We got off the ship around 3:15. Walked through town to get a drink and use the Internet at Starbucks. Walked about 20 - 25 minutes down to Surfside Beach. You could see the airplanes landing at the airport. It was nice scenery and a good afternoon. Watched the sunset back in the shopping area by Starbucks, and the huge flamingos (statues).

Booked a local tour: Cahuita National Park, Tortuguero River, and Banana Plantation. Excellent day!!

Tried the best banana I've ever tasted at the plantation!! Our guide showed us the banana trees out in the fields.

Hiked along a trail through Cahuita National Park, just inland from a beach. We saw howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys, sloths, iguanas, raccoons, etc.

In the canal, we saw tons of birds including different colored herons, and saw a caiman in the water.

** Very cool jungle surroundings, and wildlife noises everywhere. **

Booked tour through Royal Caribbean: Eco Gatun Lake

It was a good tour. Lots of jungle areas again, saw birds, looked for sloths in the trees.

The driver took us across a bridge so we could see ships coming out of the Panama Canal. Very interesting.

( You do not see the locks at the Panama Canal )

Booked tour through Royal Caribbean: Mangroves Eco Canoe Journey

The canoes were really cool. About 4 to 6 passengers can fit in each, plus the driver. He stands in the back and puts a stick into the shallow water to push the canoe along. There are tunnels through the mangroves. We didn't see very much in the way of wildlife, but the surroundings were interesting.

The bus takes you into town to see a fort, and you can grab a drink or do some shopping.

You get dropped off across the street from the ship, and walk through the complimentary "Port Oasis" area. It's like an aviary / botanical garden. I could have spent the rest of the day there!! It was SO cool!! There were flamingos, waterfalls, peacocks & hens, parrots, a red flying squirrel.

Booked a local tour: Gone Caribe

We met up with a lovely local couple, and the wife took us in her car around the west side of the island for a private tour. Went to Hato Cave first. The tour was pretty interesting.

We asked her to pull over at Cas Abo beach so we could take pictures - it's SO beautiful! Then we snorkeled at Jeremi Beach (mostly locals there). We saw tons of cool stuff under the water. We attempted to find parking at Porto Mari beach, but it was super crowded - because it was so close to New Years. My husband and I went snorkeling while she tried to order us some lunch, but she could not get anyone to take our order - the line was way too long.

She drove us to a local food truck instead, where we sampled some fried foods there. Then back to the ship.

After we rested and changed clothes, we walked out to the floating bridge and looked around at the cute little town.

Booked a local tour: Aqua Fun Bonaire, through shore excursioneer

Walked with our guide just down the street to a dock where our boat picked us up. There were about 12 people onboard for the 2-stop snorkel tour. We did a drift snorkel at each stop over at Klein Bonaire. The water is beautiful, and the life underneath is awesome!! We saw 2 sea turtles, parrot fish, cow fish, porcupine (puffer) fish, gars, firecracker fish, etc...

There were HUGE brain corals, lots of different colors & sizes of fan corals, and really cool tube sponges.

Bonaire is one of my favorite snorkel places, besides Tahiti (!)