Bilhakotzer

A question to all the "erudites" of PV:

We´ll be docking between 7am and 4pm, meaning we have between 7 hours total. NO question we want to go to Botanical Gardens:

a) How much would a yellow taxi cost - from outside the port to BOTANICAL GARDENS?

b) I assume that we should be there for about 3 hours, just walking and hiking: Is that a correct approximation?

c) Do we have enough time to go into the  center? Or is it just not worth the pressure?

Thanks everybody

We didn't go to West Bay - our guide told us that it's so expensive, but anyway this wasn't a planned stop. I thoroughly recommend Roatán Trips and Tours. Here is my review in TripAdvisor: "https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g303872-d3632885-r656872683-Roatan_Trips_Tour-Coxen_Hole_Roatan_Bay_Islands.html

They will tailor your tour to get you back on time. Highly recommended. 

Thank you VERY much once again for your considered advice.

I have found a very good tour for 5 hours which will take us all over the island and take us to a reef by boat (thanks for the warning about the over loved reef) for snorkeling as well as give us some time to relax on West Bay beach with a day pass, the works.

Bless you and thanks once again.

Thank you for your detailed reply.

You seem so knowledgeable, so I am going to ask for your further advice , please.

We have maximum 5 hours in Roatan - we will need to get back to the ship! 

So, to get to West Bay from the cruise port it's: Walk to open market (how long a walk), get minibus to West End (how long a ride?), Water Taxi to West Bay (how long a ride?) and then back. Right?

Within these time limitations, and knowing (is this true?) that snorkeling in Roatam is THE thing, how would you divide our time. Is there anything else that's a MUST SEE?

I really appreciate your time in responding.

When you write ¨transportation¨¨ Do you mean ¨public transportation¨? I read that there is a "hop on- hop off bus". Is that recommended? Also how often do these "transportation" vehicles run? And lastly, can we hire snorkeling gear on West Bay Beach?

Thank you so much for all your information.

We are looking forward to it.:)

Hi Seabreeze28. That is what we would like to do. Do you remember how much you paid them? Also did you need to bargain with them?

Thanks.

And thanks to all those who are replying.

Thanks for the advice. I will check Free Radical.

Do we need an excursion to get to the West Bay barrier reef? Maybe a taxi would be cheaper, and if so anyone know whether the taxis stand there and what prices are?

Glad to be of help. Enjoy!

Paul, are you still in Puerto Chacabuco? And still informally hosting? Would be interested in knowing more about the local people and way of life as you have described, as well as your own journey that got you there. Arriving Oct 28 on Zaandam. Will have limited email after Oct 5. ebenware@hotmail.com

Edna

Hi there,

We took a tour with Ann. Quite steep in price.

Puerto Chacabuco is a very small town. Getting off the boat you can walk it yourself. It's right there.

And I would take a taxi to see the sights in the national park - much cheaper than a tour. We were told that there would be very few taxis there. They are there! They also want ti earn some money.

Have fun!

As I wrote previously, unfortunately we cannot partake of their outstanding lunch. So we were looking to do a tour with a car and driver - what is called a "remis".

If anyone has good experience with a tour like this, and a phone number to call in PUerto Aysen to book a remis (if they understand English, even better), I would appreciate it.

Thanks Sandy.

Thanks.

We've looked into this tour and were considering it.

Would it still be worthwhile if we don't (can't) eat the lunch at campo? $105 is quite a bit!!!

Thanks, Babysteps, for letting me know.

I was wondering why Paul wasn't responding.

If anyone has any info on booking a taxi from Pto Chacabuco, I would love to hear.

Thanks,

Bilha

Hi Paul,

We are a party of 4 who will be arriving in Pto Chacabuco with the HAL Zandaam on Thursday, NOvember 27th, 2014, for 8 hours total.

I have read your posts, so I am taking the liberty of asking a few questions and would appreciate your input.

1. Is it possible to book a taxi ahead of time to take us from the port through the Simpson River Valley, maybe all the way to Coyhaique and back? If so, are there fixed prices? How much, approximately. And how much time would this trip take.

2. We heard that Juani Salinas is connected with entertainment - Chilean singing and dancing. I emailed him twice but he did not respond. Is this worthwhile going to? Do you know of any other way to contact Juani?

3. And last but not least we were hoping to include your kind offer and hear from you about what life is like in Chacabuco.

We realise that all this may be too ambitious.

We would like your advice about what is less worthwhile: for instance, maybe going to Coyhaique does not warrant the time and effort.

My email is beilakut@gmail.com, if you prefer to email me.

Thanks so much Paul.

Bilha