Island Princess - last month (14 day Panama Canal) I NEVER take ship tours and always book my own private tours. That being said, I booked a shopping tour to Masaya because I has hears it was the largest market in Central America. it was very large but they have caught onto the cruise market and there were not a lot of uniqiue items there. I wasn't traumatized but did not think it the best representation of the country when I was getting back on the bus and there were three guys on the curb breaking the necks of pigeons and plucking their feathers.
Very depressed country when compared to Costa Rica and Guatemala to the north and south. Personally, if I had to do it again, I would have taken an R&R day and skipped this country. Too many things to see and do the day before and after. For a country with an average wage of $1 a day, they value their "crafts" way too much.
I also saw a lot of people with uzis (deadly weapons, for those that do not know the word) and couldn't figure out if they were military or just people with uzis.
I am not a scare-monger. Virtually all of the ports are as safe, or safer, than your nearest big city. I use local guides and walk around freely in truly "local" areas. That is what I seek when visiting other countries, especially on the short time available on cruise ships. I've been accused of taking my surroundings too lightly but am very aware of where I can "imerse" myself in the local culture and where I can't. This is not the country to do it in.
Help With Nicaragua Shore Excursions
in Panama Canal
Posted
Island Princess - last month (14 day Panama Canal) I NEVER take ship tours and always book my own private tours. That being said, I booked a shopping tour to Masaya because I has hears it was the largest market in Central America. it was very large but they have caught onto the cruise market and there were not a lot of uniqiue items there. I wasn't traumatized but did not think it the best representation of the country when I was getting back on the bus and there were three guys on the curb breaking the necks of pigeons and plucking their feathers.
Very depressed country when compared to Costa Rica and Guatemala to the north and south. Personally, if I had to do it again, I would have taken an R&R day and skipped this country. Too many things to see and do the day before and after. For a country with an average wage of $1 a day, they value their "crafts" way too much.
I also saw a lot of people with uzis (deadly weapons, for those that do not know the word) and couldn't figure out if they were military or just people with uzis.
I am not a scare-monger. Virtually all of the ports are as safe, or safer, than your nearest big city. I use local guides and walk around freely in truly "local" areas. That is what I seek when visiting other countries, especially on the short time available on cruise ships. I've been accused of taking my surroundings too lightly but am very aware of where I can "imerse" myself in the local culture and where I can't. This is not the country to do it in.