Port Report March 2019

[babysteps]

In the same vein as this helpful thread, here is a brief report regarding port conditions from March 2019.  We were on Oceania Marina from Lima, Peru to NYC.  We had a great time on our cruise, and also really enjoyed Lima.  These are all primarily commercial ports - they accommodate cruise ships, but that isn't their focus.  There wasn't a terminal for cruise ship passengers at any of them.

 

Lima (Callao) Peru - we embarked here. 

 

O's shuttles for passengers on b2b's (*not* embarking/disembarking at Lima) were to the Larcomar shopping area/Marriott hotel.  We were staying in Miraflores and used Taxidatum car service to go to the port entrance; this worked out very well for us (you make an online reservation ahead of time, and pay cash in US$ at end of trip).  Based on conversations with others, I recommend Taxidatum over calling a cab - although we loved the easytaxi app in Lima for regular cabs, some folks using cabs to go to the port ended up way out of their way because taxi drivers don't really know exactly where the port gate for cruise passengers is. 

 

At about 12:45pm when we arrived, there were 2 buses waiting.  Port staff helped everyone get luggage onto the bus, and when a bus was full (luggage fills before seats do, so not all seats are full) the next bus started loading.  We were one of the first 5 people on our bus and it took maybe 10 minutes to fill the rest of the bus.  There isn't really anyplace to wait at the port gate, but there was no wait so it did not matter.  There were some crafts for sale right at the ship.

 

Aside - Lima airport - wasn't as zoo-like as I was fearing; next time I might just use easytaxi.  However, as a first-time visitor, knowing a driver would meet us as we exited was reassuring.  There are taxi company and rental car booths inside the airport as well.  Although given traffic and super-low taxi fares (think 1/4 of NYC prices), I don't plan on renting a car when we come back to Lima.

 

Salaverry Peru (Trujillo)

 

There were 2 shuttles, one doing short round-trips to the port gate, the other doing longer round trips to a point a couple of blocks from the main square in Trujillo (about 20 minutes from the ship).  (Announcement onboard was unclear if this was 1 or 2 routes, it was 2.)  There were some small local shops at the port gate - not really for ship visitors, more for the residents of Salaverry and for locals visiting the beach there.  At the bus "stop" in Trujillo, there were plenty of folks offering taxi tours if you didn't plan anything ahead.  We simply walked around the square (Plaza de Armas) - we particularly enjoyed the Casa de la Identidad Regional - La Libertad.  Next to the Cathedral (to the right, from the street) is a blue building that also has some exhibits, as well as a small chapel with local murals that we found interesting.  People who went to Chan Chan or the temples of the Sun and Moon all seemed to enjoy their trips.  Onboard tourism representative also offered info.

 

Manta, Ecuador

 

There was 1 shuttle, stopping at the port gate (on request, seemingly) and at the main square (Plaza Civica - maybe 5 minutes from the ship).  (Announcement onboard was unclear if this was 1 or 2 routes, it was 1.)  At the bus dropoff, again there  were plenty of folks offering taxi tours if you didn't plan anything ahead. There was a market set up in Plaza Civica, with the tables nearest the bus dropoff selling tourist items (including the famous hats, and local tagua bead carvings), but other tables/tents were focused at locals.  Manta is a much more recent city vs. nearby Montecristi (of hat fame).  If you are looking for colonial architecture, I suggest heading to Montecristi.  There is a local Museo Cancebi 2 short blocks from Plaza Civica - not super-well marked, and up one long flight of stairs, but free & very helpful/friendly hosts. This is in the oldest house in town, with local exhibits on the regional history.  Some signs are bilingual, some solamente espanol, but find a host and they will fill in any details.  We enjoyed some people and iguana watching on the square.  Onboard tourism representative also offered info.  There were tourism reps helping to board buses both at pier and the in-town bus stop.

 

Esmereldas, Ecuador

 

Listed as a tender port on our itinerary, but when we boarded we found out that we would be docked.  There was 1 shuttle, running to the nearby beach area Playa de las Palmas.  This area has a couple new buildings, developed to serve tourism activity (check out google maps streetview).  There was a market set up for our benefit, along with musical acts on a stage - although plenty of locals were also taking advantage.  A couple blocks further south/west along the beach was a building with shaded tables upstairs and restaurants open to the boardwalk (well, concrete walking area) and with outside seating downstairs.  There were also beach services such as loungers & umbrellas available.  This is not the best beach in the area, but was certainly convenient.  The water is quite shallow for a long ways, so fun to watch the waders.  We were there just before an election, and were warned that traffic could be tough if we went further afield.    Onboard tourism representative also offered info.  There were tourism reps helping to board buses both at pier and the in-town bus stop.  There were a few people offering tours at the bus stop, but the focus seemed more on keeping us entertained in the immediate area.

 

That was it for South American ports - I will post on the separate boards for our stops in Puerto Limon, Costa Rica and Santo Tomas de Castilla, Guatemala.  We also visited Roatan, Honduras; Harvest Key, Belize; Costa Maya, Mexico; Miami and Port Canaveral, but I don't think anyone needs more info on those!

 

[pspercy]

Thanks, we're booked that way on a B2B next year.