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Providing the highest quality tours at an unbeatable value since 1994
Dear friends!
Thank you for your interest in our services, your party are more than welcome! We love our occupations and we would like to share Panama with you, with us for sure you will have an experience to cherish for a lifetime!
See you soon,
Your friend Mario
Viajes Almiza
We have available the following services:
Cruise Shore Excursions
Panama Daily Tours
Panama Transfers
Panama Private Driver Guide
Panama Vacation Packages
Panama Tailored Tours
Panama Canal Transit
Panama Deep Sea Fishing
TESTIMONIALS:
We dont like to blow our own horn, so luckily there are some others who have kindly done it for us. Please read some past clients posts:
Panama City Tours
Colon and Panama Canal Tour
Cruise Critic passengers (to find tons of feedback write: my friend mario)
Cruising Mates passengers
Submitted by Sheila from Denver, CO review taken from Tripadvisor.com 11/09/05
"I took this fantastic tour of the Embera Village with My Friend Mario Tours and had the most wonderful, fun time I have ever had."...more
Submitted by RJ review taken from Travelwithrj.com 04/13/06
"Mario’s excursion was awesome"...more
Submitted by Cristina from Dallas, TX review taken from Frommers.com 05/06/05
"Mario, he is a great and well-known panamenian guide." "We recommend him highly"...more
Submitted by Robert from Queens,NY review taken from Frommers.com 07/18/05
"Definitely his services was outstanding and I remember him like my friend instead of my guide".
Submitted by Patricia review taken from Frommers.com 11/09/05
"WHAT A TRIP!" "I agree with those other posts listed that he is the best in Panama".
Submitted by Judy from Hudson Valley, NY review taken from Cruisecritic.com 04/11/05
"This was such a great tour". "Mario's tour was extra special I can't put into words have great a tour it was."...more
Submitted by Cruisingschool review taken from Cruisecritic.com 04/12/05
"It was a great excursion". "I would book with Mario again"
Submitted by Lisa from Seattle review taken from Cruisecritic.com 11/09/05
"Hi we just completed this Mario tour on Oct 31 - AMAZING TOUR - he is just sent us a few more pictures and provided us with Champange because it was our honeymoon - great on the details!"
Submitted by Diane review taken from Cruisecritic.com 04/15/06
"Absolute paradise" "Our experience with Mario from myfriendmario.com was very positive and I would recommend his services if you are going to Panama"....more
Submitted by Kelli review taken from Cruisecritic.com 01/08/06
"Mario and Ivan were very knowledgable and added lots of interesting facts" ."They both went out of their way to make our excursion a memerable expeierence"...more
Submitted by Melissa from Ontario,Canada review taken from Cruisecritic.com 02/04/06
"It was by far the best money we spent. We would highly, highly recommend this tour operator".
Submitted by Jena from Minnesota review taken from Cruisecritic.com 04/03/06
"I am so glad we took the chance and booked this tour. We were able to experience the rain forest, see some of the history of Panama at the fort, and see the Canal" "it was one of the best experiences of our trip"
Submitted by Damman from Connecticut review taken from Cruisecritic.com 04/17/06
"We found Mario to be professional, informative and reliable" "MyFriendMario gets my highest recommendation!"
Submitted by Tammlynn review taken from Cruisereviews.com
"Our guide was really great and made sure we were back in time"...more
Submitted by Cookie and Sjaak. 07/10/05
"My husband Sjaak and I were lucky enough to have Mario as our Guide in March and he was pleasant, courteous and knowlegable. We had a great time and can't speak more highly about our experience. We highly recommend his services!"
Submitted by Susan, Jose and Marquitos. 10/05/05
"We want to express out gratitude to you and your family for making our first trip to Panama so wonderful.
We enjoyed our time in Costa Rica but my heart is in Panama."
Submitted by Eric, Jill, Cecilia and Ad. 11/01/05
"My wife and I and my 2 kids ages 1 and 4 used Marios services and he is great. It can be difficult to travel with young children, but Mario was very helpful and helped carry kids strollers etc. We would not have been able to many of the things we did without Mario watching our kids. Thanks again Mario your the best".
Submitted by Andy J. 2/06/06
"The entire experience was overall extremely wonderful but Ivan really made the difference. He was very interested to answer our questions and make sure that our overall excursion very memorable!" "He catered to adults and children alike".
Submitted by Sergio and Arcelie. 2/19/06
"Just to let you know that we are home safe and sound and we miss Panama a lot. We had a wonderful time, thanks to you Mario for all your help".
Submitted by Claudia S. 2/28/06
"I have to tell you that everyone loved the tour. I had so many people tell me that You did a wonderful job of giving the tour. They all liked it, even the kids. I hope you tell Roberto what a great job he did, and give him a big Thank you from all of us. Also the bus driver. He was great in finding animals in the trees, etc., and if we ever get there again we will be sure and have you give us another tour."
Submitted by Luz B. 4/02/06
"Enrique was awesome. Everyone in my group truly enjoyed having him as our guide. Our trip to San Lorenzo was exciting. Our driver had a good eye for some wild life. The Canal was truly amazing and Enrique was so patient with us and allow us to take some time to really appreciate it. We even had plenty of time to shop. You have some good people working with you".
Submitted by Colleen P 4/03/06
"We had a wonderful time. Just wanted to let you know that Lori was a terrific guide. She was knowledgable and helpful."
Submitted by Pam and Ben 4/22/06
"We really enjoyed our tour of Panama yesterday and today. We saw many things and learned much of your wonderful country"
Submitted by Nana J. 6/06/06
"I wanted to again thank you for the wonderful time we had While in Panama" .
Submitted by Anja and Elizabeth. 09/03/06
"We just wanted to send a warm thank you for the excellent service you provided. Panama was the first part of the trip, and our tours with you were the highlight or our time in Panama. Thank you again".
Submitted by Karlene R. 10/28/06
"Hi Mario, We really enjoyed our tour with you in Colon, Panama and looking forward to doing it again with you".
Submitted by Phillip and Jeanette 11/02/06
"Thank you Mario, Lori and Lucy. We were on the tour last week to the Embera Indian village from the cruise ship Victory. It was an adventure and we loved almost every minute of it".
Submitted by Marsha Ch. 11/08/06
"My sister and I wanted to thank your father for the wonderful time we had in Panama. He was a terrific guide and made our trip most enjoyable".
Submitted by Floyd R. 11/10/06
"We have been on over 75 shore excursions from cruise ships and your tour to visit the Embera Indians and the Gatun Locks was the best tour we have ever been in. Congrats for creating such a wonderful experience".
Submitted by Jeff H. 11/26/06
"We all thought the trip we had was fantastic. Those of us who snorkeled enjoyed it and those in our group who didn't snorkel still enjoyed it very much. The tour definitely made us want to come back to Panama ", "Both Ivan and the other guy did a great job providing us with very informative recent and historical information and were truly concerned about everyone enjoying themselves".
Submitted by Randy & Kathy 11/27/06
"My wife and I were absolutely thrilled with the tour that you provided. I thought that Lori and Ricardo were excellant in describing the history and culture of your country to us. They answered all of our questions and made us all feel very welcome". "The meeting with the Embera Indians was a terrific experience and Kathy and I will always hold the memory of being there and meeting them as being priceless. They were most gracious in accepting us into thier village and spending time with us, we shall never forget the time that we spent there".
Submitted by Carol S. 11/28/06
"We had the best time on your tour. The guides were perfect. They were funny, treated us great, taught us a lot, they made sure that everyone was having a great time. From beginning to end this tour was great. Patrick and Captain Ron were the best. They made the whole trip worth it".
Submitted by Stephanie & Noreen 11/28/06
"Words can not describe how much we enjoyed your tour in Panama - it was the highlight of our cruise. Laurie and Ricardo were excellent guides who made us feel very welcome". "Panama was truely the highlight of our trip to Central America. I hope to return again one day and maybe stay a while longer".
Submitted by Al S. 12/03/06
"My group and I were very pleased with Ray. He was very detailed. Ray is one of the best guides around.
Please tell him for us he did an outstanding job. Our driver deserves a round of applause as well. He also made or stay very pleasant. We wished we had more time in your beautiful country".
Submitted by Elli R. 12/05/06
"Generally, the tour was lovely. The guide was most informative, and the tour choice was inspiring".
Submitted by Lyndi L. 12/11/06
"We had a great time! Our guide was excellent and very imformative".
Submitted by Kevin E. 12/12/06
"My friends and I all agree that your tour was the highlight of our vacation. If and when I or any of my friends or family returns to Panama I will diffidently be calling you again. Both Patrick and Ivan are extremely knowledgeable, friendly and an absolute pleasure to tour with. They made our trip to Panama one we will be talking about for a long time and we will never forget".
Submitted by Sylvie R. 12/13/06
"The day in Panama was our very favourite day...Our guide was very interesting and very nice...We absolutely loved our visit with the Indians... That is an experience we will remember forever". "All my friends thanked me for finding the information about your tour, they were very pleased… Thank you for making such a nice day for us in Panama…I for sure will come back for a longer visit one day… "
Submitted by Terry & Denise 12/13/06
"We really enjoyed our tour with you. Our guide was excellent and we would recommend you to anyone going in that direction. If we come that way again, we will be contacting you for all our tour needs. Thanks for a wonderful experience!"
