Panama, Costa Rica train rides

While on a 15-day cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to Los Angeles on the Island Princess of Princess Cruises (800/774-6237), Oct. 30-Nov. 14, 2013, I signed up for two shore excursions involving trains.

• The “Panama Canal Railway” tour ($159 per person) started at the port of Fuerte Amador, Panama, following the canal, crossing over bridges and Gatun Lake and going through tunnels and dense jungle.

Dating back to 1855, the Panama Canal Railway is known as the first transcontinental railroad. Today it’s run by Kansas City Southern on a lease from Panama. The cars are restored 1950s-vintage executive cars with tables between the seats. A glass-domed car has a similar arrangement.

During the 1½-hour ride, the staff served turkey sandwiches and local coffee. Our local guide on the train gave a running commentary on points along the way.

After the train ride, we stopped to view ships going through the Gatun Locks. A one-hour bus ride returned us to the ship.

• My next train adventure, “Scenic Train Ride & River Cruise” ($85), was on the Pacific Railroad in Costa Rica. After boarding in Puntarenas, the restored blue train with a yellow caboose traveled through the colorful countryside, with locals waving as we passed by. 

When we arrived in Ceiba, we were transferred to a bus that took us to the Tarcoles River, where we boarded a covered riverboat for a short trip downriver through the mangroves, home to a large group of crocodiles and other wildlife.

Originally, the train was used to transport the coffee harvest to market. Now it’s more for tourists and a few locals. A guide provided interesting comments during the one-hour ride.

Afterward, everyone enjoyed a tropical fruit snack at the boat station, then returned to the ship.

Train lovers taking a Panama Canal cruise should consider these unique shore excursions.

HENRIETTA HALLAQ

Tucson, AZ