Deluxe Stateroom Deck 3
20% Ponant Bonus
19 m²
2
On this 11-day expedition cruise aboard Le Bellot, you will sail the Caribbean Sea discovering the lush landscapes of Central America, exploring the region’s historical cities to learn more about their history, sharing with the local populations and creating unforgettable memories.
Culture and heritage are on the programme of your journey. The city of Santo Tomás de Castilla will welcome you for a glimpse into incredible Maya history, with the possibility of discovering the pyramids and sanctuaries of the Quiriguá archaeological site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
From one port of call to the next, you will also be able to seize the opportunity to share unforgettable moments with local communities. La Ceiba, an exclusive PONANT port of call, is undoubtedly a highlight of your journey. Both you and your welcoming local hosts will discover how emotional first encounters may be, with traditional dancing derived from Honduran folklore and unique moments of sharing, both on land and on board. A little further, in Panama, on the Bocas del Toro archipelago, famous for its rich underwater and terrestrial biodiversity, you will learn about a different history, that of the country’s largest indigenous community, the Ngöbe-Buglé.
Fans of swimming and snorkelling will certainly not be disappointed, given the magnificent fine sandy beaches surrounded by the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea on Corn Island or the coconut forests and coral reefs of the splendid Water Caye. The extraordinary diversity of the landscapes will surprise you throughout your journey. From Puerto Limon, you will access the Tortuguero National Park with its maze-like canals and rich biodiversity, as well as the Cahuita National Park, where you will be able to observe abundant wildlife. The region is also home to many mangroves, this unique ecosystem in which intertwined roots plunge into tropical waters, enabling you to contemplate a palette of greens. Zodiac outings on the Rio Dulce will let you discover this fascinating world, with insight provided by the experienced team of naturalist-guides.
Ref : BC254 - EE271224
Uncover the secrets of Central America during an expedition cruise exploring six countries, featuring verdant scenery and cultural discoveries. Between the sea, lagoons and mangroves, explore this natural...
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Included in your cruise
To make sure things run smoothly, PONANT has included certain elements before and after your cruise as part of the price.
Shore Excursions, Overlands & Pre/Post Programmes
To complete your voyage, PONANT can organise a range of shore excursions, pre & post cruise activities and packages, plus transfers.
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*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.
Services provided
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Expedition programmes include activities such as zodiac outings and landings (sometimes with "wet landings"), moderate walks to more active hikes, all accompanied by your expedition team of naturalist guides.
Ports of call, visited sites, outings and landings will depend on weather conditions, winds and the state of the sea. These can force a change of plans at any time. The Captain and the Expedition Leader may at any time cancel or stop any activity, or even modify the itinerary. The final itinerary will be confirmed by the Captain, who will take into account the touristic quality of the sites and above all, the safety of the passengers. His decision will be based on advice from experts and authorities.
Travelling to isolated regions is an exhilarating experience. In remote areas, please remember that you are far from modern hospitals with full medical facilities, thus evacuation is extremely expensive. Without adequate medical coverage, all expenses will have to be immediately paid with your personal funds. We urge you to subscribe to full coverage insurance, choose your insurance company very carefully, be extremely vigilant and ensure your insurance is fully comprehensive, especially if you are insured by your credit card. PONANT offers an insurance contract with extensive guarantees, please contact us for more information.
Clothing tips:
Accessories:
Please note:
During your visits to some local communities, all guests will be required to dress respectfully. Ladies must have their shoulders and thighs covered. Gentlemen should have their shoulders covered also.
Ideal clothes for life on board:
During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.
Informal evening:
In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire, especially when dining in our restaurants where wearing shorts and tee-shirts is not allowed.
For women:
For men:
Officer’s evening:
For all cruises longer than 8 nights, an Officer’s Evening with a white dress code may be organized. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a stylish white outfit for the occasion (otherwise black and white).
Gala evening:
During the cruise, two gala evenings will be organised on board. Thus, we recommend that you bring one or two formal outfits.
For women:
For men:
SHOP:
A small shop is available on board offering a wide range of outfits, jewellery, leather goods and many accessories.
A laundry service (washing/ironing) is available on board, but unfortunately there are no dry cleaning services. For safety reasons, your cabin is not equipped with an iron.
