Panama City - Colon Expedition Central America with Panama Canal - the beauty of the Panama Canal

Premiere stop in Punta Leona. In addition to a Zodiac landing on the sandy beach of Playa Mantas, this seldom-visited destination offers a variety of exciting active excursions such as a buggy ride¹, boat trips on the Rio Tarcoles¹ or a canopy adventure¹. The unique nature of Costa Rica, numerous suspension bridges and more than 250 bird species are waiting to be discovered by you.

The Gulf of San Miguel is located off the usual tourist paths on the Pacific coast of Panama and is a sprawling marine basin that stands out for its natural beauty and peaceful environment. This Gulf, known for its biological diversity, provides protection for the lush mangrove forests, which in turn serve as nurseries for numerous marine species. Remote and barely developed, this area is home to indigenous communities such as the Kuna and Emberá, who have preserved their traditional way of life. The Gulf of San Miguel is therefore a place to experience nature in its purest form and to develop a deeper understanding of the harmonious coexistence of humans and the environment.

The Panama Canal stands as one of the most impressive technological wonders of the modern world. This artificial waterway is a vital maritime passage that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, bypassing the need to navigate the dangerous and time-consuming waters around Cape Horn at the southern tip of South America. Stretching approximately 82 kilometers through the Isthmus of Panama, the canal serves as a crucial shortcut that has not only revolutionized shipping routes but also significantly influenced international trade. Sophisticated lock systems are at the heart of the Panama Canal, lifting and lowering ships to different levels of the waterway. This allows vessels of all sizes and classes to overcome the 26-meter height difference between the oceans. Through this innovation, the canal has significantly reduced navigation time and fuel consumption, leading to lower transportation costs and a more efficient international supply chain. A unique feature of the Panama Canal is its so-called mules - special towing locomotives that should not be confused with conventional trains. These powerful machines are specially designed to maneuver the massive ships precisely through the locks. Anchored on steel rails with impressive pulling power, these locomotives work in sync to keep the ship centered in the lock chamber, preventing collisions and damage.