Enjoy the VIP Home Departure Service from your front door to London Heathrow for a direct British Airways flight to Miami, arriving mid-afternoon. Our hotel for the night is the Hilton Miami Airport. Meals: D

Depart Miami late morning on a non-stop flight to Panama City, with a flying time of about three hours. On arrival, drive across the country to Colon to board National Geographic Sea Lion and set sail for the first part of our Panama Canal transit. Sea Lion ascends the Gatun Locks to the level of Lake Gatun, anchoring there for the night. Meals: B, D

Board Zodiacs for Barro Colorado Nature Monument in Lake Gatun. The island is inaccessible to most travelers and, by special arrangement, guides accompany us through the tropical forest that so challenged the builders of the Canal. Reboard National Geographic Sea Lion to continue our crossing. A daylight transit cannot be guaranteed since cargo ships have priority over passenger ships. The Canal, however, is dramatically lit at night. Meals: B,L,D

Explore a cluster of islands in the Gulf of Panama via Zodiac or kayak. It's a wonderful introduction to the region's varied birdlife. Observe large numbers of roosting and nesting seabirds, magnificent frigate birds, brown pelicans and blue-footed boobies of Galapagos fame. Meals: B,L,D

Isla Coiba is one of Panama's most remote national parks, where you may hike the tropical, moist forest trails. The area is also perfect for swimming and snorkeling amid tropical fish. Our staff will assist both novice and expert snorkelers alike. For those preferring a drier clime, our Naturalists take underwater footage, which animates our evening gathering in the lounge. Meals: B,L,D

Today we make our first landfall in Costa Rica. At Casa Orquideas, a privately owned garden accessible only by boat and special invitation, see a profusion of orchids and look for gaudy toucans. Later, explore the forested bay of Golfo Dulce, ideal for kayaking or swimming. Meals: B,L,D

We anchor off the remote Osa Peninsula and the environs of Corcovado National Park. Our exact landing spot for the day will depend on sea conditions. You may swim in waterfall pools, horseback ride or kayak. Trek through the rain forest for a chance to see three species of monkey in one day - howler, spider and squirrel! Meals: B,L,D

The abundant wildlife here is most active in the early morning, so we are sure to get an early start. Lethargic three-toed sloths can be easy to spot, but it often takes the expert eye of a Naturalist to point out monkeys or vividly colored birds as they zip through the forest. In the afternoon, explore Costa Rica's beautiful coast where we'll find a great spot for a final hike or swim. Meals: B,L,D

Disembark National Geographic Sea Lion this morning in Herradura and drive to the airport for the flight to Miami and onward British Airways flight to London Heathrow, arriving the following morning. Meals: B

On arrival your VIP Home Departure Service is waiting to take you home.