The sail into Puerto Quetzal comes to a virtually whole 360º loop to transparent the ocean wall and get right of entry to the pier on the cruise terminal. This additionally concerned navigating via a hectic business port.
The cruise terminal itself is a small sq. of lush inexperienced timber surrounded on 3 aspects by way of a container terminal. To the left, a big depot, incessantly loading hundreds of tonnes of the black stuff onto a ready shipment send.
We had half-heartedly thought to be an tour into Antigua, however a handy guide a rough have a look at photos on-line display that even if stunning, that is no the city for scooters. A commute into the jungle could be in a similar way wasteful. So as an alternative, we come to a decision to stick native and notice what we will do at the instant neighborhood of Puerto Quetzal.
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As ahead of, we hang out slightly, looking forward to the early rush to subside for a smoother disembarkation. The pier is relatively new and smartly maintained which makes for a tight scooter trip.
As soon as ashore, we move via a big “hut” that doubles as a vacationer knowledge level. There are a number of desks providing excursions, most commonly to Antigua. Outdoor, it’s a pageant of track and colors, dozens of stalls promoting native handicrafts, chocolate, clothes and jade.
The individuals are cheerful, pleasant and open to bartering. That is the primary port prevent the place we now have noticed any home made Christmas adorns they usually glance superb. So we purchase one. All of the terminal is a rebel of color.
It is vitally heat and humid, however the timber supply some respite. There also are some native musicians taking part in conventional tools to entertain the crowds. There may be even one dude dressed as a Mayan warrior…
We don’t keep ashore too lengthy however we now have actually loved our consult with. Guatemala has been a lot more welcoming than Mexico and Puerto Quetzal is a brilliant commercial for the rustic.
Accessibility data
Batteries used: 66%
Terrain: The cruise terminal could be very smartly paved, with clean cement paths and smartly laid paving all through. The walkways do get rather crowded alternatively, and it can be a bit of tricky to get with regards to one of the stalls.
Taxis: Taxis are to be had outdoor the cruise terminal for brief journeys to within reach San Jose. We will be able to’t remark at the cars, however different passengers advised that town isn’t very obtainable.
Did you get a passport stamp in Puerto Quetzal?
Sure! Simply ask on the vacationer knowledge table within the huge hut as you disembark.
Would you revisit Puerto Quetzal?
Possibly no longer Puerto Quetzal itself, however the terminal has supplied a style of what Guatemala has to provide – and we preferred what we noticed.
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Issues to do in Puerto Quetzal
Puerto Quetzal is also the southern gateway to Guatemala – however the majority of the inhabitants are living within the centre of the rustic. As such, there’s no longer that many stuff to do in Puerto Quetzal itself. In truth, Princess Cruises advise visitors no longer to stroll into the city as a result of it’s rather bad and closely trafficked.
On the other hand, the UNESCO indexed town of Antigua is round 50 miles away:
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