 Dates and Rates:

Trip Dates: March 1 – 9, 2024

Rates: $4,945 – $15,595 per person based on double occupancy. Taxes are an additional $505 per person.

Traveling solo? Any available cabin may be reserved by single travelers at 160% of the per person double price (per person rate x 1.6),  or please contact us to inquire about any possible roommate options

Trip Status: Confirmed & Open for Reservations. $1,000 per person deposit required to confirm reservations (https://www.gohagantravel.com/terms for complete terms and conditions)

Request a reservation today, or please contact the Georgetown Travel Society at 866-525-8664 or GeorgetownTravelSociety@Georgetown.edu for more details.

Itinerary:

Day 1 – Depart the U.S. or Canada / Arrive San José, Costa Rica

Day 2 – San José / Puntarenas / Embark  Le Bellot

Day 3 – Curú National Wildlife Refuge / Tortuga Island

Day 4 – Quepos for Manuel Antonio National Park

Day 5 – Rio Seco Rainforest

Day 6 – Cébaco Island, Panama

Day 7 – Panama City

Day 8 – Panama Canal Transit / Colón

Day 9 – Colón / Disembark ship / Panama City / Return to the U.S. or Canada

Included Features:

• Cruise aboard the five-star expedition ship Le Dumont d’Urvill
• Only 92 suites and staterooms—each with a private balcony.
• Introducing the extraordinary Blue Eye, the world’s first multisensory, underwater Observation Lounge.
• Daytime passage through the Panama Canal, considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
• Guided tour through rainforests, including Curú National Wildlife Refuge and Manuel Antonio National Park.
• Tour of Panama City, including visits to UNESCO-designated Casco Viejo, the new Frank Gehry‑designed Biodiversity Museum, and the Panama Canal’s informative Miraflores Visitor Center.
• Landscapes of Costa Rica Pre-Program and Panama’s Renaissance Post-Program Options.

Enhanced Travel Services

• Transfers and luggage handling abroad for participants whose arrivals/ departure (s) coincide with the scheduled group transfers.
• All excursions and visits, as outlined above, with experienced, English-speaking local guides.
• Gratuities to local guides and drivers on included excursions and transfers.
• Hospitality desk in the hotels and aboard ship.
• The services of experienced Program Directors throughout the program .
• Travel document wallet , name badge and pre-departure information.

Not included:
Airfare; Taxes; passport fees; visas and fees for obtaining visas if applicable; personal expenses such as laundry, internet access and telephone calls; accident/sickness, trip cancellation, and baggage insurance; gratuities to ship and hotel personnel; optional sightseeing excursions; excess baggage charges on aircraft; local departure air taxes; airfare and associated local taxes*, airport facility taxes and federal inspection fees not listed in the “included features” section of the program brochure; transfers and baggage handling to/from airport/hotel  if you are arriving earlier or later and/or departing earlier or later that scheduled group transfer(s); meals and and alcoholic beverages not listed in the “Included Features” section of the program brochure; and all other services not specifically mentioned in the “Included Features” section of the program brochure.