Travel Advice
Duration
10 Nights
Journey Type
Cruise only (Please call for flight options)
Ports
9 Ports
27 December
Setting sail from Belize City
Belize's capital does not enjoy the best reputation, and we wouldn't recommend spending too much time here; use it instead as a jumping-off point to explore the fascinating Mayan ruins of Xunantunich, Lamanai and Altun Ha, or take a snorkelling trip to the beautiful Barrier Reef, including the famous Blue Hole.
28 December
Guatemala: Rio Dulce
29 December
Guatemala: Santo Tomás de Castilla
The port of Santo Tomás de Castilla sits on Guatemala’s sliver of Caribbean coastline, and serves as a jumping-off point to explore this fascinating country. Nearby highlights include the Mayan site of Quiriguá and colourful, laid-back Livingston, and it’s also possible to take a day trip by air to the famous ruins at Tikal.
30-31 December
Mexico: Ensenada
Honduras: Water Caye, (Isla Utila)
1 January
At sea
2 January
Colombia: San Andrés
The island of San Andrés is part of Colombia, though it lies far closer to the coast of Nicaragua than the Colombian mainland. Sunbathing, snorkelling and diving are the main attractions, and the island is also home to the fascinating Raizal culture, an Afro-Caribbean ethnic group that speaks an English creole rather than Spanish.
3 January
Costa Rica: Puerto Limón
Puerto Limón is a busy port on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, and plays a vital role in the export of bananas. Take a trip out of the city and explore the lush rainforest, with nearby attractions including the canals of Tortuguero National Park, a key breeding site for green turtles.
4-5 January
Panama: Bocas del Toro
The Bocas del Toro archipelago is one of Panama’s most appealing tourist destinations, a collection of idyllic Caribbean islands blessed with beautiful beaches, lush mangroves and wildlife including sloths, iguanas and turtles.
6 January
Arriving in Colón
Situated at the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal, Colón takes its name from Christopher Columbus, known in Spanish as Cristóbal Colón, although it's hard to imagine the famous explorer would find much reason to linger here nowadays. Once a thriving port, the city is now in a state of seemingly terminal decline, its colonial architecture crumbling and the modern city beset by social problems. It's not somewhere you will want to hang around for long, and serves merely as a gateway to the Canal, which will carry you to much nicer places.
Our tip
The wildlife in the region is amazing, particularly the birds, so if you have the slightest interest then extend your stay in Panama.
Your home from home
Sleek and stylish, Ponant's wonderful Explorer yachts blend luxury and intimacy with a discreet elegance and tasteful décor.
What we love
Named after six of France's most famous explorers, Le Champlain, Le Lapérouse, Le Bougainville, Le Dumont d'Urville, Le Bellot and Le Jacques Cartier offer exciting and adventurous itineraries in the utmost comfort. Technologically advanced, with the latest in environmentally friendly hardware, the new ships embody Ponant's trademark élan and flair, with just 92 spacious rooms and suites, a stylish pool deck and an intimate, refined onboard ambience.
| Capacity | 184 Guests |
|---|---|
| Crew | 110 Staff |
| Style | Refined with a wonderful mix of a modern super yacht and nautical tradition, all with a French flair. |
| Inclusions |
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Tailor-make your trip
Ways to make it better
Stay a little longer in Panama
It’s not in Colón, but if you want to extend your stay we propose Isla Palenque, off the Pacific coast of Panama – tricky to get to, but not to be missed.
Explore the Panamian jungle
Take a canopy tour and swing between great trees, seeing the wildlife as you go. Watch out – it’s not for the faint-hearted!
