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.

Unlike many other cruise ports, Costa Maya boasts a fantastic facility featuring pools, shopping areas, and serene spots for relaxation, all available at no charge.

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.

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.

EXPLORING SAN JUAN BEFORE A CRUISE

If you plan to stay in San Juan before a cruise, stay in Old San Juan and not in some hotel near the airport. You will just need to pay for a taxi from the airport to Old San Juan and then you won't have to worry about transportation again until your cruise is over.

Staying in Old San Juan makes exploring the town easier.  You can leave your luggage in your room until it's time to check out.  When it's time to check out, carry your luggage to the ship, drop it off, and the go back out and explore until your ship leaves. 

You can read about our stay at the Casablanca Hotel in Old San Juan HERE.

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.

ANTIGUA - ST JOHN CRUISE PORT

Before the trip, I had done a little research on each port and, in the back of my mind, had ranked them based on what I thought would be the most exciting. For some reason, Antigua ended up at the bottom of my list. Why? I’m not sure—maybe it was because I hadn’t heard as much about it as the other islands.

After returning to the U.S., I’m happy to report that my assumptions about Antigua were completely wrong. In fact, it ended up tying with St. Lucia as my favorite Caribbean island.

US VIRGIN ISLANDS (MEGAN'S BAY)

The US Virgin Islands was the first stop on our week long cruise.  We didn't have any plans when we arrived and decided to take a taxi to nearby Magens Bay.  It's only 6 miles from the cruise port and cost about $8 per person each way.

VISITING ST MARTIN FOR THE DAY (w/Amigo Tours)

Some of the ports we visited while on our week long cruise was beautiful while some were just a working port.  St Martin was one of those ports you pulled into and the water was beautiful and the port was clean and well maintained.

AROUND THE PORT

St Martin / St Maarten is the world's smallest territory shared by two countries.  The northern part is French and called St Martin and the southern part is Dutch and called St Maarten.  Our cruise ship docked in Philipsburg which is the capital of Sint Maarten.