Has anyone used My Friend Mario?

[sandyss]

You can do either Lilyjules. We have arranged a private tour for our family (5 people) with Mario. He charges a little more and requires a deposit for a private tour. For us, it's worth it, since we are traveling with a 6 year old.

[Cruiser733380]

My daughter and I used My Friend Mario for a shuttle service to our hotel and I highly recommend this company. They were on time, and waiting for us in Panama City when our flight landed.

[Justgottago]

We are doing a full transit on Coral Princess in Feb, calling at Fuerte Amador. Has anyone taken a tour from there with MFM?

[kimba6539]

Just got back from my Carnival Freedom cruise and wanted to let everyone know how my tour with my friend Mario went. The Friday before the cruise Carnival switched us to an Eastern itinerary. I emailed my friend Mario with the news. Get on the ship Saturday, we are back to our original Western itinerary. Emailed Mario again, told him we were back on! The responses to my emails were very prompt. When we arrived in Colon, we had a group of 27 people doing CL003 which is the Gatun Locks, Portobello and beach break. The tour guide was outside of the port waiting on my group with my name on a sign. I felt very assured after his email warning me of imposters for his company. We went to the locks first. They had refreshments for us when we got back to the bus which was very appreciated on a hot day. We then went to the beach. People that only wanted to go to the beach were dropped off at that point. They got to spend approx 3 hours there. We went on to the Portobello colonial fort and also saw El Christo Negro(the Black Christ). We then went back to the beach and had appox one hour. They was some food and refreshments also at the beach no charge. Some people wanted to stop and shop. Majority rules, personally I didn't care for where we stopped. It was like a department store. Just wanted to get back to the ship. The only negative was the traffic. It is chaos in Colon. No traffic lights! I would recommend this tour and my friend Mario.

 

Kim

[franma]

Just got back from my Carnival Freedom cruise and wanted to let everyone know how my tour with my friend Mario went. The Friday before the cruise Carnival switched us to an Eastern itinerary. I emailed my friend Mario with the news. Get on the ship Saturday, we are back to our original Western itinerary. Emailed Mario again, told him we were back on! The responses to my emails were very prompt. When we arrived in Colon, we had a group of 27 people doing CL003 which is the Gatun Locks, Portobello and beach break. The tour guide was outside of the port waiting on my group with my name on a sign. I felt very assured after his email warning me of imposters for his company. We went to the locks first. They had refreshments for us when we got back to the bus which was very appreciated on a hot day. We then went to the beach. People that only wanted to go to the beach were dropped off at that point. They got to spend approx 3 hours there. We went on to the Portobello colonial fort and also saw El Christo Negro(the Black Christ). We then went back to the beach and had appox one hour. They was some food and refreshments also at the beach no charge. Some people wanted to stop and shop. Majority rules, personally I didn't care for where we stopped. It was like a department store. Just wanted to get back to the ship. The only negative was the traffic. It is chaos in Colon. No traffic lights! I would recommend this tour and my friend Mario.

 

Kim

 

Thanks for reporting back. A couple of questions: How was the beach? Was it worth going to? At any point did you worry about getting back to the ship on time with all that traffic? We're signed up with MFM for a different tour (CL001, I think), but may consider changing if the beach was worth it, although the rainforest looks good. Thanks again.

[kimba6539]

It was a beach. I'm sure by Panama standards it was good. My friends said it wasn't rocky. The water is no where near as beautiful as Cozumel or St Thomas but I think that's the way it is so far south. There was a time or two that I did worry about getting back to the ship on time but we had 20 minutes to spare. Any other questions, let me know. Will try to answer.

 

Kim

[pug1]

Thanks for the info! Did you have to give Mario a deposit? We (8) hope to do the same trip but be back to the ship by 3pm. Is that a reasonable time frame? Many thanks! Pug 1

[kimba6539]

We did not have to pay a deposit. We had 27 people on our excursion. You would have to ask him if a deposit is required for a smaller group. We were back on the ship by 310pm. Hope that helps.

 

Kim

[pug1]

Thanks!

[gometros]

It was a beach. I'm sure by Panama standards it was good. My friends said it wasn't rocky. The water is no where near as beautiful as Cozumel or St Thomas but I think that's the way it is so far south. There was a time or two that I did worry about getting back to the ship on time but we had 20 minutes to spare. Any other questions, let me know. Will try to answer.

 

Kim

 

Kim - I was curious how you guys did time wise. We did a Carnival excursion and got back to the ship 20 minutes after last call. The security officer checking us in said they were still waiting for 600 people. Most of the delay was due to the afternoon traffic and construction.

[kimba6539]

We were on the ship at 310 pm. I was hoping to be back sooner but we stopped to shop at some lame department store. I heard the announcement that we were delayed because of some excursions. Thankfully, we were back in time.

 

Kim

[gr8times4us]

Hi Elaine,

We booked a Embera Indiginous Indian tour with My Friend Mario for Jan 2011 in Colon, Panama. No deposit was required. I was informed that he will take cash or Traveler's checks when he greets you at the Pier.

[pacificacruiser]

We used My Friend Mario on Aug 5 in Colon. The tour visited the Panama Canal (Gatun Locks), "rainforest" (it was on an old US base), and the fort overlooking the Chagres river. We had a good guide "Rey" and about 20 people on the tour. Cost was $55/person which was less than anything we saw the ship offer.

 

Bus had drinks (water, soft drinks) and snacks for the group (no extra charge). Rey was very knowledgeable and provided good commentary.

 

Got back to the ship in plenty of time. Would definitely recommend this tour.

sound like mfm is a good deal. did you make rez ahead? how? can you just arrange the tour of canal/rainforest when you dock? we are going 4/2011 westbound Princess. thx

[Natburns]

Hi,

 

We are considering doing the waterfalls with our 7 and 11 years old. Can anyone tells me if its suitable for kids?

 

Thanks!