BigJon

Ended up going to Baha Retreat on Bay Street. Took us about 25 minutes to walk there from the pier. Massage was very good, and the place was clean. Their email communication was excellent. Booked the massage via email, and paid in US dollars after our treatments.

Looking for a reasonably priced couples massage for me and my wife in Nassau. Have you had one there lately? Please provide the price and the name of the business. Thanks, jonathan

I entered the starting place (port) to the clock tower in Google maps and got 18 minutes. I was thinking about 15 minutes, but I didn’t check the time while I was there. Definitely too far to walk. Just make sure you don’t accept the $20 price when you approach the taxi area.....jonathan

Did a boat tour to El Arco on my Disney Cruise. A couple of guys approached us as we started walking around the pier area, and they wanted $15, plus a $1 dock access fee. We continued walking until we got to the lighthouse (near Solomon's Landing). There another guy approached me and said it would be $10 total per person, so we did that one. I told him I didn't want to go to the beach, just a tour of El Arco, and that is what we did. It was a small boat, that held about 12 people, but we only had 6 on our trip. It had an opening in the middle, with a viewing area (glass bottom) to see the fish. The captain brought tortilla pieces, which he passed out to us to give to the fish. It was a great tour, and we had a great time.

Was just there this month, and we caught the bus in front of the cruise port. Paid $1 for me and my wife. Got off at Plaza Hidalgo, and then walked to Woolworth, and then down to the malecon.

I was there on November 11th on a Disney Cruise, and we took the bus directly in front of the cruise port. It was $1 for me and my wife and we got off at Plaza Hidalgo, near the malecon.

I was in Cartagena last week on the Disney Wonder. Definitely agree on the price before you get in the taxi. Inside the port is slightly higher than outside the port. As I approached the taxi area, a guy asked me where I wanted to go, and I said the clock tower. He told me it would be $20 for 3 people. I told him "no thanks", and he immediately said, "$15". I told him "how about $12", and he grimaced a little, and said "okay". The taxi drivers in the port area wear a blue shirt with TAXI written all over it. He took us straight to the clock tower, but he tried to get us to let him take us on a tour, that included La Popa. We did a tour like that the first time we went to Cartagena, so I told him we just needed a ride to town. Once we did our walking tour of the old town, as I got near the clock tower, a guy approached me and asked if we needed a cab ride to the port, and I said "how much", and he told me $10. We followed him outside the clock tower entrance wall to a taxi, and once we got in I asked the driver if the total price was $10, and he said "yes". That guy did not have the TAXI shirt, and his car was slightly smaller, but it was fine. I was wondering if he would drop us off outside the port, but he dropped us off inside the port. They take US dollars.......jonathan

I was there 2 weeks ago, and they dropped us off here....

Just got back from my 2nd trip to Puerto Vallarta, and me and my wife took the bus again to the Malecon. We both rode downtown for only a $1

If you haven't taken the bus, and you're going to the start of the Malecon, just look for the Hotel Rosita on your right, and get off at that stop. Before we came back, we stopped at the Woolworth to pick up a couple of supplies, and the bus stop was just outside the entrance to Woolworth. While I was waiting on my wife (who was in Woolworth), I asked a local cabbie how much it would be for two people to go back to the cruise ship terminal, and he said $8, so the bus is a great deal. Just make sure the lady enters first, and the man will pay, and then quickly take a seat. No change is given in American coins. Bus dropped us off at Wal-Mart, directly in front of the cruise port.

(Below is a picture of the bus, directly in front of the cruise port)

(one of the bus stops in front of the port, looking South)

(in the window of the bus, look for Centro when going to the Malecon. Wal-Mart or Sam's when going back to the port)

I was in San Juan this past Wednesday on the Disney Fantasy (my first trip to San Juan). We were docked at the middle pier. When you get to the end of the pier, go left to trolley stop #14. In the photo below, you can see the tram at stop #14. Directly across the street is a CVS pharmacy.....

This is stop #14. Under the sign you can see the CVS across the street.

