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Panama Canal Cruise - Costa RicaHuatulco in Mexico is the First Port, then Puerto Caldera for La Paz
Unlike Acapulco, Huatulco on the south-west coast is a peaceful corner of Mexico, and in Costa Rica the humming birds and waterfalls are out-of-this world!
Two of the ports of call on Pacific coast when heading for the Panama Canal on Celebrity's Summit, included one in Mexico and one in Cost Rica. HUATULCOThe prettiest Mexican port along the Pacific Rim has to be Huatulco (pronounced (wa-tul-co) which is small and clean with a beach and clear turquoise sea. The area itself consists of eighteen miles of coastline and several bays, the central one of which has been made into a port to accommodate no more than two ships at a time. On either side are tree shaded hills. The southern bays will eventually become resorts with hotels, or residential (one of which will be 'exclusive'). The northern bays are to remain as National Parkland to retain their ecological integrity and beauty. The whole resort is well planned and the roads have landscaped medians with beautiful exotic trees: bright yellow Alamanda, mauve blossomed Orchid trees, Bougainvillea in all shades from deep purple to crimson and coral. The beaches are of soft white sand meeting the ultramarine sea. Copalita Beach has a river running across it to the sea. Although, when we saw it, it was more of a stream we were assured that during the rainy season it is more of a torrent. La Entrega beach on Santa Cruz bay is popular for snorkeling because of the coral reef. San Agustin bay has a wide beach and calm water which is perfect for swimming and windsurfing. The town of La Crucesita is a delight to visit as this is where the locals live. It is a typical Mexican small town with a square dominated by the church and lots of shops - some souvenirs, but mostly for everyday items. COSTA RICAFollowing a day a sea the ship docked at Puerto Caldera on Costa Rica's Pacific coastline. As usual, hundreds of people went ashore to enjoy the various excursions or simply stroll around Puerto Caldera. One of the popular excursions is to La Paz, high in the tree covered mountains. The tour goes through several attractive small towns, past farmland and coffee plantations then follows a hair-raising course along narrow pot-holed roads up to La Paz. La Paz is famous for its waterfalls and a humming bird garden. On arrival is it enchanting just to stand in the garden and watch some of the colorful birds flitting about the trees and bushes and stopping at the feeder stations. There is also a Butterfly House with a huge selection of butterflies and moths in all sizes and colors. For those who are really interested there is a 'nursery' where you can watch butterflies emerge from the pupa. Then it is time to watch the humming birds, those jewel-like birds which dart hither and yon. Some are so tiny you almost can't see them, but others - especially the royal blue and purple ones - are slightly larger and more visible. Standing there watching you sometimes hear a slight noise as a bird flits past your ear. The miracle is how they miss you! The waterfalls are mesmeric as they splish-splash or pour down cliffs in the forest, making tiny rainbows where the sun catches them. One of the falls is about 2,400 feet. The going down to see the falls is easy, the problem is coming back up again, but it is all worthwhile to stand on the bridge or overlook and see these wonderful sights. No matter which tours were taken, everyone had a wonderful time. Cabo San Lucas and Acapulco are two other ports of call in Mexico From Costa Rica several lines continue on to the Panama Canal Cruise and Aruba
The copyright of the article Panama Canal Cruise - Costa Rica in Cruise/Island Vacations is owned by Barbara Bothwell. Permission to republish Panama Canal Cruise - Costa Rica in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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