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Spider Monkey
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Panama Canal
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Coral Reef
Starting at $8,800 per person
Embark on the Le Lapérouse for an unforgettable Central American journey under the guidance of Professor Scott Solomon from Rice University, a biologist, science communicator, and expert in ecology and evolution. His lectures and in-field commentary will sharpen your understanding of biodiversity, tropical ecosystems, and the interplay between nature and human culture. With his insight, every rainforest trail, mangrove stand, and island lagoon becomes a living laboratory.
Begin amid the San Blas islands, then explore Portobelo’s rainforests and colonial forts. Traverse the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal, and delve into Darién’s remote wilderness, where traditional Embera life offers lessons in human resilience. Finally, along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, learn how riparian and forest ecosystems support astonishing species richness. With Professor Solomon’s contextual interviews and site-based narration, this voyage transcends sightseeing—it becomes a curated journey of discovery through Central America’s natural and cultural landscapes.
with Scott Solomon
Treasures of Central America: The Panama Canal and Marvels of Costa Rica
DEPATURE DATE AND PRICING
January 8–15, 2028
January 14-22, 2027
Highlights
Stand in the ruins of Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, and imagine the excitement of ancient athletes competing in honor of Zeus, king of the gods.
Discover the stunning mosaics of Hosios Loukas, a hidden Byzantine monastery, where centuries of devotion are etched in golden tiles, revealing Greece’s transition from antiquity to medieval splendor.
Immerse yourself in the myth and majesty of the Acropolis and explore the Parthenon and its surrounding temples with Professor Cyrino, uncovering the divine power of Athena and the artistic mastery that shaped classical Greece.
Travel in the footsteps of Agamemnon as you walk through the Lion Gate of Mycenae and visit the Tomb of Agamemnon, learning how Homer’s epics immortalized the kings and warriors of this ancient civilization.
Explore the sacred center of Delphi as you ascend the slopes of Mount Parnassus to the Temple of Apollo, where the Oracle once delivered cryptic prophecies that shaped the course of Greek and Mediterranean history.
Highlights
Stand in the ruins of Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, and imagine the excitement of ancient athletes competing in honor of Zeus, king of the gods.
Discover the stunning mosaics of Hosios Loukas, a hidden Byzantine monastery, where centuries of devotion are etched in golden tiles, revealing Greece’s transition from antiquity to medieval splendor.
Immerse yourself in the myth and majesty of the Acropolis and explore the Parthenon and its surrounding temples with Professor Cyrino, uncovering the divine power of Athena and the artistic mastery that shaped classical Greece.
Travel in the footsteps of Agamemnon as you walk through the Lion Gate of Mycenae and visit the Tomb of Agamemnon, learning how Homer’s epics immortalized the kings and warriors of this ancient civilization.
Explore the sacred center of Delphi as you ascend the slopes of Mount Parnassus to the Temple of Apollo, where the Oracle once delivered cryptic prophecies that shaped the course of Greek and Mediterranean history.
Highlights
Hike in Portobelo’s rainforest and explore its UNESCO-listed colonial forts, learning how ecology, empire, and piracy intersected at this vital hub of Spain’s treasure fleets.
Meet the Emberá people of Darién National Park, gaining insight into how indigenous traditions, crafts, and lifeways have endured amid one of the world’s most biodiverse regions.
Discover Ecocentro Calathea, a conservation garden showcasing southern Costa Rica’s remarkable biodiversity through native plants, medicinal species, and vibrant birdlife near Piedras Blancas National Park.
Travel alongside your expert for a uniquely immersive journey, connecting rainforests, reefs, and volcanic landscapes with the evolutionary forces, biodiversity, and human-environment relationships that define Central America.
Enjoy onboard lectures in our state-of-the-art theatre by Professor Scott Solomon about the wide diversity of places and environments in this region of the world both natural and man-made.
Transit the Panama Canal, a modern engineering wonder, with expert commentary that places its construction and operation in the broader story of human innovation and global trade.
Hike in Portobelo’s rainforest and explore its UNESCO-listed colonial forts, learning how ecology, empire, and piracy intersected at this vital hub of Spain’s treasure fleets.
Meet the Emberá people of Darién National Park, gaining insight into how indigenous traditions, crafts, and lifeways have endured amid one of the world’s most biodiverse regions.
Discover Ecocentro Calathea, a conservation garden showcasing southern Costa Rica’s remarkable biodiversity through native plants, medicinal species, and vibrant birdlife near Piedras Blancas National Park.