TECHNICAL OUTFITS:
ACCESSORIES:
HEALTH CARE:
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
PRECAUTIONS:
In your hand luggage, remember to bring any medicines that you need, and possibly a small spare bag of toiletries (in case of delay in the delivery of your baggage by the airline). Remember to always have your travel documents with you in case you need them: hotel vouchers, cruise vouchers, return flight tickets... Never leave them in your hold luggage.
All our cabins have a safe. We recommend not to go ashore with valuable jewellery.
PONANT activities
Embarkation 27/12/2024 From 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Departure 27/12/2024 at 6:00 pm
Belize City is the former capital and the country’s largest town. Located on the Caribbean Sea, this lively little town symbolises the fusion of British, Spanish and Maya cultures. The departure point for flights over the Great Blue Hole and the barrier reef, it’s also the ideal gateway for discovering the treasures of Maya architecture: in the heart of the jungle, the grandiose and mysterious ruins of temples and palaces at the Lamanai and Xunantunich sites await you. Another unmissable experience: a trip to the mouth of the Belize River: with a little luck and care, you’ll get a glimpse of manatees, dolphins, crocodiles, iguanas and many aquatic bird species.
Arrival 28/12/2024
Departure 28/12/2024
In the waters of the Rio Dulce flows a part of the Caribbean soul. Lanchas, the motor boats that travel along the river and the Caribbean Sea, are the only way of reaching this small, welcoming town with no overland access to the rest of the country. Here, you are in Garifuna country: the inhabitants, descendent from Jamaican slaves, perpetuate their culture through oral tradition and ceremonies. Garifuna music, which is lively and sounds similar in some respects to reggae, and Garifuna dance, to the beat of drums, have both been classified by UNESCO as “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity”.
Arrival 29/12/2024
Departure 29/12/2024
A port city located in the north-east of Guatemala, on the coast of the Amatique Bay, Santo Tomás de Castilla offers exceptional access to the fabulous Mayan archaeological site of Quiriguá. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981, this place takes you back in time, deep into a décor of ruins and vestiges from the 8th century.
Arrival 30/12/2024
Departure 30/12/2024
La Ceiba, a brand-new and exclusive PONANT port of call, owes its name to the eponymous and enormous tree, one so magnificent that the local people - the Garifuna - considered it to be the “staircase used by God to descend from Heaven to visit the Earth”. La Ceiba possesses a multitude of natural wonders like this tree and you will have the possibility of discovering them during a river excursion into the surrounding mangrove, at the heart of Pico Bonito National Park. Howler monkeys, Panamanian white-faced capuchins, manatees, alligators, anteaters, great blue herons and toucans have all taken up residence here. The exceptional hospitality of La Ceiba’s inhabitants comes naturally here; you will experience it as soon as you arrive on the pier. You will also enjoy an exceptional encounter with the local community of Cuero y Salado – which you will reach in a burra, a traditional Honduran railcar once used for banana transport – and learn about its history tied to the banana industry. “When we arrive in this village on the edge of this extraordinary mangrove, we are captivated by the way of life that rules over these lands. The local people have customs and traditions, and they welcome us with folkloric singing and dancing, before we experience an unforgettable moment in this still unspoiled and pristine environment” , says José Sarica, our Director of Expedition Cruise Design.
Arrival 31/12/2024
Departure 31/12/2024
The Bay Islands archipelago is home to stunning cays, sheltered coral islets with warm, crystal-clear turquoise waters. Off the island of Utila, the white-sand beaches lined with palms and coconut trees and the reefs of the deserted islet called Water Caye offer a picture-postcard setting that will delight fans of swimming and snorkelling.
Arrival 1/1/2025
Departure 1/1/2025
During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
Arrival 2/1/2025
Departure 2/1/2025
A little slice of paradise lying off the coast of Nicaragua, in the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea, the Corn Islands are an invitation to leisure as well as exploration. The long white sandy beaches lined with coconut palms promise enjoyable moments of relaxation while the hills, covered with thick tropical forest, and the surrounding turquoise waters, teeming with life, will delight hikers and divers. Countless multicoloured fish, nurse sharks, sand tiger sharks, rays and barracudas can be seen in the sumptuous coral reefs and underwater caves.
Arrival 3/1/2025
Departure 3/1/2025
We’re pretty sure the little coastal town of Puerto Limón will completely win your heart. It is located on the Caribbean sea. Just beyond the harbour, Playa Bonita creek opens its arms to a haven of beauty rimmed by clear blue waters and shaded by giant peach-palms. If you wish to explore the lush green areas in the town, it’s worth taking a stroll through the lemon groves that give Puerto Limón its name. You’ll have all the time in the world to mosey around the streets scattered with multicoloured wooden makeshift stalls. These makeshift bars with their raffia roofs offer fresh juices blended just for you.
