Costa Rica/Panama cruise

[Sandylynn]

Tossing this cruise around in my head....can anyone tell me what there is to do on these islands as far as the beaches, shopping etc.

[f-mattox]

You would need to tell us what ports are on your itinerary. Neither of the usual ports in Costa Rica have decent beaches, and many Panama Canal cruises don't actually stop in Panama.

[Sandylynn]

It would Limon, Costa Rica and Colon, Panama...is there much to do on these islands esp. if the beaches aren't nice?

[f-mattox]

Limón is not the best place to wander around on your own; but you should be fine taking a ship excursion into the interior. I have not been to Colón, but here again I think you would do best staying with the ship excursions.

I should point out that Limón and Colón are both seaports but are not islands.

[Sandylynn]

Thanks, acctually, I did realize that I put "islands" after the fact...

[tim c]

STRONGLY suggest doing ship excursions in Limon.. I have a freind that went there on a cruise and was robbed 10 min after leaving the ship..Mostly I dont worrie when we go out anywhere else,but here I would.. Be safe..

[Sandylynn]

Thanks so much for your reply Tim, I think I have pretty much made the decision of which cruise NOT TO TAKE....

[Sandylynn]

Is it safe to go to Belize and Roatan?

[tim c]

Belize is ok if you stay in the port gated area. Outside the gate i am not sure..There seems to be plenty of Americans that vacation there other than cruisers so you may be fine.Roatan is fine,Carnival has there own port area there but you are on a island and not the main country.Out of all the ports I have been to Belize and Ocho Rios are the only ones I have been worried about but I would go again.. But it does not matter where you are You must be aware of where you are.Who is around you. And NEVER leave the main shopping area, main road.. remember that goes for here in the U.S.