pris993 Posted July 8, 2016 #1 Share Posted July 8, 2016 We are considering booking a cruise on the Eurodam from Ft Lauderdale to San Francisco in 2018. Checking out some of the ports, on youtube, for example Puntarenas Costa Rica; Corinto Nicaragua; Puerto Quetzal Guatemala... wondering if HAL offers port shuttles to town... we don't usually do tours, simply like to visit the port town on our own. From youtube seems like these are very small underdeveloped areas, so thought I ask about what is available in advance. For us, the ship is our main travel experience but still like to get off and stretch our leggs. Appreciate any comments in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilvertoGold Posted July 8, 2016 #2 Share Posted July 8, 2016 The last two times we were on the Panama cruise, there were shuttles at the ports you mention except Puntarenas which is just a walk down the pier. Puerto Q and Puntarenas are good places to stretch your legs without having to hop a shuttle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir PMP Posted July 8, 2016 #3 Share Posted July 8, 2016 We are considering booking a cruise on the Eurodam from Ft Lauderdale to San Francisco in 2018. Checking out some of the ports, on youtube, for example Puntarenas Costa Rica; Corinto Nicaragua; Puerto Quetzal Guatemala... wondering if HAL offers port shuttles to town... we don't usually do tours, simply like to visit the port town on our own. From youtube seems like these are very small underdeveloped areas, so thought I ask about what is available in advance. For us, the ship is our main travel experience but still like to get off and stretch our leggs. Appreciate any comments in advance Puntarenas: it's a 5 minute walk to downtown , big market with good quality products to the left of the pier, there will also be a tour offered to see the crocodiles in the Tarcoles river, very good.. Corinto: very poor city, walk to downtown is 15 minutes, for 5$ you can take buggy(bike) for a tour through the town or to a restaurant Puerto Quetzal: walk right of the ship into a market with nice products, and places with cold beer, this is a very hot place, there is no real town. They offer a great tour to Antigua, a beautiful city in the mountains, nice pace to walk around and have lunch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue whale Posted July 10, 2016 #4 Share Posted July 10, 2016 Thank you for info. Most helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pris993 Posted July 10, 2016 Author #5 Share Posted July 10, 2016 Agree thanks for the info, very helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hflors Posted July 10, 2016 #6 Share Posted July 10, 2016 We are considering booking a cruise on the Eurodam from Ft Lauderdale to San Francisco in 2018. Checking out some of the ports, on youtube, for example Puntarenas Costa Rica; Corinto Nicaragua; Puerto Quetzal Guatemala... wondering if HAL offers port shuttles to town... we don't usually do tours, simply like to visit the port town on our own. From youtube seems like these are very small underdeveloped areas, so thought I ask about what is available in advance. For us, the ship is our main travel experience but still like to get off and stretch our leggs. Appreciate any comments in advance We were in Puntarenas Costa Rica last December on Amsterdam. We were NOT allowed to leave the port area unless you were on a tour or paid $29.95 pp for a shuttle into the town. We decided to stay on board that day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jantoby Posted August 2, 2016 #7 Share Posted August 2, 2016 I'm booked on a Panama Canal with a stop at "Puerto Caldera (Puntarenas)". Can't get through to HAL on the phone to ask which it is as there are docks at both places. Is it Puerto Caldera or Puntarenas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted August 2, 2016 #8 Share Posted August 2, 2016 On the majority of the Panama Canal cruises that we have done it has been Puntarenas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillB48 Posted August 2, 2016 #9 Share Posted August 2, 2016 I'm booked on a Panama Canal with a stop at "Puerto Caldera (Puntarenas)". Can't get through to HAL on the phone to ask which it is as there are docks at both places. Is it Puerto Caldera or Puntarenas? In the past Puerto Calderas has been where HAL normally docks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
take us away Posted August 3, 2016 #10 Share Posted August 3, 2016 I'm booked on a Panama Canal with a stop at "Puerto Caldera (Puntarenas)". Can't get through to HAL on the phone to ask which it is as there are docks at both places. Is it Puerto Caldera or Puntarenas? A good resource is whatsinport.com which will even show you photos of the docking (or tendering which they will tell you) areas plus some port info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stairMaster Posted August 3, 2016 #11 Share Posted August 3, 2016 We were on the April 2016 Panama cruise. Puntarenas Costa Rica is a secure port ( with free wifi ) -- security guards will stop you from straying outside the port. To exit the port you must be on a tour bus or take a local taxi. Corinto, Nicaragua: walk off the ship and directly into town. No shuttle required or provided. Nice local market setup with stalls. Park area behind market has free wifi. Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala: walk off ship. No real town but the port has many local vendors selling do-dads in stalls. Wifi available for $$. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jantoby Posted August 9, 2016 #12 Share Posted August 9, 2016 Thanks everyone. Got a reply from HAL - dock is at Puerto Caldera. Doesn't look to be anything there, or at Puntarenas. Last time I did the Canal we stopped at Puntarenas and I was really spoiled because a business contact met me at the ship and we had a lovely few hours driving around seeing the countryside, stopped at the crocodile bridge, had lovely lunch overlooking the rain forest treetops with coatis at our feet and red macaws flying below. Don't have the contacts any more so am struggling to find something to fill the day. Don't like ship's tours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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