My day in Colon, Panama with myfriendmario.

[judyf]

Panama-Thursday 3-24-05

I booked with myfriendmario there wasn’t much listed on the boards about private tours in Panama. I was impressed with his price sheet and web page so I decided to give him a try. Our tour started out at $80.00 for 2. We ended up having 15-17 and the price went down to $55.00 pp., what a great deal. This tour was the same as CCL Grand Tour and they charged over $125.00 pp, can’t remember their price exactly but it was high. This was such a great tour.

We were one of the first off the ship we met up with another couple from the message board that also booked with Mario. We went down an escalator and there were lots of tour guides looking to take you on a tour. At first we didn’t see Mario. I failed to get accurate directions to our meeting spot. As in the past we never had a problem they would be right there with a sign. Some of the guides swarmed around us even getting loud with each other as they offered us different tour. There was a nice lady in a uniform that I started talking to just in case we didn’t find Mario. She was very nice and was part of the official tourism of Panama. The same tour we booked with Mario would have been a little higher, I told her what we paid and they would have done it for that price EXCEPT, a $20.00 pp fee would have been added to go to the Indian Village. So we really got a great deal.

As I was planning plan B, Mario we found Mario, a hit for anyone booked with him go down the escalator turn right and go sort of under it towards the ship. We went straight.

The van they used was new and we had plenty of room and there were 15 of us and a few seats in the back were empty. The AC was so good I had to close my vent at few times and it was really hot in Panama.

First we drove to where we got in these big canoes to take us to the Indian Village. It was a 30 minute drive or so, can’t really remember how long as we were having such a good time seeing everything. Mario had a driver and another guide (BOB) with him. They had a map that they pulled down and showed us where we were and where we were going and they gave us lots of info during the ride.

Then into the canoe and up the river about 30-35 minutes seeing birds, wildlife and some wild horses along the way, it was a really nice boat ride. Mario had giving us binoculars to use and a guide to find different birds.

I really can’t say enough about this tour. The Indian Village was great! The kids were so cute, they were there waiting to help us take off our life vest and hang them up. I went to take a picture of to of them and a third come running up to get in the picture.

They put on a show for us, feed us, we had a big bowl of fresh fruit, fish and fried bananas and even offered tea. Two of us had the tea it was good, I like trying different things. Mario had water for us the entire trip, cookies and snacks on the van. We were well fed.

After the show you get to look around the craft tables they have set up, prices were good and the work they put into them is amazing. I got a few baskets and a hot trivet and love them.

Now we had the option to go to the waterfalls but we all decided to skip that part of the tour as we had to walk in water to our knees and some of us didn’t prepare for that even though Mario told us in an e-mail what to bring. We wanted more time to visit the canal.

It was a short ride to the canal and Mario even stopped at a store so we could buy 50 cents cans of beer. We loaded up his cooler and had a beer or two on the way to the canal. We got to see three ships at the canal, one going each direction and then one waiting to enter. We saw one go through the lock closest to us it was a great experience to see.

Then he took us to where we got on and we had about an hour or so to shop. As we were on our way back Mario had a few surprises for us, I don’t want to post what they were and ruin it for others on his tour but it was great. I would recommend anyone to take his tour. We tipped him well for all the extra he gave us.


I hope my review has helped someone as I know all the reviews I read before my cruise helped me have a wonderful cruise

[cruisingschool]

I was on the same tour with Judy. I agree with everything that Judy said. It was a great excursion. I would add that you want to have some type of activity planned. The city of Colon had a "dangerous" feel to it. I wouldn't want to wander around town looking for something to do. I would book with Mario again... www.myfriendmario.com

[vincent]

Which tour did you take? He has quite a few listed.
Thanks for your help

[cruisingschool]

We were on the "grand tour." I don't even know if that was the official name, but it was called that if we had booked it through the ship. Just tell Mario what you want to see. He is very flexible.

[judyf]

It was his tour CL 007 or something close to that.

He is really worth every penny and more!!!

[rhea2day]

when I look at our schedule with Princess Coral - it looks like we are at the Panama Canal from 7-3:30 and then Colon from 4-8 - I would like to take the mario tour however I am not sure when we are allowed off the boat ? Can anyone help clarify this for me thanks - Lisa

[Iamthesea]

I thought I had read where you were not allowed to get off the ship unless you had a tour booked through the ship???

I am also interested in this tour. Anyone?

[judyf]

Hello everyone.

I was on the CCL Legend and we were allowed off the ship in Colon, This tour was the highlight of the cruise for us. Mario's tour was extra special I can't put into words have great a tour it was. E - mail him and I think it's his son will respond.

I will check back in, if anyone has a question.