Submitted by Cindy B. 1/7/07
"The tour was fantastic. It far exceeded our expectations. The tour guide was great and we had a great day. Thank you very much".
Submitted by Alicia & Ryan. 1/8/07
"We loved the tour!"
Submitted by Marsha K. 1/8/07
"We would like to inform you that all of our group on the two buses had a great time visitng the waterfals, Indian Village and the Gatun Locks. The tour guides were well informed and enjoyable to listen to. I will pass your name and web site to anyone I know doing this same itinerary. Thanks again for a great day. The adults and the teenagers all found the Indian village interesting and entertaining. Have a great year".
Submitted by Harvey L. 1/8/07
"I would higly recommend this tour to all. Price was right and the tour and guides were terrific. Maybe a little less time in the Village and more time at the Canal. Great tour. Thank you"
Submitted by Julie & Gideon 1/9/07
"The tour was excellent. We found Ray very knowledgeable and very witty. We liked all the extra touches he added, like giving the little gift at the end of the tour. It was a great experience; thank you".
Submitted by Sue C. 1/9/07
"Just wanted to let you know we had the most fabulous day ever! We were collected from the Pier on time, very organised. And your tour guide was very knowledgeable and informative on our drive through Panama, telling us lots of history about the area. The locks were amazing, then our long canoe trip up the river, then to the Indian Village to change into our swimwear before a further short canoe ride to the waterfall – a tricky hike across rocks but it was so worth it! We had a lovely swim in the pool beneath the waterfall, then re-boarded the canoe back to the Indian Village where we had a tasty lunch of bass, plantains and fresh cut pineapple, a talk from the head of the village and dance demonstrations. Time to shop for souvenirs then once more back on the canoe, onto the bus and back to the Pier in time for our sailing! I have to say that the day was excellent value for money, we got to do so many things with everything organised and no worries for us. Your people made sure we were back to the ship in time which is the most important thing for cruisers!!"
Submitted by Philip L. 1/11/07
"We loved the tour as well as the guide - it was the best one we did in Central America".
Submitted by Mark C. 1/11/07
"Our tour guide was Alex. Give him a raise!! He was great. The tour was completely enjoyable. We went with my father in law and his wife, and this tour was the highlight of their trip, and mine. I can't think of how you could improve this experience for anyone. It might have been nice to see more wildlife, but I know that on the tour that we did, this would be outside your control. Bravo. I will always recommend you to our friends. Thank you again".
Submitted by Debbie D. 1/15/07
"First let me start by saying that it was both my kid’s and my very favorite day of the cruise. Ivan did an outstanding job and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!"
Submitted by Froncois D. 1/27/07
"It was great, the guide was very good and everythings was as expected".
Submitted by Bastiaan van der W. 2/8/07
"I would like to thank you for a wonderful day in Colon. O ur guides were very enthusiastic and well informed. The trip to the Indian village was a unique chance to meet local Indians. The people of the village were very kind and unspoiled.We had a great day and I would like to recommend this tour and your company to everybody who visit Panama. We spoke to other passenger of the ship and our tour was far better and, not unimportant, much cheaper"
Submitted by Sally B. 2/23/07
"Our tour was all that we expected. We went with Mario Sr. and Lorrie. She went the extra mile for me when I fell in the river. She used her own shirt to clean dirt out of my lighter so I could have a smoke. Both were very good and will recommend your services to any of my future customers stopping in Panama.( was great, the guide was very good and everythings was as expected."
Submitted by Randy G. 3/6/07
"Just wanted to drop you a note to say what a great time my family and I had with Laurie on tour #CL007- 2/22/07. She made our time in Panama the best!!! We definitely will recommend your company."
Submitted by Eddie P. 3/12/07
"Lucy & Vladmir were 150% fantastic!!! I felt very comfortable with my family right from the beginning when I met with them at Port Colon. They we very friendly, very knowledgable and very smart with the history and sites that we visited. My family had the best experience with Lucy and Vladmir and I want to thank you very, very, VERY much for your suggestion of them and your service!!!"
Submitted by Jeannette H. 3/14/07
"Last month on Feb. 19 I went on this trip. I had a wonderful guide--Ivan--and wanted to tell you how terrific he was!! He was very informed and very attentive. One could not ask for a better guide."
Submitted by Carol M. 3/26/07
"Great trip === well worth what we paid! tour guide was marvelous. Thank again for the wonderful memories."
Submitted by Connie K. 4/3/07
"Just a quick note to let you know how much we enjoyed our day in Panama with our guide Elvis and driver Santos…we had a blast! We selected this particular ship and itinerary because we knew very little about the area and felt we came away so much richer for the experience. Why would anyone go to another country and not drink the local beer!!!! Elvis was so generous in sharing his country with all of us and answering our many questions. Thankyou so much for the experience! We hope to return some day and hopefully have more time to explore the country and culture."
Submitted by Aaron S. 4/5/07
"Our tour (CL001) was very good. Ray (our tour guide) was great! He presented us with tons of information on the history, and the wildlife of the area. In all honesty, we enjoyed this tour over all other tours we took on our cruise."
Submitted by Allan M. 4/5/07
"We thought the tour was great. Would recommend your tours to others. Guide was exceptionally good however we could not always hear what he was saying. Would have liked to have had more time at the canal but the short time may have been due to the fact that the others on the tour were late to arrive.
Submitted by Tom H. 4/5/07
We had a great time on your tour. Laura did a very nice job explaining things as we went along. The only sad part was not being to make to the waterfall due to low water. The chief of the village was very informative and the lunch enjoyable. Once Laura decided we couldn't make it to the waterfall and back in time, the rest stop for swimming was nice although I would have appreciated a warning about the caiman gators we saw much farther down stream. All in all, a very enjoyable tour!
Submitted by Bruce B. 4/6/07
"The tour with your company was excellent, you were on time, the vehicles for transport were safe, airconditioned and the tour guides were very good, the addition of a few cold cervesas, soda and water were a nice addition. I would highly recommend your company to any perspective traveler looking to book a tour. What was of great importance was the value my family received for the cost of the tour compared to what the Cruise line offered, in talking with other cruisers who went through the cruise line, they were less than enthusiastic when I compared our cost and quality of tour with the one they took.
Submitted by Robin G. 4/7/07
"We had an excellent tour and would do it again. Our tour guide was Ivan and he was the best. The tour of the canal and the time at the beach were so much fun. Ivan did everything he could to make us happy. He also gave us alot of information on Panama and the canal. I am so glad we decided not to go on a ship excursion. I hope to be back again. Thanks again for such a great time!
Submitted by Robin G. 4/7/07
"We had an excellent tour and would do it again. Our tour guide was Ivan and he was the best. The tour of the canal and the time at the beach were so much fun. Ivan did everything he could to make us happy. He also gave us alot of information on Panama and the canal. I am so glad we decided not to go on a ship excursion. I hope to be back again. Thanks again for such a great time!
Submitted by Marlene G. 4/10/07:
Rey (?) was our tour guide and he was very imformative and had a good sense of humor. Never pushy, very thorough with his answers. Went above and beyond with the tour, always willing to find something that was of interest to the group. I would definitely recommend him for another tour.
Submitted by Claudia W. 4/14/07:
We all had a wonderful time! I do not remember our guides name, but he was FANTASTIC!! If I remember it, I will let you know. But during the Embera Indian canoe trip, the water was very low and the boat kept getting stuck. He had no problem jumping in the water to help! Also, during the hike to the water fall, he took a lot of time to assist my father, who has an artificial hip, over the rocks and tough parts. We were very grateful to all his attention! I would definately recommend your Tour Company to anyone who asks!
Thanks again for a wonderful excursion. The Witt Family
Submitted by Terri B. 4/18/07:
We have very positive feedback about our excursion with your company.
There was a little bit of confusion while everyone was getting separated into groups at the pier that morning. Of course, it took us a while to realize how EARLY the local time was when our ship arrived! Our tour guide Lori (don't know if I spelled that right or not) was very knowledgeable and professional. She answered any and all questions that came her way during the tour. We enjoyed the stop at the Gatun Locks. It was a nice brief overview of how the Canal operates. The trip to the Indian Village and waterfall is a journey that we will not soon forget! It is very rare in the US to see any unspoiled land in its natural state.
Unfortunately, our visit at the actual Indian Village was cut short by the time it took to get the canoes upstream in the shallow waters. I really would have liked to have spent more time there. The people that lived in the village were very eager to share their way of life with us.
The trip was a wonderful experience for my entire family. I will whole-heartedly recommend your tour company to other travelers on the Message Boards.
The only uncomfortable aspect of the trip was the return to Colon. We ended up arriving at the ship 15 minutes after the time that the ship had set as our time to be back on the ship. Everyone on the bus was extremely nervous! There was a very long line of passengers waiting to board the ship when we arrived at the dock. I was never so happy to see a long line! Everything worked out, but it was stressful for us. Thanks again for a wonderful tour!
Submitted by Deborah W. 4/26/07:
We had a wonderful cruise and a great tour in Panama. Thanks again for making it a memorable day.
