Discover Guanacaste, Costa Rica. These stunning photographs of the wildlife, people, beaches, and forests of Guanacaste give you a taste of our new itinerary.
Spending a day under the coconut palms of Guna Yala, off the northeastern Caribbean coast of Panama, is a rare chance to experience a traditional way of life that can also seem decades ahead of its time.
Help release rehabilitated sea turtles and learn more about turtle conservation at the Latin American Sea Turtles Association on Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula.
From mist-shrouded rainforests to colorful coral reefs, this incredibly biodiverse country entices nature lovers with an incredible variety of experiences. Let our guide help you decide what to see—and how.
We'll take "things that make you go aww!" for $1000. From sloths to sea lions, these cute baby animal photos will have you packing your bags for Costa Rica, Baja, Antarctica and beyond.
The wildest of Costa Rica’s wild places are also the least accessible—unless you approach by expedition ship. Here are more reasons to explore this region from the sea.
Keep your camera close at hand. In Guanacaste, breathtaking natural beauty waits around every corner—from mist-shrouded volcanoes to remote jungle waterfalls.
One recent guest aboard the National Geographic Quest shares his 10 moments of discoveries from his voyage, including a surprise visit from a family of humpback whales.
What a wild and exhilarating day we had in Haines, or “Deishú” as the Tlingit named this place, which means “end of the trail.” Our adventure began with a challenging hike as we attempted to summit Mount Riley, however the deep winter snowpack stopped us short of the summit. The crisp mountain air filled our lungs as we soaked in the splendor of the forest and its streams. Energized by our adventure, we wandered through the charming town to visit its colonial houses, quaint shops, and local microbrewery. We also enjoyed a cool float down the glistening Chilkat River. As we gently glided along the serene waters, we marveled at the sight of majestic bald eagles soaring overhead, their wings outstretched in a magnificent display of power. It was an extraordinary day that encapsulated the true spirit of Southeast Alaska.
Our expedition day started with the navigation of Icy Strait to the wild and beautiful George Island. The anchor of National Geographic Sea Lion was dropped and our adventure began. Near the beach, right after landing, we spotted the track of a coastal brown bear. Then the exploration of the island began in three different groups, and featured kayaking, a visit to the tide pools, and a polar plunge! The entire day was under a warm Alaskan sun. We traveled through the smooth, cool, nutrient-rich water to our next destination; guests of National Geographic Sea Lion rode the bow to the Inian Islands. In this magical ocean seascape we enjoyed Zodiac tours and were visited by several species, including a large number of Steller sea lions. This was a great day to explore Southeast Alaska.
This morning, National Geographic Orion cleared into Vanuatu, more specifically, the surreal island of Tanna. Tanna is home to Mt. Yasur, an active volcano containing one of the world’s very few lava lakes. Even driving the road to get to the base of the volcano is no small feat. Heavy rains render the muddy, ash covered roads sometimes useless on the best of days, but conditions were perfect for us! After the fleet of pickup trucks got us to the base of the volcano, we were able to hike up the rest of the way. Sulphur, water vapors, and ash greeted us as we looked down the throat of the active volcano. Grumbles from the belly of the beast thundered through to the air as we cautiously observed.
The morning sun found a few early risers scanning the sea for birds as National Geographic Venture made its way up Johnstone Strait towards Alert Bay. The first sighting of marine mammals occurred just before breakfast as a trio of sea otters were relaxing together midwater. We noted that these otters were surprisingly south of their expected location. At Alert Bay, our guests were shuttled to the cultural center and given a tour of sacred artifacts, which we weren’t allowed to photograph. Later, we were welcomed into the Big House for an inspired ceremony featuring traditional music and dance. At the request of the performers, no photos have been shared. You will have to take my word for it that it was a truly spectacular experience.
Our first day aboard National Geographic Sea Lion started with a lovely hike at Lake Eva on Chichagof Island. We took in beautiful vistas as we learned about the wonders of Alaska’s temperate rainforest. The afternoon was spent searching for wildlife in Chatham Strait, and while cruising along the coast, we saw a mother and calf humpback pair. After a few sightings together, it seemed like the mother took a deeper dive to forage, leaving the calf at the surface. Once left to its own devices the baby humpback breached not once, but four times out of the water! But the show was not over because the mother was not going to be outdone as she launched herself out of the water, staying near the surface pectoral slapping. After surfacing, both whales moved toward each other and became reunited after their aerial acrobatics. It was a lovely way to start our first full day of the trip.