Due to Navigator being pulled early for dry dock, we are now going to central america instead of our beloved eastern carribbean. We have never been to any of the ports so we are looking forward to something new. However, I could really use advice on excursions to take. We are a very active couple (we are the ones on the track every morning at 6am!) Thanks

Purpleally, which ports in particular?

that would help, wouldn't it?

Georgetown, Grand Cayman
Cozumel
Belize City
Santo Tomas de Castilla, Guatemala
Costa Maya
Key West

All new places to me, so that part is exciting.

Hi Purpleally, I have been to these ports and done these excursions.

Cozumel - We went to Discover Mexico on our own before free excursions. It took us on a guided walk through miniature reproductions of famous Mexican landmarks. I really enjoyed it.

Belize City - We signed up for the Absolute Paradise but due to high winds, we had to change to the Airboat Adventure and Belize City Tour. The city tour was short and little of interest, but the airboat ride was fun and we got to see some wildlife.

Santo Tomas de Castilla, Guatemala - The excursion we took was the Countryside and Rio Dulce By Land. This took us into the countryside to a huge lake. We rode around, stopped at an Inn for refreshments and then again at Castle of San Felipe. This was quite interesting. The port in Santo Tomas has great shops, local artists with friendly people.

Key West - Easy to walk around on your own. I have taken the Conch Train, which was a fun way to see the sights. Also the Aquarium, which is old, has a nice grouping of animals. The Mel Fisher Maritime Museum is worth a look.

Purpleally, glad to hear you're on the track
at 6 am...am on the track at 5:30 am then the pool at 6:45, and then to get a 2fer in, it's back in the gym then pool at 6:15 pm (when everyone is dressing for dinner)...if you scuba dive, belize (ambergris caye, is a great place to dive)

We did the Rio Dulce boat trip including a stop in Livingston. Fantastic. Just take a hat that ties around your neck--the boat ride is windy. Highly recommended.

In Belize with went up to Lamanai, a major Mayan site. This is partly by bus but mostly by boat, very nice trip, but again, windy.

Cozumel: don't take the jeep tour. Terrible.

If you are interested in considering a private excursion, check out Native Choice in Costa Maya. We had a great tour there with Ivan.

We did a snorkeling excursion in Cozumel which was very good (Three Reef Snorkel by Private Yacht or similar) and in Key West, we walked the major sights.

Dena

Hey Purpleally,
As someone who helped open up Santa Tomas de Castillo for cruise ships, let me remind you and everyone else that this port is the gateway to the best of the Classic Mayan ruins. That is why we call on this port - Tikal and Copan! Both are fly-in programs but well worth the cost and effort. On the quayside of the port INGUAT - the Guatemalan National Tourism Board - has opened up a very nice market featuring handicrafts from the highlands - Guatemala is known for its excellent weavers. Enjoy!

Take Terry Breen's advice. Having heard her aboard, we know she knows what she is talking about. We did the Tikal excursion last spring and it was one of the highlights of our years of travel. We have not been to Copan aand have no advice as to which one to do, but definitely one or the other. It's a large part of what Central America is all about.

Dick

Thanks for the vote of confidence Dick! For me the difference between the two sites can be summed up with the comparison that Tikal was the New York and Copan was Paris of the Mayan World. Tikal was large, lots of monumental architecture including the tall pyramids with the ornate roofs combs everyone associates with the Maya; Copan is less imposing but contains more deep relief sculpture and lots of stelae. I prefer Copan - did some work there myself - this is the place where the Rosalia Temple was found buried beneath another temple - it has been reconstructed in the new sculpture museum. Also found is the tomb of the first dynastic leader of Copan who coincidentally probably came from Teotihuacan by way of - Tikal! Hope you all enjoy. Wish I could be there!!!!