Submitted by Skip D. 4/26/07:
With the exception of one in our party we all had a great trip. Even the guy who didn't catch any fish said he had a good time and was glad for the experience.
While we realize that none of the "big" fish were running and we chose to bottom fish we were sad that the boat couldn't catch a "Lunker". (Slang for a big one.) Since we have had conversation about taking a longer trip out to the Pearls and do some trolling later this year. I will be back to check on prices with you later. The "crew" was great and very helpful. Ivan will make a good partner for you as your business begins to expand. Thanks again.
Submitted by Will V. 4/28/07:
Just thought we let you know our family really enjoyed your tour in Panama on 4/19/07. Our tour guide was Ivan and he took good care of everyone from the bus terminal to the Gatun Locks, Portebello Fort, private island and beach. We had a great time and highly recommend your tour to others. Please say hello to Ivan and staff for us.
Submitted by Craig J. 5/8/07:
It was a very nice tour (Panama canal/Indian Village). Your tour guide, Laurie, was very informative and provided an excellent tour experience. Very educational tour for the adults and children (boys age 11). My only suggestions are the following:
1) Make certain that guests know that the boat ride is over an hour long and sun screen is HIGHLY recommened.
2) Don't take your guests to the falls (on the river) during the dry season. The water was just too low and we had to push the canoe too much and still were unable to get there.
Would highly recommend your tour.
Submitted by Lizzie B. 5/19/07:
Your tour was the highlight of our trip! We loved every minute of it. Thank you for making it so much fun and so personalized. We appreciate all of the special touches you included. The pride in your work and your company is obvious; you could teach a lot of companies how to be successful if you ever get tired of giving tours : )
Submitted by Daniel K. 5/21/07:
It was a fantastic adventure and nothing should be changed. Thank you for the experience of a lifetime!
Submitted by Dale L. 7/19/07:
I know that members of my family enjoyed the Rain Forest tour, but can only give you direct feedback on CL003 + Snorkeling upgrade. First of all, we all thought that our guide (Ivan?) was exceptional. Practically from the moment we left the pier he was looking for things to interest us - from native animals to history and current events. At the fort, he gave us a tour which the ship's excursion did not. In fact, after hearing him tell us about the fort, several people on the ship's tour asked him questions, which he graciously answered.
Submitted by Carole P. 7/19/07:
Good tour/ value. Rey our guide was very nice and presented everything in a clear manner.
Wish there was more time @ the canal. Loved meeting Patrick & his blender on the beach.
Submitted by Chrystal P. 7/20/07:
We had a great time thank you very much!!! We met Patrick the other guide and thought he was very nice he truely loves his job....Our guide was also friendly, and funny and told us lots of history and info about Panama Thank you again.
Submitted by Robin I. 7/20/07:
Mario~ The tour was facinating. I didn't realize that the hiking would be that intense, but now that I did it I am totally impressed with myself! I think it should be stated that people with any handicaps should not do this tour. Lori and Elvis were awesome. Thanks for all of the special treats we received on the tour. The food and drinks were more than appreciated.
Submitted by Nancy G. 7/23/07:
Ellio was our tour guide and both Ellio and the driver, were very friendly and made all of us in the group feel welcomed to Panama. They made our first visit to Panama pleasant and enjoyable. Thank you once again. I will keep your name should we visit Panama in the future.
Submitted by Roger P. 8/14/07:
Our family really enjoyed the excursion we were on. The guide (Reyes was his name I think) was incredible!!! He knew everything about Panama past and present and was funny and informative. The bus was very comfortable and clean. Good luck in all future endeavors and when I return to Panama I will be looking you up again.
Submitted by Beth J. 8/19/07:
We would like to thank you for a wonderful day in Panama. Rey is an excellent guide. His knowledge of history, politics and human nature are beyond compare. We were fortune to see plenty of wild life, along the way. The rain forest was wonderful. We were disappointed that the trail was blocked and that we were unable to spend more time there. The canal was very interesting & we enjoyed that.
We had a wonderful time and appreciated all that you did to ensure the success of the day. We would highly recommend My Friend Mario to all cruise ship travelers.
Submitted by James K. 9/28/07:
Your Dad did a superior job of tour guide for us. We thoroughly enjoyed his expertise and lifelong familiarity of the Panama area. We asked that our city tour be shortened a bit and not include hiking through the rainforest trails. Mario Sr adjusted to that and provided for my condition quite well. On return to Panama City, we will certainly consider your other tour opportunities. Thank you for your services.
Submitted by Laurel N. 9/29/07:
We had a wonderful time. Mario is a terrific guide, of course!!! We saw everything. And he knows all about Panama. It was great!! Everything you arranged was perfect. We thank you so much.
Submitted by Tom F. 10/8/07:
your dad was great, the roads were terrible ha ha, too bad we had a rainy day, but we enjoyed the tour, having a beer on the way home was a great break I would definitely recommend the private tour to anyone
Submitted by Allison L. 11/9/07:
All of our group thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the tour. The Panama Canal was very informative and I believe it to be one of the 7 wonders of the world! The Indian village was priceless. For those people to allow us to visit was something that all of our group will never forget. The boat ride to the village was spectacular and is a beautiful part of Panama that I am very glad that I did not miss. My feeling is that everyone on the Carnival Liberty should have taken this tour - all of our group will never forget it.
Submitted by Kathy B. 12/3/07:
All We visited last week and just wanted to tell you what a wonderful time we had. The Panama Canal was even more impressive than I expected and Elvis was AWESOME! I still can't believe how much we all learned about your country in this visit. Our beach visit was a great ending to a wonderful day.
Submitted by Ilana –Cruise Master Plus- 12/8/07:
Hi mario just to let you know everyone was happy with the tour, we will certinley recommend tour. thanks again.
Submitted by Daphna A. & Frank 12/9/07:
We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts so conducting such a marvelous trip for the two of us during our day off a cruise in Panama. Mario SR has such great wealth and knowledge of history, culture and always answered each and every question we had. We felt so comfortable like an extended family.
For those interested, do not hesitate (if on a cruise-you will make it back to the ship in time), My friend Mario will do exactly as they say and show you the important locations of their country like the Gatun Locks, Chagras National Forest, Embrea Indian Village with lunch, Canoe ride through the jungle and visit to the natural beautiful waterfall. Our lunch at the village was Talapia fish and green plantains wrapped carefully in a banana leaf as well as fresh watermelon, papaya and pineapple. The Indians welcomed us with traditional dance and presented their handicrafts for sale (which are totally beautiful !). Mario throughly explained how the natives create all artwork using the means from the earth. We were lucky to get to the Gatun locks to see a container freighter pass through the first stage, it was truly amazing. We also stopped for some beer (cerveza) that my hubby just had to taste, it was great. We know we will come back one day to visit and have an extended vacation in this beautiful country with wonderful people we now call our friends. Mario and Pepe' when you are in Florida and in the Orlando area, please look us up, our door is open. When they say "My friend Mario", they mean it !!!"
Submitted by Bill B. 12/11/07:
We have been on four cruises and have taken many excursions both privately and with the cruise companies. Our private excursion with Mario Sr. was absolutely, positively the best tour we have taken to date, anywhere! Even though our tour was "tailored" it was easy to arrange through email that was timely. On the day of the tour there was a problem with one of the company vehicles and the situation was handled swiftly and appropriately. Mario Sr. was able to show my father all the places he remembered from 67 years previously or at least where they were located so that he could see the changes over time. Mario was able to give us a historical and cultural perspective of Colon only because he had knowledge of the area from his youth.
This cruise comes at the tail end of my father's life and I'm sure he thinks of it as one of the most memorable experiences he has had in his life, me too for that matter. And our day with Mario Sr. had a lot to do with the success of our trip. The day following the excursion, I asked Dad what he thought so far and in a word he said "overwhelming". I can't thank you enough for what you have done for my family.
Just saying "Thank You" is not enough!
Submitted by David Ch. 12/11/07:
I thought it was a great tour the only thin I would change would be to have something to put on before the life jacket I heard a lot of people talking about how dirty they were
Submitted by Janet D. 12/12/07:
Our tour was fabulous. I have already told several of my friends how great of a tour it was...The driver Alex was also great. He was the one who was spotting all the wild life, which we all enjoyed.. I also really liked the
fact, that not once did anyone look at there watches to rush us. We were given as much time as we wanted at each stop. We were able to watch a boat from beginning to end go through the locks..The people from the cruise excursion were rushed away before the boat left the locks, which to me was the exciting part. Thank You again for a great time in Panama.
Submitted by Robin B. 12/13/07:
We had a wonderful time with Lori and Elvis. I have recommended your tours to many. I`m sure we will come back to your beautiful country again. Maybe to stay a week or so.
Submitted by Kevin & Melia 12/15/07:
We had a great time on our tour (locks and fort). And our guide was fantastic...lots of information, but not obnoxious like the guide that we saw from the cruise ship! Thanks for a great time!
Submitted by Ajay M. 1/1/08:
Thank you for a Fantastic excursion. It was so well planned, from the smallest detail, like water, soda, beer and snacks on the bus to the entire grand tour. Lori was very knowledgeable and FUN. Clean air con buses and on time friendly service. All at less than half the price of what the cruise ship was offering. I will truly recommend you to everyone I can. I loved it so much, I want to see if I can market it for you here in the States. You truly are my friend Mario now.
