Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala’s Major Pacific Port Of Call

Guatemala, in Central American, south of Mexico, it is home to volcanoes, rainforests and ancient Mayan sites. The capital, Guatemala City, features the stately National Palace of Culture and the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. Antigua, west of the capital, contains preserved Spanish colonial buildings. Lake Atitlán, formed in a massive volcanic crater, is surrounded by coffee fields and villages.

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.

Wheelchair Accessibility
Disembarking – This port has a developed cruise ship pier but the ease of disembarking varies by the individual ships gangway designs. For passengers using wheelchairs there can be a moderate ramp incline to deal with but the visitors center and craft village have no obsticels.

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.

Tipping

Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. If service charges are included in the bill, rounding up or leaving small change is customary. In restaurants, leaving between 5-10% of the bill is becoming a common practice if you are satisfied with the service. Tipping tour guides is usually based on the tour cost with a few dollars being a minimum. For taxi drivers or service staff, rounding up the fare or leaving a small tip is sufficient.

Attractions

Guatemala offers a wealth of interesting activities that appealing to various interests. Located north of the cruise port is Abaj Takalik one of several Mesoamerican sites with both Olmec and Maya features that shows evidence of being occupied for over two thousand years. Located some distance away is one of the most popular sites, Tikal National Park, renowned for its ancient Mayan ruins and rich biodiversity. Visitors can also explore the charming colonial city of Antigua, which is famous for its well-preserved architecture and vibrant culture.

For nature enthusiasts, hiking Acatenango Volcano provides stunning views. Lake Atitlán, surrounded by volcanoes and picturesque villages, is another must-visit destination, ideal for kayaking and hiking.

Many cruise lines offer shore excursions to Antigua City and other points of interest but right in the port area is a craft village that 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 located 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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