Costa Rica - What to do?

[ej119]

We've begun thinking about what to do during our stop at Puntarenas, Costa Rica during our westbound Panama Canal cruise in April. And while DCL is slowly adding port adventures, nothing's really jumping out at us.

I would say the biggest downside seems to be the 90 minute drive to every excursion -- which wouldn't be awful if it was something we were really excited about!

I know DCL hasn't been to this port since 2011, but does anyone have experience with Puntarenas (on DCL or another line)? Is there anything to do within walking distance of the ship? Has anyone arranged their own excursion while there? And is everything roughly a 90 minute drive to and from?

 

[jdb in AZ]

We did a port adventure with DCL in 2011 that included a river boat trip to see lots of crocodiles. We also took an aerial tram ride in search of wildlife in the rain forest, which was dripping with humidity -- it felt like a steam bath.

Sides of the road were strewn with an appalling amount of garbage, which was unexpected since the country is supposedly very ecology minded. I hope it's been cleaned up since then.

We didn't mind the long bus ride (other than the endless garbage), partly because we crossed over a bridge where we could look down at the river below and see more than a dozen crocodiles sunning themselves on the riverbank.

 

[hanscarlet]

Costa Rica is an amazing country and it has the most diverse eco system with the huge amount of different animal species smacked into their little country. If you can get an excursion that gets you to a river through a rain forest or a rain forest tour or a volcano tour.... just breathtaking

 

[JW9DVC]

We are on the same cruise. Great question!

 

[TheMomFairy]

Made a stop there with HAL in 2015. You pull into a very industrial port area so I can't remember but seriously doubt there is any tourism close by and I am fairly certain you can't walk anywhere. Once you get away from the port, it is a beautiful country. We did a fantastic river cruise and rainforest tour. I've never seen so many exotic (to me) birds/animals in the wild in just one day.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Costa Rica is an amazing country and it has the most diverse eco system with the huge amount of different animal species smacked into their little country. If you can get an excursion that gets you to a river through a rain forest or a rain forest tour or a volcano tour.... just breathtaking

I totally agree with you. Costa Rica is amazing. I've never been on a cruise to it but I have stayed on land. It was a trip packed full of adventures. This is one country that you don't want to waste time shopping. Definitely try and do anything where you are one with nature. You will love it. PURA VIDA

 

[CyndiLouWho]

I totally agree with you. Costa Rica is amazing. I've never been on a cruise to it but I have stayed on land. It was a trip packed full of adventures. This is one country that you don't want to waste time shopping. Definitely try and do anything where you are one with nature. You will love it. PURA VIDA

We have not cruised but have been to Costa Rica twice. Amazing. Any bus rides we took were full of opportunities to see wildlife. Our bus driver once pulled over on the shoulder of the road so we could get out and take pics of a flock of macaws!