Submitted by Murray B. 1/5/08:
Hi Mario. We enjoyed our tour very much. Ivan was very informative and I would recommend him as a guide.
Submitted by Nancy V.C. 1/8/08:
John and I were very pleased with your tour. It was our favorite excursion during our cruise/vacation. I've shared our information on the Cruise Critic Panama Ports of Call section. There was a small confusion on the price, but the guide called you with the e-mail where you had confirmed the price to me, and I appreciated that you honored it.
Submitted by Reilly Family. 2/11/08:
Mario, Just want to say how much we enjoyed our tour and the way you scheduled everything. We had a wonderful and very informative day. Thank you for everything. Perhaps some day we will meet again. Best regards to you and your staff.
Submitted by Doug C. 2/11/08:
We had a GREAT time last week on your excursion (Carnival Miracle). I can´t remember our tour guides name but she was great. I´ll highly recommend you to enyone. I know going to Panama!
Submitted by Justin K. 2/14/08:
My wife and I booked a tour with you. This was our first visit to Panama. Laurie was our tour guide and we really enjoyed her insight, humor and her relaxed manor. We especially enjoyd our viit to the Embera Indian Village.
Submitted by Laurence C. 2/16/08:
Hi Mario, we had a great time on our Panama canal cruise and really enjoyed the tour that we took with you last Sunday. Laurie our tour guide was excellent and all of our party enjoyed all that she showed us and the depth of her knowledge about all that we saw. We will certainly recommend you to any of our friends planning a visit to Panama.
Submitted by Beth C. 2/20/08:
We had a WONDERFUL time- you´re father is great. In Fact, many people said this was the highlight of their cruise. Just a note- you had mentioned the large group coming in to the village- your dad didn´t know about it, but I asked if we could go to the village first- it was excellent. Towards the end, one group came, but it was small, and they were very nice. That boat ride was such a great way to start the day.
Submitted by Paul F. 2/23/08:
I just wanted to drop you a line to say how much my wife and I enjoyed the outing yesterday! Laurie, our guide was excellant.
Submitted by Joe J. 3/2/08:
I have come back to New York from wonderful Panama. I just want to drop a line that I had a great time with your tours. Your guide was couteous and gave us a wonderful memory. Thank you very much for everything.
Submitted by Leslie J. 3/8/08:
We had a great time with Lori and Lucy in February. Lori is a fabulous guide and made our day in Panama wonderful. I would always prefer a private tour to the ones that are offered by the cruiseships -- too many people, not enough fun. Our group of 6 was the right size to interact with our guide and ask questions and not spend a lot of time loading and unloading a tour bus. The island we snorkeled on off Portobello was lovely. Also enjoyed the time walking around looking at the forts & church. A memorable day. If we´re back to Panama someday we´ll definitely book another tour with you. Thank you so much!
Submitted by Rick & Maria. 3/25/08:
Just wanted to let you know that we thoroughly enjoyed your tour. The waterfall was beautiful and refreshing. The Indian village was amazing - everyone was so friendly and the tilapia was delicious. The timing was perfect for our visit to the canal. Our guide Laurie was very informative. We will definitely recommend you to our friends.
Submitted by Lisa H. 3/27/08:
We are all back home, safe and sound. I just want to say thank you! The Indian Village and Canal Locks tours was so wonderful!!! Everything went as smooth as can be, except that we didn´t make the waterfall:) but that´s Mother Nature´s fault. Alexis is a terrific tour guide!
Submitted by Frank McC. 4/1/08:
We had a great time in Panama and our guide Laura was excellent. She showed us many interesting things and answered all of our questions. We would gladly recommend your company and Laura to anyone wishing to visit Panama.
Submitted by Andrew B. 4/6/08:
Thank you so much for sharing your father with us during the week of March 24! You, your father, and your company really live up to the company's name. By the time we left for home, we felt that we had been Mario Sr.'s personal house guests for the week, and we felt that we left with a new friend. The tours were excellent! Your father has an amazing knowledge of plants, animals, history, geography, other tour packages, and probably everything else about Panama, along with excellent musical tastes (and singing). He went out of his way so many different ways and at many times, in order to give us an extra-special experience. We enjoyed his restaurant recommendation so much, not only because of the quality of the food, but also because of the ambiance and price, that we went back a second night. I have told many of our NC friends that Mario Sr. is the best tour guide that we've ever had the pleasure of meeting, and that, if they ever plan to visit Panama, to please let us know, so that we can put them in contact with you.
Submitted by Mary K. 4/7/08:
We´ve returned home, all tan and rested up, and it´s back to reality. We were litlle nervous making excursion plans with your company, thousands of miles away, never having heard of you before. However, Laurie and her son were most informative and friendly hosts. Our families took in a lot information during our short time on Panamenian land. The scenery to the Embera Indian Village and Waterfall was superb. This was a journey I hope my family will always remember.
Submitted by Denise J. 4/18/08:
The trip that your company took my group on was awesome. Most of all, the little extras that you did really made it very special.. I just want to say thank you.. My folks simply loved it the best of all the shore excursions that I took them on.
Submitted by Frank McD. 4/23/08:
I just wanted to thank you for an excellent tour. It was the best tour we have taken. Everything was well organized from the start to the finish and it made for an outstading event. I have already told several people about your website and excursions.
Submitted by Bill P. 4/25/08:
What to thank you for such a marvelous tour. It was great seeing the Indian Village and the boat ride was something (in the front you do get wet). It wa also great seeing how the canal operates. I will definitely feel comfortable recommending your tour to my clients. Not only is it more informative and smaller groups but a much better value.
Submitted by Ken W. 5/1/08:
I just wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed our visit to Embera Village during our recent stay in Panama. The Embera villagers were very friendly and hospitable and Laurie was fantastic guide! We thoroughly enjoyed the day!
Submitted by Anna N. 5/23/08:
My family and I booked your Portobelo and Snorkelling adventure on the internet before we came down for a week at an all inclusive in Panama. We had a wonderful day with Laurie (our guide) and Felix (our driver). They were both wonderful and friendly people who tried to make the day fun for all of us and succeeded! The snorkelling was fantastic, the further out from the beach we got the more beautiful the coral became and we must have seen a thousand different fish. Laurie and Felix spent some time with my 6 year old in the shallower water and he got to see a school of squid. In all it was my favorite adventure of our week in Panama and I would recommend it to anybody.
Submitted by Jim & Sean H. 7/30/08:
We very much enjoyed going through "My Friend Mario" and I have already recommended you to a few people that are considering going to Panama in the next few weeks! When I first saw your sight I was a little skeptical but "Trip Advisor" confirmed that you were a good operator. My son has suggested that you might want to put your story on the Website to explain why you are called "My Friend Mario". It would give the sight a nice "homey" feeling. We appreciated that you were on time, extremely informative and helpful. Both Mario Senior and Laurie were great "Guides". The tours were great . If I had to make one suggestion it would be to allow more time at the Indian Village to be with the children. They were the sweetest children I have seen in a long time.
Submitted by Douglas M. 8/8/08:
We just returned to the US from our long trip thru Panama, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Your tour to the Embera Indan Village was definitely one of the highlights of our trip. We loved the tour! Everything about it was very well handled. Laurie was wonderful. I wish I could give you more constructive feedbak, but I can't think of any changes that you sould make to that tour (and I am a very picky traveller).
Submitted by Paula A. 12/1/08:
Just wanted you to know we had a GREAT time in Panama. I can speak on my bus’s behalf – everyone loved it. Alex, Felix, and Javier were great and a lot of fun. The people on the other bus seemed to of had a good time also. If I know of anyone visiting your area, I will be sure to send them your way. Can’t thank you enough for helping make our vacation memorable! Thanks again for everything.
Submitted by Josepth G. 12/11/08:
Took your tour C007 and wanted to tell you that it was very good. Tour opertor was very informative and tour was everything you advertised. As a travel agency owner who books cruises and trip to Panama I will definetly recommend your services.
Submitted by Stu & Baiba F. 12/11/08:
My wife and I took this tour last week and had a great time. Our young tour guide, Alex G, really made the difference. You guys know how to make your guests feel welcome and appreciated. The beer, pop, water, hats, pineapple, etc. are a nice touch that nobody else does. Congratulations on running a first class operation. Please pass on our thanks to Alex.
Submitted by Michael B. 1/3/09:
Mario. this is just a note to say thnk you for the tour. Everyone had a great time. The gifts handed out were greatly appreciated.I would recommend to all my fiends to only tour with you when they are in Panama. Have a good year.
Submitted by Tom S. 1/18/09:
Hi Mario, we would just like to say thanks for the Tour you organised for us, it was out of this world and all 6 of us had a trip of a lifetime, with just the 6 of us, the tour was very personal and we got to meet all of the villagers, the food presentation was fantastic and the fresh Tilapia was the one of the tastiest fish we have had. Elvis our guide was great and he interpreted very well with great explanations of what was happening. We highly recommend the Tour and your company and hope to use you again sometime in the future.
