Anyone done excursions in Nicaragua?

[rez4jc]

San Juan Del Sur is our port stop after going through the Panama Canal. There is no thread starter for this country, so I'd thought I'd ask here. We will be there in February 2009.

 

Also, we are stopping in Puerto Amador, Panama from 5pm-10pm. Is there shopping close to the ship? Anything we should see here in the short amount of time that we have?

[davidnsteph]

San Juan Del Sur is our port stop after going through the Panama Canal. There is no thread starter for this country, so I'd thought I'd ask here. We will be there in February 2009...

 

Here is a recent discussion on San Juan del Sur. You could post a question there.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=862284&highlight=juan

 

DavidnSteph

[rez4jc]

Thanks, davidandsteph! I e-mailed both Pelican Eyes (sailing) and Grey Tours (surfing). I'll post a review when we get back. We will be there Feb. 9, 2009.

[Tripmaven]

For those of you who will be in San Juan del Sur as a port stop and would choose to stay in the town, you will be quite surprised with the interesting places you can visit.

 

Pelican Eyes resort is a beautiful location that offers amazing views of the bay and surrounding town. They have a jungle animal rescue program that is free to view. They do some great work rescuing some of the animals that suffer injuries in the rainforest. It is a short walk from the port. There is some climbing of stairs at the resort, so use good judgment if you decide to go up to Pelican Eyes.

 

The staff at Pelican Eyes are great and will offer some good tips when asked about the local area.

 

The town has an art gallery sponsored by some of the local people and several small shops with souvenirs.

 

The little town is worth a stop.

[gacruiser123]

We were at this port in December and found a great tour right at the dock.

 

We usually book independent tours, but couldn't find anything before we left home so took at chance once we were in port.

 

There was a tour operator at the dock and we arranged a tour to Rivas for 6 people for $20 per person. Nothing is close to the dock and we really didn't want to spend over an hour just to get to Granada so we opted for the shorter distance to Rivas.

 

The tour operator took us to the van where a guide and driver awaited us. Our guide spoke fluent English and after we were on the road, he convinced us that to really make the most of our day, we should visit a

"wet" and "active" volcano, a trip to the Masaya market and then into Granada. We worked out a price of an extra $10/person and away we went.

 

We were not disappointed. In fact, this turned out to be one of, if not our favorite port of call. Yes, there is alot of poverty here, but David, our guide, knew so much about the history of his country, was easy to understand and all around a very nice young man.

 

Our tour lasted about 6 1/2 hours and we could have made it longer if we opted to have lunch or shop more in town.

 

Never once did we feel unsafe and the only time the vendors were somewhat pushy was in Granada at the town square. But it no way spoiled our excursion. When all was said and done, we basically did 2 or 3 of the ships tours at a cost of $30/person.

 

Here is David's contact info. He is currently in college getting his degree in tourism and does these tours to, of course, make money for school.

 

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

Casanova Tour

David Alexander Trana O.

cell (505) 857-3912 I'm sure there is country code you need to dial also.

E-mail: davidalex2@live.com

[deminggraham]

I am going on the Coral Princess in April and am checking out shore excursions in Nicaragua and Guatamala. I have never been there before.

[Putterdude]

In Nicaragua we did the ships tour the was Colonial Antiqua with Lunch. We were very happy with the tour, enjoyed Anitqua and had a great buffet lunch at the El Porta Hotel. There are lots of street vendors and they are in your face a lot. It is very well done but watch for you coach being followed by arm guards.

We also did the ships tour of Granada in Guatemala, had a super tour guide and again enjoyed Granada a lot. It is a very poor country but the people are very clean and proud. You will have a lot of beggers on you but as our tour guide said, "they really are that poor and while you can't help all of them, if you can find it in your heart to help a few with a dollar that will be really appreciated."

[camNaud]

The more I read about cruising in this part of the world - the more excited I get :D. It sounds great.

[jacketwatch]

In Nicaragua we did the ships tour the was Colonial Antiqua with Lunch. We were very happy with the tour, enjoyed Anitqua and had a great buffet lunch at the El Porta Hotel. There are lots of street vendors and they are in your face a lot. It is very well done but watch for you coach being followed by arm guards.

 

We also did the ships tour of Granada in Guatemala, had a super tour guide and again enjoyed Granada a lot. It is a very poor country but the people are very clean and proud. You will have a lot of beggers on you but as our tour guide said, "they really are that poor and while you can't help all of them, if you can find it in your heart to help a few with a dollar that will be really appreciated."

Actually you mean the reverse. Antigua is in Guat. and Granada is in Nicar. we found a private guide in Nicar. which is not exactly easy to do ans tourism infrastructure is in its infancy here. Indeed it is a very poor country with literacy rate of less that 50% and thats a generous estimate. Anyway the guide we found is an amazing man who gave us an insiders tour of Nicar. including a visit to hill 14 which is the fortress where the Samoza govt. took its pol. prisoners ans where the govt. made its last stand before surrendering to rebels in the 1970's this ending Nicar. civil war. His name is John but he goes by Max. If you use him ask him about the time he soloed the Atlantic or was boarded by pirates. :) Tell him Larry says hello too.

oconnor.john7@gmail.com

[Nancyquilts]

When we were at Puerto Amador, we tendered in to a marina. There is a store there that sells Panamanian products. I would guess that it would be open for cruise ship passengers at later hours, but one never knows.

[Putterdude]

Actually you mean the reverse. Antigua is in Guat. and Granada is in Nicar. we found a private guide in Nicar. which is not exactly easy to do ans tourism infrastructure is in its infancy here. Indeed it is a very poor country with literacy rate of less that 50% and thats a generous estimate. Anyway the guide we found is an amazing man who gave us an insiders tour of Nicar. including a visit to hill 14 which is the fortress where the Samoza govt. took its pol. prisoners ans where the govt. made its last stand before surrendering to rebels in the 1970's this ending Nicar. civil war. His name is John but he goes by Max. If you use him ask him about the time he soloed the Atlantic or was boarded by pirates. :) Tell him Larry says hello too.

oconnor.john7@gmail.com

 

You are of course correct.:o