Arrival 4/1/2025
Departure 5/1/2025
Heavenly stretches of beach with opalescent sand, virgin rainforest, traditional houses in flamboyant colours... the Bocas del Toro Archipelago welcomes you in a gentle, typically Caribbean atmosphere. Anchored to the north-west coast of Panama, this lush and wild Eden is composed of nine main islands surrounded by thousands of verdant islets. Boasting a rich biodiversity, this lost paradise is home to the only national marine park in Panama: Isla Bastimentos. This stunning reserve protects an exceptional marine ecosystem composed of a rich coral reef, more than 200 species of colourful fish, and a population of bottlenose dolphins that live here permanently. On Isla Popa, meet the Ngöbe-Bugle, an indigenous community of Panama that still lives according to its ancestral traditions.
Arrival 6/1/2025 early morning
Disembarkation 6/1/2025 at 8:00 am
Colón is the second largest city in Panama, at the Caribbean entrance of the Panama Canal. Colón is today an important port, and the free trade zone created in 1953 contributed greatly to the development of the city. Colón was founded in 1850 by Americans working on the Panama railroad connecting the Atlantic and Pacific coasts through the isthmus of Panama; the city rapidly overshadowed the older Caribbean ports of Panama when the canal opened.
For your serenity, PONANT selects flights and organises transfers between the airport and the port (and vice-versa). This package is included in your cruise fare.
The day before embarkation: Cancun
Meet & greet at Cancun International airport by our local English-speaking representative.
Transfer to a local hotel selected by PONANT.
Diner will be served at the hotel.
Overnight.
Embarkation day: Cancun/Belize City
Breakfast.
Transfer to Cancun International airport in time for check-in of flight Cancun/Belize City selected by PONANT.
Flight Cancun/Belize City.
Approximate flight duration: 1 h 30.
Transfer to the port and embarkation.
- Cruise aboard your cruise ship -
This programme includes:
1 night in standard room at Courtyard Airport Cancun hotel 4* or Fairfield Inn and Suites Airport hotel 4* (or similar), breakfast included.
This programme does not include:
Please note:
Tropical Expedition
Explore the planet’s most remote tropical regions during a PONANT expedition cruise. In the heart of Oceania’s archipelagos or the Indian Ocean atolls, along the wild coastlines of Central America or Australia, our luxury amenities and services will make your expedition cruise an unforgettable experience. Our expedition leaders and their teams of naturalist guides devise exceptional itineraries and organise daily outings, shore visits in Zodiac® dinghies, or snorkelling when the cruises are conducive to it, to take you as close as possible to nature. Aboard the ship, they share their knowledge during lectures on a variety of topics such as the fauna and flora, the history of the great explorations, geology and climatology. On land, using the local transport options or during hikes, discover the must-see natural sites and, for a few hours, partake in the life and ancestral customs of the local populations.
New Year's Cruise
Spend an unforgettable New Year’s Eve with PONANT!
Shore excursions, Pre/Post & Overlands
Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.
Day 1 – Cancùn/Playa del Carmen
Meet at Cancùn International Airport in the Arrival hall. Look for PONANT sign. You will be greeted by our local representative off the flight selected by PONANT or any other flight (provided that you have previously communicated your flight schedule to your travel agent).
You will be transferred to the hotel Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen 5*.
Day and dinner at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 – Playa del Carmen/Valladolid/Chichen Itza
After breakfast, board your coach for a two-hour drive to the colonial city of Valladolid, named after a city in Spain and founded in the 16th century. Your guide will bring you to the main cathedral, San Servasio, where you will learn about the history of the city, which was one of the first settlements in the area founded by the Spaniards, as well as the history of the Maya people of the region.
You will then have the opportunity to visit La Casa de los Venados, a private home and national cultural tourism asset. It has the largest museum quality collection of Mexican folk art in private hands. Learn about the history of this house, as well as about the handcrafts and pop art that come from all over Mexico, while touring this amazing home.
Lunch will be served in a local restaurant.
Board your bus for a 45-minute drive to Mayaland Chichen Itza 4*.
Dinner will be served at the hotel.
