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littlebit
Guest
Anyone heard of any good (low physical) tours in these 2 places? Not just through the cruise lines but on shore bookings? We will be there in Nov. with Celebrity.
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Raven
Guest
We've done both the very physical (whitewater rafting) and totally laidback tours in Costa Rica. The latter was a tour of a pineapple farm/plantation and processing plant. If you're looking for excitement this isn't it, but it was VERY informative and we did really enjoy it as it gave us more insight to another side of Costa Rica.
We have heard that others have taken "tropical garden" tours and have very much enjoyed those as well. I understand that those tours are usually a solid one hour bus trip each way.
We have also just "winged it" and hired a driver to take us around Limon and the surrounding area and had a great time! We saw a small private aviary at a home on the ocean just outside Limon, stopped for a snack at El Faro Restaurante which is at the highest point in Limon and has a great view of the city and the coastline, and also stopped at public beach (can't remember the name right now) that had some nice views and crashing waves. Whatever you do you can't go too wrong in Costa Rica. We've been there 3 times - can you tell we love it there? :grin
We have heard that others have taken "tropical garden" tours and have very much enjoyed those as well. I understand that those tours are usually a solid one hour bus trip each way.
We have also just "winged it" and hired a driver to take us around Limon and the surrounding area and had a great time! We saw a small private aviary at a home on the ocean just outside Limon, stopped for a snack at El Faro Restaurante which is at the highest point in Limon and has a great view of the city and the coastline, and also stopped at public beach (can't remember the name right now) that had some nice views and crashing waves. Whatever you do you can't go too wrong in Costa Rica. We've been there 3 times - can you tell we love it there? :grin
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Raven
Guest
Almost forgot about Panama. Are you doing a partial transit or just docking at Colon? If it's the partial transit then I would recommend either the "Ocean to Ocean" excursion boat. You really get to see the Canal and the Locks close up - really awesome! A second alternative would be the Ocean to Ocean train trip. Also very enjoyable but not as close up views of the Canal. Both are quite spendy though.
We were on one cruise that just docked at Colon and didn't go into the Canal at all. The excursion offerings didn't excite us and we just did some shopping at the pier. Panama is not a good place to just wander off and sightsee on your own.
We were on one cruise that just docked at Colon and didn't go into the Canal at all. The excursion offerings didn't excite us and we just did some shopping at the pier. Panama is not a good place to just wander off and sightsee on your own.
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mfleming
Guest
we are also going to Panama and Limon next month (March 05) and I was wondering about their excursions. Nothing in Panama is "rocking our boat" and I was wondering about taking a taxi to the beach for the day. Is that safe for three women to do?
S
sptrout
Guest
mfleming - - I have been to Panama three times (as recently as last week) and my recommendations are:
1. Ocean to Ocean Train Trip (exellent tour)
2. Celebrity's (or similar) Grand Tour of Panama (Gatun Locks & Indian Village). We took this tour last week and it was very interesting.
I would not recommend trying to find a beach on your own. May not be any???? And depending on your ship's intinerary, you may not be allowed to leave the ship without being on a ship tour. This will be the case if your ship enter's Gatun Locks, and then stops in Gatun Lake to tender passengers ashore that have tours. Passengers without tours are not allowed to leave the ship until much later in the day after passing back through Gatun Locks and docking in Colon (~3:00 PM).
1. Ocean to Ocean Train Trip (exellent tour)
2. Celebrity's (or similar) Grand Tour of Panama (Gatun Locks & Indian Village). We took this tour last week and it was very interesting.
I would not recommend trying to find a beach on your own. May not be any???? And depending on your ship's intinerary, you may not be allowed to leave the ship without being on a ship tour. This will be the case if your ship enter's Gatun Locks, and then stops in Gatun Lake to tender passengers ashore that have tours. Passengers without tours are not allowed to leave the ship until much later in the day after passing back through Gatun Locks and docking in Colon (~3:00 PM).
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LBcruiser
Guest
You definitely don't want to wander around, but if you find a nice resort beforehand (that will offer a day pass or just let you hang out) and have the cab take you straight there you should be fine. It's a scary country but the resort where we took our Lake tour from was really nice and looked safe. Not a country for exploring on your own but a cab straight to the resort and back should be fine. Definitely safer than just a stretch of beach somewhere.
H
hct
Guest
We are also going in March,, on Brilliance, & have signed up for Gamboa Aerial Tram in panama & Tortuguero Canals in Costa Rica, both through Celeb. They seem like fun but are fully escorted!