Submitted by Rosemarie P. 1/18/09:
I should have written back to you a lot sooner than now and apologize for the delay. Last November 16th, my group enjoyed a fabulous excursion with your company. This is the first time that I have ever booked an excursion other than with the cruise ship, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Needless to say, we had a remarkable time! The van was at the port ready for us when we arrived, and we saw everything we expected as our own pace. Our experience at the Indian village with Chief Ruben is something that we will always treasure, and our tour guide, Alex, did a fabulous job. The next time I visit Panama, I will most certainly look up your company again. Thanks for everything!
Submitted by Penny & John C. 1/25/09:
We had a great time on our tour of the Indian village and lock. Thanks so much.
Submitted by Dennis D. 1/26/09:
I just returned from the cruise and wanted to let you know that we were very pleased with your tour. I will recommend your tours.
Submitted by Dorothy & Bernard G. 1/28/09:
Thank you for a wonderful and knowledgeable tour of the country of Panama. We very much appreciate the many personal touches you added to our time in Panama. Everyday was a good day. The best to you and your family.
Submitted by Gery P. 1/28/09:
WAS VERY PLEASED WITH THE TOUR. THE GUIDE WAS GREAT.!
Submitted by Gary D.S. 1/29/09:
Elvis was on time for the pick up, took us to all the places we wanted to go and got us back to the ship on time. He was a great driver and guide. I recommend him to be used by others as you have the need.
Submitted by Kathy & Terry B. 2/18/09:
On behalf of my husband, Terry Benson and me, I would like to thank you so much for arranging a truly wonderful time in Panama. We found you to be not only honest in your representations to us but a delightful, engaging person who added greatly to our understanding of your country.
Submitted by Ron C. 2/23/09:
The tour was fantastic. We had a great time.
Submitted by Douglas N. 2/24/09:
I took your city tour and Mira Flores locks tour on Saturday Feb 21. It was a very good tour and Lori was a great guide.
Submitted by Michael & Celea G. 2/28/09:
It was a pity that we didn't see you again after the Indian Village trip to say goodbye. We are back in Switzerland now, but just wanted to say thanks, firstly to you meeting us at the airport and organising our tours, particularly the short notice one with your father, his City day tour was most enjoyable. We also thoroughly enjoyed the Panama Canal trip. Give our thanks to Laurie for making the Indian Village trip informative, and thanks to you for taking the diving and swimming photos! Thanks again and we will surely recommend you to any of our friends travelling to Panama.
Submitted by Lynn M. 3/9/09:
I hope all is well with you and senior Mario. We had such a nice time in Panama City...thank you for making it extra special for us. We had a super great trip! It's tough to be home in the cold weather and back to reality. Not as many shrimps & beers! Thanks for being so much fun..take care!
Submitted by Ted and Maria G. 3/10/09:
Mario: Thanks again for the phone call on Sun. Some of the people on the bus should have been charged double. One couple arrived over 1/2+ hours late. Several others 10 to 15 minutes late. We arrived at 7:30. You might consider in the future depending on the temperture to leave the van running and it's a/c on. It was very uncomfortable for us waiting over an hour. The van did get us to the airport in plenty of time and the tour of downtown Panama city was also interesting. Thanks again.
Submitted by Tinabeth P. 3/10/09:
Just wanted to let you know that we LOVED our tour of Panama! We are looking forward to the Embera tour and will not need to see the locks. Hopefully we will see an authentic tribe! Thanks again and we look forward to seeing you again on Sunday!
Submitted by Brian L. 3/14/09:
Original Mario seemed to go out of his way to make our visit as pleasant as possible. He was always prompt for making sure we made the most of our short time in Panama. He was also flexible for anything we wanted to do outside of the normal touring, for example, the spending a little extra time here or taking a side road there. I think we got a good taste of Panama as a result. Overall we had a wonderful time and “My Friend Mario” had l a lot to do with that.
Submitted by Doug B. 3/31/09:
Having arrived home from our vacation in Panama, I wanted to let you know that we all enjoyed our fishing for peacock bass on Gatun Lake. While we didn't catch the big ones, we made up for in numbers of bass. One of the hi-lites of our vacation and excellent value.
Submitted by Julie G. 4/1/09:
I wanted to let you know how happy we were with the services you provided for us while we were in Panama. The driver that picked us up from the airport and took us to Gamboa was excellent. He was there waiting for us which was a relief when we got off of a long flight and gave us a great ride to our hotel explaining many things about Panama and our surroundings on the way. We were very happy with his service.
Submitted by Henry J. 4/3/09:
Just thought that you would appreciate knowing that we had a good tour with Elvis. He is everything you said and then some. His knowledge of Colon is wonderful.
Submitted by Sean M. 4/3/09:
I wanted to thank you for how perfect everything went. You made the arrival and the transport a relief! I only wish I knew it was going to be so perfect that I would have booked my return excursion through you too...
Submitted by Mark & Carrie E. 4/23/09:
We just returned from a cruise to Panama and took your guided tour on Thurs., April 16th, to the Panama Canal and the beach. Just wanted to let you know that we had a fantastic time. Your tour guide, Ivan, was wonderful, as was the driver (but I forgot his name.) We would highly recommend your tours to anyone and please feel free to use our name as a reference.
Submitted by Stacey H. 7/15/09:
Just wanted to say thank you for a wonderful adventure. We all enjoyed the tour and will gladly recommend you to anyone traveling to Panama!
Submitted by Ben & Emily Brook 7/16/09:
Our family just toured the Embera Village with your group. What a wonderful trip for our family of 7!!!
Submitted by Tanya Cook 8/11/09:
I want to extend my thanks to you and our guide Lori for the wonderful time we had on both our tours. Lori was knowledgeable, personable and easy going. It was refreshing to be on a tour that wasn't timed to the minute, so we could take in our surroundings and enjoy the whole experience. I will definitely recommend you to any clients I have going to Panama City.
Submitted by Vickie Beard 8/13/09:
I enjoyed all the places you took me to see the ‘real’ Panama. Lunch at the fish market was great, and that was the best pineapple I had ever had in my life (even better than the pineapple I had in Hawaii). Old, new, rich, poor, parts of the city & country, you showed it all to me.Seeing the Panama Canal, up close and the locks (Miraflores, Gatun and even Pedro Miguel in the distance) was so impressive. I was just in awe of the big ships and how they get through the canal. The visit to the Embrea Indian Village with lunch was great. The fresh Talapia and fresh fruit for lunch was delicious. The banana leaf ‘platter’ and holder for the tilapia was neat. I enjoyed the beautiful canoe ride to the village and through the rain forest to the beautiful waterfall. Thank you again Mario for my wonderful tours of Panama. I will be back again to take more tours with your ‘top notch’ tour company.
Submitted by Ben & Mary Cate Muschett 9/23/09:
I am back in school now, so this is the first opportunity I had to write to thank you for showing me so much of your beautiful country! I am very happy that I had to chance to experience the Embrera Indian village. The boat ride was wet and memorable, and the Indian village is a place I'm anxious to return to again. Many thanks to Mrs. Laurie McKay for the ton of educational information she gave me. I learned so much about the Canal de Panama and the history of the Embreras - All in all, she made it an experience I will not forget! Please thank her for me, and I think anyone who visits Panama would not want to miss such a wonderful experience!
Submitted by Marion Price 10/7/09:
Thank you for such a wonderful tour in Panama, we were so lucky to have Mario, Sr. as our guide. We learned so much about Panama and the people. I Loved the Indian village tour and the canoe ride, even if it rained on the return canoe trip. One tip though, if it rains and everyone is soaked, please turn off the air conditioning in the bus for the trip back. I thought we were going to freeze to death. The cannel was interesting. Thanks for all the help that Mario was with our elderly companions, he is very sweet.
Submitted by Michelle Turner 10/24/09:
I returned home last night and I wanted to thank you for making my trip to Panama so interesting. All of your staff who guided tours you arranged for me or drove transfers between airports and hotels were always on time, friendly, and informative. Thanks so much for all you did to make my visit a pleasant one.
Submitted by Gerry Fish 11/1/09:
I cannot thank you enough for the great tour, that was provided by two of your staff Alex and Ernesto on October 29, when they took us on the tour through the Rainforest and Gatun Locks. All 13 of us were extremely impressed with the total tour. Your staff should be highly commended for a job well done. I am also letting my travel agent know so she can also let her clients know of your service.On another matter, Alex gave us complimentary caps and I have already lost mine. I would like to know the cost of replacing that cap including any shipping charges. I had a beige cap (both the cap and bill were beige), with Gatun Locks embroidered on the front and Panama embroidered on one side. Thanks again for a great time.
Submitted by Ronna Jagel 11/3/09:
We are back home now and want to thank you for a great tour. Laurie is an excellent tour guide. She told us so much about Panama that the bus ride went by very quickly. My husband Bill is going to tell our employer in Orlando to recommend your company to everyone going to Panama.
Submitted by Terrill Jensen 11/6/09:
Just wanted to drop you a line and let you know how all 50 of us are still talking about your wonderful tour of Portabello,Langosta Beach and the Gatun Locks!! Ivan I especially want to thank you for your great treatment of me when I slipped in Portabello. Yes you were right.... my 5th Metatarsal is broken. But having a paramedic with our group was a great plus,who knew? I would like to come back again as many of my friends would and when we do, you shall be the only group I would recommend and call myself. Thank you, thank you for a day none of us shall ever forget! Your friend always.
