Ever wondered what adventures await you at Puerto Quetzal Cruise Port? From breathtaking landscapes to rich cultural experiences, we will go over everything you need to know for an unforgettable visit. Puerto Quetzal is a unique cruise port located on Guatemala’s Pacific Coast in Central America. It is visited by many cruise passengers on Panama Canal cruises and a few South American cruises. If you have ever wanted to visit Guatemala but have been hesitant to make the trip, taking a cruise that includes this port stop is a great way to visit this incredible country.
Guatemala is a very colorful, friendly, cultural country to visit. Guatemala is considered the heart of the Mayan world, with a large Mayan influence, which is evident in the large indigenous population still seen today. As you arrive at Puerto Quetzal on the Pacific Coast of Guatemala, you will have the opportunity to visit a few of the most popular places in Guatemala, such as Antigua, a UNESCO Heritage Site, and Guatemala City. You will have an opportunity to visit lush rainforests and local markets with unique souvenirs and get a taste of the local culture. You will surely have an incredible time at the wonderful and unique Puerto Quetzal cruise terminal in Guatemala.
A Few Facts About the Puerto Quetzal Cruise Port
The Puerto Quetzal Cruise Port is located on the Pacific coast of Guatemala. The cruise port is about a two-hour drive from Guatemala City, the capital of Guatemala. It is an hour-and-a-half drive from Antigua, Guatemala. A UNESCO Heritage site and the most popular destination to visit while in port. This is important to remember as most excursions, namely those to the capital city and Antigua, require a bit of travel time from the cruise port. While most roads were clear during our trip, there are times when traffic can become congested, especially if your excursion includes a visit to the capital city of Guatemala.
The cruise port can dock two cruise ships at the same time. However, one ship will dock at the cruise section of the port while the other ship will be docked in the industrial section of the port. This can affect the time you spend at the cruise port, as most excursions leave early in the morning and return shortly before the all-aboard time.
If your cruise ship is docked in the industrial section, shuttle buses will be available to take you to the Puerto Quetzal cruise port. If you go on an excursion and your bus is delayed, you might miss the opportunity to visit the cruise port, as shuttles stop running about 30 minutes or so prior to the all-aboard time. Each cruise line has its own policy, so this can change depending on the company you cruise with.
The cruise port is unique, and it is worth spending time exploring Puerto Quetzal. You will get a feel for Guatemala’s unique culture. There are many things to do at the Puerto Quetzal Cruise Port, and we are sure you will have an incredible time at this unique cruise port.
Arriving at Puerto Quetzal Cruise Port
When you arrive at Puerto Quetzal Cruise Port, you will notice a welcome sign that is visible from the cruise ship. As you exit your cruise ship, your ears will be filled with local music. The traditional musical instrument in Guatemala is the Marimba, also known as the Xylophone. Traditional Marimba music will be playing, welcoming you to Guatemala and to the cruise port.
The Welcome Center at Puerto Quetzal Cruise Port
The first building you will enter once you get off your cruise ship is the Welcome Center. The Welcome Center, as well as other buildings in the cruise port, has a palm thatch roof. As you enter the building, you will see a Marimba group playing classic Guatemalan music. You wouldn’t know this unless you are Guatemalan or have knowledge of Guatemalan music. The songs being played on the Marimba or Xylophone are classic songs that have been around for decades and are enjoyed by Guatemalans.
One of the first things you might notice in the welcome center is the large map of Guatemala painted on the floor. The map has details of the different departments that make up the country of Guatemala.
Information Available at the Welcome Center
At the Welcome Center, you can get information about Guatemala and the things you can do in Puerto Quetzal and the surrounding area. You can also get information about sights you can visit during your port stop. You can also pick up a map of Guatemala if you would like one. The Welcome Center is run by the Guatemala Tourism Board. It is a great place to get any information you need about your visit to Guatemala.
Tour Operators in the Welcome Center
At the Welcome Center, you will also find tour operators offering the same types of tours as the cruise line. A huge benefit of booking your excursion through your cruise line is that they will wait for you if there is a delay in returning to the cruise ship. Tour operators are conscientious about getting passengers back on time. However, the drive to popular tourist sites such as Antigua is long. If you book an excursion on your own, The cruise line will not wait for you if you are late returning to the ship.
Entering the Main Area of Puerto Quetzal Cruise Port
As you make your way through the Welcome Center, you will enter the main area of the cruise port. If you are looking for restroom facilities, you will find facilities available right outside the Welcome Center on the left-hand side.
Enjoy a Drink at the Puerto Quetzal Cruise Center Bar
As you walk past the center, you will see a small bar area to your right. The small bar is a great place to relax and enjoy the local rum or beer of Guatemala. There are ample tables and chairs available for cruise passengers.
