After four days of incredible exploration of both Panamanian coasts (Caribbean and Pacific), we finally arrived in the beautiful country of Colombia today. A nation full of colors, flavors, great heritage, and traditions, as well as the joy and enthusiasm of the people. We visited the villages of Capurganá and Sapzurro. We enjoyed a wonderful welcome, and the smiles of children, the colors of art, and the beauty of the rainforest came together to offer a glimpse of what this country has to offer. It was a fantastic first day in Colombia.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 01 Nov 2023
Capurganá and Sapzurro, Colombia, 11/1/2023, National Geographic Quest
- Aboard the National Geographic Quest
- Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia
Carlos Arias Escamilla, Naturalist
Carlos Arias was born and raised in Colombia. He has a diploma in International Business and affairs and in Tour Guiding. He started working in the hospitality industry in 2008 in his hometown, Santa Marta as a freelance tour guide. Since then, he ha...
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Panama and Colombia: Exploring the Caribbean Coast
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National Geographic Quest
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Today on National Geographic Quest , we had an opportunity to visit Portobelo, a very important town in the Spaniard conquest. In 1502, Christopher Columbus was on his fourth journey to America aboard la Nina, la Pinta , y la Santa Maria . He saw the bay in the distance and called it Beautiful Bay. The Spaniards settled the town in 1597 when it was founded by Francisco Valverde Mercado. The town held a very important geopolitical position because of trade from South America through Panama, including gold and silver. Slave trade in Portobelo included 59,000 people. We began our day by offering historic walks around different fortifications. We learned about the military strategies of the Spaniards and how they protected the town from pirates and buccaneers. We visited a church with the famous Black Christ of Portobelo. Each October 21, massive celebrations are held that draw people from all over the country. After the walk, we enjoyed a Congo performance that included an explanation of the culture and dress. We returned to National Geographic Quest for lunch and waited for our Panama Canal Pilot. Around 3:00 pm, the pilot arrived, and we slowly started crossing the Panama Canal. We had some rain and enjoyed an opportunity to observe monkeys, birds, and crocodiles.
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National Geographic Quest
Guna Yala, Panama
On our first day in Panama and in anticipation of tomorrow’s transit through the Panama Canal, we visited Indigenous communities in the beautiful Guna Yala, also known as the San Blás Islands. This is one of the autonomous reservations shared by Guna Yala people in Panama and Colombia. We visited one of the many little islands, a gorgeous tiny island with a beautiful, white sand beach full of coconut palms. It was a perfect, sunny day for guests to snorkel in the clear turquoise water to see the pristine coral reef. Other guests walked with one of our naturalists to learn about coconut’s importance to these people. They bought local handcrafts, observed performances of traditional dances, and played with kayaks and paddleboards in the warm, gentle water. Indeed, it was a perfect day in a wonderful place. What a great way to learn about incredible places and the people who share this wonderful world with us.