Travel alongside your expert for a uniquely immersive journey, connecting rainforests, reefs, and volcanic landscapes with the evolutionary forces, biodiversity, and human-environment relationships that define Central America.
Enjoy onboard lectures in our state-of-the-art theatre by Professor Scott Solomon about the wide diversity of places and environments in this region of the world both natural and man-made.
Transit the Panama Canal, a modern engineering wonder, with expert commentary that places its construction and operation in the broader story of human innovation and global trade.
Highlights
Scott Solomon
Dr. Scott Solomon is an Associate Teaching Professor at Rice University, where he teaches ecology, evolutionary biology, and scientific communication. He received his PhD in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior from The University of Texas at Austin. Professor Solomon’s research projects have taken him through Panama and Costa Rica, and developed a deep understanding of their land and ecosystems. Professor Solomon has also worked as a visiting researcher with the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC and with São Paulo State University in Rio Claro, Brazil. He has taught field biology courses at Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Colorado and in the rainforests and coral reefs of Belize. Professor Solomon received the George R. Brown Award for Superior Teaching and the Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor Award from Rice University. He also serves as an associate editor for the Journal of Tropical Ecology. His writing and photography have appeared in such publications as Aeon, Nautilus, Slate, and WIRED. Professor Solomon has taught two Great Courses: What Darwin Didn’t Know: The Modern Science of Evolution and Why Insects Matter: Earth’s Most Essential Species.
Journey Expert
Scott Solomon
Panama City
Arrive in Tocumen International Airport Panama (PTY), Panama City, Panama, where you will be met by your driver and transferred to the Waldorf Astoria Hotel (or similar) for the night. This evening, join your fellow travelers and your Great Courses Journeys Expert for a welcome cocktail reception. Dinner will be at your leisure.
Included Meal: Reception
Accommodations: Waldorf Astoria Hotel (or similar)
Colonial Quarter
After breakfast at the hotel, begin your day with your expert and local guide at the Punta Culebra Nature Center, an open-air facility where exhibits and trails highlight Panama’s rich biodiversity and the ecological importance of the isthmus. A short distance away, the Frank Gehry-designed Biomuseo expands this perspective, with interactive displays that trace Panama’s unique geology, its role in connecting two continents, and the evolutionary consequences of that union.
Following lunch in a historic setting, continue with a guided exploration of Casco Antiguo, Panama City’s colonial quarter. Here, plazas, churches, and restored architecture reveal the city’s layered past, from Spanish settlement to modern preservation efforts. Later in the afternoon, drive across the isthmus to Colón to embark Le Lapérouse.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Le Lapérouse
San Blas Islands
Spend the afternoon in the San Blas Islands, anchored off the idyllic Holandes Cayes. These palm-fringed islets are not only visually stunning but also ecologically rich. Their surrounding reefs are among the healthiest in the archipelago, providing a living classroom for studying coral ecosystems and the vibrant species—parrotfish, angelfish, and more—that depend on them.
The islands form part of the autonomous Guna Yala territory, where the Guna people continue to preserve their language, traditions, and distinctive art forms. Encounters here offer insight into how cultural identity and environmental stewardship are interwoven, providing a deeper perspective on both the natural and human history of this remarkable region.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Le Lapérouse
Portobelo
Your full day in historic Portobelo begins with a guided hike into the surrounding rainforest, where the canopy comes alive with toucans, parrots, and perhaps monkeys or sloths. Along the way, your expert helps frame the ecological significance of these diverse species within one of the most biologically rich regions on earth.
In the afternoon, explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Portobelo itself, once a vital Spanish port for treasure fleets crossing the Atlantic. Visit 17th-century forts built to guard against pirates and the Customs House where silver and gold were tallied. The day concludes with a Congo Dance Workshop, where a local troupe introduces the rhythms and traditions of Afro-Caribbean heritage.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Le Lapérouse
Gatun Lock
Transit one of the world’s greatest feats of engineering. Begun in 1881 by Ferdinand de Lesseps—famed for the Suez Canal—the Panama Canal was completed in 1914 under American leadership, saving ships nearly 8,000 nautical miles between the Atlantic and Pacific. Discover how its creation reshaped global trade and politics.