[Iamthesea]

Thanks Judy!

[Marie14]

The Coral Princess has a different operation than the Carnival Legend, they dock in different ports. After the Coral lands passengers that booked tours with the ship at Gatun Lake, it returns via Cristobal Pier 6. I recommend you find out with PC if you can get off at Gatun lake with an independant tour operator. This way you will not run into any surprises. Hope it works out...

[rhea2day]

Thanks for all the feed back for mario I am booked for the Oct 31 Coral Princess CL007 PC tour and we are really excited - doesn't look like to many folks in port that day so it could be a small tour - anything is better then the cattle run of the cruise boat.

Mario has answered all my questions and just provided our docs - can can't wait for the tour the surprise and the opportunity to leave great feedback - Thanks Lisa

[disneylynn]

Judy,
Thanks for the great review, It sounds great! I am so excited about this tour!
The only question I have is about time. We get into limon at 7am and the ship departs at 4pm. Do we have enough time to do this tour?
Thanks
Lynn

[Duranee]

Hi everyone-

I'm booked on Coral Princess this Friday 11/4 -- can't wait.
I have msgs. out to "My friend Mario" for his tour; he has room for us; am now waiting for him to get back to me with our "reservation" -- as I believe we need this to be able to get off the ship. (He now states that he needs our Passport numbers to get approval from Port Authority for us to disembark. It sounds a bit hairy ...
For those that have booked with "My Friend Mario" -- did you have any problem locating him when you got off the tender? Is the ship docked at Gatun Lake -- is that where you tell him to meet you - at that dock??
This is our first cruise, and this part of it (with this vendor) sounds a little more confusing than the others, since we don't actually 'dock' at a port.

I really want to book this tour so any info you can give me is appreciated.
Thanks!

[harry]

im confused on teh coral princess you cruise through the locks to Gatun lake... you see the panama canal from the ship.

get off via tender where you give mario your passport numbers? (is that safe)?

then you get back on in Colon later that night like what time?

[rhea2day]

Hi we just completed this Mario tour on Oct 31 - AMAZING TOUR - he is just sent us a few more pictures and provided us with Champange because it was our honeymoon - great on the details!

We got of the boat on Gatun Lake, the Coral tour manager David and the two other gals were farmiliar with us as Mario had sent all the documentation to the port authorities and to the coral.

We left around 8 am ...
The only thing we had to do was check with the tour desk before hand so they knew who we were, they provided us with special stickers so they knew we weren't with a boat tour and then we waited in the theater with everyone else. Once off the boat - we waited for port authorities to provide take us to the Mario contact - in this case we met his son first -great guy! Then we were off for a great day!!! Then we got back about an 1 - 1 1/2 hours before the cruise left so plenty of time to shop - but we didnt' do much of that we bought our stuff at the indian village and bought beer to take on the boat it was cheaper then $14 for a 5 pack bucket.

Ok I hope this helps -

Lisa

[transit5495]

Did you have to send a deposit to someone in Indiana?
We just checked his website and he requests $100 sent to someone in Indiana.
The review was very helpful, Thanks for spending the time to write it. We are going to be there in Jan. 2006 and think Mario is the way to go. I'm just concerned about the deposit.

[disneylynn]

Transit,
I booked with him for my feb cruise, at the time I booked (sep 25) he only wanted a list of names. This week I get a email saying he now wants $1750 in US dollars. I can't believe I have 70 day untill my cruise and now I don't have a tour for Panama. Who would send $1750 to Indiana. What if the ship don't make it to Panama? What if Mario don't make it to the port?
Let me know how you make out
Thanks
Lynn

[disneylynn]

Transit,
I got a update on my Mario tour
Now he only wants $500 for a deposit.
Lynn

[edpeeks]

We (four) are going on the Carnival Legend in January. Mario has been our first pick and a couple of months ago he and I talked via email while I was doing my "cruise critic" research. Wow, here lately, the boards have gotten rather spooky about good old Mario. I am beginning to have my doubts. I have sent at least four emails to the address on his website with no replys. Does anyone have any very recent experiences with him or know what is up with the "deposits". We have been on over 16 cruises and rare is the requirement of a deposit. As someone else has pointed out, what if the ship doesn't make the port or some other contingency? I hae no problem getting to the port and contracting something on the spot. It is just that Mario's excursions sounded so good on content and price. Has the boy gone upside down or changed his ways? Thanks! Happy cruising (the only way to vacation!)

[Ventura]

We're also booked with Mario for Dec 29th (Carnival Liberty). We emailed back and forth several times to customize a tour. There's 13 of us in the group. When I specifically asked about terms of payment, no deposit was required. He wants to be paid in cash on the day of the tour. Hope this helps.