Panama Cruise safety

[Wanderlustlover]

I am wondering if the unrest in Colon and Cartagena along with that general area (Panama Canal) is settled and if it is safe to travel on cruise ships and their excursions from those ports.

[CruiserBruce]

The Panama Canal is used daily by dozens of ships. Relatively speaking, that is the safest of the the places you mentioned. I would not worry at call about the Canal.

 

The cruise line will not put you in harms way. If Cartegena or Colon are not safe, the ship will not stop there.

[fishycomics]

As I chose not to roam around as I was warned from my Late Uncle.. Since I was there, and I am back, I am safe, yes. But Be careful where you go, pass the Port, you may feel like you are safe?

 

At the Port you are gated in, You walk off the ship. and you head forward to the Duty free shop, and can walk across the street, to the Shops there, and Casino to its left. You can walk to the right and be at the other cruise ship. I, myself did not wonder pass the Hotel?

 

There in town about a mile, felt like forever, due to the congetion and traffic, in town looks like a neat place to walk, but I felt it was to far and unsafe to risk by foot.

 

All this is in Colon by the Ship. If it was not safe the ship would not stop, not true.

 

 

n Catragena, I felt Safe as can be and By far night and day difference. the only problem is that everyone there will approach you, like fleas on a dog. They are friendly and mean no harm, trying to make a living and a quick dollar.

 

The girls will push look my tan, and skin, you can have the same, in their language. You will love Cartagena for sure:)

 

I go back and visit Cartagena over Colon

[Azulann]

I did private tours in both Cartagena and Colon in Dec.

In Colon, we took a small mini van to Gatun locks and then to Portobelo. Our local guide even took us pass her home in a area that used to house Army personall from the US. It was a great day, always felt safe. People were very friendly. Others in my group took a private tour to Panama City with a hour drive to the West coast. again no problem. when you get out of the port area in any of these countires, you do see the poverty of the country for lots of people.

In Cartagena, which is a huge city, we did a walking tour of the old town, drove to the convent overlooking the city and back to ship.

 

Street vendors are part of Central American life in any tourist area. Sometimes I do buy from them, other times I just say no, and keep walking.

 

Protests and strikes are also part of Central American life. Most of the time it is all orchestrated like a dance. For example in Guatemala, the teachers said they would protest and shut down a highway for three hours to protest not receiving their pay. Everyone knew to either not drive on the highway during those hours or take a different route. This was a number of years ago whe I was there.

 

Enjoy your Panama Canal curise and all the ports of call.

[jdvmd]

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