What if your next vacation wasn’t just about seeing a destination—but actually experiencing it?
Imagine waking up surrounded by the tropical landscapes of Central America, heading out by Zodiac to search for wildlife, kayaking into secluded bays, snorkeling among colorful marine life and hiking through forests shaped by ancient volcanoes.
For travelers looking for something beyond the traditional vacation, National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions has announced exciting new ways to explore Central America during its 2028-2029 season, including an all-new 15-day Costa Rica and Panama itinerary and updates to two existing expeditions.
These journeys are designed for travelers who want to get closer to the wildlife, landscapes, cultures and communities that make Central America so fascinating.
And if Costa Rica or Panama has been sitting on your bucket list, these new expeditions might be the reason to finally go.
NEW: Epic Costa Rica and Panama
Can’t decide between Costa Rica and Panama?
You don’t have to.
The new 15-day Epic Costa Rica and Panama itinerary brings both destinations together into one immersive expedition filled with tropical forests, volcanic landscapes, remote islands, wildlife encounters and local experiences.
And this isn’t the kind of vacation where you simply watch the scenery pass by from your ship.
Guests will have opportunities to get out and explore.
Cruise through wildlife-rich waterways aboard a Zodiac.
Paddle into sheltered bays.
Follow trails through tropical forests.
Snorkel in the waters of Coiba National Park.
Search for monkeys and tropical birds on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula.
Hike among the geothermal landscapes of Rincón de la Vieja.
And experience the iconic Panama Canal as part of your journey.
Expert naturalists accompany the expedition, helping guests better understand the wildlife, ecosystems and landscapes they encounter along the way.
For travelers who have dreamed about experiencing the natural beauty of Central America but want to see more than one destination, this new itinerary offers an incredible way to experience both Costa Rica and Panama in one trip.
Experience More Than the Scenery
One of the things that sets an expedition apart from a traditional vacation is the opportunity to understand the destination you’re visiting.
Throughout Epic Costa Rica and Panama, guests won’t only encounter extraordinary natural landscapes.
The journey also includes opportunities to connect with the people and traditions of the region.
Time spent with local families and experiences centered around artistic traditions and conservation efforts offer another perspective on the places you’re exploring.
Instead of simply coming home with beautiful pictures, you have the opportunity to come home with a deeper understanding of the destination.
UPDATED: Exploring Costa Rica: Guanacaste, Santa Rosa and Rincón de la Vieja
Maybe 15 days isn’t right for your schedule.
For the 2028-2029 season, Exploring Costa Rica: Guanacaste, Santa Rosa and Rincón de la Vieja will offer both six- and eight-day itinerary options, giving travelers more flexibility when planning their adventure.
The expedition focuses on Costa Rica’s Guanacaste region, where volcanic highlands give way to a rugged Pacific coastline.
This part of Costa Rica is home to rare tropical dry forests, rivers, secluded bays and wildlife that can include monkeys, iguanas and colorful tropical birds.
Guests can hike through the geothermal landscapes of Rincón de la Vieja National Park, explore protected waters by Zodiac and kayak, and discover environments shaped by ancient volcanic forces.
But once again, the experience goes beyond nature.
Travelers will also get a closer look at the distinctive culture of Guanacaste, a region known for its ranching traditions and hospitality.
With the addition of two itinerary lengths, travelers can choose the expedition that better fits their schedule without giving up the immersive style of exploration.
UPDATED: The Panama Canal, Pearl Islands and Darien Jungle
If Panama is the destination calling your name, there’s an expedition for that, too.
The Panama Canal, Pearl Islands and Darien Jungle is National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions’ only Central American itinerary focused entirely on Panama.
And there’s much more to this journey than simply crossing the Panama Canal.
Aboard the National Geographic Quest, guests can experience a transit of the historic Panama Canal during both the day and night.
The expedition also dives deeper into Panama’s wildlife, history and culture through visits to local communities and two UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Travelers can venture into lush rainforests, explore a wildlife refuge and visit an important national park while keeping an eye out for monkeys, iguanas, tropical birds and other wildlife.
Then trade the rainforest for turquoise water and snorkel among pristine coral reefs filled with colorful marine life.
It’s an itinerary that brings together one of the world’s greatest engineering achievements with the natural environments and cultural stories surrounding it.
This Isn’t Your Typical Vacation
There are vacations where you sit by the pool for a week.
And then there are vacations where you come home feeling like you’ve experienced a part of the world you never would have discovered on your own.
These National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions are designed for the second kind of traveler.
You might spend one day hiking through a tropical forest and the next snorkeling in clear Pacific waters.
You could find yourself watching monkeys in the trees, kayaking along a secluded coastline or learning about conservation efforts from people who know the region intimately.
And with expert naturalists helping interpret what you’re seeing along the way, even the moments between destinations become part of the experience.
Which Central America Expedition Is Right for You?
With these new and updated options, there’s an itinerary for different travel styles and schedules.
Choose Epic Costa Rica and Panama if:
You want the most comprehensive adventure and love the idea of experiencing both countries during one 15-day expedition.
Choose Exploring Costa Rica: Guanacaste, Santa Rosa and Rincón de la Vieja if:
Costa Rica is at the top of your list and you want a shorter six- or eight-day adventure filled with wildlife, volcanic landscapes and opportunities to explore on both land and water.
Choose The Panama Canal, Pearl Islands and Darien Jungle if:
You want to focus entirely on Panama while combining the Panama Canal with rainforests, culture, history, wildlife and marine experiences.
There’s no single “best” itinerary. The right one depends on what you want to experience, how long you want to travel and which destinations have been calling your name.
Make 2028 or 2029 the Year You Take the Bucket-List Trip
It’s easy to say you’ll take the big trip “someday.”
But some vacations deserve to move from the bucket list to the calendar.
If you’ve dreamed about exploring Costa Rica, experiencing the Panama Canal, seeing wildlife in its natural habitat or simply taking a vacation that’s completely different from your usual getaway, the 2028-2029 National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions season gives you several exciting ways to make it happen.
And planning an expedition doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.
An Academy Travel agent can help you explore National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, compare itineraries and find the adventure that best matches how you want to travel.
Whether that’s 15 days exploring Costa Rica and Panama, an immersive journey through Guanacaste or an unforgettable expedition through Panama, we’ll help you turn the trip you’ve been dreaming about into one you actually take.
Because sometimes the best souvenirs aren’t things at all.
They’re the stories about the time you snorkeled off a remote Pacific island, spotted monkeys in a tropical forest, crossed the Panama Canal and finally took the trip you kept saying you’d take “one day.”
Head to our website to connect with an Academy Travel agent and start planning your National Geographic-Lindblad Expedition.
