National Geographic Travel Photographer Susan Seubert in Panama and Costa Rica

¡Hola!

I just returned from an amazing photography expedition in Panama and Costa Rica where I served as the Photography Expert for National Geographic on board the small ship, the National Geographic Sea Lion.

Our journey started in Panama City where we spent a morning strolling through Caso Viejo before paying a visit to the Biomuseo, a museum designed by Frank Gehry and dedicated to Panama’s biodiversity.

A street in Caso Viejo of Panama City, Central America

Panama hats for sale in the historic district of Panama City, Panama, Central America

The Museum of Biodiversity, designed by famed architect Frank Gehry, in Panama City, Central America

Panama city as seen while Transiting the Panama Canal, Panama including views of Frank Gehry’s colorful Bio Museum

We transferred to Colón, located on Panama’s Atlantic Coast, where we boarded the ship and started our transit through the Panama Canal.

Transiting the Panama Canal on board the small passenger ship the National Geographic Sea Lion, Panama, Central America

Our first land stop was at Barro Colorado, an island in the man-made Lake Gatun, located in the middle of the canal.

The island is the site of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute which is dedicated to studying tropical forest ecosystems.  It is here where we saw Tent-making bats, birds like the Rufous motmot as well as Mantled howler monkeys.

A newborn howler monkey with its mother at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Barro Colorado Island, Panama

The Rufous Motmot, a species of tropical bird, photographed at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Barro Colorado Island, Panama

After we passed through the third and final lock, we headed up the Pacific Coast of Panama and Costa Rica, stopping at beautiful parks where we swam, hiked and enjoyed the tropical beauty of the area.

Stand Up Paddle-boarding and kayaking at Isla Coiba National Park, Panama

Isla Coiba National Park, Panama

A Black-mandibled toucan at Casa Orquidea Botanical Gardens, Costa Rica, Central America

Caletas Reserve, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica, Central America

Horseback riding at Caletas Reserve, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica, Central America

A beautiful beach sunset at Casa Orquidea Botanical Gardens, Costa Rica, Central America