Hi Karen:
This might be cutting it a little close, since you are going on 2/1, but here are the names of 2 independent guides that we used during our Coral P. trip back in Nov'03.
Costa Rica- Limon
His name is Carlos, and he came highly recommended on another cruise website. He speaks English very well, and gave us an EXCELLENT tour (8:30 am - 4:15pm)! Make sure you do the river tour - that was the highlight of the tour (but bring sunscreen approx. 3 hours long!) Now I know animals have minds of there own, and we probably hit the river just right, but here are the animals we saw on the river cruise - ready?-
bats, hummingbirds, crocodiles, camen, monkies, BIG iguanas, and dozens of different birds. But the best part was we came upon a sloth that was coming out of a tree to get a drink of water from the river. The boat pulled right up to the sloth, we were so close, that we could have touched it if we would have wanted to!! Pretty neat!
Anyways, getting back to Carlos' tour, he will plan the day according to what you want to do, but take his reccommondations, he is a local! We even had lunch at a local restaurant. Don't worry nobody got sick, Carlos ate too. His e-mail is
encantados@racsa.co.cr.
Jamaica-Ocho Rios
In Ocho Rios we took a tour with Pete Taylor - That was EXCELLENT also! He is one of the best guides in Jamaica, so he is very busy! Pete is a real nice guy, and very knowledgable. Got a Christmas email from him! Pete's tour includes admission to Dunn's Falls. Climbing the falls is a must! - GREAT FUN! For persons who can't climb the falls, the scenery is beautiful, and it is just as much fun watching the climbers as it is doing it yourself. My mother didn't climb, but she still had a great time at the falls. Pete's email is
onieltay@hotmail.com.
Both have reliable buses (w/ AC) that will hold ten people. Explain any special needs that your group may have, and I'm sure both Pete & Carlos will make every accommodation. Both pick you up right at the ship. Also, both are very quick in their e-mail responses. Tell them that Susan from Tampa says Hello! A little long, but hope it helps!