Your transit begins in Colón, where massive locks lift vessels 85 feet to Gatun Lake, a man-made wonder in its own right. Crossing the lake and passing through the Gaillard Cut—carved through the continental divide—you witness both technical ingenuity and rainforest biodiversity. Descending through the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Locks, you reach the Pacific at day’s end, having experienced the canal as both history and living ecosystem.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Le Lapérouse
Emberá Village
Declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1983, Darién National Park protects one of the most ecologically diverse regions in the Americas. Its landscapes—mountains, river valleys, mangroves, and coastal plains—provide habitats for an extraordinary range of flora and fauna, from harpy eagles to jaguars. Scientists regard it as a living laboratory for studying tropical ecosystems and biogeography, particularly the ecological corridor connecting North and South America.
The region is also home to indigenous communities who preserve traditions that predate European contact. In Playa Muerto, meet the Emberá people, whose language, crafts, and daily practices offer insight into centuries of cultural resilience.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Le Lapérouse
Golfito
The small Costa Rican port of Golfito serves as your gateway to Ecocentro Calathea, an open-air botanic garden created in 2020 as part of a broader conservation initiative. Dedicated to preserving and interpreting the fragile ecosystems bordering Piedras Blancas National Park, the eco-center introduces visitors to the extraordinary biodiversity of southern Costa Rica. On a guided walk, learn about native trees, flowering plants, and traditional medicinal species while considering how they sustain both wildlife and human communities. The gardens also provide a natural haven for colorful birdlife, from hummingbirds and tanagers to toucans and parrots, illustrating the richness of the region’s avian populations. The visit concludes with a pause at the welcome center before returning to the ship.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner,
Accommodations: Le Lapérouse
Temple of Poseidon
The morning begins with a ferry to Aegina, a maritime power and home to the Temple of Aphaea, a local goddess linked to Athena and Artemis. Admire this well-preserved Doric temple, part of the “sacred triangle” with the Parthenon and the Temple of Poseidon. Savor lunch in a private farmhouse on the island, overlooking pistachio and olive trees. Then, return by ferry to Athens and freshen up before a final celebratory dinner. Toast your journey with a final reception and dinner at a local restaurant overlooking the Acropolis.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Fresh Hotel
Cabin and Deck Pricing
Studio PONANT
PONANT-Juin2018
Studio PONANT
Studio PONANT
Studio PONANT
Studio PONANT
Studio PONANT
Studio PONANT
Studio PONANT
PONANT-Juin2018
Studio PONANT
PONANT-Francois Lef
PONANT-Philip.Plisson
Download a ship guide
Your Ship: Le Lapérouse
The five-star Le Lapérouse, part of the PONANT Explorers expedition yacht series, features 92 cabins accommodating 184 guests. Designed with advanced eco-friendly technology, its “Clean Ship” certification highlights energy efficiency and marine protection. Compact yet luxurious, it navigates shallow bays and sensitive environments while offering safe, comfortable voyages with custom stabilizers. (7 nights)
Waldorf Astoria Panama
Panama City, Panama
The Waldorf Astoria Panama, a five-star luxury hotel in Panama City, blends elegant design with modern comfort. Guests enjoy refined accommodations, an outdoor pool, a full-service spa, and two upscale restaurants. Ideally located near the National Theater and the city’s vibrant districts, it offers both sophistication and convenience for discerning travelers. (1 night)
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)
January 8–15, 2028
January 14-22, 2027
Questions? Call
1-855-476-5080
Treasures of Central America: The Panama Canal and Marvels of Costa Rica
Sign up to receive the latest trip updates and instant access to a digital version of our full-color 2025–2027 travel catalog. You will also have the option to share your mailing address and we’ll send a printed copy of our next catalog to your door.
Stay Updated and Receive a FREE Catalog
Request your copy of our full color travel catalog
Highlights
Uncover the dynastic ambitions and historical significance of monuments like Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V in Rabat.
Experience the stony landscape of the Agafay Desert on a camel trek, culminating in a breathtaking sunset over the High Atlas Mountains.
Admire the Islamic architecture in Marrakesh, from the grand Koutoubia Mosque and intricate Bahia Palace to the serene beauty of the Ben Youssef Madrasa.
Discover the University of al-Qarawiyyin, the world’s oldest continuously operating university, and engage in a discussion on its profound influence on global scholarship.
Wander through the labyrinthine alleyways of the UNESCO-listed Medina in Fes, where vibrant stalls overflow with textiles, spices, and artisanal crafts.
