HELP - private v. ship shore excursion in Limon

[chacoms]

Trying to decide on what to do in Limon, Costa Rica. There is a shore excursion on Princess called Costa Rican Adventure where you do aerial tram and jungle boat ride on the Tortuguera Canals. The cost is pretty expensive on the ship. Was wondering about tours offered at the dock. Do they offer the same ones for less money? Has anyone ever taken this tour? Any suggesstions/advice would be helpful. Thank you

[Darcy]

i've never been to Costa Rica but have found that the private excursions are generally cheaper than the ones booked through the ship. The only time I book through the ship is when time is tight, such as the excursion takes 7 hours and you're only in port for 8 hours. Happy cruising!

[PapaBill]

I have taken the Torteguero Canal trip offered off the ship (not the tram part). Found it to be thoroughly facinating. Don't know about the tram , but you can book canal trips on shore. The boats were not quite as comfortable, but, generally I guess the experience is the same.

[WSEA]

We have no problem taking an excursion offered by the cruise line IF they have something we would like to do -- certainly the "easy way" to do it!

If you are interested in an independent tour operator, here is the email address of one of the "well know" ones in Limon:

mambotur@hotmail.com

Stick with the ships excursions in Costa Rica. I read a review from a guy, that took a taxi around the island. On the way back the taxi broke down, so the driver called his back-up. The other driver showed then the 2 cab drivers got into an a huge fight. The 2nd taxi driver left, and the first one walked off and left the pax stranded. At the time time happened they had 2.5 HOURS before all pax were due aboard. They were able to flag someone down FINALLY, BUT they missed the ship! That is not the worst part. Their passports money and jewelry were aboard the ship. They had to call their kids to wire them money, go to the embassy, prove who they were, etc. It took them (4) days to get out of there. Then when the ship arrived they had their in room safe opened and the contents shipped to them since they were in another state instead of Florida. Most of their MONEY, and all of the expensive items of jewerly were missing. This was a Celebrity cruise, and they wrote Celebrity telling them what had happened. They basically said, Sorry, too bad, we are not responsible for your lost articles.