Mexican Riviera Cruises: Excursions

Take a journey into the heart of rural Chiapas for a deeper understanding of the local people and landscapes. Discover the culture that blends ancient traditions with modern necessity. Board your air-conditioned bus and travel through the Chiapas countryside to the Ejido Miguel Aleman banana farm. Your guide will acquaint you with the history of the region, its people and traditions, as well as the growing and collection process of the bananas. Then, travel into the town that owns and runs the banana co-op and visit the local community center or school; here, you’ll meet and mingle with the local children and the dedicated teachers and social workers. You’ll be able to donate a kit pack to one of the kids at the community center or local school. The kit pack contains some of their basic day to day needs. Continue to the Banana Packing Plant, where you’ll discover how the whole community works together to pack the bananas they all produce. On the way back, you will get a last glimpse of life in rural Chiapas before returning to the pier. Note: Guests should wear a hat and comfortable shoes. Bring eco-friendly sunscreen and bug repellent. Part of the proceeds of this tour will go to the community center learning program. Most areas are not wheelchair accessible. less

Come and enjoy one of Mazatlan’s greatest treasures, its shrimp! A short drive from the pier will take you to the exclusive residence of Villa de la Cruz, where your shrimp fest will begin. The backdrop of the Sierra Madre mountain range, the ocean, city and ships harbor will set the mood for your afternoon. Gracing the mountainside of Cerro de la Cruz, this lush private residence will be the setting for an afternoon of world-famous shrimp and Mexican hospitality. Enjoy a buffet of freshly-caught shrimp prepared in three different styles: peel-your-own, beer-batter fried shrimp and garlic shrimp along with traditional taquitos, while refreshing yourself and listening to live music. Chips, salsa and guacamole will also be served along with an open bar of margarita’s and Mazatlan’s very own Pacifico beer. You can either return to your ship or be dropped off at the historical downtown district of Mazatlan and return to the ship on your own. Note: Guests should be able to board bus without assistance. less

Begin your tour with a panoramic view of the military fort of San Felipe de Barajas. Situated outside the walled city, this monumental fort is considered to be the most outstanding feat of Spanish military engineering in the New World. Continue to the El Cabrero neighborhood for a visit to the Rafael Nunez House and Museum. Rafael Nunez is one of the most illustrious cartageneros of all times. He became president of Colombia four times and created the constitution of 1886. The house where he lived and died is built in the spectacular Antilles architectural style and is now a museum. During your guided walk you'll admire some of the best-preserved Colonial Spanish architecture in South America with its imposing merchant's houses, narrow streets, flower-bedecked balconies stunning civic buildings and beautiful churches. Next, visit the Dungeons within the walled city ramparts, which were built to store provisions for the troops and are now home to a high quality handicrafts market selling brightly decorated cloth, woodwork and woven bags made by some of the indigenous peoples of Colombia. Your tour continues to the Palace of Inquisition. The aim of the Inquisition was to judge crimes against the Catholic faith, but it never recognized anyone's innocence. This building whose construction was finished in 1776 is an example of civilian architecture of the 18th century. Walk to the Plaza Bolivar where you'll visit the Gold Museum which houses a complete and beautiful archeological display of the pre-Colombian cultures and the fabled El Dorado. You'll have some spare time for shopping in the old city for the famous Colombian emeralds or an opportunity to take more pictures of this lovely city. Note: The Gold Museum is closed on Mondays when it will be substituted by a visit to Galeria Cano next door, which has replicas of the Gold Museum. The visit to San Felipe Fortress is only Panoramic; there is approximately 20 minutes stay in Las Bovedas and approximately 30 minutes at the emerald shops. Rafael Nunez House will be closed until June 2013; San Agustin Cloister will be visited instead. less

Board your guided air-conditioned transportation and pass through Puntarenas and its surrounding mangroves. Then, proceed southward along the coast past the port of Caldera and small fishing villages, such as Mata de Limon. Next, head inland into the coastal range of mountains passing by small farming communities such as Tivies and Ceiba. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to see typical Costa Rican rural life. Along the way, you may encounter different species of birds as well as sugar cane, bananas, coffee, mangos and other crops that are often exported to North America and Europe. Continue traveling south until you reach Tarcoles River, where sightings of very large crocodiles can frequently be seen. This is where your Canopy Tour adventure will begin. Upon arrival to the canopy tour reception, you’ll get geared up with the necessary equipment and briefed on safety instructions. You’ll be guided on a 15 to 20 minute walk through the tropical transition forest to the beginning of the tour. Once here, you’ll proceed to the first horizontal traverse cable. The Original Canopy tour consists of nine observation platforms, and eight horizontal traverse cables connected between the immense trees of this tropical paradise. Your journey through the trees will take approximately one hour. Here, you may see deer, monkeys and a variety of birds including the endangered scarlet macaw, orchids, bromeliads and mahogany trees. At the end of the tour you'll receive a complimentary bottle of water. Other beverages and souvenirs will be available for purchase once back at the reception area. After a few minutes of relaxation, you’ll board your bus for the return journey to the pier. Note: Participants must be at least 5 years of age and weigh no more than 275 lbs. Although wildlife sightseeing are common, they are not guaranteed. This tour is not recommended for pregnant women or for guests with seizure disorders, heart, back, neck or balance problems. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring insect repellent. A change of clothing is recommended. less