Costa Rica Shore Excursions

[DonPat]

We are leaving April 1 for a Panama Canal cruise on the Carnival Spirit. Any recommendations for Costa Rica? All the excursions are so long (8-9 hours) that we want to pick a good one (NON- strenuous), where we see the most of the country. Someone suggested Tortuguero Canal trip, but I don't think that is offered on our cruise.

You are going to love the Panama Canal trip. It is fabulous. Costa Rica is very beautiful and clean. We did a ship suggested bus tour back in 2000 that took us through the country side and all of the wonderful villages. The ship docks far away from town, and the area is not the best. Surprisingly, the rich folks live in the hills and the poor folk close to the ocean. I read a horror story, about a couple on a cruise that were stranded in Costa Rica. They had taken a taxi to see the island on their own and it had broken down. Another taxi came and the two taxi drivers got into a PHYSICAL FIGHT!!! Then when the man (cruise passenger) tried to mediate they starting yelling at him. And neither one of them would help.

The worst part was they MISSED THE BOAT. Yup, it sailed without them!!!! Oh, and it gets worse. Their passports were locked in their cabin safe along with most of their cash. They had to go to the American Consolute and get money wired from home.
I think the story may still be on the website for CruiseAddicts under reviews, go to option 4 then input the words STRANDED. Hopefully it will pop-up.

Please reconsider taking a shore excursion suggested by the cruise line. I know they are long and expensive, but it is best to be safe. Please take time to see and savor the beauty of Costa Rica.

Enjoy your cruise. Wishing you sunny days and calm seas. Bon Voyage.

Btw, we are sailing on the brand new NCL DAWN on 5/3, 15 glorious days! Yippee!

We took an all day shore excursion to two nature reserves, and really felt like we experienced the beauty of Costa Rica. We hiked the rain forest, but it was not strenuous. In between hikes we went for a swim (pool) and lovely lunch. It was a wonderful day.