This isn’t the only place where you can purchase a drink. There are several places where you can get a drink or a bite to eat at the cruise port.
The Various Areas of Puerto Quetzal Cruise Port
As you walk past this area, you will see directional signs that point you toward the various places you can visit while at Puerto Quetzal Cruise Port.
The Guatemala Letter Sign
As you begin to explore Puerto Quetzal, you will come to a grassy area with a large purple Guatemala letter sign. The sign is very Instagrammable, so it is a popular area for photographs. You might have to wait in line for a photograph. However, it will become less busy as cruise passengers leave for their shore excursions.
The Open Air Market at Puerto Quetzal Cruise Port
One of the largest and most colorful areas of the cruise port is the Open Air Market. At the Open Air Market, you will find several vendors selling handmade artisan items and souvenirs.
You will find a variety of Guatemalan textile products. Many of the textiles are hand-woven. While you can haggle on the price of textiles to reduce your cost, keep in mind the amount of work it takes to produce these unique handwoven textiles.
While the Open Air Market is the main vendor area, you will find many other vendor booths set up throughout the cruise port selling artisan products and also food items.
The HandiCraft Market
The Handicraft Market is located past the Open Air Market. This is another area where you can purchase Guatemalan souvenirs and artisan products.
The Amphitheatre
The Amphitheatre is located in the center of Puerto Quetzal. It is just past the Welcome Center and right before the Jade Museum. The Amphitheatre is a nice, shady outdoor area with lots of seating. At the Amphitheatre, you can enjoy a cultural show that includes music and dances of Guatemala.
The Jade Museum
The Jade Museum has a free exhibit for cruise passengers. Near the entrance of the Jade Museum is a life-size statute that is wearing a Jade mask.
The museum exhibit has Jade pieces from ancient Mayan civilizations. Some of the artifacts that you will see on exhibit include Jade masks, Jade tablets with inscriptions, and small Jade statutes. There is a short informational video.
A short presentation was given by a museum docent. The presentation included information on what Jade is, how it is formed, and where Jade is found in Guatemala. He also discussed the differences between real Jade and other materials. The presentation was given in English. Several of the other employees at the museum spoke English as well.
The Jade Museum also has a store where you can purchase various jade pieces, including a variety of jade jewelry. The store can ship items to the US and Canada.
Havana Coffee and Cigar Bar
The Havana Coffee and Cigar Bar is located behind the Jade Museum. The coffee and cigar bar doesn’t just offer coffee and cigars. You can stop by and purchase a variety of Guatemalan spirits, including the popular local Gallo beer.
The Havana Coffee and Cigar Bar is a great place to taste local Guatemalan coffee. You can also purchase packaged coffee to take home.
You will also find other vendors selling artisan products right outside the cigar bar.
WiFi at Puerto Quetzal Cruise Port
If you spend any time at one of the bars or restaurants at the cruise port, you can have free internet access. Free Wi-Fi is available at most eateries if you purchase an item, such as a drink. There is also a Wifi kiosk on the grounds where Wifi is available for a small fee. The speed is decent but can slow down if there are a lot of people using the WiFi.
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Restaurants at Puerto Quetzal
You will find a variety of places where you can grab a bite to eat at the cruise port. If you would like to eat at a local restaurant, Restaurante Pez Vela del Pacifico is located on the grounds of the cruise port near the marina. The restaurant has outdoor and indoor seating. The outdoor tables have umbrellas that protect you from the sun. The restaurant has a full menu and offers seafood and many local traditional dishes.
Restaurante Pez Vela is ocean-front with great views of the cruise ship and marina. You can see where the restaurant is located from your cruise ship. As you look out towards Puerto Quetzal, the restaurant is located on the left-hand side of the cruise port near the marina.
Shore Excursion Buses
If you have booked an excursion through your cruise line, you will need to make your way to the shore excursion bus area to meet your bus. The bus area is located towards the back of the cruise port. There are plenty of directional signs pointing you in the right direction.
There are a couple of different paths to take that will lead to the excursion bus area. After exiting the Welcome Center, follow the path towards the Jade Museum. You will pass the Jade Museum, go towards the taxi area and the Handicraft Market. When you exit the Handicraft Market, you will be in the bus area. You can also go through the Open Air Market and head towards the Handicraft Market. The cruise port is not very large, and there are sufficient signs that will point you in the right direction.
