Explore with Viking—Panama Canal

Take a guided walk along the lush Carambola Botanical Gardens pathways and enjoy a tasting of artisanal chocolate. Drive by motor coach to Sandy Bay, learning about Roatán along the way. Upon arrival, you will set out on foot through a protected forest that hugs the hillside of Carambola Mountain. As you explore its pathways, you will learn about the local flora from your guide and see dozens of native plant types, from orchids and fruit trees to spice and medicinal plants, plus the popular “chocolate tree” and the famous Honduran mahogany tree. After, delve into Roatán’s chocolate heritage during a visit to a local chocolatier. Learn about the development of the industry, the intricate process of transforming cacao beans into fine chocolate and enjoy a tasting of artisanal chocolate samples. At the end of your visit, you will board your coach and return to your awaiting ship.

Take a scenic drive, cruise the waterways of the Tortuguero Canals and enjoy a train ride in the countryside. The city has a strong Jamaican influence—islanders first came here to build the railroad in the 19th century, after which they remained to work on cacao and banana plantations. Leaving Puerto Limón, continue into lush tropical forests, passing plantations and small towns. At the Eco Jungle dock, board a boat and sail the Tortuguero Canals, a maze of watery passageways connecting lagoons, deltas and small villages. Enjoy a traditional Caribbean performance upon your return to shore, then board a historic open-air train to discover the countryside from a different perspective. Immerse yourself in Costa Rican heritage as you travel—in 1890, this railway helped birth the banana trade, which remains one of the country’s most significant industries. After, return to your ship.

Explore the waters of Gatun Lake on an eco-cruise, then revel in human ingenuity at the Panama Canal locks. Transfer to the Rainforest Lodge and Marina, where you will board your catamaran-style boat for a cruise on Gatun Lake—a large, man-made freshwater lake created when the Gatun Dam was built during the early 20th century. Its jungle-covered islands and the surrounding waters are home to numerous flora and fauna. Your knowledgeable guide will offer insight into this delicate ecosystem and point out wildlife. Sail past the stumps of old mahogany trees that stick out above the water and keep watch for capuchin and howler monkeys jumping through the trees; you may also see exotic birds, sloths and crocodiles in their natural surroundings. Afterward, continue to the Agua Clara Visitor Center for panoramic views of the Panama Canal and an opportunity to see the locks operate.

Set sail amid the mangroves on a jungle boat to observe local wildlife and discover Costa Rica’s crocodiles. Your journey unfolds near the Carara National Park, on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. The Tárcoles Estuary is noted for its mangrove forests, and the mouth of the Tárcoles River is considered to be one of the richest sites for seabirds and shorebirds. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife; you may spot cuckoos, hummingbirds, Panama flycatchers, and herons, as well as iguanas and lizards. The riverbanks are home to a large crocodile colony, with some of these reptiles measuring nearly ten feet in length. Continue to the CROC Sky Walk Experience Center, and step onto a platform overlooking the famous Tárcoles River crocodiles. Enjoy a chocolate-making demonstration, sample fresh tropical fruits, sip authentic Costa Rican coffee and browse the gift stalls, before returning to your ship.

Discover Costa Rica’s cloud forest biodiversity along beautiful trails and suspended bridges amid the tree canopy. Begin with a short downhill walk that leads to an open hummingbird garden, where many species of these tiny, brightly colored birds gather around and amaze you with their spectacular acrobatic maneuvers. After, you will arrive at the first of four suspended bridges that cover over half a mile of verdant terrain, and rise up to 126 feet above the ground. As you continue your way over rivers and cascades, your naturalist guide will point out the most outstanding features of this misty forest. Look for many species of birds, butterflies and small mammals, and flora such as orchids, heliconias, ferns, bromeliads and more. En route back to your ship, take a stroll around picturesque gardens and pause at a local gift shop for the perfect memento.

