What to do in Costa Rica or Panama? - Page 2 - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

LHP · 12-05-2008, 06:56 PM

We just got back from Colon, Panama and Limon, Costa Rica.

We can't take excursions because we have a son with Autism for whom long excursions are not possible.

So what did we do?

First of all, leave all your jewelry and credit cards in the ship safe.

Costa Rica...there is a good size straw market right at the ship. While we were in the straw market...we felt very safe. We paid cash for everything.

Then we went across the street into "town". We walked around about 2 blocks deep and 6 blocks wide through town. We never felt uncomfortable...although you do have to watch out for pick pockets or folks snatching necklaces off, snatching purses etc.

I had my Samsonite travel bag with only $20 cash. It is "cut proof" and I wear it across my body. It is also lockable. It worked well. No one bothered us.

I even found a karaoke bar...(imagine that). Now I can say I have sung from Halifax to Costa Rica!!!!

Colon, Panama is a different story. DO NOT WALK OUTSIDE THE FENCE.

The good news is that the Colon2000 Terminal does have about 6 stories with the usual stuff...a BIG grocery store, an electronics store and a couple of bar/restaurants ...all inside the fence.

The fenced area is NOT secured. Locals do come in and out...but we felt very safe.
Again, I just had enough cash to buy the few things I wanted a local beer or two.

If you are taking an excursion, please take one through the ship. Mario is great but the road construction caused 4 tours in Panama to be late and since they were ship tours..the ship waited.

We had thought about grabbing a taxi to the Gatun locks...but our son wasn't having a good day....so we decided to just hang around the port.

One lady I met on the ship did grab a taxi with 5 other people. It was $40 per person for a nice long tour. However, they were "held up" (not robbed exactly) by 2 men who had placed a road block across the road and demanded another $20 to pass.

She saw a lot...but said she would never do that again.

smitty · 12-06-2008, 08:24 AM

hi L.H.P. we're doing the same two ports on the freedom in january. we were thinking of a ships tour in panama anyway, but i'm glad to hear that you can walk around in limon. is there a beach? if so is it any good? .
did you use $u.s. or local currency?
sorry for the questions but up to date info seems in short supply.

thanks in advance

davy.

lets cruise · 03-10-2009, 11:44 PM

I am headed to Costa Rica next month and have found a great private tour guide...through researching him i found good reviews and have talked to him several times on the phone and chatted on IM. So for $70 per person he is giving us an all day private tour including: port pick up, ziplining at Jungle Breeze, tour of banana plantation, stopping by a local store to get fresh vanilla and coffee, going to sample local fruits at a fruit stand and lstly having an hour or so at a Playa Bonita beach!!!! Here is his website. email him for questions and he will repond very quicky Caribbean coast Tour, outdoor adventures, vacation Costa Rica, Rain forest tour

Michaelaessen · 03-26-2009, 06:39 PM

Hallo together
this year i was in Costa Rica and in Panama.
for Costa Rica i can recommend Augustas Beckford

with his email augustasbeckford@gmail.com

We made a trip with Augustas and it was great.He picked us from the cruise, and then we went to the Canopy. We were the first group, because Augustas is very quick. After the Canopy, we made a boattrip on the Turtoga Canal and saw a lot of animals., and from there we went to Sloth. We saw a lot of baby sloth and saw the Santuary.it was so nice, to see the babies. from there we went back to the boat. By the way, all drinks were free, and as a snack we got selfmade cake from his woman. we enjoyed very much and it was very safe.
The tour costs 99 USD and 49 USD for the canopy. Try to sent him an email, he will answer quick, and sent him my greetings from Michaela.if it does'nt work, tell me i will try to connect you. it is english speaking tour, and Augustas is a very nice man. the group can start from 4 to 20 people.
we were 10 people.

for Panama i recommend Panama Canal shore excursion, Indian Village, Portobelo, Panama City, Old Panama, Panama Colonial, Fishing, Rainforest, El Valle

We choose the trip CL001 We were picked up by the cruise and we made a short walk through the rainforest, from there we went to the Fort San Lorenco and had a very nice nice view on the panama Canal form there we went to Gatun Locks. there we saw a big cruise, going through the locks. It was fantastic.
After the trip, we sat across the cruise in a small bar,restaurant . there is also a very safe area, where you can buy gifts. On our tour we also got a lot of drinks and snacks for free.
I wish you a lot of fun and a nice trip i think you will have never forgetable memories.
Kind regards
Michaela

hanna · 03-26-2009, 07:29 PM

Michalea, very nice report. Thanks for doing that for us. I'm so glad you had a great time

canarymoon · 03-27-2009, 09:27 AM

Yes - before we go on a cruise through the canal (IF that ever happens!) I will definately check back here for ideas!

patsea · 05-29-2009, 09:31 PM

thanks for all the information. looking forward to my trip even though it's 19 months out. darn my heart can't take this excitement

cariarikarina · 11-03-2009, 01:37 PM

In costa rica there is a new animal recue center, they take care of mistreated, injured and/or confiscated animals and they rehabilitate them and reintroduce them in the wild at an hour only from Limon, you will see all kind of animals from very close, they are very serious.