ryndam; mex riv & sea of cortez land tours

[pennstateray]

your info was very helpful.

did you find the bugs/bitting insects bad on the zorro tour?

[CrabbyHarper]

DH and I are going on the Sea of Cortez cruise Nov 1. And we are sooooo looking forward to it.:)

 

I walk with a cane, due to a bad back. I cannot walk very far - usually about a block is my limit - or stand for longer than 5 minutes before I have to sit down. Otherwise I am ok and can swim, ride in a boat, bus or car.

 

Are there any shore excursions that would be difficult for me? Specially recommended? We are not planning on the Copper Canyon tour.

 

Thanks for any help you can give!

[CowPrincess]

While we are discussing Mexico/Sea of Cortez, can someone help me get my head around the whole "warm weather in November" thing? I'm having a great deal of difficulty conceiving of getting up in the morning, and it is warm. And then it will get warmer (I presume) during the day.

 

Where we live, in summer the days start out around 40 F to 50 F, and warm up from there. Then at night, normally it starts cooling NOTICEABLY around 7 p.m. to 60 F or so, dropping throughout the night.

 

We've decided we must be VERY careful about being out in the mid-day heat, and that is affecting the "short list" of excursions we are considering.

 

Any help for this northerner? It has been so long since I've had warm mornings and warm evenings, I seriously can't figure out how to dress/plan/see the sights.

 

Thanks!!!

 

Copper10-8, do you know if there are shuttles that run to a beach in the area of Topolobampo? Thanks in advance.

[RuthC]

For the last posters who addressed questions to Copper, don't feel put-out if he doesn't answer right away. He left for a cruise, and won't be back for quite a while (it's a loooooong cruise :) ).

He may or may not see your posts.

[Cruising Carol]

Went on this trip in December, 2005. Friends went on it in February, 2008. They asked about excursions and we told them what we did -- no excursions! Their documents did not tell about the free shuttles to La Paz from Pichelengue and to Los Mochis from Topolobampo. We took the shuttles and walked to the cathedral and market in La Paz and then wandered along the Malecon(sea side walk) and enjoyed the lovely air and views. In Los Mochis we were let off at the town square (also pick up point) and we walked to the Botanical Garden (about 5 blocks away). There is also a museum closer to the town square and a shopping center next to the Botanical Garden.

 

Loreto is a lovely place to walk. It is a tender pier where you see local boats and pelicans. They have improved the Malecon and it leads to the walkway to the shops and town hall and cathedral. We always stop for a cold drink near the end of the walkway and then wander into the local's shopping area. Have been to La Paz and Loreto on three cruises.

 

As to warm weather -- our pictures show us in tee shirts and shorts in late December! Baja California is warm country.

[pennstateray]

who has done the copper canyon and did you enjoy the experience?

[tennisobo]

I don't know the specific itineray of your cruise, but if you're going to Puerta Vallarta, try the excursion to Las Caletas or their evening tour, Rhythm of the Night. This link will take you to my slideshow of our Mexican Riviera Cruise. It's rather long, but Las Caletas in PV is pretty close to the beginning. It was a very relaxing day. We really liked it.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=15236780&posted=1#post15236780

 

Happy sailings...

[pennstateray]

pv is our 1st of 6 ports. i believe we will do the evening dinner tour. for some reason i can't bring up your pictures.

[Comptech]

Rev, Your page for this tour says it took 18 hours, a typo I guess?

Which port is this in?

 

I loved this cruise and would love to do it again. For photos from this cruise of the Ryndam and, particularly, of the Copper Canyon tour, click on the following link to my photo gallery for this cruise:

 

http://homepage.mac.com/revneal/ryndam2007/Menu212.html

[RuthC]

Rev, Your page for this tour says it took 18 hours, a typo I guess?

Which port is this in?

Greg's not around, so may not see your question. But I can tell you that is not a typo---it's an 18-hour tour. I can't remember the correct spelling (as I've never been there), but it's something like Topolopobampo :confused: (long word).

[CowPrincess]

Topolobampo, I think. Yes 18 hours. No typo.

[Comptech]

I guess it must be a port where you are in over night?

[CowPrincess]

No, the ship arrives early EARLY -- 5 am or so, and departs around 11:30 pm. "Richard In Panama" did a review thread about the Copper Canyon,

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=802694

 

Interesting reading.

[pennstateray]

sorry i was so long getting back to you. have been awayfor a week and half and got backup on forum replies. thanks for going to the trouble to find out about the kayaking it really helped.

ray

[cruz chic]

No, the ship arrives early EARLY -- 5 am or so, and departs around 11:30 pm. "Richard In Panama" did a review thread about the Copper Canyon,

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=802694

 

Interesting reading.

Actually I think it was more like 4 or 4:30am but what is an hour at that time:D . Found it was interesting that Richard from Panama said it was well worth it. Can't say the same. I think he must be easily impressed or have a really long attention span. That's not my strength:D .

[MightyQuinn]

Found it was interesting that Richard from Panama said it was well worth it. Can't say the same. :D .

