Shore excursons through HAL?

[DeafOnBoard]

HAL is graciously allowing the ASL interpreter(s) to accompany me on shore excursions IF they are through HAL. (Makes sense as if we did independent tours the terps would have to pay their way).

 

Now, the question is, which excurisons would be ideal? I enjoy arts, history, culture, and nature. Not crazy about water sports and extreme stuff.

 

Looking at ports (which ones are skippable? Don't need to do every single one - flexible and easy pleaser here.) Not in order but they are on the Panama Canal transit trip.

 

Cartagena

Puerto Quetzal

Puerto Chiapas

Corinto

Puerto Vallarta

Puntarentas

Huatulco

 

Many thanks!

[the2ofus]

I'll be doing this cruise in April so might be able to give you some of my impressions after that. There have been a couple of reviews here in recent weeks that might also give you some ideas. There is an active NA roll call for our cruise and some of the people are repeat cruisers on that itinerary so they might be able to answer some of your questions.

[OlsSalt]

 

Cartagena

Puerto Quetzal

Puerto Chiapas

Corinto

Puerto Vallarta

Puntarentas

Huatulco

 

Many thanks!

 

 

CARTEGENA is always very hot so if you are okay with walking, a walking tour of the old town is the classic way to see this historic city. Bring a shade umbrella. Try to avoid the "emerald shopping" stops unless this is something you particularly want and stick to just this city history ones. If walking is hard, then the boat tour without a visit to inside the city walls can also be recommended though it is a bit of a slow walk up to see the fort.

 

Here are our favorites - having done this stretch now several times

QUETZEL: Antigua, of course

CHIAPAS - we love the scenic drive up to the very lovely Argovia Coffee and Flower Plantation - do it with the lunch if you want this to be more leisurely and spend time in their very lovely grounds and hill resort. It is a long bus ride but through beautiful jungle landscape

CORINTO -Any of the combinations that include Leon. Some very nice ethic pottery available in the main square.

PV - We always do this on our own, take the local bus to downtown and wander the shops (Galeria Indigena is our favorite for lovely authentic Tavavera pottery (not knockoffs) and other local art items) and enjoy the vast array of restaurants and seaside board walkways. http://www.banderasnews.com/0912/art-indigenagallery.htm

PUNTARENAS - The nature boat trip and canopy chair lift ride was okay, but last time we did the Poas Volcano and Doka coffee plantation and enjoyed getting more out into the country side.

HUATULCO - we did a "nature" birdwatching tour and it was just a walk around a lovely golf course but not exactly nature - a very laid back place and a good place to just wind down, enjoy the beach and some tasty food and drink. Not much here.