Guests traveling aboard Lindblad-National Geographic’s Costa Rica and The Panama Canal expedition will be among the first to experience the BioMuseo (Museum of Biodiversity) and the new Canal up close for free as the line unveils their one night/two day pre- or post-Panama City extension. The offer is available on five departures - Nov. 16, 23, 30 and Dec. 7 & 14, 2013 aboard the 62-guest National Geographic Sea Lion.
The eight-day voyage will transit the Canal and explore the jungle, wildlife, and biodiversity of Costa Rica & Panama by expedition ship. Guests will snorkel a Pacific reef; venture into a sanctuary of virgin rain forest on foot—plus search for monkeys, frogs, sloths and birds, and also ride horseback. Additional highlights include Manuel Antonio, Corcovado and Coiba National Parks, plus remote islands; an overnight in Gatún Lake in the Canal Zone to glimpse behind the scenes of an island research station run by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.
The complimentary pre- or post-Panama extension (depending on voyage direction) will include two occasions in the city. First stop is the much anticipated Biomuseo, which will have a “soft opening” in October, and its official launch in 2014. Designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry in consultation with scientists at the nearby Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, the museum’s exhibits encompass over 43,000 square feet in eight display galleries and portray the history of the isthmus and the species it engendered.
From there, guests will take in the newly completed Observation Center at the Panama Canal’s expanded third lock, which will be in prime construction phase. Once the Canal is operational in 2015, this insider’s view will no longer be offered.
The extension includes one night at the Marriott-Panama hotel, lunch at the Miraflores locks, dinner with a traditional dance performance, all transfers, entrance fees and guides. Guests may experience the extension for the remainder of the season at the rate of $450.00 per person based on double occupancy and $520 per person based on single occupancy.
Lindblad Expeditions is also offering free roundtrip air from Miami on all Costa Rica & Panama bookings made by August 31, 2013. This offer is subject to availability; new bookings only. If guests choose to combine the offers, the air offer will be given as an air credit.
A three-day pre-extension to Monteverde, Costa Rica or a seven-day post-voyage extension to Monteverde, Arenal and Sarapiqui, Costa Rica are also available.
For more information, visit www.expeditions.com.