Help needed choosing ports on Trans-Panama Canal cruise

[jocelysue]

DH & I will be taking the West to East Trans-Panama Canal in April ,leaving from San Diego. Ports of call: Cabo, Puerto Vallarta,Puerto Quetzal, Puntarenas,Colon, Cartagena, ending in Miami.

 

While we would very much want to visit all the ports, DH has some mobility issues and tires quite easily.So 2 days in a row with lots of activity may prove to be a bit much. However, this is definitely his bucket list cruise : he loves to try different ways to get from one ocean to the other, has done most of them but has kept the Panama Canal until 2014 so as to pass through it just before it widens.

 

 

So would appreciate your take on the ports of call, which cities or towns have the most interesting historical sights accessible without too much walking and climbing ? We deifinitely are going to Antigua on Easter Sunday with the ship's bus. Once there will most likely take a taxi to visit unless advised this might be dangerous.

 

We have been o Mexico quite a few times (Mexico City, Yucatan Peninsula, Riviera Maya)m mostly on land visits, but never to the West Coast. What we really enjoyed were the archeologial sights. We also like going to central markets and watching the handicrafters. and visiting schools and churches. We usually don't do much shopping unless we are with a group and then, of course, we follow the flow and always get a kick out of watching how different people negotiate. In other words, we're easy going, kind of laid back and truly like Learning about and seeing the various customs. how local people live. Granted, there's not much time ,so, if given a choice, prefer to see less but see it well. Visiting a local museum when we have only a few hours on shore can be enough.

 

So, hopefully you will help guide us as th there are indeed some sights not to be missed on our cruise or some expedition we definitely should take for the experience itself.Problem is, we don' t know which

 

 

Thanks in advance for your insights. FYI, DH can walk and stand by himself but uses a rollator so as not to hold other passengers or friends up during visits and tours. During a guide's explanations he can sit on his rollator and rest. Same in muséums ,so , in reality, he is not a hindrance. It's his stamina that is lacking. So we would appreciate your advice in helping us choose wisely. We much prefer private tours to ship's tours.

 

I look forward to your helpful answers and greatly appreciate the time you will take to answer this question.

__________________

[neverbeenhere]

Cartagena is the San Juan P.R. of South America. Fort, churches, prisons...Colon is a city in which one should carry a gun. But take the bus to Panama City and one might have an interesting visit.

[neverbeenhere]

PV and Cabo are Canadian and American owed Mexican ports. Hit the Walmart in PV and go talk to the Mexicans from San Diego in Cabo. Enjoy the canal trip for the trip itself. Read the books, watch the films, learn (or re-learn) the history.

Edited January 5, 2014 by neverbeenhere

[HappyTvlr]

Another vote for Cartagena. We loved this city, and it is easy and safe to wander the streets. We also enjoyed the self guided tour of Antigua in Guatemala. We did the tour offered by Celebrity which was really just transport for the 2 hour drive. The scenery is fairly interesting and the city is beautiful and easy to navigate. They have lots of massive souvenir shops to peak into. Just be mindful that the coach drop off and pick up times are set and seemed long to some fellow travelers. If you are happy just sitting and enjoying some of the world's best coffee and people watching you will do well. Ask the tour operators for suggestions for food and drink and you will be delighted with some wonderful treats.

[trabeler]

Just completed this itinerary today on the Century. Waiting in FLL now for the flight home.

 

Antigua - the ships 'on your own' is the best option here. Too many risks of delay with the long ride and potential breakdowns (two buses broke down our day on the way up to Antigua, including ours). Antigua has narrow streets, some cobblestone, and you may need to navigate stairs to see some of the attractions.

 

Cartagena - very nice old town center... Lots of cobblestone and very hot, so be prepared.

 

If you have any specific questions on the ports or the canal transit, ask away.