Need advise on Panama Canal Tours

[yojohn]

Leaving March 31 Zuiderdam Would like some suggestions for Panama and Costa Rica Shore tours:)

[m steve]

as there are lots of private tour operators suggested. Also go to Princess thread as there are lots of posts there on this subject.

[PaulMCO]

Would suggest the Embera Indian village visit. When we went thru a HAL booked tour -- we were accompanied by an armed guard as there were recent crimes against tourist buses. Not at the Indian village -- but on the Highway.

[2tsquared]

Definitely get off the ship in Gatun Lake (which requires booking one of the ship's excursions -- Panama's rule, not Hal's). We took the Embera Tour and it was fantastic (I reviewed it under the Ports of Call, Panama Canal).

 

Costa Rica: we used Greenway Tours and had a great tour with them as well.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

 

tt

[ruthnlarry]

Leaving March 31 Zuiderdam Would like some suggestions for Panama and Costa Rica Shore tours:)

 

We just got home from our Panama canal cruise on O's Journey 2 weeks ago. In Puntarenas, Costa Rica we did an excursion to Monteverde Cloud Forest with Odyssey Tours. Thoroughly enjoyed the excursion, and would highly recommend Alvaro & Diego. They also have other tours available.

"Google" Odyssey Tours Costa Rica for more info.

[PaulMCO]

For Costa Rica -- we booked with Charlie Soto. Great tour ..

 

http://www.okeydokeytours.com/

[cb at sea]

Does your ship do a "partial" transit of the canal? If so, you need not spend any money on excursion..the ship's transit IS the excursion! If your ship doesn't go into the locks, the only way to see anything is to pay for excursions...they are all long, and expensive.

[2tsquared]

If your ship doesn't go into the locks, the only way to see anything is to pay for excursions...they are all long, and expensive.

 

But sooooooooo worth it, especially if this will be your only Panama experience. Having been on this ship (Jan 12th), you have the opportunity to go through the Gatun Locks when you enter the canal (you will need to be up early!). You go through the same set of locks when the ship turns around and departs Gatun Lake. I really advise that you do take a tour otherwise you remain on the ship until it docks at Cristobal, which only has a terminal of a few touristy shops and a restaurant/bar.

 

tt

[savannahgirl1]

When we sailed the canal, we did the Canal Experience. You get off the ship in Gatun Lake and are bussed to the other set of locks on the Pacific side. There you board a small ferry which takes you thru the Mira Flora locks and lets you off in Panama City, where you re-board your bus and takes you back to the ship. Yes its long, almost 9 hours, yes it was expensive, BUT you are able to really appreciate the locks, the scenery,etc. You can actually reach out and touch the lock walls. I found it ABSOLUTELY amazing as did my husband. A once in a life time experience. Just my 2 cents worth. :D

[bonsat]

get up early and see the locks before you dock. if you've seen one, you've seen them all, imo. then get off the ship and see something panamanian. chances are you'll never get to panama again, so make the most of it.

[TMWeddle]

get up early and see the locks before you dock. if you've seen one, you've seen them all, imo. then get off the ship and see something panamanian. chances are you'll never get to panama again, so make the most of it.

 

 

That's my plan! A world traveling friend had the same view!

[yojohn]

Thanks for all your help :D We are very excited:D to see Panama as my wife was born in Panama Dad was in the Army :)

[INSIDERS CABIN]

just did canal experience. Due to changing scenery and transportation, day did not seem long. Ferry boat ride is about 4 hrs, but plenty of room to move about, narrated tour, bathrooms, lunch. Now that highway is open, trip back on bus went very quickly, probably about an hour, including some time winding about Panama City from dock. Highly recommend.

[pamssanity]

Leaving March 31 Zuiderdam Would like some suggestions for Panama and Costa Rica Shore tours:)

We did the HAL Shaping Panama tour after goingthrugh the canal- if you like the history and or archeteture of a country this is a terrific tour. We did a private tour in Costa Rica. We booked with portpromotions.com. We did a rainforest tour- some did zip lining others of us did the flora and fauna on a wagon and then met up for a boat ride through the jungle. We did a 5 1/2 hour tour but only paid for 3 .... the guide was Olman- he was fabulous.

We did anytime dining and had USMAN as our waiter- he was outstanding. We asked for him every night.