The Taxi Kiosk
At the Taxi Kiosk, you will find taxis that are available for personal tours or to take you to specific locations. Since the cruise port isn’t large, you won’t have a large number of taxis compared to other cruise ports. While you will still get a great price in comparison to the cost of excursions offered by the cruise ship, there are fewer taxis to negotiate with.
Keep in mind that the popular tourist areas such as the Colonial City of Antigua and Guatemala City are a long drive from the port. I can’t stress enough that if you do decide to hire a taxi, keep an eye on the time so that you give yourself enough time to return to your ship.
Puerto Quetzal On Your Own
There are several places to visit in the surrounding area outside of the cruise port. Puerto Quetzal is located in the Department of Escuintla, which is a popular coastal destination for tourists as well as locals.
The beaches in Escuintla are black sand beaches and are beautiful. One word of caution is that the shore break can be strong. During certain times of the year, the shore break can be very strong, similar to beaches in Cabo San Lucas. It is best to err on the side of caution when it comes to entering the water. If the surf is strong, then it is better to enjoy the ocean from the shore.
Hotel Soleil Pacifico in Puerto San Jose
To the north west of Puerto Quetzal is Puerto San Jose. A few minutes past town, you will find the popular Hotel Soleil Pacifico. The hotel is 10 Km (6.21 Miles) from the cruise port. This is a 20-minute taxi ride between the hotel and the cruise port.
Hotel Soleil Pacifico is an all-inclusive hotel with a stunning beach. The hotel offers day passes for guests, which include use of the facilities, food, and drinks. You will need to contact Hotel Soleil Pacifico directly to purchase a day pass.
I have stayed at the Hotel Soleil Pacifico while on a different trip to Guatemala and really enjoyed my time at this resort.
Oceana Resort in Santa Rosa
Oceana Resort is in the Department of Santa Rosa, east of the cruise port. The resort is 18 Km (11.18 Miles) from the cruise port. This is about a 34-minute taxi ride from the port.
Ocean Resort is also an all-inclusive resort. The resort offers day passes, which include use of the facilities, food, and drinks. You will also need to contact Oceano Resort directly to purchase a day pass.
Puerto Quetzal Cruise Excursions
There are a variety of shore excursions offered by the different cruise lines that stop at this popular cruise port. Shore excursions and the type of experience offered will differ based on the length of stay and the departure times of each cruise ship. The longer the cruise ship is in port, the more activities it can offer to its cruise passengers.
As I have mentioned before, travel time between popular destinations is long, and traffic can affect the time it takes to return from your excursion.
Hotel Cayman Suites Day Pass with Lunch
Hotel Cayman is located in the Department of Santa Rosa. The resort is about 22 Km (13.7 Miles) from the cruise port. The cruise excursion includes the use of the resort facilities and lunch. You are taken to the hotel by motorcoach, and at the end of your stay, you will be transported to the cruise port via motorcoach.
Guatemalan Gastronomic Experience in Antigua with Lunch
On this excursion, you will visit Antigua, Guatemala, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Antigua has colonial architecture and cobblestone streets. It is a beautiful town to visit. You will sample a variety of traditional Guatemalan dishes and learn how to prepare the traditional Enchilada of Guatemala. You will also enjoy a few traditional Guatemalan sweets, which are made from natural ingredients.
This excursion can be difficult for those with mobility issues as there is moderate walking over cobblestone streets.
San Juan Del Obispo, Chocolate, and Antigua Highlights
On this excursion, you will visit the town of San Juan Del Obispo, a charming Guatemalan village close to Antigua. You will learn about the chocolate-making process and taste delicious Guatemalan chocolate. This excursion includes lunch. After lunch, you will visit the town of Antigua and then head back to the cruise port.
Guatemalan Textiles and Antigua Highlights
During this excursion, you will visit the town of San Antonio Aguas Calientes. You will learn about Guatemalan textiles and how they are woven. You will see the process in action using a traditional loom. This excursion includes lunch with delicious Guatemalan food. After lunch, you will explore the highlights of Antigua.
Coffee Plantation and Antigua
On this excursion, you will visit a local coffee plantation. At the plantation, you will learn how coffee is grown and roasted. After visiting the plantation, you will visit the town of Antigua.
Antigua On Your Own
On this excursion, you will travel to Antigua by motorcoach. During the drive, your tour guide will give you information about Antigua. Once you arrive, you will receive a map of Antigua, and then you are free to explore the town on your own. You are given a meeting place and a return time. You will have about three hours to explore Antigua on your own.
This is a great tour if you enjoy the freedom of exploring the town on your own. There is a lot to see in Antigua and this is the perfect way to visit sites in Antigua that you would like to visit.
