we just got back form the freedom's trip to panama, costa rica, belize. at panama we took the carnival excursion that: you get on a bus drive to the pacific side. get on a ferry, travel back towards the caribbean. you get to go through two sets of locks that raise you up. the buses meet you about half way thru. the new government highway is now open. we got back to the ship much earlier than past guest that could not shop.