Day 3 – Chichen Itza/Bacalar
Depart early in the morning to visit Chichen Itza by foot.
You will visit Mexico’s most famous archaeological site, Chichen Itza. Named for the large cenotes (natural wells fed by underground rivers) on the site that provided the otherwise dry landscape with life-giving water, Chichen Itza is an iconic example of the elaborate Mayan architecture. An important city in the Mayan region between 600 CE and about 900 CE, Chichen Itza reflects different periods of architecture as well as different regional influences. Discover why Chichen Itza has held its place in the imaginations of visitors for hundreds of years, helping to answer questions about the life of the ancient Mayans, while having confounded historians for centuries with its seemingly endless mysteries. You will walk through the spectacular ruins with a professional guide, who will share facts about the buildings and their significance to the larger Mayan way of life, as well as explain the legacy of their ingenious culture.
After the visit, board your coach for a two-and-a-half-hour drive to a local restaurant where lunch will be served.
Then, drive to Bacalar (one hour and a half) and check-in at your ecolodge at Habitas Bacalar 5*.
Meet by the laguna at sunset and enjoy a private mezcal tasting.
Dinner will be served at the restaurant.
Day 4 – Bacalar
During this full day at the hotel Habitas Bacalar, enjoy some time at leisure to take in the peaceful environment and the laguna, on your own.
Lunch and dinner will be served at the hotel.
Day 5 – Bacalar/Becan/Kohunlich
Enjoy a tasty local breakfast with a view. After check out, depart for Becan (two-hour drive).
Becan is an archaeological site of the Maya civilization in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. The first settlement dates to the middle of the Preclassic Era. Monumental architecture appeared by the late Preclassic Era as the site grew in economic and political importance. Many trade goods from the Mexican cultural and administrative centre of the era, Teotihuacan, have been found here. The name Becan was bestowed on the site by archaeologists who rediscovered the site, and it means "ravine or canyon formed by water" in Yukatek Maya, named after the site's most prominent and unusual feature, its surrounding ditch.
After your visit, drive for one hour to your next stop, Explorean Kohunlich 5*.
Lunch will be served at the hotel.
Meet your guide for a visit to Kohunlinch, a Maya site located a few minutes away from the hotel. The site is best known for its Temple of the Masks, an early Classic pyramid whose central stairway is flanked by huge humanized stucco masks. The Temple was built around 500 A.D. and is one of the oldest structures at Kohunlich. After 700 A.D., this temple was covered over with a late Classic construction, which protected the masks and preserved them in the marvellous state they find themselves in today. The only standing remains of the later temple are some steps in the lower portion of the stairs.
Return to your hotel.
Diner will be served at the hotel.
Day 6 – Kohunlich/Belize City
After check-out, board your bus for one-and-a-half-hour drive to the border of Mexico and Belize.
After finishing the border crossing procedures, enter Belize and drive for two hours to reach the Maya site of Altun Ha.
It is an important archaeological zone from the Classic Period (200-900 A.D.). Many exotic trade items have been discovered here, the most important being the largest jade artifact known to be from the Maya area. The archaeological park contains a large selection of flora and fauna typical of lowland tropical forests.
After the visit, drive an hour to Belize City to enjoy lunch in a local restaurant.
You will then be transferred to the pier to embark on board your ship.
Your hotels:
The Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort 5* is located on the coveted Mamitas Beach. It offers 3 outdoor pools by the sea and a fitness centre. Rooms feature an elegant and refined decoration with Wifi access.
The Chichen Itza Lodge 4* is ideally located within a 15-minute walk of Templo del Hombre Barbado at Chichen Itza. Each room features cosy wooden decorations.
The Habitas Bacalar 5* is a luxury retreat that allows you reconnect with nature, with a private lagoon access and a gourmet restaurant. The lodges are spread across the property, in between the Mayan jungle and the Bacalar Lagoon. Each room features air conditioning and an outdoor rain shower.
The Explorean Kohunlich 4* is an all-inclusive jungle Resort offering a nature experience. It features an infinity pool, and all rooms are bungalow-style and feature air-conditioning, a private patio, and a hammock.
Upgraded rooms are also available depending on availability and on a supplement basis. Contact your travel professional for further detail.
