Santo Tomas de Castilla Guatemala Cruise Port Guide

Location:

The dock area is mostly a commercial loading area. There is a large building with local handicrafts, jewelry and t-shirts.

You can also expect to see a representative from the INGUAT, the guatemalan tourism commission to provide tourism information and oversee that tour operators are not trying to rip off tourists.

Lively Marimba music will greet you.

Cruise calendar for this port.

Watch a destination video.

Live Nautical Chart with Wikipedia Markers

Monthly Climate Averages for Santo Tomas de Castilla Guatemala

Sightseeing:

Tours Excursions Transportation:

Taxis, both regular and watertaxi, will take you to various destinations in the area. $3 to Santo Tomás de Castilla proper, and $5 to Puerto Barrios. Boats transport cruise visitors to Livingston, charging about $6. a 20-minute trip.

Most passengers opt for a cruise organized excursion.

Some tours can be arranged that allow you to visit a school where you can interact with the children. Many people bring school supplies and other gifts for the children at these schools, as poverty continues to dominate throughout the region.

Nearby Places:

Quirigua an interesting archeological site because of its stone mayan carvings is about 30 to 45 minutes from the port.

Other nearby options include the Rio Dulce, Lake Izabal, the towns of Puerto Barrios, Livingston and San Felipe, and the Mayan ruins of Quirigua.

Shopping and Food

Currency:

Quetzal (GTQ)

ATM at the terminal.

The US dollar is the most widely accepted foreign currency. Credit cards are accepted at many city hotels, restaurants and shops.

Currency Converter

Communication:

Internet access at the terminal.

Opening Hours and Holidays:

January 1: New Year's Day, public holiday
January 12-15: Flores fiesta
1st Friday in Lent: Antigua
Semana Santa: Easter, or Holy Week is huge throughout Guatemala, particularly in Antigua, and it is advised to book travel and accommodation well in advance. Santiago Atitlan is also worth visiting to see the cigar smoking saint Maximon paraded through the streets
May 1: Labour Day, marked in Guatemala City by marches and protests, public holiday
June: Corpus Christi celebrations
June 30:Army Day, anniversary of the 1871 revolution, public holiday
July 25: Santiago fiesta in Antigua; also celebrated Santiago Atitlan
August: Many fiestas in highland areas
August 15: Guatemala City fiesta
September 15: Independence Day public holiday
October 2-6: Panajachel fiesta
October 12: Discovery of America bank holiday
October 20: Revolution Day, public holiday
November 1: All Saints Day, public holiday
November 26: Garifuna Day in Livingston
December 7: Burning of the Devil sees men dressed up as devils chase around highland towns
December 13-21: Large Chichicastenango fiesta
December 25: Christmas Day
December 31: New Year's Eve

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