Agree completely. The Copper Canyon excursion is both too long (getting to the summit) and too short (time spent there) - not just right. A 2-hr bus ride, followed by a 6-hr train journey, grab a 1-hr buffet and watch a 1/2-hr performance by indigenous people. Bathroom break & do it again in reverse. IMHO this part of the Sierra Madre is fascinating & deserves more than an 18-hr side excursion to do it justice. Would only recommend it with reservation.

[CowPrincess]

said it was well worth it. Can't say the same.

 

I'm SO with you on this. To me, being on a bus for h-o-u-r-s then on a train for h-o-u-r-s sounds more like being in Purgatory than being on vacation :D I don't think we'll regret the decision to not go, y'know?

[Gsel]

Enjoy your trip, sounds like you are planning well and will be prepared. Please let us know how it goes.

[cruz chic]

Agree completely. The Copper Canyon excursion is both too long (getting to the summit) and too short (time spent there) - not just right. A 2-hr bus ride, followed by a 6-hr train journey, grab a 1-hr buffet and watch a 1/2-hr performance by indigenous people. Bathroom break & do it again in reverse. IMHO this part of the Sierra Madre is fascinating & deserves more than an 18-hr side excursion to do it justice. Would only recommend it with reservation.

You have described it perfectly. This is something that would be done better over a few days....not a one off on a cruise. It doesn't do it justice.

[cruz chic]

I'm SO with you on this. To me, being on a bus for h-o-u-r-s then on a train for h-o-u-r-s sounds more like being in Purgatory than being on vacation :D I don't think we'll regret the decision to not go, y'know?

You've got it so right......I think you will enjoy your time more exploring the area. I will probably do this cruise again and will be interested to see what I missed in the pitch dark:D .

[mrmac]

I am always amazed at the folks who book a Caribbean cruise and then go shopping in St. Thomas, rather than taking advantage of all the fantastic water, sailing and beach activities available. To me, if you are booking this cruise, it is to see the Sea of Cortez. The scenery is stunning and the water is fantastic and will remind you of the Caribbean in places. It is teeming with sea life. We rented a panga (18 ft. + boat) in Loreto last time and, on the way out to Coronados to snorkel, came upon a huge school of dolphin. Our driver just stopped and let us marvel. It was one of the most incredible experiences of our lives, not just a few dolphin, but hundreds surrounding us on all sides. Then we proceeded around the island and stopped at a beautiful, shallow, white sand beach to snorkel and enjoy the scene. The water was as clear as any we've seen.

 

La Paz has more to offer as a city than Loreto but, again, head to the sea and book something, even if you don't snorkel or swim. It doesn't have to be a ship excursion. You can find a panga at the beaches east of the city facing the island.

 

In Topolobampo we heard about a lone dolphin who lives in a cove in the mangroves. We asked about a panga right off the ship and one of the locals called a guy for us. He took us to see Pechocho who started following us as soon as we entered his cove. Pechocho came along the side of our small boat and let us pet him. He is a large Pacific bottlenose dolphin and the locals say his mother died when he was young and he was so heartbroken that he refused to leave his birthplace. So here he stays, alone but happy to see any visitors. The large bay around Topo has lots of other wild dolphin but the bay is not as clean as the Sea of Cortez. This is another reason to explore and experience the water environment in Loreto and La Paz if you go to Copper Canyon or visit Los Mochis at this port.

 

I hope you enjoy your visit to the Sea of Cortez as much as we did. We're heading back!

[ssminnow]

I was thinking of what to do in topo

what a great idea hire a panga and see the dolphin!

[CowPrincess]

mrmac, in Topo we are considering the "Birds, Bay and Dolphins" tour the ship offers:

 

Explore the historic Bay of Topolobampo, founded initially by North American settlers who came in the late 1800s with the idea of establishing a Socialist utopian community. From the yacht club, enjoy a relaxing two-hour cruise aboard a comfortable 42-foot yacht. Your experienced captain will take you close to the playful dolphins that abound in the bay and play near the boat. Then, you will cruise around Bird Island to see hundreds of birds and different species in their natural habitat

 

We also understand there are kayak rentals available at the Topo dock. We were also hoping to grab a taxi or shuttle to Maviri Beach afterwards....

 

So we were thinking the tour, then kayak, then some beach time (we're there a long time :) ) I'd certainly appreciate any comments or thoughts you have on this.

[GORDONCHICK]

Our family is looking at a Sea of Cortez cruise on the Ryndam in March of 2010. DH is very interested in the Copper Canyon excursion, but wants a rough idea of what it costs. Since we haven't booked yet, we don't have access to detailed info that provides cost for this excursion. 18 hours is too much for me, way to much for our DS, but DH would love it. I'd appreciate it if someone would share rough cost on this trip. This would be our first cruise on HAL.

[cruz chic]

Our family is looking at a Sea of Cortez cruise on the Ryndam in March of 2010. DH is very interested in the Copper Canyon excursion, but wants a rough idea of what it costs. Since we haven't booked yet, we don't have access to detailed info that provides cost for this excursion. 18 hours is too much for me, way to much for our DS, but DH would love it. I'd appreciate it if someone would share rough cost on this trip. This would be our first cruise on HAL.

When I went in Oct.07 it was $399 usd. I think it has gone up since then. While I'm sort of glad I went...knowing what I know now....I wouldn't do it again. I have a short attention span and it was way to long of a day for what I got out of it.