COSTA MAYA CRUISE PORT - NO SPEND EXCURSION

I am currently sitting in the port of Costa Maya, Mexico and wanted to share my experience of visiting the port without spending a single penny.

CAYMAN ISLANDS CRUISE PORT GUIDE

Welcome to the breathtaking Georgetown, Cayman Islands – a jewel in the Caribbean that beckons with crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, and a vibrant cultural scene. If you're fortunate enough to find yourself at the Georgetown cruise port, get ready for a day filled with adventure, relaxation, and the warm hospitality that defines this tropical paradise.

Here are some key things to know about the cruise port in the Cayman Islands:

Port Location: The cruise port for cruise ships is located in George Town.

Map of port location HERE 

1. TO KNOW

2. 
   

3. TENDERING : All cruise ships will anchor in the bay in George Town and you will take about tender boat to one of the three terminals. Regardless of the Pier/Terminal used, as you walk out the exit gates, the cruise traveler will be on the main road of Harbor Drive.

Snorkeling at Eden Rock in Grand Cayman

If you're visiting Grand Cayman on a cruise and looking for something fun to do without booking an excursion, Eden Rock is a great option. Located in George Town, Eden Rock is known for its crystal-clear Caribbean waters, colorful marine life, and beautiful coral formations.

One of the best things about Eden Rock is its convenient location. It is just a short walk from the cruise port, making it an easy choice for anyone who wants to get off the ship and enjoy some snorkeling without spending the day on an organized tour.

Exploring St Lucia Beyond the Pitons: Local Food, Banana Plantations & Cruise Excursion Tips

In Part 1 of our St Lucia adventure, I shared our visit to Sugar Beach, the famous Pitons, the Sulphur Springs mud baths, and Toraille Waterfall.

But our Cosol Tours excursion included so much more than the major attractions. Along the way, we tasted local foods, visited banana plantations, saw incredible island scenery, and learned more about life in St Lucia.

This is what made the tour so special — it wasn't just about seeing beautiful places. It gave us a glimpse into the culture and everyday life of the island.

St Lucia Cruise Excursion Review: Exploring the Pitons, Sugar Beach and Sulphur Springs with Cosol Tours

After visiting several Caribbean islands, each with its own personality and charm, I can honestly say that St Lucia quickly became one of my favorites.

There is something truly special about this island. Maybe it is the dramatic Piton Mountains rising from the sea, the lush rainforest covering the hillsides, the colorful towns along the coast, or the way the island combines adventure, beauty, and Caribbean culture. Whatever the reason, St Lucia left a lasting impression on me.

Old San Juan, Puerto Rico: What to See Before a Cruise

There is something special about exploring Old San Juan on foot. Colorful buildings, cobblestone streets, historic forts, little restaurants, beautiful plazas, and views of the water seem to be around every corner.

We stayed in Old San Juan before our cruise, and I’m so glad we did. Instead of staying near the airport and only seeing the city for a few hours, staying right in the historic district gave us time to wander the streets and enjoy Old San Juan at our own pace.

Staying in Old San Juan Before a Cruise

If you're cruising from San Juan and have the opportunity to arrive a day or two early, I highly recommend staying in Old San Juan rather than near the airport.

Yes, you'll need transportation from the airport when you arrive, but once you're settled into Old San Juan, so much of what you'll want to see is within walking distance.

We were even able to leave our luggage at our hotel while we explored. When it was time to head to the ship, we collected our bags, dropped them off, and still had time to enjoy more of the city before sailing.

We stayed at the Casablanca Hotel in Old San Juan, which I wrote about separately.

Exploring the Streets of Old San Juan

One of my favorite things about Old San Juan was simply walking.

You don't necessarily need a detailed itinerary here. Some of the best moments come from turning down a side street, discovering a colorful building, finding a little courtyard, or stopping somewhere that catches your attention.

Since my daughter's husband is law enforcement, she always has her photo with with other law enforcement when visiting other countries. 

Everyone we ran into was super nice!

Castillo San Cristóbal

One place that's hard to miss while exploring Old San Juan is Castillo San Cristóbal.

The massive Spanish fortification was built to help protect San Juan from attacks by land, and its stone walls and sentry boxes are some of the most recognizable sights in the city.

We didn't have enough time to tour the inside during this visit, which is something I would change if I returned.

Even without going inside, the fort is impressive, and the surrounding area provides some beautiful views and photo opportunities.

Don't Rush Through Old San Juan

This is one of those destinations where I think you miss part of the experience if you rush from attraction to attraction.

Look at the balconies. Notice the doors. Wander through the plazas. Stop for something cold to drink. And definitely allow yourself time to take photos.

Old San Juan is incredibly photogenic, but it also has an atmosphere that's difficult to capture in pictures.

A Popular Stop for Something Sweet

During our walk, we came across an incredibly long line for Señor Paleta, known for its frozen pops.

When you see a line that long, you know you've found a popular spot!

Old San Juan has plenty of places like this where it's worth taking a break from sightseeing and trying something along the way.

The Piña Colada and Barrachina

We also stopped by Barrachina, a restaurant that has long claimed to be the birthplace of the piña colada.

According to Barrachina, bartender Ramón Portas Mingot created its version of the famous drink there in 1963.

Whether you're interested in the piña colada story or simply want to see another piece of Old San Juan, the restaurant's courtyard is worth a look.

I especially liked the courtyard. Places like this are part of what makes walking through Old San Juan so much fun—you never quite know what you'll find behind the next doorway.