Submitted by Leslie Woods 11/22/09:
I want to thank you the wonderful experience in Panama. Alex, the tour guide & his driver were very informative & exciting. They made the tour a very enjoyable experience. I felt safe & secure the entire time. Alex & the driver should be commended for their work. I will recommend this tour to all my friends on Cruise Critic. Again, thank you for the experience of a life time.
Submitted by Lin Lichtenberg 12/9/09:
I wanted to drop a note to you to thank you for the interesting tour we had with Alex and Itzak(?) on Sunday, December 6th. We were picked up at the Enchantment of the Seas in Colon right on time, and shared the day with 3 other couples and a single lady. Alex spoke good English and knew such a lot about Panama and its history. He was very accommodating and wanted each of us to have a great experience...even the lady who was very nervous about catching her plane! We drove through a section of rain forest and stopped to hear and see a howler monkey, which was really neat! We saw the Panama canal from the view of the lake (as we crossed a bridge) and then stopped for a very interesting time at the Mira Flores locks. Our walking tour of the old city was also fascinating, and we were so surprised to see the old and very new parts of Ciudad de Panama! Alex told us that someone would call our hotel to confirm our airport pickup for the following morning. We didn't get a call or message. But at 6 AM Mario himself was waiting outside for us! He said Almiza had called the Marriott Courtyard several times, and were told we weren't registered there, which we were! But he came for us at 6 AM anyway, not even knowing if we would even be there. That is great customer service!
Submitted by Daniel Hawtree 12/9/09:
Thanks for a great trip to the rain forest on Sun 06Dec
Submitted by Angie Mallon 12/10/09:
Mario, we just wanted to tell you we had a wonderful time on our trip our guide Ivan was the best ever, he did a wonderful job, we had a great trip and look forward to sending others to you and also when we make it back to Panama we will use your service. Thanks again.
Submitted by Carole Wynn 12/10/09:
I just wanted to say that we [the 2 Jamaicans on the tour] truly enjoyed the visit to the Embera Indian Village and the Canal last Sunday. We appreciated the moderate pace and we absolutely did not feel rushed. We will be sure to refer your website to anyone we know who will be visiting Panama. Thanks for helping to make our vacation memorable.
Submitted by Marcia Kissane 12/21/09:
I just wanted you to know how much we enjoyed this tour. We were on RCI's Jewel of the Seas. Alex and Laurie met us right on time at the escalator, just as you had advised. The tour itself was beyond our greatest expectations. Alex was very knowledgeable and kept us interested and laughing during our time with him and he graciously answered all our questions. Our tour was running late at the end of the day but we made it back to the ship with plenty of time to spare. I will not hesitate in recommending your tour company to any of my friends who may visit Panama. As a matter of fact, we're already talking about when we might be able to come back to visit your wonderful country again. Thank you so much for making our first visit to Panama so memorable and send our best to Alex.
Submitted by Debbie Billing 12/22/09:
Our family really enjoyed the tour today with our guide Ivan. We will recommend it to our
friends. Highly recommended! Many thanks. Have a nice Christmas and New Year.
Submitted by Lenny Polikoff 12/24/09:
Just to let you know our group enjoyed the tour of Colon, the locks and the Embera Indian Village. Mario and Jolie were good tour guides.
Submitted by Tamara Hoffner 12/28/09:
Just wanted to let you know that our tour on Dec 24th #CL007 was outstanding. Lori the guide and Boris the driver were completely professional and knowledgeable. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour and would recommend your company anytime. Thank you for a memorable day in Panama. Tamara Hoffner (group of 12)
Submitted by Joan Fletcher 12/29/09:
Just wanted to let you know that we had a wonderful time on our tour on the 17th. Laurie was a great guide. The waterfall was beautiful. The Indian village was fascinating, plus the food was great. I do wish we had had a little more time at the locks, but there's only so much that can be done in a day. If I get the chance to return to Panama, I'll be sure to contact you again.
Submitted by Jordan Stone 12/22/09:
I would like to thank you for having your driver wait for us. we all REALLY appreciated it. Also, I would just like to pass on a note about our tour guide Ivan. He was great! Very knowledgeable, very friendly and outgoing! He made our trip!! As well as the tour we went on! Your country is beautiful and we all hope to visit again one day soon!!
Submitted by Eric Logan 1/1/10:
Thank you for contacting us. Hope you had a nice Christmas and New Years. We appreciate you being an honest business man and sticking to your word on what the tour should have included. Next time we get the chance to visit Panama we will give you a call. We would like to see the canal again.
Submitted by Karen Farber 1/4/10:
Just wanted to thank you for the great tour we had in Panama - it was the highlight of our trip. Our tour guide was Alex, and our driver was Felix. Both had great energy and enthusiasm for your beautiful country. ALex was very knowledgeable about politics, economics as well as animal life - my husband had a great time asking questions (he usually hates tours). Felix could spot wildlife while driving - a great feat. Thanks again, I am going to let my travel agent know about your great services so she can recommend you when booking her other clients on trips that include stops in Panama.
Submitted by Dominic Calderoni 1/6/10:
Just got back to the States and I wanted to thank you and espically IVAN for a great tour!(Jan.2). Ivan proved to be a well informed travel guide. He and his team looked out for our safety through out this tour! My Thanks to you!
Submitted by Abby Karasik 1/10/10:
We had a wonderful time on our tour with Rey! We really appreciated the personal attention that we were given, and we especially loved our trip to see the Embrera Indian Village! Rey was very knowledgeable, and had a warm and happy personality. One day, when we return, we will contact you for another tour. (We want Rey!) The memories will always be a treasure for us to keep.
Submitted by Jeanne Quinn 1/14/10:
Just wanted to let you know what a great job Alex did last week for our tour in Colon, We had a great time!
Submitted by Gail Weiss 1/18/10:
Just wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed the CL001 Rainforest tour on 1/9./10. Alex and his two drivers were terrific at spotting wildlife and giving us plenty of time to enjoy the experience. His enthusiasm was infectious! The tour was just as promised and we would highly recommend it.
Submitted by Robert Moran 1/22/10:
We took tours with you on the 15th (partial canal), the 16th (1/2 day city tour) and 17th (El Valle). You were very helpful with our questions and making additional arrangements for transportation around the city and to the airport. We really enjoyed Ivan's tour of Casco Viejo - he added a very personal touch. I am very glad I found your company through the internet - the guide books I bought mentioned larger companies who never answered my emails. Thank you for your personal touch - it really made our trip very memorable.
Submitted by Ashley Colburn 1/25/10:
Thank you Mario for everything! We had a great time and really enjoyed the tour!
Submitted by Cindy Plyiley 1/25/10:
Just a short note to thank you for a great tour. Our guide (Elvis) and one of our other group's guide (Kenny) were fabulous and showed us a great time in Panama. We will definately recommend you to anyone that we know heading to Panama.
Submitted by Dee & Marty McIntyre 1/25/10:
My husband and I were on Carnival Freedom (January 16-24, 2010) and booked the Gatun Lock and Beach Day with My Friend Mario. We cannot say enough about your country's beauty or the wonderful tour we had with Elvis (and Elio). Both are fantastic guides and we had a fantastic time with them. We will recommend your services to everyone. I'll be putting this on Cruise Critc.com and the Carnival review site as well.
Submitted by Barbara Miller 1/26/10:
Our group had a wonder full time with myfriendmario tours our bus driver & tour guide were great.our tour guide explained every thing so well we learned so much about Panama that we did not know.saw so much beauty in your country. we got more than our moneys worth.We would recommend myfriendmario tours to every one.Thanks again.
Submitted by Lynn Casey 2/2/10:
Just a quick note to let you know that we were incredibly impressed with our tour guide Elvis in Colon Panama! He was very professional and made our day fun! We LOVED him!
In the future though...I do not recomend the beach tour. The Colon beach was littered terribly and I had to wade through garbage (plastic bags, plastic pop can ties, and god knows what else!) up to my knees to get into the water. The beach shade benches area is terribly run down and derelict....we could barely wait to get out of there! This is not a nice beach at all! Just a heads up for future tours. Elvis still made it fun...he was great!
Submitted by Ginette Hindley 2/7/10:
Mario thank you for the wonderful services I recieved while i was visiting panama. You made my trip stress free from being picked up at the airport on friday to being dropped off at the cruise line on sunday.It was also great that you arranged for Ivan to take us to dinner on saturday night. I can't say enough nice things about your services except thankyou for making our trip memerable.Maybe one day I can return a favor.
Submitted by Aileen Clark 2/9/10:
Good Morning, Just to say a word of thanks for the great tour CL001 on January 21st. There were 8 of us from our ship, we had the best time.better and cheaper than most of our shipmates. Our tour guide and bus driver were fantastic, very knowledgeable and friendly, your tour lived up to all our expectations and more, we will recommend your tours to our friends and travel agents here.
