Costa Rica - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

jstducky · 10-14-2005, 07:28 PM

I've noticed that most Panama Canal cruises include a stop in Costa Rica. Can you tell me more about it?

What is there to do there? What are the popular excursions?

I know a few people who have been there on land tours and said that Costa Rica was amazing.

Thanks in advance!

isujim · 10-14-2005, 07:31 PM

Alisa............you need to get Bombero to answer you on this one......he goes there a lot.

To be honest the was the least favorite port of our Panama trip.......too much razor wire and guns.........we had armed guards in restaurants.

But again, Bombero really loves it..........he would be the expert.

jstducky · 10-14-2005, 07:38 PM

hmm thats interesting. is there a lot of guerilla warfare in costa rica?

that would be kind of scary. i had just always heard that it was so wonderful

i hope bombero sees this thread!

hanna · 10-14-2005, 07:40 PM

We had a full day there. We took an excursion to the rainforest. It was a pretty long bus ride, 1-1/2 -2 hours. The bus was very comfortable and the guide was very nice. At the rainforest, we took a moving tram that held 5 people over the rainforest. You could see down forever and forever. We got rained on, but oh well.
Saw some fantastic homongus ferns and trees. Saw a 3 toed sloth. Saw some birds, not many though. We had lunch in a cute little outdoor restaurant and the food was really good. On the way back, we stopped at a working banana plantation. The banana plantation was quite interesting(owned by Dole).
It all was interesting, glad we did it, but wouldn't do it twice.

isujim · 10-14-2005, 07:41 PM

I don't know to tell you the truth.........we went on an excursion which included the tortugero (sp) canals......and that was fun......a banana planatation and site seeing of Puerto Limon..........just about 100% of the buildings downtown had razor wire on them on top......and that included the Methodist church...........

Where we stopped for lunch.........was a restaurant which had an armed guard inside the restaurant with a shotgun...........

We were glad to get back on the ship..

Now...........whether something was going on..........or it was just one day or that is the normal everyday........i don't know.

Bombero would sure know though.........

jstducky · 10-14-2005, 07:42 PM

hmmm thats more of what i was thinking of when i think of Costa Rica and all the wonderful things people have had to say.

thanks hanna.

so why do you say you wouldn't do it twice? just a been there done that kind of thing?

isujim · 10-14-2005, 07:43 PM

Alisa I starte a month ago a thread on Puntaranus Costa Rica......which is the stop on the Pacific side in case you do a full transit.........my search "other " ports or do a search on that one.........can't remember if anyone answered or not.

hanna · 10-14-2005, 07:48 PM

Alissa, it was ok, not like swimming with the stingrays. Saw it, had a good day, and if that was the only thing to do, ....maybe, maybe not. There is a lot of poverty there, rather depressing. Didn't see any razor wire, maybe they only have that out on KING days.

hanna · 10-14-2005, 07:50 PM

Oh, I forgot one thing. On the tram, on the way back, we were on the bottom of the rainforest. The vegetation really was gorgeous.

isujim · 10-14-2005, 07:50 PM

We all felt like the Griswolds on the bus.............Roll um up