Granito de Oro Islet, Coiba National Park, 11/28/2019, National Geographic Quest
Aboard the
National Geographic Quest
Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia
What an exciting day! it was our first day in Panama and we are ready for some beach time and for snorkeling, Granito de Oro it’s the best spots in this region for snorkeling and we sure got to see a lot. The water was very clear, the tide was right, and the day was not too hot; such perfect conditions to fully enjoy our day.
Coiba National Park: It’s the biggest marine park in the Easter Pacific with multiple islands, pristine beaches and crystal-clear water that all make it a prime destination of choice for nature lovers. The island remains well preserved from its former years as penal colony, now illustrating some of the best of Panamanian conservation today.
Known for his passion for nature and dedication to conservation and ecotourism, Max Vindas has been guiding natural history trips in Costa Rica since 1993. On his first trip to the rainforest at age eight, Max realized his love for the outdoors and w...
Federico Chacón, or “Fico” as he is better known by his friends, started guiding one-day nature tours on weekends and holidays at the age of 18 right at the time he started studies at the University of Costa Rica. It was just a part-time job, that wa...
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Today, National Geographic Quest arrived in the gateway of Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica’s most ecologically intense rainforest. Its diversity is unparalleled. In the morning, our guests enjoyed either a long hike or a walk along the coastline. In both activities, guests spotted scarlet macaws, their colors blazing in the tree canopy. Other tropical birds also displayed extraordinary colors. Among others, we spotted scarlet-rumped tanagers, bay-headed tanagers, and red-legged honeycreepers. We also observed land mammals, including white-nosed coatimundis, on the grounds of the coastal walkway of San Josesito Beach. Later in the afternoon, we repositioned to San Pedrillo, one of the stations of the national park and a highlight of our voyage. The chance to dip into a waterfall pool made every meter of the walk worth it. Along the hike, guests spotted American crocodiles and many types of tropical birds. The importance of this area is demonstrated by the size of its trees. The park, 80% of which is protected, maintains a good balance of the species that inhabit this gorgeous rainforest. The pargo trail was another option for hiking today, and guests enjoyed great sightings of spider monkeys, black-hooded antshrikes, dot-winged antwrens, and rufous pihas. After the afternoon activities, we headed back to the ship. We enjoyed the recap sessions, a great end to this day.
The sun was rising this morning as National Geographic Quest docked in the Port of Golfito. The Standard Fruit Company exported its banana production through the port until the mid-1980s. After this, the company formally began operations in Costa Rica. Ship handling was the main interest of the site, so very little land was used for settlement. Much of the original forest was left in place to guarantee not only the water supply, but also for the delight of those who lived here. After clearing Customs this morning, we went out to explore the mangroves of this beautiful place. Some guests enjoyed Zodiac tours. Other guests desired more exercise, so they observed the mangroves while kayaking. After repositioning the boat inside Golfo Dulce in the afternoon, we explored the trails of Dolphin Quest, a private reserve connected to Piedras Blancas National Park. We observed scarlet macaws, white-faced capuchins, white-lipped peccaries, and several species of small amphibians and reptiles. We were pleased to spot a tree frog called Hyla rosembergii , a species rarely found close to the ground, especially during the day. The day was a success, starting with a beautiful morning and ending with a fantastic sunset.
Once more today, we had the privilege of waking up in this majestic place on the Pacific side of Panama. Coiba National Park is one of the most pristine and diverse national parks on the continent. Its vast marine extension makes it a gem for the wildlife that we encounter living in its array of ecosystems. Cocos Island is without a doubt one of the highlights of our voyage. It is a privilege to go underwater and see one of the most endangered habitats on the planet. We enjoyed the opportunity to observe the coral reef. Now we understand firsthand the threats faced by the reef due to climate change and the resulting conditions that limit its growth. Cocos Island is one of the reef’s hotspots for marine life observation. We observed different schools of fish, sea turtles, and whitetip reef sharks during our snorkel activity. We spent time at the national park’s headquarters, relaxing on the beach and swimming in the beautiful water. The sheltered bay makes for calm and smooth paddleboarding and kayaking. We also organized walking tours around the island. We learned how thousands of years of isolation produced subspecies. Coiba is a World Heritage Site due to the uniqueness of its natural history and the protection of its territory.
