LRN2NJOY Posted June 12, 2017 #1 Share Posted June 12, 2017 I'm the guy that thought you must buy the cruise line excursions. 2 cruises and 100's of dollars later I decided to check the tourist info sites for each port. I found great ideas from the local tourist bureaus but no info about safety in their ports. Would y'all help me out, please. Curacao - taxi to Blue Bay for snorkeling Cartagena - Shopping at the Basurto market or Rosario Islands Day Trip Limon - taxi/bus to Punta Cocles beach Cozumel - Paradise or Sky beach by taxi Puntarenas - 15 minute walk to Playa Las Manchas beach Puerto Quetzal - open to suggestions like everyone else we want to have fun but not get killed lol. :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted June 12, 2017 #2 Share Posted June 12, 2017 We NEVER (or rarely) take ANY excursion, whether thru the ship or private! The key is reading up on your ports. Most are quite easy to DIY...and common sense (which some folks suspend on vacation...idiots) is key to having a good time. Get a guidebook on your ports...libraries have them if you don't want to buy one....and you can do pretty much anything you want on your own!. Our exceptions are places that require more than 1 mode of transportation...in that case, a ship's excursion is the easiest, most foolproof way. Guidebooks tell you all about points of interest, transportation options, SAFETY issues, restaurants, restrooms, shopping, beaches, etc....the more you know, the better time you will have...and save a freaking BUNDLE of $$$$! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Roz Posted June 13, 2017 #3 Share Posted June 13, 2017 I enjoyed my visit to Old Town in Cartagena, but I'm glad I didn't do it on my own. Very aggressive vendors and lots of beggars. Our guide knew how to deal with them. Roz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rala Posted June 15, 2017 #4 Share Posted June 15, 2017 I enjoyed my visit to Old Town in Cartagena, but I'm glad I didn't do it on my own. Very aggressive vendors and lots of beggars. Our guide knew how to deal with them. Roz I agree and, also, a "guidebook" is not going to give you the history and lore of a place like a local tour guide can. I don't just want to look at a place or read a plaque, I want to "know" it's history and be able to ask a few questions about it, and last time I checked guidebooks don't talk! Sometimes it is more than worth it to spend some $$$. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Roz Posted June 15, 2017 #5 Share Posted June 15, 2017 When I did a Danube River cruise, excursions were included in the price, but you could go out on your own if that suited you. I took the ship's excursions for 2 reasons - they were already paid for, and Uniworld used local guides. It was interesting to talk with them about what it was like to live in Hungary and Slovakia during Soviet times vs. today, and how the transition continues to this day. Agree, you don't get that kind of personal interaction from a guidebook or a plaque. Roz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRF Posted August 13, 2017 #6 Share Posted August 13, 2017 Trip Advisor, Lonely Planet, and other travel sites have info on safety/security for various cities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearsblue Posted October 1, 2017 #7 Share Posted October 1, 2017 any suggestions for safe tour groups for Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Honduras or Jamaica. Need to save since we are 4 people but want to be safe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul929207 Posted October 2, 2017 #8 Share Posted October 2, 2017 I enjoyed my visit to Old Town in Cartagena, but I'm glad I didn't do it on my own. Very aggressive vendors and lots of beggars. Our guide knew how to deal with them. Roz We took a private tour in Cartagena, Columbia and had no trouble with the vendors. Maybe because we were not part of a group of 50 climbing off a bus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daisysu64 Posted October 5, 2017 #9 Share Posted October 5, 2017 Cozumel, I think is fine. We rented a jeep at the port and went to Paradise beach, another year just got in a taxi and went to Mr Sanchos. Ocho Rios I would defintley use a guide. We used phabulous phil. He was phantastic! Sent from my SM-G530T1 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawnino Posted October 18, 2017 #10 Share Posted October 18, 2017 Bluebaai is super safe in Curacao. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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