Colonial Antigua Past & Present
This excursion is a guided tour of Antigua. You will learn about the rich heritage of Guatemala and this incredible town. Places you will visit on this tour include the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, and the Jade Museum. You will also visit Casa Santo Domingo, a former convent which is now a hotel.
Antigua’s Craft Beer Experience
On this excursion, you will go on a walking tour of Antigua and then head to a local craft brewery. The Master Brewer will explain the process used to brew beer. Afterward, you will have the opportunity to taste a few of their craft beers.
Guests on this excursion must be at least 18 years old to consume beer.
Guatemala Rum Tasting & Antigua
Guatemala has some of the most incredible rum. On this excursion, you will go to Antigua and visit Casa del Ron where you will have the opportunity to taste some of Guatemala’s finest rum. After rum tasting, you will have lunch where you will taste traditional Guatemalan dishes. You will be able to explore several highlights in the beautiful town of Antigua.
Panoramic Antigua
This excursion is designed for those with mobility issues. Visiting Antigua can be challenging as the town has cobblestone streets, which can make getting around town difficult. On this excursion, you will have a guided drive to Antigua. During your visit to Antigua, you will have a fully accessible motor-driven excursion of Antigua.
Colonial Antigua, Jade Maya, and Chocolate Workshop
On this excursion, you will start your adventure at the Central Plaza in Antigua. You will see a few sites as you make your way to the Chocolate Museum in Antigua. Here, you will learn about the origins of chocolate and the importance that chocolate played in the Mayan Culture. You will create your own chocolate with natural ingredients.
After you visit the Chocolate Museum, you will enjoy a buffet lunch featuring authentic Guatemalan dishes. You will then visit the famous Jade Maya Jade factory and learn about the significance of Jade in Mayan culture. You will be able to explore a few of Antigua’s markets to purchase souvenirs.
Pacaya Volcano Hike & Countryside Drive
During this excursion, you will have an up-close look at one of Guatemala’s active volcanoes. This is a great excursion for nature lovers and those looking for exciting outdoor activities. This is a rigorous excursion that includes a full-day guided hike to the Pacaya Volcano. You will be transported by coach to Pacaya National Park.
A certified guide will greet you at Pacaya National Park. You will then begin a 2-hour trek up the mountain through forests and meadowlands, which will eventually give way to volcanic sand and rock. On your hike, you might even catch the smell of sulfur in the air as you reach a platform near the top of the volcano. The platform near the top of the volcano is a great place for photographs.
After spending some time on the platform, the hike down the mountain will begin. The hike down is less strenuous and will take about an hour. Due to the nature of this hike to an active volcano, this excursion will only proceed as long as conditions allow. Beverages and snacks are provided on this excursion.
Frequently Asked Questions About Puerto Quetzal Cruise Port
Here are answers to frequently asked questions about visiting Puerto Quetzal Cruise Port in Guatemala. We hope these answers will help you as you plan your visit to Puerto Quetzal.
Many vendors at Puerto Quetzal Cruise Port accept US dollars and credit cards. While you can use credit cards, it is a good idea to have cash on hand in case you encounter a vendor that only takes cash.
The currency used is the Guatemalan Quetzal. Many shops also accept credit cards and US Dollars. However, it is a good idea to have Guatemalan currency on hand. One important note is that US Currency with any type of damage, such as a small tear, will most likely not be accepted. The bill needs to be intact and without any damage.
The official language of Guatemala is Spanish. There are also 22 different Mayan languages that are spoken throughout the country.
While Spanish is the official language of Guatemala, English is widely spoken throughout Puerto Quetzal. Many people also speak English in Antigua and other tourist areas.
Several major cruise lines, including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Princess Cruises, frequently stop at Puerto Quetzal.
Popular activities include exploring Antigua, visiting coffee plantations, purchasing a day pass at resorts near the cruise port, relaxing at beaches, and exploring the cruise port itself.
Yes, it is safe to explore Puerto Quetzal Cruise Port on your own. However, if you venture outside the Port, it’s advisable to hire a taxi, as the area surrounding the cruise port is industrial. For added safety, you should consider guided excursions.
Pack light clothing, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, a sunhat or cap, bug spray, water, and any personal items you may need for excursions.
Enjoy Your Visit to Puerto Quetzal Cruise Port in Guatemala
A visit to Puerto Quetzal Cruise Port is a great way to visit Guatemala. This wonderful country is rich in history, culture, and natural beauty, making it a must-visit location for cruise travelers. There is a wide variety of activities for different types of travelers. We are sure that you will enjoy your visit to the unique and beautiful Puerto Quetzal Cruise Port in Guatemala!
Have you ever visited Puerto Quetzal, or are you planning to? Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you!
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