Travelers can embark upon a Central American cruise any time of year. Temperatures along the coast are consistently high. Most of the region has two distinct seasons: wet and dry. The best time to visit is generally considered to be the dry season which runs from December to April, although the Caribbean side has a dry season in September and October as well. There are usually one or two days of rain monthly during dry season; however even in the midst of the wet season, day-long rains are not common. Rather, travelers touring Central America during this time will experience short, heavy rainstorms intermingled with sun. These differences in season are stronger on the Pacific side of Costa Rica and Panama. The busiest time for a cruise of Central America is the dry season, particularly holidays like Christmas and spring break. Wetter weather means smaller crowds, as well as sea turtles, which travelers can see from mid-March to mid-August. The baby hatchlings emerge starting in June.
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.