Submitted by Paula Simons 2/10/10:
Just wanted to thank you for the wonderful tour we had through your company on Feb. 3, 2010. Our group of 15 friends took tour CL001 in Panama. We had our own mini bus with Caesar, an excellent driver, who was able to spot and point out to us many interesting animals like sloths and howler monkeys. The Panama Canal, rainforest, and Fort San Lorenzo were amazing, but what made the tour OUTSTANDING was our guide, Rey. He was extremely knowledgeable and professional, while also being very friendly and personable. Our cruise stop in Panama was the highlight of our trip, and we will be sure to return and will definitely book another tour through your company.
Submitted by DeDe & Doug Robbins 2/12/10:
Just wanted to take a moment to let you know how much we enjoyed the tour to the Embrea Indian Village. It was the highlight of our whole cruise. We will be sure to recommend this tour to everyone we know that is traveling to Panama. Thanks again for the CL007 tour. WE LOVED IT !
Submitted by Bob Campbell 2/16/10:
I just wanted to thank you and your staff for making our recent visit such a wonderful experience.
We did three tours: Full canal transit ; PC2 El Valle ; PC3 Charges river + Embera Village + Waterfall The full canal transit was the one tour we were looking for. It was fantastic and a day we will remember forever. The other two tours were great. They were also an experience. We have a new appreciation of your beautiful country, new knowledge, and many pictures to share with our friends and family THANK YOU. We spoke with some other tourists and compared notes. We agreed Mario was the best. I would also like to thank your staff. I spoke with someone on the phone to arrange at least two of the tours, and Alex, your outstanding tour guide, that was very knowledgeable and courteous. Thank you very much for your help. It is deeply appreciated. And if any friend or family go to Panama, I will tell them "Go see Mario!"
Submitted by Erika Tusen 2/22/10:
Just got back from the cruise and want to let you know that we had an amazing time with Gustavo (our tour guide). Definitely will recommend you guys! thank you again!
Submitted by Claire Ference 2/23/10:
Just a quick note to tell you that the GATUN LOCKS, WATERFALL AND EMBERA INDIAN VILLAGE tour was absolutely fantastic. Tour guide REY is FABULOUS!!!! Lots of humor and is very easy to understand. Keep up the great work! REY - you rock!!
Submitted by Naomi Hellmann 2/26/10:
Thanks again for a very memorable trip!
Submitted by Charles Sismondo 2/28/10:
Wednesday, 1/27/10, we tendered in and met with Almiza Tours just outside the tender area. There was a nice A/C van waiting with a driver. We told our guide, Elio, that we would prefer to cross the Miraflores Locks part of our excursion off our tour and add more of the Panama City area. He was very accommodating. We went to the French Embassy area and walked around. We visited the park, went on the shorefront for views. We then climbed a hill outside of town, which had a guard at the entrance to a small park at the top. The view here was fantastic. Both Panama City and the Panama Canal. We then went by some of the buildings that were destroyed in the Noriega war with the USA. We drove through the old town and walked visiting the Cathedral and old town area. Then we drove through the high rise downtown area. Next we went out to Old Panama City and viewed the ruins. We went to the museum—Museo del Canal Interoceanico de Panama, but chose not to go in. We then drove to and crossed the Bridge of the Americas. We stopped at the China Memorial on the bridge for photos and souvenirs. We then returned to the ship. Elio was wonderful, spoke excellent English and showed us everything we wished to see. We arranged it through Almiza Tours aka My Friend Mario tours at www.myfriendmario.com. Booking was easy and he communicated quickly and clearly. Prices were as stated in booking. No deposit was required.wanted
Submitted by Stan Krawiec 3/5/10:
Just want to tell you that your driver. guide ALFRED who picked me up yesterday for the colon tour did an EXCELLENT job and the whole day except for a little rain was great.
Submitted by Lu Fowler 3/13/10:
My family and I are back in Fort Walton Beach Fl. I want to thank you for a great tour. Everyone in my party loved the tour. If I get back to Panama I will check with “My Friend Mario” to see if you are still in business. Next time I’ll arrive Mon-Fri so we can tour old Howard. Again, thank you and wish you and your family the best.
Submitted by Ronald Wagner 3/14/10:
I would like to let people know how happy my family and I were that I had heard good things about my friend Mario. From the first time I talked with Laurie, I knew that this was a company that put the customer first. When we took 3 different day tours that you offered, we found that she definitely wanted us to learn about Panama, and also enjoy the different things your country has to offer. Thank you again, and thank you Laurie.
Submitted by Karen Wood 3/16/10:
Thank you for the excellent tour and transportation to Gamboa. We had a terrific time in Panama and will tell all our friends about our friend Mario!
Submitted by Lorry Tanzler 4/10/10:
We recently took a tour through your company. Our guide was Alex and our driver was Felix. We had a wonderful time. Alex was very friendly and knowledgeable about Colon and Panama in general. We took your tour CL001. We loved it. It was so much fun seeing monkeys and sloths in their natural habitats. How Alex and Felix were able to spot these animals high up in the trees as we drove along astounded us all. The fort at San Lorenzo was awesome. Of course our favorite was the Panama Canal… much to our disappointment we did not get to see a ship go through the locks and were not able to stay the 45 minutes to wait for the next ship… maybe on our next visit! Thank you for helping to make our cruise vacations such a memorable experience.
Submitted by Rachel Sirianni 4/11/10:
I want to thank you for the wonderful tour and my family had with you in Panama the week of March 21st 2010. We had a great time and would use your company anytime available. The tours guides and fruit that were provided were great. Thank you again for such a great day.
Submitted by Eric Raynor 4/11/10:
We just returned from our trip. We had a great time in Panama. Sorry we had to miss the waterfall, we were really looking forward to that. You may want to advise people that because of the water level and everything involved that they might miss the falls. I know that we were disappointed and it would have been better if we were prepared ahead of time.
Submitted by JulieAnn Johnston 4/16/10:
I wanted to send a quick note to let you know how wonderful our tour with your company was on March 21st ! Our guide, Alex, was terrific, he was relaxed, taught us quite a bit about Panama, and interacted very well with our kids. Please send our thanks along to him once again. Hopefully we will have another opportunity to be in Panama soon.
Submitted by Tom Ksepka 4/18/10:
Thank you for the great tour. Alex Flores and Felix were great.
Submitted by Loida Cooke 4/18/10:
Just want to say that we had a great time touring your country. Elvis was very personable and took great care to see that our needs were met. Thank you again.
Submitted by George Holdem 4/20/10:
Just wanted to take a moment to let you know how much my family enjoyed the tour. Alex was our tour guide and did a fantastic job.
Submitted by Bill Jacobs 4/21/10:
I want to thank you and Lori for making our visit to Panama memorable. We had a good time and learned a lot about your country and the locks. We made it home safely even though our last few days at sea were wet and rocky.Thanks again for everything.
Submitted by Lee Morris 4/21/10:
Wanted to say thank you for your assistance in Panama for our cruise transfers.
Submitted by Kali Holloway 4/26/10:
Kali here...We used your services last week. Anyway, I just wanted to drop a line to say our driver was wonderful, our day trip was great, and we were really happy with everything. I'll be recommending your services to anyone I can. Hope you're well and thanks again.
Submitted by Tonda Benton 5/2/10:
Mario Sr and Jorge took us on an exciting journey through Colon to Panama City!! Mario Sr. was so knowledgeable and courteous! We had one friend who had a walker and both gentlemen were so accommodating! I was so excited to be able to see the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in one day and then to experience the Gatun Locks we saw 2 large ships and a large sailboat go through the locks! Mario wanted to take us there last and that proved to be the right time to be there!
I highly recommend MyFriendMario tours to anyone wanting an full experience of the canals, cities, hospitable and knowledgeable tour guides and drivers!
Submitted by Megan Kelley 5/18/10:
My husband and I recently experienced a rain forest/canal tour with your company. It was wonderful! Our guide and driver were excellent! Thank you so much for an amazing experience. We will certainly recommend you in the future!
Submitted by Lindsey Herdez 5/23/10:
I just wanted to thank you for a wonderful tour, May 13, 2010 to the canal and beach. Your tour guide, Ivan, was wonderful - informative, entertaining and funny. We are considering another trip to Panama (maybe next year) and were
wondering if you have any vacation packages for the Pacific coast.
Submitted by Bharath Beedu 6/9/10:
My wife and I had a very good time in Panama city! Thanks for the excellent tour in the very short time we were there. Hope to be back there in the future :)
Submitted by Lara Pearlson 6/15/10:
I just wanted to say we had an amazing time on our tour last week with My Friend Mario. Laurie was our tour guide and she was amazing. One of the best tour guides we have ever had. She was very detailed with all the things we needed and wanted to know about Panama, the Indian village and the Canal. She interacted with all of the guests and also with the Indians and it was awesome to see. We highly recommend using My Friend Mario and hope you get Laurie as your tour guide. Thank you for a highlight of our cruise.
Submitted by Zahid Butts 7/9/10:
well the guy who attended me on 5th. proclaimed his name to be Mario. let me tell you that this guy was highly professional and knowledgable and very considerate. I am highly impressed by the professionalism exhibited by your team. Awesome. if ever I had to go to panama on pleasure very definitely it will be your services and you have my all recommendations to all i know and i dont know that if they want reliable tourning services it should be from your team.
Submitted by Gary Brin 9/13/10:
Everything was FANTASTIC. Tour guide Rey was awesome and very knowledgeable.
