Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala’s Port Of Call
Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala is the largest port in the country. Many Eastern Pacific cruise itineraries now regularly have cruise ships calling on this interesting port. Puerto Quetzal is now Guatemala’s primary cargo entry port serving cities like La Antigua, and Guatemala City some sixty miles inland.
Where Your Ship Docks
Cruise ships dock inside the harbor area at a dedicated cruise pier that includes a visitors center and crafts village providing entertainment, food and public facilities.
Transportation
There are taxis usually available outside the port village but it is several miles to the nearest town of Puerto San Jose. The best way to see the areas attractions is with a tour.
Local Currency
The Quetzal is Guatemala’s currency with an exchange rate in the range of approximately 7 to 8 Quetzal per 1 U.S. Dollar. At the village US Dollars are often welcome and there is an ATM available. Most credit cards are gladly accepted.
Attractions
Many cruise lines offer shore excursions to Antigua City and other points of interest but if you’re not interested in traveling away from the port area the craft village offers some amazing handcrafted items at very good prices. There’s a cute crafts market that has a multitude of souvenir items along with an interesting Jade Museum with some quality jewelry for sale.
Some distance up the coast is the town of Monterrico with a volcanic black sand beach anlong with the Monterrico Nature Reserve intended to protect sea turtles and the areas mangrove estuary.
Antigua some sixty miles east of the port is a cute town featuring museums and art galleries and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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