Your programme includes:
Your programme does not include:
Please note:
Contact of your hotel:
Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort 5*
1A Avenida Esquina Calle 26, Centro
77710 Playa del Carmen,
Q.R., Mexico
Telephone number: +52 984 875 1234
Mayaland Chichen Itza 4*
Km. 120 Carretera Merida
Piste, 97751, Mexico
Telephone number: +52 99 88 87 24 95
Habitas Bacalar 5*
Carretera Federal 307 Xul Ha
Bacalar, 77963, Mexico
Telephone number: +52 983 980 1388
Explorean Kohunlich 4*
Km 5.6 Carretera Chetumal Escárcega
Chetumal, 77981, Mexico
Telephone number: +52 983 689 0042
Duration and order of the visits may vary. To know your PONANT flight schedule, please contact your travel agent; it is also indicated on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Total : AU$7,000
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.
Take advantage of four days to discover the richness of Panama City's historic centre, the natural beauties and visit the Gehry Museum of Biodiversity, not forgetting the monumental canal and the famous locks opening the passage to gigantic ships from coast to coast. This programme will be an ideal conclusion to your cruise.
Day 1 – Colón/Panama City
After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will be greeted at the port by our local representative.
You will depart the pier by coach for Gamboa (approximately a 1h drive).
You will first do a boat trip through the Panama Canal waterways to visit the islands that once upon time were mountains and were created when the area was flooded to form the Gatun Lake. You will also visit the sloth sanctuary, orchidarium, butterfly house, fresh water aquarium and snake house.
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
After lunch and a transfer to Panama City, you will visit the Old Panama Ruins, first European city built in the Pacific coast of the Americas.
You will then be transferred to the hotel Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo 5*.
Check-in and dinner at leisure.
Day 2 - Panama City
Breakfast at the hotel.
You will start your day with a sightseeing tour of Panama City. You will be taken first to Miraflores locks, the so-called “Eighth Wonder of the world”. Panama Canal is one of the most celebrated human achievements on the planet. Upon arrival at Miraflores Visitors Centre, you will visit the exhibition halls and learn about the Panama Canal’s history, its impact on international trade, how it works, its close relationship with nature and the Canal Expansion. From one of Miraflores observation terraces, you will be able to watch the lock gates open and close as vessels begin or end their transit, and you may observe transiting vessels from a distance of only a few meters while you learn about the various operations of the Panama Canal (cannot be guaranteed depending on Panama Canal timetable).
You will then discover the turbulent past of Panama City, in Casco Antiguo (or Casco Viejo) which is the historic part and the cultural gem of this vibrant metropolis. After the destruction of the first Panama City by pirate Henry Morgan, Casco Antiguo became the second Panama City. It was established around 1673 by French colonialists, the Catholic Church and other settlers. This is where much of the impressive colonial and Baroque architecture remains today. The modern, cosmopolitan areas of Panama City add a third layer to this historically rich city. Casco Antiguo has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997.
You will continue with the visit of the Mola Museum that opened in 2019. It was created to give relevance to the ancient culture of the Guna people represented in the mola. The mola is an indigenous textile art sewn into panels with complex designs, beautiful colours and multiple layers using a reverse appliqué technique that identifies the Guna community in Panama, you will enjoy beautiful display of many pieces at this small one floor quaint museum.
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
After lunch, take part to a private Mola workshop with a Guna woman and artisan who through her art safeguards the traditions of her people and pays tribute to their culture, inspired mainly by the biodiversity of Panama. The workshop has a duration of 2 hours, starting with the history and meaning of the Molas in Panama, and continuing with the project that consist in the creation of a handkerchief.
Walk back to the hotel.
Time and dinner at leisure.
Day 3 - Panama City
Breakfast at the hotel.
Start your day at the Biomuseo, also called the Gehry’s Museum in honour of its world-renowned architect Frank Gehry. The building is designed to recall the creation of the isthmus of Panama which linked two continents and changed the planet’s biodiversity forever. The event that would change natural history for both continents occurred around three million years ago. Species from both continents mingled as northern animals went south and southern animals went north. The Biomuseo’s 4,000 square metres describe the country’s rich biodiversity.
Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
Continue with the Agua Clara Locks is the largest project at the Canal since its original construction that created a new lane of traffic along the Canal through the construction of a new set of locks, doubling the waterway’s capacity, be a witness of this major undertaking by visiting the New Observation Centre of the Canal Expansion.
The new Observation Centre of the Canal Expansion, located in Colon Panama, is a park style concept based on open platforms and roofed terraces, built in an area of four hectares, 400 visitors, simultaneously, will be able to enjoy in this new centre, the construction of the new locks of the Panama Canal in the Atlantic, at the same time, from its privileged location, visitors see the majestic Gatun Lake, where ships continue their transit through the waterway.
