Panama Canal

[GeriatricNurse]

When is the best time, weatherwise, to do a Trans Panama Canal cruise; Spring or Fall?

[catl331]

I don't think it makes much different, as the weather doesn't change much at that latitude. Maybe it's a little warmer in the fall.

 

We liked our Spring weather just fine. We told at our stops in Costa Rica and southern Mexico (Puerto Chiapas and Huatulco) that Jan was their rainy season, so you don't have to worry about that either way.

[cruz chic]

Personally I think the spring is better because you will not be in hurricane season. I went once in April and the weather was awesome. I was fortunate on my last cruise (Nov.10 - Dec.6/08) to go through the canal twice. On the first go around the weather was mainly cloudy and it started raining in the afternoon. The second time through the canal it was just brutal. It poured the entire day. Apparently they had a state of emergency there and it had been raining for a week solid.

[BARBARAFUNK]

I'm leaving March 6 for a two week Panama Canal cruise. What did you do in Puerto Chiapas? Doesn't look like much other than ruins - ugh...Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

Barb

[catl331]

What did you do in Puerto Chiapas?

Virtually nothing! That was a "relax" day for us. We watched some dancers, browsed some shops, had a drink in bar right near the dock, used an internet cafe, and went back on the ship before lunch. :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have done the full transits several times -- both in the fall and spring -- no difference in weather -- both times are great.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Puerto Chiapas -- we just browsed through the few shops -- watched the dancers inside the terminal.

We also had dancers right on the pier when we first arrived.

The ruins that are part of the tours have many steps -- just can't do that any more.

[Harry1954]

Growing up in Florida, we have opted to always make Caribbean and Canal ventures in the spring or earlier as hurricanes are just not fun.

harry

[cruz chic]

Growing up in Florida, we have opted to always make Caribbean and Canal ventures in the spring or earlier as hurricanes are just not fun.

harry

That is usually my plan to stay away from the Caribbean between June and December but it hasn't turned out that way lately.

[savannahgirl1]

We've done the partial transit in March, first of April and the weather was great. The water at Half Moon Cay was a little cold for me but my husband enjoyed some snorkeling. Aruba and Curacao was very warm and pleasant. It drizzled in the early morning hours as we approached the canal locks, but it was a warm drizzle and didn't last long. Our excursion in Panama was down right HOT. :rolleyes: We did the Canal Experience that takes you thru the other set of locks and it was hot, hot, hot. I will say the seas were very choppy the whole trip, but that was ok, I had Bonine. ;)

[wwinfl91]

We did a fall transit in 2001 and enjoyed it although we did have rainy drizzle almost all morning. We are doing a spring transit in April this year on the Zuiderdam and hopefully it will be drier this time.

 

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Have a great next cruise.