Central and South America shore excursions: ship vs independent
Carnival excursions in the Central and South America cost +85% compared with independent tours of the same type (typical saving $52 per person); NCL excursions in the Central and South America cost +82% compared with independent tours of the same type (typical saving $53 per person). 0 of 4 ports are tender ports. Prices checked November 2026.
4 Central and South America ports, with each cruise line's excursion markup over independent tours of the same type and how safe it is to go on your own.
| Port | Carnival markup | NCL markup | Avg safety | Tender? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CartagenaColombia | +135% | +130% | 4.8/5 | No |
| Colon (Panama Canal)Panama | +70% | +91% | 4.3/5 | No |
| Puerto LimonCosta Rica | +90% | – | 4.6/5 | No |
| PuntarenasCosta Rica | +46% | +26% | 4.6/5 | No |
Biggest savings in Central and South America
| Port | Line | Tour type | Ship | Independent | Saving for 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cartagena | NCL | Food & tasting | $197 | $58 | $558 |
| Cartagena | NCL | City / island tour | $113 | $33 | $322 |
| Puerto Limon | Carnival | Kayak / paddle | $112 | $35 | $310 |
| Puntarenas | NCL | Nature / waterfall / park | $133 | $59 | $296 |
| Colon (Panama Canal) | NCL | City / island tour | $158 | $89 | $274 |
| Puntarenas | Carnival | Nature / waterfall / park | $125 | $59 | $266 |
| Colon (Panama Canal) | NCL | Nature / waterfall / park | $123 | $60 | $253 |
| Colon (Panama Canal) | Carnival | City / island tour | $150 | $89 | $243 |
| Cartagena | NCL | Party / sunset cruise | $89 | $29 | $240 |
| Colon (Panama Canal) | NCL | Ruins / history | $118 | $60 | $233 |
Questions
Are Central and South America cruise excursions worth booking through the ship?
On price, usually not: across Central and South America ports the ship charges +85% on Carnival and +82% on NCL compared with independent tours of the same type, a typical per-person saving of $52 on Carnival and $53 on NCL.
Which Central and South America ports are tender ports?
None of the Central and South America ports we cover is normally a tender port; ships dock alongside.
Where do Central and South America excursions need extra time?
Cartagena, Colon (Panama Canal), Puerto Limon, Puntarenas have popular tours with long transfers or ferries, so pick tours that finish well before all-aboard.
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