Travel bucket list idea:
Panama
Bucket List Experience
Sailing through the Panama Canal is a lifetime dream for many and never disappoints; it’s an incredible feat of engineering and an experience for which you’ll want to be on deck as much as possible.
A transit of the canal could be part of any number of itineraries and on any size of ship. But one way to get deeper into the culture and contrasts of Panama is to join a cruise that includes the canal combined with a voyage along either the country’s Pacific or Caribbean coasts, as well as neighbouring Costa Rica.
This route combines the excitement of the canal with the rainforests and islands of the Pacific coast of both countries, with further contrast in Panama’s atmospheric Casco Viejo, the old heart of what’s now an ultra-modern city.
On the Pacific coast, you’ll snorkel off pristine islands among tropical fish and sea turtles, trek through dense rainforest, monkeys in the trees and scarlet macaws flying overhead, and on the most adventurous voyages, venture into Panama’s Darien rainforest to visit the Embera tribe.
On the Caribbean side of the canal, the San Blas islands, or Guna Yala, offer incredible snorkelling and diving off tiny, uninhabited sand spits – a true desert island setting.
Any number of cruises include the Panama Canal. It may feature as a sector on a world voyage or an expedition around Central America. For the true experience, make sure you cruise offers either a (daytime) full or partial transit not just a day trip overland to see the locks.
Costa Rica’s jungly coast is best explored on a smaller, more informal ship, for the full experience of swimming off the back of the ship and going ashore in small groups for hikes and snorkelling. This is a popular expedition route, so there’s plenty of choice.
Big ships sail this route, too, but stop at bigger ports like Puntarenas and Puerto Limon, from where you’ll join organised excursions.
January to April is the best period in which to travel; outside this time the weather is hotter, wetter and sometimes punishingly humid.
Our writer’s recommended tour operators to book with
Miami, Florida, Panama
![Celebrity Cruises [Panama Canal]](https://cxgveiouca.cloudimg.io/familyhotelfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/Celebrity-Cruises-logo.jpeg?w=350&h=220&func=cover){kind=logo}
A global cruise operator with 14 cruise boats that offers a bigger ship experience. Celebrity’s smart, modern vessels offer longer cruises, covering more distance, from Fort Lauderdale, through the canal and along the Pacific coast to San Diego.
Panama
![UnCruise Adventures [Panama Canal]](https://cxgveiouca.cloudimg.io/familyhotelfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/Uncruise-logo.png?w=350&h=220&func=cover){kind=logo}
Small ship expedition specialist, offering voyages between San Jose, Costa Rica and Panama City, travelling right off the beaten track with snorkel gear and kayaks carried on board.
Panama
![Windstar Cruises [Panama Canal]](https://cxgveiouca.cloudimg.io/familyhotelfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/Windstar-logo-1.png?w=350&h=220&func=cover){kind=logo}
Small ship specialist, with 148 to 342 guests per voyage, offering assorted itineraries in Panama and Costa Rica on the four-masted sailing ship, Wind Star. Look out for cruise-tour packages that combine overland travel into Costa Rica’s cloud forest with an expedition-style cruise.
Multiple countries
![Star Clippers [Panama Canal]](https://cxgveiouca.cloudimg.io/familyhotelfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/Starclippers-logo.jpg?w=350&h=220&func=cover){kind=logo}
Star Clippers’ graceful, square-rigged sailing ship ‘Start Flyer’, with just 166 guests, offers intimate, luxury cruises through the Panama Canal and on to select destinations in the Caribbean.
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Costa Rica
Destination guide
Rainforests, powdery beaches, white-water rivers and towering volcanoes: this relaxed Central American country offers exceptional wilderness adventures in stunning landscapes.
Round-ups that include this experience
Multiple countries
Inspiration
The UK’s leading cruise expert, Sue Bryant, recommends the best river, sea and ocean cruise destinations from around the world; memorable voyages, and bucket list experiences, from the moment you step aboard.