Immerse yourself in the sounds of nature as you float down the Great River on a bamboo raft. Leaving the ship, enjoy a scenic drive along Jamaica’s rugged and picturesque north coast. Travel through pretty countryside to the village of Lethe, the former home of a banana plantation. Enjoy a glass of refreshing fruit punch, then follow your expert guide to the river’s edge, where you will climb on board a 30-foot-long bamboo raft built for two. Learn about local life and discover the history of the land and your vessel, once used for transporting sugar to the sea. Cruise gently down the Great River under a canopy of looming trees, listening to the melodic birdsong amid bamboo and fern groves. A soothing limestone foot rub will add to your tranquil experience. Afterward, you will board your motor coach and return to your ship.

Learn about efforts to save and protect endangered species from extinction at the Natuwa Wildlife Sanctuary. A conservation charity, this wildlife refuge is home to a variety of the native flora and fauna that is in danger of vanishing due to human actions. The sanctuary has a designated area where the orphaned animals continue their life in the most natural environment possible, surrounded with native trees of different species. Embark on a scenic drive through the Costa Rican countryside to the refuge. Upon arrival, you will take a short walk, stopping at different observation stations for an opportunity to view the resident animals. Keep your eyes peeled for sloths, jaguars, tapirs, monkeys, macaws and more that inhabit the sanctuary while listening to a local expert give insight into these extraordinary animals. Afterward, enjoy a refreshing snack before returning to your ship.

Join your guide for an intriguing visit to the ancient city of Xunantunich. Drive through the countryside to the banks of the Mopan River. Here, traverse the river to visit the Maya temples, using a centuries-old hand cranked ferry crossing. Once a major ceremonial center, the area features five main plazas and is surrounded by 25 palaces and temples. Perched on a ridge, the site provides panoramic views of the Cayo district and boasts one of Belize’s most impressive structures—the Belize El Castillo, a looming 130-foot pyramid. A steep but short climb to the top is recommended for you to witness the enormity of the jungle, the Mopan and Belize River valleys and the stunning mountain landscape. Continue to the town of San Ignacio and enjoy a delicious lunch. After, visit the farmers market, where you can purchase locally made delicacies and crafts.

Discover the history, culture and natural beauty of Roatán during this wide-ranging excursion. Meet your guide and drive to a nearby dock, where you will board a vessel for a cruise through the protected mangrove forest and harbor, home to seabird colonies and an array of marine life. Continue to an animal sanctuary to meet friendly sloths and catch a glimpse of other wildlife before visiting a local chocolatier to discover the origins of the industry, the history of cacao and to enjoy a tasting of handmade chocolates. Cap your excursion with a demonstration about the culture of the Garifuna people, recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Watch a traditional dance performance, learn how to prepare baleada, a tortilla filled with beans, cheese and cream, and hear the history of the Garifuna before returning to your ship.

Witness the engineering ingenuity of the Panama Canal and the precision of the Miraflores locks in action. Since opening more than 100 years ago, over a million vessels have traveled through the famous waterway, connecting culture and commerce from around the world. The locks were one of the greatest engineering feats ever undertaken when they opened in 1914. No other concrete construction of comparable size was carried out until the Hoover Dam. At the Miraflores Visitor Center, watch an IMAX movie about the canal and see the Miraflores locks from a unique perspective while visiting the operational area with a private guide from the Panama Canal Authority. After lunch, visit the Panama Canal Expansion Observation Center to learn more about this engineering marvel and the massive Panama Canal Expansion Project, which doubled the waterway’s capacity when completed in June 2016.

Journey through Panama’s past and present while touring a once-mighty fortress and a feat of modern engineering. Begin with a visit to the ruins of Fort San Lorenzo, a 16th-century Spanish citadel that sits at the mouth of the Chagres River, overlooking the Caribbean Sea and surrounded by 30,000 acres of protected rainforest. Learn about the fortress’s turbulent history from your guide as you explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site and enjoy striking views of your surroundings. After lunch, you will head to the Agua Clara Visitors Center to learn more about this engineering marvel and the massive Panama Canal Expansion Project, which doubled the waterway’s capacity and was completed in June 2016. Here, you might have the opportunity to observe massive cargo ships transiting the canal from mere feet away as they pass through the 1.7 miles of lock structures along this stretch of water.