Here is the "open air" trolley for the forts. This trolley will go up to the entrance of El Morro (I took this picture at El Morro). There were more people at stop #1, than there were at stop #14. So if you want a seat, go to #14. Stop #13 was behind the La Casita. And coming off the middle pier, stop #14 was actually closer, and safer to get to (than #1) because you don't have to cross the street......jonathan

Excellent trip report. I will be in Old San Juan (Disney Cruise) in about 2 weeks. I've done a lot of research, and your tour is very similar to what I have planned....thanks, jonathan

Actually, it wasn't that special. Lots of ferns, very green, we were heading up the hill, so there was a slight change in the temperature. There was a row of tents (tables) set up on the side of the road, and our driver stopped, but no one in our group wanted to get out and shop (thank you Lord!). I believe our driver said the road was built over the old creek bed (I think?).....jonathan

Pretty sure they were $6 to rent, and $14 to buy. Our van stopped at a little "shack" right before we got to the Blue Hole, and our driver asked if anyone needed water shoes. (I bought a pair back in Cocoa Beach the night before we left for our cruise for $10)

Regarding keeping your stuff safe, we just left ours in the van (Courtney Taylor Tours), and everything was there when we got back. I didn't see anywhere to leave your stuff, like a locker. This place (Blue Hole) is back in the jungle, and it's very primitive....jonathan

Back in November, we went in to Diamonds International, and got free WiFi. Also, if you go upstairs, they have a bar area with free drinks, and nice comfy chairs....jonathan

Any suggestions for free wi fi in or near the cruise ship terminal area in Falmouth?

At Diamonds International. We went in, and up to the second floor, and sat in some comfy chairs, and used the internet. They also had a small bar area, and you could get free drinks......jonathan

On my Courtney Taylor tour back in November, it was $35 per person. And we had to pay our admission to the Blue Hole ($15), and our meal at Scotchie's....jonathan

When I was there in November, the only place you could use to change, is a very small bathroom. (no Men's & Women's, just a "unisex", and it was small) You could change there, but I wouldn't recommend it. Me and my wife wore our swimsuits, and we sat on towels on the ride back to town........jonathan

On my Courtney Taylor Tour in November, we stopped at Scotchie's after the Blue Hole. Here is a close-up of Scotchie's on the map....

And here I've "zoomed out", so you can see Scotchie's on the left, and Ocho Rios on the right....

Personally, I thought Scotchie's was just okay, nothing special. The chicken was good, the jerk pork sausage was okay, and the rice & beans didn't have much flavor. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad we went, but if I went to Jamaica again, I would want to try a different place.....jonathan

Thanks Bigjon for the pictures. That helps.

 

How difficult is it to get out of the water at the various ponds? Is it like getting out of a pool or can you walk out?

I only remember one spot that was difficult to get out of, and that was near the big waterfall. The rest of the areas were very easy to navigate. There was another place near the rope swing, and they had a wooden ladder to get out of the water. At the top of the ladder was a "cave", and you had to bend down, or you would hit your head on the rock ceiling above.....jonathan

I would wear water shoes, if I were you. If you don't have any, they were renting them ($6), or selling them ($14) at a little shack, a few hundred yards from the entrance. As far as the time, we were there an hour and 10 minutes.

I stayed at the Comfort Inn 3 weeks ago, and it was the best deal I could find. I would stay there again. Breakfast was included. If you have more than 2 people, they charge extra for the shuttle. We were told to be in the lobby 15 minutes before our shuttle departure (at 10am). They use Beach Line transportation to the port and back. I spent less for this hotel, than I would have paid to park at the port.....jonathan

This is my map from my Disney Cruise 2 weeks ago. I've added blue dots, and a blue X to show where the private tours meet.....

On the map above, you will see the building labeled 14. If you look at the picture below, you can see this building. It has a maroon colored roof, with the diamond shapes on top....

And finally a close-up shot. Just around this corner is where I met my "Courtney Taylor" tour. My driver said all of the private tours met there.....

This is where we sat at Scotchie's....

Smoking the meats, and chopping some chicken at Scotchie's....

Went by Mick Jagger's house, and then by Jimmy Buffet's house, and then to the beach (Mammee Bay). We stayed there about 1 1/2 hours. This beach was only for private tour groups, and the people staying at the condos there, so no one hassled us, or tried to sell us anything....

There were bathrooms, and a bar there. Water was so clear, and you could see the cruise ship at Ocho Rios from the beach.....

Our driver, David, did a great job. Courtney Taylor can customize your tour. I would definitely use them again.....

You just need to be a little adventuresome. Jumps into the water start at about 3 ft above the water, and the last one I did was about 25 ft. You need water shoes, and if you don't have them, you can rent them near the entrance to the Blue Hole for $6. I believe a new pair was $14. After the Blue Hole, we went to Scotchie's. This is the drink menu...

I ordered the pork sausage. It was very spicy. Taste was okay, nothing special...

Wife got the 1/4 Jerk Chicken. It was very good....

The festival bread was okay. Went well with the chicken.....

Finished with the rice & beans (a little dry)....

For the food shown above, and 2 cokes, the total was $14

Talked to my daughter tonight (she lives in St. Thomas), and she said there were some branches on the road. She went to Magens Bay, and said there was seaweed in the water and on the beach.