Puntarenas tour - A walk in the clouds

[mrell345]

We did this tour on the 30th of December while stopping in Puntarenas on the Emerald Princess.

 

Tour Description:

Explore the lush ecosystem of a cloud forest as you walk along beautiful trails with a naturalist guide. Begin with a 1 hour and 45 minute scenic drive to San Luis Park. You'll walk to the hummingbird garden, an open area where these tiny, colorful birds flit about gathering sweet nectar from blooming flowers. A series of suspension bridges cover more than a half mile of the cloud forest, and walking across them is the ultimate way to get a bird's-eye view of the ecosystem. Back on terra firma, hike alongside sparkling rivers and cascading waterfalls. Refresh at a restaurant with a traditional lunch. On your return, stop at El Jardín to admire the gardens and peruse a well-stocked souvenir shop before continuing to the ship.

[d9704011]

Just now, mrell345 said:

We did this tour on the 30th of December while stopping in Puntarenas on the Emerald Princess.

 

Tour Description:

Explore the lush ecosystem of a cloud forest as you walk along beautiful trails with a naturalist guide. Begin with a 1 hour and 45 minute scenic drive to San Luis Park. You'll walk to the hummingbird garden, an open area where these tiny, colorful birds flit about gathering sweet nectar from blooming flowers. A series of suspension bridges cover more than a half mile of the cloud forest, and walking across them is the ultimate way to get a bird's-eye view of the ecosystem. Back on terra firma, hike alongside sparkling rivers and cascading waterfalls. Refresh at a restaurant with a traditional lunch. On your return, stop at El Jardín to admire the gardens and peruse a well-stocked souvenir shop before continuing to the ship.

Did you like it?

[mrell345]

We departed the ship at 07:30 and the tour bus picked us up on the pier not too far from the ship.  This appears to be a very popular tour.  There is walking involved up and down lots of stairs and across suspension bridges in the park.  You need to wear good walking shoes and pants instead of shorts are a good idea.  Bring insect repellent as a couple of people got bites and one lady who was wearing sandals possibly got an ant bite.

 

It was a really nice tour and it lived up to its name of cloud forrest.  We had about an hour and a half ride on a comfortable air conditioned coach that was in excellent shape (it also had a toilet in the back).  Our tour guide kept up a running commentary on the ride out though winding roads up into the mountains.

 

Upon arrival at the park we were given time to go to the bathroom if needed at which time we had a guide take us around.  We started in the humming bird area with the local guide giving information on the local ecosystem and what we could expect to see.  We then went on a walk down into the valley with different stops along the way for him to explain various items of interest.  We could also hear the people zip lining and bungee jumping not to far away.  

 

After the tour we were given the included lunch which was rice and beans with chicken/fish or pork, plantain and salad.  It was quite nice.  We had about 30 minutes for lunch and to explore the stores at the park entrance.

 

We got back on our buses and were taken to a tourist area with a shop and some animal exibits and a garden.  There was also a butterfly garden there.  Afterwards we had a drive of just over an hour to  bring us back to the ship for around 2:30 PM.

[mrell345]

[FLCruiser9316]

Where did the ship dock at Puntarenas? I understand there are a couple places ships dock there. We are on the Emerald Princess tomorrow.

[d9704011]

57 minutes ago, FLCruiser9316 said:

Where did the ship dock at Puntarenas? I understand there are a couple places ships dock there. We are on the Emerald Princess tomorrow.

Not many places for cruis ships to dock.  Yo will be at the Muelle de Cruceros.  A bit of a walk down the pier to town (4 Ave).

[FLCruiser9316]

Thanks! Looking for a good zip line tour from there!

[d9704011]

1 minute ago, FLCruiser9316 said:

Thanks! Looking for a good zip line tour from there!

Can't help you with that.

[alwalaska]

@mrell345 Thank you for the review and photos.  Did you do a ship tour or through a 3rd party company?  If 3rd party, which one did you use?

 

Thanks!

[mrell345]

18 minutes ago, alwalaska said:

@mrell345 Thank you for the review and photos.  Did you do a ship tour or through a 3rd party company?  If 3rd party, which one did you use?

 

Thanks!

Ship's tour