Panama/Liberty

[crazidude1400]

1. Is Panama dangerous?

2. Would you recomend a ship excursion or a private excursion.

3. I hear a lot about Mario. What is his pricing, for four people, and can he only do the panama canal, and nothing else? That is what I want, just panama canal...how long is it?

 

4. What is the pricing for the CCL panama canal tour? Is it good and worth the money?

 

Thanks

[wwinfl91]

We were in Colon a couple of years ago and did the cross continent railroad trip. It was an interesting trip and we felt it was worth what we paid. But when the buses picked up the passengers at the dock, we were escorted by several police cars with armed policemen who got out of the cars at the railroad station and stood guard until we boarded the train and were there again when we came back and got back in the buses. The areas of Colon that we drove through looked like a real third world slum unfortunately and again IMHO I would not have been willing to wander around on my own or with a taxi driver. Colon is an international port and has a reputation as a rough place even for sailors.

 

If you can find a good and reputable local guide then go with that option. Otherwise do a ship's one. Just don't expect to be able to wander around safely on your own.

 

Have a great next cruise.

[casanova]

We went on our own just a couple weeks ago, but we had arranged a private driver/taxi before we arrived. He was there with our name on a board and everyting went beautifully. We are very glad we took this option. He drove us the the locks, gave us a tour of Panama City, and then stopped at a restaurant so that we could have lunch. They were bilingual and at no point was I ever fearful...and we had kids with us.

 

His name is Carlos Aleman....let me see if I find his email address. If you search, you will see that I posted this information on Monday (I think, 3/27).

 

Lilly (greico@nova.edu)