Puerto Quetzal

Puerto Quetzal is Guatemala's main Pacific port, a commercial harbour surrounded by flat, humid lowland. The cruise terminal has a small shopping area with jade vendors, coffee sellers, and a few food stalls. The town itself doesn't have much to hold you, but the port is the starting point for trips inland to Antigua Guatemala, the old colonial capital about two hours away by bus. Antigua sits in a valley ringed by volcanoes, with cobblestone streets and earthquake-damaged church ruins that have been left standing since the 18th century. The central market sells textiles and local chocolate. If you stay near the port, the jade museum at the terminal is worth a pass-through, and vendors sell Guatemalan rum and macadamia nuts. Bring US dollars in small bills, as they are widely accepted.