Name: Discover the Panama Canal: cruise from Panama to Belize
Brand: Swan Hellenic
SKU: V1225042109

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Fuerte Amador, the Panama Canal's Pacific terminus, lies at the end of a mile-long manmade causeway, built from the canal's waste materials. Nearby, Frank Gehry's colourful Biomuseo showcases Panama's biodiversity. Miraflores Locks' visitor centre tells the story of this legendary waterway. A short taxi ride away, modern Panama City has evolved around its two historic centres: the conquistador-era Panamá Viejo and 17th-century Casco Viejo.

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Cruising the Panama Canal is a bucket-list experience, navigating a 48-mile waterway that connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, eliminating the need for a voyage around Cape Horn. The journey involves passing through three sets of locks, lifting and lowering the ship by up to 85 feet, traversing Gatun Lake, an artificial reservoir, and navigating the narrow Culebra Cut—a 9-mile stretch carved through the Cordillera Central mountain range.

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Lemon Cay is one of the 49 inhabited islands of the San Blas Archipelago, a network of cays and islands off the coast of Panama. It is a small and secluded island with a pristine white sand beach, turquoise water and palm trees. Lemon Cay is also home to the Guna, a community of indigenous people who live in traditional huts and welcome visitors with their hospitality and culture.

Zodiac Cruising with Swan Hellenic Expedition Team

Included

Snorkelling activities with your Expedition Team

Included

02 h 00 m

Encounter the local marine wildlife, including schools of tropical fish, barracudas, trumpet fish, and stingrays
Observe every detail of the marine life and coral formations through these so clear waters
Explore one of the most untouched coral reefs by mankind

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Within the walled Old City of Cartagena, a historic coastal city in Colombia, 16th- to 18th-century military architecture, unmatched in the Americas, stands tall. Vibrant streets host museums like the Gold Museum, overlooked by the hilltop Castillo San Felipe fortress. Along the picturesque coast, La Boquilla fishing village is known for folkloric drumming and dancing and is the gateway to one of Colombia's largest mangrove forests.

Comprehensive Cartagena City Tour

Included

04 h 15 m

Admire Cartagena from a hilltop fortress that offers a wonderful panoramic view
Stroll through Cartagena’s atmospheric Old City
Visit the Gold Museum

Colombian Coffee Experience with Rum Pairing

Optional

03 h 15 m

Taste the best coffee of the word at Café San Alberto awarding coffee shop
Taste some Colombian rums through the experience
Learn about the Coffe Process and culture

Mangrove Canoe Ride & Community Drumming Performance

Optional

04 h 30 m

Visit La Boquilla Fishing Village
Enjoy a folkloric presentation
Learn about the traditions of the small villages

Caribbean Culinary Experience

Optional

04 h 30 m

Visit the iconic traditional Bazurto Market
Learn about the Colombian Gastronomy and prepare your own Caribbean meal

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Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

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Providencia, in the Caribbean Sea, is the second-largest of the Colombian islands, measuring just 17km2 with mangrove forests and tropical dry forest. Its infinitely colourful surface, lush underwater landscapes and mangroves turn the sea green and are home to tiny fish full of life. Declared a UNESCO Seaflower Biosphere Reserve, the Old Providence Nature Park and ecotourism haven attracts divers and snorkellers to its crystal-clear waters.

Island Tour & Cultural Presentation

Optional

04 h 00 m

Enjoy an open-air drive along Providencia’s only road, offering breathtaking views of lush mountainous landscapes and charming painted wooden houses along the shoreline, narrated by knowledgeable local guides
Experience the vibrant culture of Providencia with a stop at Fresh Water Bay for local music and dance performances, refreshments, and shopping for unique souvenirs
Walk across a wooden footbridge to Santa Catalina Island, where you’ll discover mangroves, traditional houses, and historic fortifications

Crab Cay a Tiny Caribbean Paradise & Snorkelling

Optional

02 h 30 m

Embark on a scenic journey along Santa Catalina’s stunning coastline to the mesmerizing Crab Cay
Dive into crystal clear, turquoise waters perfect for swimming and snorkelling, offering an ideal experience for both beginners and seasoned snorkelers
Climb to the peak of Crab Cay for spectacular views of the surrounding sea and Providencia

Nature Trek From Manchaneel to Southwest Bay

Optional

05 h 00 m

Enjoy a picturesque 30-minute journey in an open-air pick-up truck along the island’s only road, offering stunning views and a refreshing start to your adventure
Embark on a trek that takes you from volcanic rock ascents to flat dirt pathways, through dry creeks and lightly wooded areas, culminating at the island’s most pristine beach
Discover Southwest Bay, a beautiful, untouched Caribbean beach with white sands, palm trees, and crystal-clear waters, perfect for relaxation

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

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Teeming with marine life, Roatán, Honduras' largest Bay Island, is surrounded by the world's second-largest coral reef, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. The Garífuna, descendants of African and Indigenous peoples, have a vibrant culture here. Lush rainforests offer opportunities for adventure, while animal sanctuaries in French Cay like Daniel Johnson's Monkey and Sloth Hangout and Arch’s Iguana and Marine Park home provide unique encounters.

Island Tour by Boat

Optional

02 h 00 m

Have a unique opportunity to interact with iguanas, hold them, and learn about their habitat and conservation efforts
Get up close and personal with playful monkeys and adorable sloths, interact with these fascinating creatures, making for unforgettable photo opportunities and memories
Take some time to explore the island’s natural beauty

Relax at Beach

Included

06 h 00 m

Sink your toes into the soft, white sand and bask in the warm Caribbean sun
Wander through lush, tropical gardens filled with vibrant flora and fauna. Reconnect with nature in a tranquil atmosphere designed for ultimate relaxation
Kayak through calm waters, paddleboard along the stunning coastline, or snorkel to explore the vibrant underwater world teeming with marine life

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Placencia, a beach resort town on the southern tip of Belize's Placencia Peninsula, blends relaxation with adventure. Just offshore, the world-renowned Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with an incredible coral ecosystem. Inland, the Placencia Lagoon provides a habitat for manatees and saltwater crocodiles. North, the Garífuna community of Seine Bight celebrates its traditional heritage through drumming and dance.

Placencia Lagoon Wildlife & Mangrove

Optional

01 h 30 m

Visit shallow areas in Placencia Lagoon, often home to grazing manatees, for a possible close-up look at these gentle creatures
Cruise through mangrove estuaries, with lush trees and diverse wildlife
Learn about the ecosystem from your knowledgeable nature guide throughout the journey

Barrier Reef Snorkel Adventure

Optional

02 h 30 m

Explore Belize underwater snorkeliong next to the world’s largest living reef, ideal for both beginners and intermediate snorkelers
Encounter a variety of colorful reef fish, coral formations, sponges, sea fans, and sea anemones

Nim Li Punit Ruins & Spice Farm Botanical Garden

Optional

06 h 00 m

Tour the Spice Farm and Botanical Gardens, learning how vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and other spices are grown and processed
Visit the renowned Maya archaeological site
Travel through the spice farm on a comfortable tram for a close-up look at the crops

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Belize offers a captivating blend of ancient civilizations, rainforest trails, and wild landscapes. Pristine cayes dot the 200-mile coastline, luring you to Caribbean bliss. In the nearby Maya Mountains lies the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, the world’s only jaguar sanctuary, also home to pumas, deer, howler monkeys, and tapirs.

Discover the Panama Canal: cruise from Panama to Belize

Discover the Panama Canal: cruise from Panama to Belize

Trip Highlights