Way back to your hotel, time and dinner at leisure.
Day 4 - Panama City
Breakfast at the hotel.
Late check-out is included until 6 pm.
Day at leisure.
You will then be transferred to the airport in time for check-in of the PONANT selected flight, or any other flight (please make sure to previously communicate your flight schedule to your travel agent).
Your hotel:
The Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo 5* is located in the heart of the Casco Antiguo of Panama City, a UNESCO protected site and declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations. It enjoys a privileged location facing the sea, facilities that blend historical heritage with modernity and impeccable service. It is an architectural beauty, built in the Bay of Panama City with important buildings around such as the National Theatre, the San José del Altar de Oro Church and a few minutes from the Biomuseo. The hotel features 3 restaurants and cafés, 2 bars and the largest outdoor pool deck in Casco Antiguo.
Your programme includes:
Your programme does not include:
Please note :
Contact of your hotel:
Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo
Calle Primera Oeste, San Felipe, Casco Viejo
0843 PANAMA CITY
PANAMA
Telephone: +507 302-4300
Duration of the visits are given as a guide only. The order of the visits may be reversed. For the times of your PONANT flight, please contact your travel agent; they are also shown on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Total : AU$2,430
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.Enhance your cruise and extend your trip with a carefully designed programme.
Take advantage of two days to discover the richness of Panama City's historic centre, to visit the monumental canal and the famous locks opening the passage to gigantic ships from coast to coast. This programme will be an ideal conclusion to your cruise.
Day 1 – Colón/Panama City
After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will be greeted at the port by our local representative.
You will depart the pier by coach for Gamboa (approximately a 1h drive).
You will first do a boat trip through the Panama Canal waterways to visit the islands that once upon time were mountains and were created when the area was flooded to form the Gatun Lake. You will also visit the orchiderarium, butterfly house, fresh water aquarium and snake house.
Lunch in a local restaurant.
You will continue your day with a sightseeing tour of Panama City. You will be taken first to Miraflores locks, the so-called “Eighth Wonder of the world”. Panama Canal is one of the most celebrated human achievements on the planet. Upon arrival at Miraflores Visitors Centre, you will visit the exhibition halls and learn about the Panama Canal’s history, its impact on international trade, how it works, its close relationship with nature and the Canal Expansion. From one of Miraflores observation terraces, you will be able to watch the lock gates open and close as vessels begin or end their transit, and you may observe transiting vessels from a distance of only a few meters while you learn about the various operations of the Panama Canal (cannot be guaranteed depending on Panama Canal timetable).
You will then discover the turbulent past of Panama City, in Casco Antiguo (or Casco Viejo) which is the historic part and the cultural gem of this vibrant metropolis. After the destruction of the first Panama City by pirate Henry Morgan, Casco Antiguo became the second Panama City. It was established around 1673 by French colonialists, the Catholic Church and other settlers. This is where much of the impressive colonial and Baroque architecture remains today. The modern, cosmopolitan areas of Panama City add a third layer to this historically rich city. You will get the chance to explore on your own the neighbourhood of Casco Antiguo with its colonial style government buildings, old churches and grand plazas. Casco Antiguo has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997.
You will be transferred to the Hilton 5* hotel.
Check-in and dinner at leisure.
Day 2 - Panama City
Breakfast at the hotel.
Late check-out is included until 6 pm.
Day at leisure.
You will then be transferred to the airport in time for check-in of the PONANT selected flight, or any other flight (please make sure to previously communicate your flight schedule to your travel agent).
Your hotel:
The Hilton Panama 5* is a few steps away from the ocean front walkway, and two blocks away from the Financial District. Guest rooms offer views of the Panama Bay and the Pacific Ocean. They feature contemporary design and modern amenities including Wi-Fi access and a HDTV. You will find at your disposal a fitness centre, a spa and a top roof pool.
Your programme includes:
Your programme does not include:
Please note :
Contact of your hotel:
Hilton Hotel
Balboa Avenida & Aquilino de la Guardia
Panama City, PANAMA
Telephone: + 507 280 8000
Duration of the visits are given as a guide only. The order of the visits may be reversed. For the times of your PONANT flight, please contact your travel agent; they are also shown on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.
Total : AU$900
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.