Parque de las Palomas — Pigeon Park

Another interesting stop is Parque de las Palomas, commonly called Pigeon Park.

The little park has large shade trees and beautiful views toward San Juan Bay, but its most memorable residents are definitely the pigeons. 

There are holes built into the old wall where the pigeons gather and nest.

And yes, with that many pigeons comes exactly what you're imagining.

There is pigeon poo everywhere.

If birds aren't your thing, this probably won't be your favorite stop in Old San Juan. But it is certainly memorable!

Give Yourself Time to Wander

Looking back at our visit, I think some of my favorite photographs came from places that weren't necessarily major attractions.

That's one reason I recommend spending at least a little unplanned time in Old San Juan.

You can make a list of the places you don't want to miss, but leave room in your day to simply wander.

Things to Know Before Visiting Old San Juan

Language: Spanish and English are the official languages of Puerto Rico. Spanish is widely spoken, although we found it easy to communicate in English in tourist areas.

Currency: Puerto Rico uses the U.S. dollar.

Getting Around: Old San Juan is very walkable, which is one of the reasons I recommend staying there if you're visiting before a cruise. Wear comfortable shoes—the historic streets and hills can make walking more tiring than you might expect.

Weather: It was hot and humid during our visit in early May. I wish I had carried a bottle of water with me while we explored.

Planning Tip: Before a trip, I like to look at the area on Google Maps and Street View. I locate our hotel and the major attractions we want to visit so the surroundings already look somewhat familiar when we arrive. This has saved us a lot of time trying to figure out entrances and directions once we're there.

OUR STAY AT THE CASABLANCA HOTEL ~ SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO

This quaint Old San Juan Hotel is conveniently located in the heart of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico on famous Calle Fortaleza. It is near shops, restaurants, and close to the historic Forts of Puerto Rico.  It is also near the Old San Juan Cruise Ship terminal which is why we chose to stay there.

When I was searching for a place to stay the night before our cruise, I was looking for some place affordable.  The night before a cruise, hotel prices are much higher.  The room we stayed in is around $107 except on cruise weekends.  We paid around $179.

CARLISLE BEACH & BARBADOS CRUISE PORT (BRIDGETOWN)

My daughter and I were really excited about visiting Barbados.  I mean, it's Barbados....the water is a beautiful turquoise and the sand is a brilliant white. 

Walk from the ship to the port area

TOURING BEAUTIFUL ST KITTS

I have mentioned our plans on all of my post about this cruise.  We had grand plans for some islands like Barbados and no plans at all for islands like Antigua.  St Kitts was another port where we didn't make any plans.  

After a nice breakfast, we decided to get off in port and see what tours were available.  

ANTIGUA ADVENTURE: A PHOTO TOUR

I’ve been fortunate enough to visit a handful of Caribbean islands—thirteen, to be exact—and one of the brightest gems on that list is Antigua. Nestled in the West Indies (yep, that’s what your phone will show as your location), this island is part of the stunning Leeward Islands chain.

Antigua is famous for its beaches—locals claim there are 365 of them, one for every day of the year. Whether that’s literally true or just a clever way to lure visitors, it’s easy to see why the island has earned its reputation as a paradise. Soft sand, sparkling turquoise water, and hidden coves await around every turn.

The easiest—and most fun—way to truly see Antigua is on a tour. You can read all about how we chose ours [HERE]. Before our cruise, I couldn’t have pointed out Antigua and Barbuda on a map without a bit of hesitation. Now, after exploring its winding roads, colorful towns, and secret beaches, I’ll never forget it.

If you’re like many people, you might not be able to point out Antigua and Barbuda on a map. To be honest, before our Caribbean cruise, it would have taken me a little while to find this tiny island myself.

BEACHES

With our feet finally on Antigua’s soft sand, it was time to see what the island is really famous for—its beaches.

ANTIGUA YACHT CLUB

After soaking up the sun and snorkeling in the turquoise waters, we headed to the Antigua Yacht Club to enjoy a different side of island life.

AROUND THE ISLAND

  

With a few drinks and bites enjoyed by the water, it was time to explore more of what Antigua has to offer—winding roads, colorful towns, and hidden gems beyond the coast.

Loved the boat shaped house in the above photo.

The fruit growing in the above photo is a Custard Apple.  It was the fist time I had ever seen this fruit but love the texture.  It supposedly has the taste of custard, hence the name.

Of course, the views are breathtaking, but what really stole my attention in Antigua was the fruit. Everywhere I looked, pineapples, mangoes, bananas, and coconuts were growing together, more abundant than on any other Caribbean island I’ve visited.

Spotted along our drive: a cheerful preschool and day care, a glimpse of everyday life on the island.

Branch Post Office tucked into Antigua’s charming streets

What to Know Before Visiting Antigua

Size & Getting Around:
Antigua is a small island—only 108 square miles and about 13 miles across—so it’s easy to see a lot, even if you only have a day like we did.

Tours:
If Antigua is one of your cruise ports, check out my post about arriving in port and choosing a tour [HERE]. We took a full island tour for just $20 USD with a local guide—and it was amazing! I’ll walk you through the process so you can enjoy a day on the island for very little money.

Currency:
The official currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar, but US dollars are widely accepted.

Language:
English is the official language, making it easy for English-speaking visitors to get around.

What I’d Do Differently:
Honestly, nothing! We had a relaxing breakfast, followed by an incredible island tour. It was the perfect day in Antigua.