Ms. Gemo's Panama & Costa Rica

Fifty miles long, the awesome Panama Canal takes ships eight hours to transverse (and often costs them toll fees of over $100,000). A system of locks and manmade lakes rely on gravitational forces to lift the giant boats over the Panama isthmus -- ships rise as high as 85 feet over sea level -- and set them down again on the other side. The French began construction of the canal after their successful completion of Egypt's Suez Canal, but yellow fever, other diseases, and the difficulty of excavating rock from the middle of the jungle caused them to abandon the project. American President Theodore Roosevelt then took over the project through controversial political maneuvering, and the canal was finally opened under American control in 1914. Ownership passed back to the Panamanians in 1999, and in their hands the canal has consistently exceeded all previous traffic, revenue, and safety records.

Visit Panama’s newest museum dedicated to biodiversity, designed by distinguished architect Frank Gehry.

Lake Gatun is situated in the heart of the Isthmus of Panama. It was constructed between 1910-14 to make the Panama Canal possible. From the lake's shore you will board a fast panga style boat for a voyage of discovery. Navigate ancient routes that crossed the isthmus long before the lake’s creation. Huge ships can be seen transiting across the ocean, the canal is a water bridge that links the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Go past the rainforest to a scenic region of the lake and witness firsthand the splendor and excitement of the jungle. Exotic birds, monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and crocodiles are just a few of the animals that you can view in their native surroundings.

Sail down the Chagres River to meet the community of an Embera indigenous village nestled within the lush tropical rainforest of the protected Chagres National Park.

Sail on traditional piragua canoe-style boats down the Rio Chagres through the lush Chagres National Park.

Follow your local guide on this easy 30-minute hike through the Chagres National Park. This tropical rainforest is teeming with natural beauty, stunning vistas, abundant tropical flora and wildlife. With over 900 endemic plant species, 100 mammals and 400 bird species, scientists are still working on identifying and naming them. Enjoy a dip in the waterfall at the end of your hike.

You will be warmly greeted by members of the Emberá community as you approach the shores of the Rio Chagres and discover a village nestled within the national park. Enjoy lunch spending time with the indigenous Emberá community and learn about their culture, traditions and crafts.

Representing Panama’s vibrant Caribbean culture, the Bocas Del Toro province comprises part of Panama’s mainland, as well as a chain of islands in the Caribbean Sea. In Bocas, expect to find a relatively undeveloped landscape, and a friendly, laid-back vibe. Bocas is also home to a tropical rainforest, some of the area’s indigenous cultures, like the Ngäbe and NasoTjerdi, as well as many of the country’s most popular beaches. There are three main islands in Bocas Del Toro: The main island, Isla Colon; Isla Bastimentos, which is one of the largest islands in Panama; and the small island of Isla Carenero.

Follow you Tour Director on a walking tour of the small town of Bocas, a resort located on the southern tip of Colón Island in the Bocas del Toro Archipelago in the Caribbean Sea.

Sail along the mangrove shores of the Archipelago into the calm waters of Dolphin Bay, explore coral reefs and marine life in Coral Cay and end your day on the idyllic beaches of the uninhabited island of Zapatilla.

Located amongst the small islands of the Bocas del Toro archipelago, Coral Cay island offers perfect shallow snorkeling conditions. Snorkel through calm and clear waters to spot abundant marine life and vibrant coral reefs.

Enjoy a boat ride in the idyllic Dolphin Bay where dolphins will greet you with a splash along the way.

You will be dropped off at the border in Panama to cross customs by foot and board a new bus on the Costa Rica side. Border crossing taxes are included in your tour fee.

Cahuita National Park encompasses both land and sea to offer visitors an up-close look into Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity. Situated on an undeveloped beach, Cahuita is home to a coral reef full of sea turtles, eels, sharks, and more than 30 species of coral — plus an 18th century shipwreck. On land, Cahuita’s rainforest jungle houses colorful birds, thousands of plants and a wide variety of mammals like howlers and sloths.

Enjoy a fun, informative introduction to the world of sloths (and maybe meet our mascot, Tico, along the way!). Visit sloth enclosures in the Learning Center before boarding a fiberglass canoe to experience the animal’s natural habitat. Learn about the rescue, rehabilitation, research and release of Costa Rican sloths at this family-run sanctuary. *Though you will see sloths up close, only sanctuary staff can handle sloths.

Harness in and soar above the jungle canopy on a thrilling zipline tour that takes you through the Costa Rican rainforest.

Let the volcanoes take you away. At Arenal’s hot springs, bubbling lava fields heat the waters to make nature’s own jacuzzi.

Hike through historical lava trails from the 1968 Arenal Volcano eruption that covered most of the surrounding rainforest. Enjoy impressive views of the volcano along the way.

Glide along the still waters reflecting the perfect cone of Arenal Volcano and the surrounding rolling hills. Lake Arenal, the country's largest, is also among its most scenic, and the area has become popular area to kayak, windsurf, sail, fish, and hike.