So you wake up excited on your cruise at a new port, have breakfast and are ready to explore the city but you don't want to be a part of a large group, shore excursion, or tour. What options do you have? How do you explore a new port like a local?
I've done this many times all over the world, in fact, most of the times I stop in ports I like to explore on my own. I like the adventure that searching, exploring and discovery brings to my vacation and I'm not afraid of getting lost for a few hours while in port.
Regardless of your reason: sometimes you just don't want to spend your budget on an excursion, want to avoid the early group departure times, or none of the advertised excursions looked interesting to you. A stop in any port can turn into an adventure that will have you telling stories for years to come!
1. Visit the Local Tourism Office
Probably the best advice I can give to anyone is to find the local tourism office. Most ports have tourism offices located within a few steps of the cruise port so they are easy to find. Other times, you might have to search for them or ask a local but it will be worth the effort! The tourism office will provide you with a city map and gives you the opportunity to asks general questions to someone who lives in the area, get public transportation times/costs, recommendations for popular lunch spots and ask advice for a walking tour. Be sure to ask if there are any discounts or promotions going on that you can take advantage of while in the town. And, always ask if there are any events going on while you'll be in town. I've stumbled across parades, craft fairs, dance competitions, light shows and countless other events that I would have not known about if I didn't stop by the tourism office first. Below is a photo of a human pyramid being built as part of a festival in Barcelona.
A word of caution...make sure you don't just get directions to the tourist traps. Ask specifically for locations "where the locals go". Sometimes the best deals for souvenirs can be found just a few blocks from where main tourist areas are located. If you like to bargain with shop owners, ask what the local customs are before finding yourself in an embarrassing situation. But, ask which areas are best for negotiations as some parts of town are known to be less expensive and the locals will tell you where to find those places.
One of the most memorable experiences I've had came from a tourist office who drew on a map a "free walking tour" and noted specific points of interest. We found a beautiful jewish synagogue with sand covering the floor. It was an amazing find and one that few visitors would ever find or visit, but I have returned to that synagogue on many trips since finding it.
We continued the walking tour, visiting the points of interest on the map before reaching the last stop. It was the end of our "free walking tour". At this last stop, there was a cashier charging cruise passengers to enter the facility for a tour. At the other stops there were no entry fee; it was completely free. As we discussed the benefits of paying the entry fee we noticed a charge for the walking tour...the very one that we had just finished and got for free by stoping at the local tourism office. We still laugh today about "that time when we got a free excursion".
2. Ask the Ship's Crew
Another piece of advice is so obvious that many people neglect to see it. While on the cruise you will always meet staff members that will love to talk to you about the various ports. After all, you aren't asking them the same questions they get a hundred times on every cruise every week! They will enjoy the conversation and you can quickly make new friends with crew members.
Ask them what they like to do when at a particular port. Where do they like to eat? What beach is the best? A crew member's time off the ship is precious as they do work six days a week regularly. They are super efficient with their time away from the ship and know how to navigate the various cities that are on your itinerary.
Using this tip, I have found a regular spot to eat at when I visit Cozumel. La Choza (click link for reviews) is my favorite go-to lunch spot for authentic Mexican food when I visit Cozumel. I have found secluded beaches with the most amazing clean and clear water among countless other gems. You may need to hire a cab to get to these places but ask and the crew member will tell you if there is public transportation to these spots. And, the best part is you create new friends with the crew!
3. Rent a Scooter
This tip is only for those who truly aren't afraid of getting lost in a city. At almost every port I've been to there is some type of scooter or bike rental. DO IT!!! You can see so much of a city this way and you avoid the crowds. You go in which ever direction you want to go!
There is an element of safety that needs
to be accounted for when using this tip. Don't go to parts of the city that are unsafe, make you feel uncomfortable or just generally look like you have no business being there. Pay attention to your surroundings and always ask for help or directions in an open, public space where others are gathered.Remember to secure the scooter while you are visiting a church, museum or dining. And, finally...make sure you have insurance that covers you in the event of an accident! Oh, the stories I could tell about things that have happened on trips...keep reading our blog for future stories.
Sometimes I've only taken the scooter to a beach a good distance from the port city but these beaches are usually worth the visit and I've also used tip #2 for my scouting information. I take this option when I know it will be easy to get a cab to the beach but I have no idea how to get a cab on the return trip! Think about it...there's no worse feeling than being miles away from the ship and no way to hail a cab when you need one! I've been there and I'm speaking from experience. At that point, without a way back, the cost of the rental pays for itself.
If you need more tips for cruising, read this article for a more exhaustive list.
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Tell us your story! We'd love to hear your travel tips. What do you like to do while in port? Comment and contribute to the conversation below.