We will definetely pass your name and telephone number on to friends and relatives who come your way.
Submitted by Glenn 10/4/10:
We are just back from our Carnival cruise. The tour that you arranged for us was very well received by my passengers. Your staff went out of their way to make sure our need were accomodated. However, the only problem was a late start in the morning. The problem was due to the port police getting in the way of your people wanting to do their jobs. This delay caused us to have only 20 minutes at the Canal. Overall a gret experience. I will certainly use and recommend your company in the future...Thank you
Submitted by Joe Blazina 10/10/10:
Please thank your father, Mario Sr. for the wonderful tour he gave us of Panama City and the Canal. It was the high point of the entire cruse. We hope to see him again in the future.
Submitted by D Rodgers 10/10/10:
Myself and my family recently had the pleasure of seeing Panama through one of your tours. There were four generations of us, so I greatly appreciate your guide's (REY) ability to make the experience relevant and enjoyalbe for all of us. The tour of the locks, rain
forrest, and fort was one of the best travel experiences I have ever had. I highly recommend your tour service to any one who is interested in learning about Panama. Comfortable, clean, accomodating, safe; these all apply to your tour. But most of all
fun. I feel like I now have friends in Panama.
Submitted by Angela Yates 10/29/10:
Just a quick note to let you know we loved our tour. Our guide was Rey and he was WONDERFUL.
Friendly, knowlegeable, and fun. The best outing of our cruise. Plus the driver (so sorry I can't remember his name) was friendly, safe and greating at spotting wildlife.
Submitted by Gabriele Hannickel 12/1/10:
Had a wonderful tour with Alex in November 21st.
It was the most fun and comprehensive tour on our Celebrity cruise on the Equinox. The Gatun locks were great and the waterfall and Indian reservation was an unique experience. Of course Alex was the reason. His knowledge and planning was awesome. I can highly recommend Almiza tours and hope you get Alex as your guide.
Submitted by Laurel Garron 12/26/10:
Thank you for such a wonderful tour and visit of your wonderful country. Our guide Gustavo was the BEST. I have posted a glowing review of you and your company on Cruise critic. You made our visit memorable and we will be happy to forever recommend you whenever we can. It was a pleasure working with you and we wish you all the best in the coming year.
Submitted by Debbie Suarez 12/30/10:
Just wanted to thank you for an awesome tour. Our family enjoyed the tour completely! We enjoyed meeting Mario Sr. He did a great job at sharing your country's history with us.
Submitted by Valerie Yellin 1/4/11:
We just wanted to tell you what a wonderful tour we had with Rey in Panama. He was so knowledgeable and pleasant to spend the day with. You have a
beautiful country and we hope to go back soon.
Thanks for a memorable experience.
Submitted by Beverly Poitrast 1/24/11:
I just wanted to let you know that my entire group had a WONDERFUL time on our trip with you. Our guides, Rey and Mario, were fantastic. The ship was amazing and the service
and amenities onboard totally exceeded my extectations.
I will certainly recommend you to any other travel agents that are looking for a private shore excursion in Panama. Thank you for such a wonderful experience for myself and my clients.
Submitted by Larry Matnet Jr 1/25/11:
Thank you for your kind words, Alex and all of us are really happy you enjoy Panama!
Submitted by Lesa Leinen 1/27/11:
Just wanted to write back about our excursion on the 20th to the Indian village, waterfall and canal. Laurie was our guide and she could not have been better. She was fun to be around and very knowledgeable about everything in Panama. She made the tour a great time. It was very exciting to go and experience the waterfall and the Indian Village. The
Embera Indians were very nice people and we loved their craftsmanship and bought several things to take home. The tour bus was very nice and very comfortable. The snacks and drinks were awesome and we loved them. It really added to the tour. Overall this was the best day we had on our 8 day cruise. It is a tour that we will remember forever. Thank you for providing a great tour. We will recommend you to everyone we can and hopefully we will be back someday to take another tour with you.
Submitted by Loren Brothers 2/1/11:
Thanks very much for your services last week from/to PTY. I am a very happy customer and will recommend you to everybody.
Submitted by Denise Blum 2/9/11:
Thank You for the great service you gave us on our trip to Panama. Your tour company and employees are the best. We will recommend you to everyone we meet.
Thank You so much for picking us up from the ship early on Sunday Morning-February 6, 2011. I don't know how you knew to be early but we are eternally grateful that we didn't
have to wait out in the sun for an hour.(Our original pick up time was 9AM, but they kicked us off the ship before 8AM) You gave us great service, great fun, great knowlege about
your wonderful country!
Submitted by Dale Marie Cavanaugh 2/15/11:
My husband & I pre-booked tour CL007-1 for Sunday 1/30/11 to the Gutun locks and your Embera Indian village. We absolutely enjoyed your tour, it was the best out of all the off-shore excursions we have ever booked. Rey, our tour guide was engaging and highly informative. Felix was a very safe driver.
Submitted by John F. Charles 3/4/11:
How can I thank you enough for all you did for my father? Your care of him was an answer to prayer and a dream come true. You, and especially your father, went far and away beyond the call of duty. That your father personally cared for my father was pure inspiration. You really understood our need and you and your father met this need and
much, much more. My father returned home with more energy, looking better, and having a greater enthusiasm for Panama, than when he left.
Submitted by Doug Bredewold 3/5/11:
We took your Portobelo/snorkeling tour from the Decameron resort on Feb. 7. It was a pleasure to meet Laurie again, she was our guide when we went fishing on Lake Gatun in 2009. The snorkeling on the Caribbean side of the country was much better than on the Pacific coast and the tour of Portobelo was interesting. The only down side was the 4.5 hour drive to get to Portobelo, with the Centennial Bridge down to one lane.
Otherwise it was a fun trip with a great guide and a knowledgeable bus driver. I will again be recommending your services.
Submitted by Holly Simons 3/7/11:
We appreciate your giving us your best guide. He was very intelligent and well informed; we learned a lot and had a wonderful day.
Submitted by Pat Young 3/8/11:
THANK YOU to both you and Alex for your kindness dring my stay in Panama City. Your assistance and help with my tour was amazing and you helped to make me feel at home in Panama.
Submitted by Katalin Koehler-Vajta 3/15/11:
Everything o.K.It was the perfect trip.
Many thanks for your organisation,you showed me many lovely places, I appreciate it very much.
Submitted by Martha Bartolini 4/16/11:
My thanks to your tour guide, Alex and driver, Felix for the informative and comfortable tour in Panama. As a pesron with diabilities they were extremely helpful and made the experience easy and enjoyable. Alex's vast knowledge and insight about the rainforest and canal made the tour! We are glad we booked the tour with your company.
Submitted by Anne Ramsey 4/20/11:
We arranged to be collected from our hotel and to our surprise, Mario was even ahead of time. He was going to take us on a day trip to see a little of the canal, the Gatun Locks, Portobello and Colon. However, we started by squeezing into the huge fruit & vegetable market where Mario showed us incredible amounts of fruits, truck-loads of bananas, pineapples, jicama and much more. Then it was off, driving alongside the canal and the rail lines as he gave us a history lesson and much more.
Mario had so much knowledge at his fingertips. It didn't seem to matter what the subject was, Mario knew the answer. We asked if we might undertake the return journey via train and Mario promised that he would meet us at the other end of the line, which he did.
We were so very happy to see him. If you require a most pleasing and helpful tour guide then Mario is your man.
Submitted by Nino 4/25/11:
I can not wait until we get back to our ship to tell you how much my wife and I enjoyed todays excursion to gatun and the canoe ride to the indiginous embera village. Although we did not get to the waterfall due to low water, we had more time to spend with the warm friendly inhabitants. Our tour guide, alex was not only knowledable and proud of his panamanian roots, but kept us fully engaged and entertained. Misael l was a competent and safe driver. Please feel free to use this as a future endorsement in any advertising you do. Once again, thank you for one of the best excusions ever.
Submitted by Tom Poole 4/26/11:
We used your service for tour CL001 while in Panama on April 14, 2011.
We visited the canal, rain forest and the San Lorenzo fort, Rey was our guide. My wife and I agree that the tour was outstanding and Rey was an excellent guide providing a lot of historical information about everything we visited. Rey held everyone's interest during the entire tour and was an excellent host for the group. Additionally, the cost for the tour was very economical, especially if you compare to what other tours though the cruise line cost. I would recommend your service to anyone visiting Panama and feel free to use this note as you please.
Submitted by Mary Ferguson 5/7/11:
Our 'girl's trip' group of 5 women spent a week in Panama early Dec. 2010 and decided to take a tour to the Embera Village with My Friend Mario's Tours. Our guide was Alex. We planned to let Mario know what a great guide he has in Alex but....we never got to it so... hopefully better late than never!!!! We had a wonderful day at the village meeting the Embera and learning about Panama all day long. We all were so impressed by Alex that we arranged for him to be our guide for our other 'excursion' ( the canal, Monkey Island and the Miraflores Lock and a city tour). It was so much fun doing it with Alex. He is so personable and knowledgeable about his country. We felt like we were touring with a friend instead of just our 'tour guide'. If we ever get back to Panama, we will for sure book again with My Friend Mario, asking of course, for Alex...... the best!!
More clients Testimonials tomorrow.
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